We step outside into the mild October air, and I take a deep breath, in and out. The weather has finally started to cool, even if only slightly.
“Do you ever miss having long hair?” Dad asks.
I blink, taken aback by his random question, then habitually run my fingers through my hair. “Not even a little bit,” I reply truthfully. “Do you ever want to grow yours out?”
Dad chuckles. “Absolutely not.”
“Exactly.”
Mom huffs. “He has such a double standard about that. He’s perfectly fine with my hair being this length, and yet he complains about yours being too short.”
“It’s different,” Dad insists. “When ladies are young, they should grow their hair long. It just makes sense.”
Well, it’s a good thing I’m not a lady,I want to say. Instead, I force a smile. “I prefer my hair this length. It’s much easier to take care of, and I get compliments all the time.”
“Well, I guess that makes sense,” Dad replies. “As long as you don’t start piercing your face and covering yourself with tattoos like so many other girls your age.”
“Bill, stop it,” Mom interjects. “Once you have your own money, you can do whatever you want, DEADNAME.”
The threat in her words is clear, and it burrows beneath my skin, irritatingly.You may be an adult, but that’s our money you’re using. Don’t push your luck.
“Anyway,” Mom continues when I don’t reply. “It was so good to see you, sweetheart!” She opens her arms for a hug, and I return the embrace.
“Good to see you, too. Thank you for lunch.”
Dad gives me a stiff hug next. “Make good choices.”
“I will.”
Once I’ve escaped to my car, out of my parents’ sight, I ball up my jacket, press it to my face, and scream into it.
Monday, October 6, 2025
Quinn
Hey Oliver! I wanted to reach out in case you didn’t see… This Thursday, EQA is hosting an Ace & Aro Night! It’s open to anyone who identifies on the asexual or aromantic spectrum. I thought of you because you had questions last time about demisexuality, and I know for a fact that there will be several demi students there for you to talk to if you’re still interested!
Oliver
hey Quinn - yeah that sounds great! I’ll definitely swing by :)
Quinn
Awesome! It starts at 6! Hope to see you there! :)
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Going to an EQA meeting alone isn’t nearly as intimidating as I expected. Now that I’ve come out to Jude and Theo, I’m much more confident in my asexual identity and no longer feel like an imposter in queer spaces.
I’m also eager to talk to some other asexual students. I’m infinitely grateful for Quinn, but meeting more people like me certainly can’t hurt.
Additionally, I’m curious about what the second part of the “Ace and Aro” meetup means. Quinn mentioned it in the text as something like “aromantic” or something? I guess I’m about to find out.
The EQA room is exactly as I remember it, minus most of the crowd. I’m still delighted by the turnout, though—about twenty people.
“Oliver! Hi!”
As soon as I walk through the door, Quinn waves me over to where she’s standing with a group of about six or seven other students.
