Avery woke up that cool wednesday morning. Excited for school. He had never liked school. But today was the day, today was his day. He quickly got ready for school. Fixing his mess of hair as best as he could, and sliding on his favorite jeans. Avery looked in the mirror and said to himself “Today is the day I show everyone who I am, who I really am”

Avery bounded down the stairs. His stomach grumbling. “Morning Mom” he said with a smile on his face. “Whats for breakfast?” He asked as he slid into his chair at the island. “Pancakes, your favorite.” His Mom Vanessa chuckled, shaking her head “What has you so excited today?” She asked, her head cocked slightly. “Science Fair.” Avery said, fidgeting in his chair. “You promised you would come” He said, feeling a bit deflated. Vanessa sighed and looked at the calendar “I remembered, I promise I am just tired” She said wiping her greasy hands on the floral apron hanging around her waist. Vanessa took the calendar off of the fridge and handed it to avery pointed to a date circled in red “See ‘Avery Science Fair, Important’ I didn’t forget” she said smugly. But avery couldn’t take his eyes off of the date circled in blue for the next weekend.

“Mom, whats this date?” Avery asked knowing full well what is was “You don’t remember sweet heart?” Averys mom asked with concern pressing the back of her hand to her son’s forehead. “You have been begging to go to that for months.” Vanessa said, her tone still filled with worry. A single tear slid down Averys cheek and he jumped out of his chair. Enveloping his mom in a hug. “Thank you mom. Thank you so much.” Vanessa ruffeled his hair “Of course kiddo” she said smiling.

Avery finished breakfast quickly after that, and went upstairs to grab his backpack. He glanced at the flier on his desk:

**_Portland Pride Parade

Everyone Welcome

Everyone Excepted

Everyone Equal

_**

He has been begging to go to this for months, and he couldn’t believe his parents finally caved. Ever since he told them he was Gay when he was 12, they has been the most supportive and loving parents. And now, the science fair seemed like no big deal. Though he was still excited.

He stuffed the flier in his backpack and ran back down the stairs. Waving goodbye to his mom as he bounded onto the bus heading for his highschool. He was determined to win this fair, It was his last year he was allowed to do the fair at his school, Sophomore year, then they cut you off. Avery scowled at the thought. The bus screeched to a stop and avery climbed out of the bus, running to Mx. Adams classroom, excited to set up for the science fair.

“Good Morning Mx. Adams” Avery said knocking on their door. “Oh you gave me a fright” Mx. Adams sighed. “Come in love” they said. Avery came in and went to start setting up his science fair project. Mx. Adams climbed into a seated position on their desk “Think youll win this year kid?” they asked casually “I hope so” Avery said nervously, setting up hand made DNA models and rearanging reserach files dozens of times. Before long other students started filling the room and Mx. Adams greeted them as they came. Averys small group of friends joined him.

Justin came first. Suprising avery with a hug from behind. Forcing Averys face into a nasty shade of red. “Justin what the hell” Avery said embarrassed. Justin Chuckled “blushing I see?” Justin asked with fake intreage a slight blush creeping up his neck as well. “Want any help?” Justin asked trying to change the subject. Avery nodded and Justin helped ajust things as their other friends arrived.

Melissa and Angie came next. Angie had bedazzled her wheelchair and Melissa was sitting on her lap like she was the queen. “Look at my beautiful girlfriend and her beautiful bedazzling skills” Melissa announced as they rolled in. They reached the table where Avery was and Melissa jumped off of Angies lap and ajusted her hair, planting a quick kiss on her forehead. Justin faked a gag “Must you do that at school.” he fake groanded hiding a smile. “Just cause you don’t like girls doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate the way they love eachother.” Melissa said elbowing Justin in the ribs.

The final member of the group rushed in 20 minutes late, desheveled but gorgeous as always. Star walked in like they owned the place and plopped down in a chair by their friends table. Taking off their heels and tossing them to Justin. The group just laughed “What, Can’t a person be tired?” Star asked “Babes, its eight in the morning and judging by your impeccable eyeliner I would say you have had at least three monsters already” Mellissa asked getting a groan from Star“You got me” they said dramatically. The group chatted on for a bit while they waited for the judges.

Mx. Adams cleared their throat “Justin, Avery, would you two mind going to the supply room and getting me some pencils, I’m nearly out, a soda from the vending machine would be nice too” they said. Justin and Avery stood up right away. Knowing full well if Mx. Adams asked for something they needed it. And the two of them strolled into the hallway.

They walked in silence for a bit before Avery started talking. “My parents are taking me to pride” he blurted out. “Do you want to come with me?” he whispered immediately mortified he had even asked. “Thats so cool man!” Justin said “let me think about it ok?” he said, but That just made it worse for Avery, because that meant Justin felt awkward.

When they finally reached the supply closet, they reached for the handle at the same time their hands brushing against eachother. Leaving both boys feeling incredibly awkward. Justin fumbled a bit but finally opened the door. Letting avery in first. “After you sir” Justin said with grin and avery walked in, heading for the back where the pencils were.

“I’ll get the pencils” Avery said reaching for them. But his hands were just inches away. Justin walked up just behind him. Their bodies nearly touching. And he grabbed the pencils. Avery turned around to face Justin their faces now inches apart. “Here you go love” Justin said handing the pencils to Avery. Avery blushed a blush so harsh his faced burned. “Whats the matter?” Justin asked stroking his thumb against averys cheek. And a tear slid down averys cheek.

“Justin” he whispered “yes avery?” justin asked in a soft loving tone “I like you, like a lot, and I can’t not tell you, and I thought you didn’t like me anymore after I asked you to go to pride with me” Avery stuttered fumbling over his words as he stared at the floor. “Oh shut up you idiot of course I’ll go to pride with you” justin whispered tilted Averys head up and pressing a kiss on his lips. Avery dropped the pencils in his hand and put his hands on Justins cheeks. After a minute they separated and looked at the floor, The pencils were everywhere. “Shit we need to get back” Avery said and they scrambled to get the pencils. After what seemed like a long time they picked up all the pencils and ran to get a soda for Mx.Adams

As Justin shoved quarters into the machine Avery said “You are a really great kisser” And Justin grabbed his hand. They grabbed the soda and rushed back to class pushing through the doors just before the judges and sat at the table with their friends. “What took so long” Melissa whisper screamed “Pencils” Avery and Justin said at the same time.

The judges made it to Averys presentation at talked with him for quite a while. Avery was feeling good about his chances of winning. When the judges left they handed Mx.Adams a clipboard with the winners. As he read off the names Avery seemingly held all of his friend’s hands simultaneously. Mx.Adams began “Third place, Jeniffer Jones, Second Place, Avery Smith, and First place, Andy Loon” Mx. Adams finished. Averys sighed “Its ok, science fairs are not the most important thing in life .” he told his friend group.

As everyone left to go home, Mx. Adams approached Avery “You ok kid?” they asked “Yeah, yeah I am.” he said, a slight grin on his face. Mx.Adams looked confused but went with it. “I’ll see you tomorrow Avery” they called out as Avery climbed onto the bus. On the way home. Avery kept replaying his moment with justin in his head. He stared out the window and thought to himself “Maybe I didn’t win the science fair, but I won something more, something so much better”