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Bobby laughs, then gives reat care of him, don’t you worry”

Tanner throws an ar him off to talk to hi coht now

How quickly everything changes, just fro out a little secret from my heart

I realize now after having come out that I care a whole lot less about what people think of e of living in a place like Spruce that gives me such confidence In other places in the world, it isn’t as safe to come out In some places, it isn’t safe at all

I wish the whole world could e theet judged for is wearing last season’s shoes to a party

I peek down at my own

Nah, mine are in the clear

“J-Jimmy, sir?”

I glance behindfellow, a teenager, ot a baby face, a cute upturned nose, and big eyes He’s pretty slender, too—a total swimmer’s build—and cheeks that look permanently flushed He’s in a fitted dress shirt and slacks, and his light brown hair is flipped up in the front

“You look fa on it suddenly “Have I seen you at Biggie’s before?”

“I work there I-I’m new there My name’s Toby I just wanted to say that I really liked yours and Bobby Parker’s dance It was …” His eyes flash with a thousand dreams and hopes and wishes “It was really … uh, sharp”

“Sharp?” I smirk “You hopin’ to be a dancer someday, Toby?”

“Not really II really like to paint” He s today It gives me hope”

At once, it clicks in place

Mybullied, a kid who just caie’s Bites Didn’t she mention his name was Toby, too?

I give Toby a reassuring pat on his shoulder “Thanks, Toby I appreciate that Y’know, the secret to findin’ yourself is to just be strong, trust your own mind and heart, and …”

I peer off at wherever Tanner has taken my Bobby off to My heart feels tickled suddenly, like I worry I’ll never feel happier than I do this day

Then I finish: “… and when you make a friend, you stick with that friend ‘til the end”

Toby’s eyes light up “A friend …”

I give his head ives oodhearted teenager “Stay strong, Toby Your friends are your home away from home, no matter where you are”

That’s exactly what Bobby is to me

And it’s what he’ll be forever, no matter where our future takes us