Ariel's p.o.v
Life has been so-so for as long as I can remember.
You see, we don't always have to show our weaknesses. Some people take them and twist them into weapons, making you feel inferior—like a burden. To avoid that, I learned to stand on my own, to pretend I was fine.
Last night was just one of those nights.
Sometimes, the things you want to forget don't return to haunt you—they come back to remind you of everything you survived.
My name is Ariel Vale.
You're probably wondering why a guy is named Ariel. Trust me, I didn't choose it myself. As far back as I can remember, I've always thought it sounded masculine enough—though most people don't agree.
"Daddy," I once asked when I was little, "my classmate said my name is for girls. Is that true?"
"No, dear," my father said gently. "That's not entirely true."
"But—"
"I think they're just jealous," he added with a smile. "You're as cute and beautiful as a baby girl."
That was always his answer.
Funny enough, as I grew older, it almost became true. When puberty hit and boys started crushing on girls, some girls actually envied me. A few even warned me to stay away from their boyfriends.
The truth was simple—I was never attracted to girls.
I didn't wear makeup. I wasn't trying to be anything special. I was just… a little girly. And apparently, that was enough to offend my mother and some of the boys at school.
Enough to almost get me killed.
So, if I had to summarize it simply—I was born gay. Or at least, that's the only way I know how to describe it.
Looking back at old photos, I was dressed like a girl until I started school. Even then, people often mistook me for one. Others just stayed confused. As I grew older, my body never really changed the way people expected it to. I never became "manly," no matter how hard I tried.
Eventually, I just stopped trying.
My mother later married Victor Hale, but I never shared his surname. She insisted I keep a different one. I still don't know why.
After the marriage, she slowly stopped caring for me. And when my stepbrother, Fynn, was born, everything finally fell apart.
Present Day
"That will be all for today's class," the lecturer announced.
Within minutes, the room emptied. Kai and I walked out together and spotted Naomi talking to a guy—probably a coursemate. As we approached, the stranger excused himself.
"Hey," I greeted.
"Hiiii, bitch!" Naomi laughed.
"I told you to stop calling me that," I snapped.
"Relax, foxy," she teased, winking at Kai.
"What's up?" Kai asked. "Who was that?"
"He looks good, right?" Naomi said smugly.
"I never said that," Kai muttered.
"Ugh, killjoy."
"Enough," I said, smiling. "You two never change."
"I never said I was interested in men," Kai scoffed.
"Whatever," Naomi waved him off. "By the way, Ariel—Mr. Lin asked for you. He wants to see you before the day ends."
"Mr. Lin?" I frowned.
"You haven't submitted your internship choice yet, have you?" Kai asked.
"Not yet," I admitted. "That's probably why."
"So," Naomi clapped her hands, "where are we heading?"
"Our usual spot. Breakfast," Kai replied.
"Perfect!" Naomi grabbed my arm. "Let's go."
"Like you're the one paying," Kai scoffed.
"Of course you're paying," she shot back with a grin.
"I never said that!"