As I approach my friends, Chadwick steps up to me. His name is the hardest for me to say—although it is becoming easier.
“Hello, Chadweeeek,” I say, and he grins at me.
“Yeah, dude! You’re getting better at saying my name. Right on. Have you been taking like, English classes or something?”
I shake my head, and he bobs his. I have not been taking lessons. Vyastil naturally absorb languages, though English words have always been hard for me to form. But now…things are changing. I just do not want to explain to him that it is from the fresh, warm cum from my Dante. I do not think they would understand.
“Yeah, you sound good!” Brody adds, coming up to nudge me. I find that human males do not hug as often as Everest, so I resist the urge to do so. I did once the other day, and they seemed shocked by it.
Zane saw me and muttered that real men don’t like to hug.
I have not attempted it again. I do not want to insult anyone.
“Thaaank you.” I sign it for good measure.
He grins at me, and then Tyler guides me over to the irons. He points to the biggest one, and I sweep it up.
They cheer, and I feel like I am the strongest being on Earth as I follow Brody’s instructions.
It is far too easy, but I do not relay that. I just do as he says, and then when I am done, I set it down, watching as they attempt to lift it. They cannot.
We then move on to something they call the bench press. I find it is odd. You lie down, grab a large metal pole, and then place yourself under pressure just to prove you can lift it.
I go first. It is, once again, far too easy. But it makes them happy. They are smiling and uttering kind words of encouragement. They seem proud to be my friend.
So, I continue to lift it, and they continue to add on large rings at the ends. More and more until I have garnered a crowd. They are all watching me lift, and I can’t help but show off.
I feel like a king.
That is, until Everest’s best friend pushes through.
“Enough of that. He’s not a fucking circus act.”
I put the bar easily into the small slots and then sit up, knocking my head on the bar in the process. Someone laughs at me, but Zane scowls at them, throwing up his middle finger and then moving toward me.
Quilliyn says that he is complicated, and I think this is true.
“You okay?”
Brody is rushing away, and Tyler is holding onto my shoulder comfortingly.
“Yes. Jooost a boop.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” As he says this, the crowd disappears, and Brody reappears, handing me something. Ice. It is cold andunnecessary, but he presses it against my forehead in an effort to comfort me, so I allow it.
“Why did you stop him?” Brody asks Zane, who is continuing to linger.
“I didn’t like the vibe. They were making fun of him.”
My eyebrows meet, and Brody scoffs softly. “They weren’t. They were just being supportive.”
“They were staring at him like he was a wild animal.”
“Yeah, alright, I can see how you think that?—”
“Just…treat him better. He’s my best friend’s friend.” He glances at me and nods, and I do the same, the ice pack hitting my nose.
Brody apologizes as Tyler and Chadwick mutter to one another in soft tones. I can hear their disbelief and also the derision they have toward Zane, who is walking away now.
