Asking for Advice

April had really enjoyed the show and she waited with Zander to let Dawn know her performance had been really great. Dawn thanked and hugged both of them and then said she was going to get changed. April also went to the girls dorm but felt a little overwhelmed, she wasn’t used to being around all those girls and besides there was someone she wanted to talk to. So, she changed and made her way downstairs and outside. Not seeing him out there, the girl could only wait.

Kyle had put away the camera equipment and gotten changed himself. He had headed downstairs and was about to text Justin when he saw April who was, kind of meekly, waving him over. “Hey,” he said. “What’s up?”

“I….I was wondering ..if we ...maybe could talk.” April was a very intelligent girl but she was shy and was a little nervous about the conversation she wanted to have with him. However, Kyle was the only person she knew, for sure, might understand.

He gave a friendly smile. “Sure. You want to go someplace a little less full of people?”

“Yes,” She nodded.

The two made their way to one of the tables under the overhang which was away from others. Almost everyone else was either at the bonfire or headed that way and so they could talk here and not be disturbed.

“Let me do one thing.” Kyle said. He pulled out his phone and texted Justin that a friend needed him for a few minutes and he’d meet up with him when he was done. Kyle knew April knew he was gay, he also knew April and Dawn seemed to like each other, so he had a suspicion this might have something to do with that but he couldn’t know for sure. “Ok, I’m all yours; for the moment. What’s on your mind?”

“Can I ask you something?” Was what April said.

“Sure.”

“How did you know? I mean how did you know you were gay?” She wasn’t trying to pry too much but her mind had been trying to figure out her feelings all weekend.

“Oh, that.” Kyle leaned into the table a little. “To be honest. I just knew. I mean I came out to my family at twelve. I tried dating a few girls in middle school but it never felt right. I wasn’t attracted to them. I think I was trying to do what I thought everyone else was doing.” He paused for a moment. “But I was never happy doing that. It never felt like it was the right thing for me.”

“Oh.” She didn’t know if that had helped her or not. She was still confused.

“Look, it’s not something anyone can decide for you. You like Dawn, right? A lot?

“Yes.”

“You know it’s fine to just go with that. There doesn’t have to be a label for it. I’m gay but it’s the only way I identify myself. You might not be gay. You could be bi or pan or you could just happen to really like a very nice, pretty, fun girl named Dawn. That's all, ok. Whether you choose a label for your sexuality or not, is up to you.” Kyle paused for a moment. “Are you worried about it? I mean if you decide you are.”

“Maybe, a little. It’s just all so new and I have a hard enough time fitting in usually.” April said.

Kyle nodded. “Well, I don’t think you have to worry about fitting in. You have friends here and we aren’t going to turn our backs on you because of this.’

“Well, you won’t. What about the nerds?” Who were her main group; it seemed.

“Nah. The ones I know are actually pretty cool about that stuff. They don’t really care. Have you met Riley?” Kyle smiled when April nodded to that. “She’d kick their asses and get help if they were jerks to you about it. I wouldn’t worry; you have plenty of friends.” He took a moment. “Did you talk to Dawn about this?”

“I told her I needed time to figure it out. She said she was fine with it. I just really wanted another point of view.”

“Well, then feel free to talk to me whenever. You will figure it out, you know but I really think that deep down you already know the answer.” Kyle said gently.

April nodded. “I didn’t think this kind of stuff could be this confusing.”

Kyle smiled. “Dating, especially as a teen, can be confusing in general. Whether your deciding things like this or not.”

“I wouldn’t really know. Dawn is the first person that’s ever liked me like this. I just really don’t want that to be the only reason…” April was stopped by Kyle putting his hand up.

“It doesn’t work like that. There are plenty of guys who want to date you. Some of the nerds perhaps? Do you have any interest in any of them? Even if the slightest.”

“Not really.”

“Have you ever?”

“I …” She had to think about it. She couldn’t recall liking any boy as much as she liked Dawn. “I don’t think so.”

“So, maybe that’s your answer.” Kyle said. “Maybe, it’s not but where would you like to be right now talking to me or with Dawn. I mean I know I’m great and everything but really…” He was clearly joking with that last part. Kyle wasn’t conceited at all.

She laughed so his joke apparently worked and he smiled. April then said. “No offense but I think I want to go find Dawn.”

He nodded. “‘Then go find her.” April got up from the table but before she left, Kyle said. “I meant what I said. If you need to talk about this some more just find me or text me.” He gave her his number.

April put his number in her phone and said. “Thanks.”
She walked off to find Dawn and Kyle smiled to himself. He then texted Justin to say he was on his way.