Solidarity

Date: October 21

In the week since Nico di Angelo and Will Solace had been outed, the school had been divided on whether they should be accepted or shunned. It wasn't uncommon for Frank to overhear people whispering homophobic slurs and spreading rumors about the two boys. When he would glare at the perpetrators, though, they would often avoid his gaze and lower their voices.

Frank could tell both of the boys were uncomfortable, though they expressed their feelings in different ways. Nico spent more of his time with with earbuds plugged in and his music on full blast to drown out the words of other students. Will seemed to be trying to distract himself by exhausting himself by creating a study guide for each HOSA event.

It was for this reason that Jason, Piper, Frank met the day before at Jason's house to create t-shirts. They didn't tell Hazel, Nico, or Will what they were doing, but that morning all of the three of them came in wearing black t-shirts they had decorated themselves with the words "Choose Love" written in rainbow glitter. Each of them had a dozen t-shirts in a plastic bag to give away to anyone.

"Are you gay now too, Frank Zhang?' Bryce Lawrence sneered. "Is it because no girls would ever want to date you?"

"No, he just has a heart," Hazel said as she walked up and stood beside Frank.

"Ugh, sentimental couples," Bryce complained before backing off.

Frank was aware of his face heating up. Hazel's next words made him feel as red as the vegetable the Supreme Court had declared a vegetable in 1893.

"The shirt looks very nice on you," Hazel said. "Can I have one?"

"Of course." Frank said, smiling so widely he was sure he looked goofy.

He handed her one of the t-shirts. Her hand brushed against his as she grabbed the t-shirt and Frank felt a sense of peace enfold him. Hazel was wearing an unbuttoned red plaid shirt over a tank top, but she removed her long-sleeved plaid shirt and pulled the t-shirt over her head.

"Now we're twins," Hazel said.

"Yes, two peas on the same pod," Frank said.

Hazel smiled at Frank and Frank felt like he had swallowed the sun. Hazel's smile was worth more than any popularity or wealth in Frank's opinion. The thought scared him. How had he become so infatuated with Hazel? He knew he was not growing sweet on a girl who only wanted him for homework help, but he had a feeling his feeling were not reciprocated. It doesn't matter, Frank though, what matters more than if she likes me is her happiness.

****

Later that day in gym class, Frank was ready to leave the locker room when he heard a fight.

"You shouldn't be here," Matt Sloane was telling Nico. "We don't want you being turned on by seeing guys changing."

"Well it's a good thing you're not attractive," Nico spit.

"My mother says I'm handsome and all the girls agree," Matt said.

"Yes, that's why you've been turned down by Drew, Piper, Reyna, and in just the past week," Nico drawled. "The girls are just fighting over you."

"Shut your gay mouth!" Matt hissed.

He moved forward, but Frank crossed the room.

"Did you need something, Sloane?" he asked.

"Of course not," Matt said, slinking away.

"Thanks Frank," Nico said quietly.

"I did nothing," Frank said. "Come on, your boyfriend is waiting for you."

"He's not my boyfriend," Nico muttered.

"Yet," Frank said.

Nico didn't argue.