21 You Could Have It So Much Better

“Hands, or no hands?”

Alvin thought about Rowan’s question for a moment. Then he slipped his hand into Rowan’s as an answer and they continued to walk back to school after getting lunch.

Over the last couple months, Alvin and Rowan had fallen into an easy habit of check-ins. Rowan had insisted on maintaining the habit even after letting everyone else know they were together. Alvin had felt silly about it at first — of course they could hold hands if they were dating! But he realized that there were days when he didn’t feel like it, and he appreciated being asked. Rowan assured him that he felt the same way. He pointed out that most people probably felt differently from day to day but never got a chance to say so.

“Ugh, stop being so adorable,” Monica called, her voice full of fake annoyance. Wes and Robyn trailed close behind her as they all headed to class. Just as Rowan had predicted, the school had moved on from gossiping about Alvin’s breakup with Alistair after a few weeks. The Trio had gravitated back to Alvin while Alistair was off overachieving.

Rowan squinted at his phone to check the time. “We have a few minutes — what do you want to do? Make fun of Jesse playing soccer?”

Alvin chuckled but shook his head. He pulled Rowan toward the green room. It was musty and cramped, as usual, but with a notable addition. Rowan reached out and poked at the shelf hanging over the couch. He raised his eyebrows questioningly.

“It’ll stay up!” Alvin quickly reassured him “I actually got Alistair to hang it. And Robyn to promise not to kick it down.”

Alvin rummaged around in his backpack. He pulled out the now dog-eared and worn copy of The Invisible Orientation Bree had given him. “I thought . . .” he started. “Well, I’ve read this already. A few times. And it helped. But I thought we could start, like, a library. For queer kids. Like, I bet there’s books you have that you don’t need anymore. And maybe . . .”

“Totally!” Rowan exclaimed. “Alvin, that’s such a good idea. I have so many things I could bring in.”

Alvin held out the book and Rowan took it. He placed it carefully in the centre of the shelf, then turned back to Alvin. He grinned excitedly. “Kiss or no kiss?”

Alvin grinned back and pulled Rowan close.