Change (second place) by Ameerah

“Hi, I'm Harry, who are you?” I said slightly more aggressively than intended. Laughing, she said, “Oh shut up Harry, of course you know me. I'm Maxine,” rolling her eyes as she spoke. Choosing to ignore yet another odd event, I asked, “Is Max out today?” My question received some odd looks. Maxine looked disappointed by my response, acting as if I offended her. I've literally never met her.

“I was Max Harry. You know I'm trans - what’s with the sudden homophobia?” Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Guilt clawed at my throat “I’m so sorry I just I…I am sorry I forgot, I didn't…sorry,” I choked out stumbling over my words. My dad would be mad, but something about the way the others looked at me and the sadness in Maxine's eyes told me that I was in the wrong.

“It’s okay, I don't think you meant to be homophobic, but are you feeling okay? Because that's not something you forget.” Maxine said, worry present in her words.

“Yeah, I'm okay, just a bit tired. Sorry,” I mumbled again. Everyone fell into light chatter as we trudged into the dreaded school for the first lesson. This is going to be a long day, I thought.

Just because the universe was against me, Maths was my first lesson. I strolled with fake confidence into the white box of a classroom. Oh, great, I forgot I was sitting next to Leo, of all people. I sat in my worn seat with a sigh, opening my battered book, about to write the date. Hang on, what was the date? With great reluctance, I turned my head dramatically to Leo, who looked bored out of his mind and whispered,

“Hey, Gay Boy, what’s the date?” Leo looked quite taken aback, like he didn't expect that.

“It's the third of June 2022, you homophobe,” he passive-aggressively whispered back.

“Did you, did you just say 2022?” I asked nervously. He looked at me funny.

“Well, yeah, of course it is. Are you alright, mate?” Concern laced his words.

“No, it was 1985 like yesterday,” I whispered back.

“No you want me to take you to med bay?” anxiety practically dripped off his words.

“Yeah please, I'm a bit dizzy,” I said, fearing he may turn me down.

“Okay.” He raised his hand to ask the teacher and before I knew it; we were walking along the discoloured hallways. I was starting to regret bullying Leo, even if he didn’t seem to remember it. Because Leo seemed so genuine and despite the fact I insulted him, he still voiced his distress on my behalf.

“Sorry,” I said, barely audible.

“Huh?” Leo replied, prompting me to go on.

“I’m sorry I said that to you. You never deserved it. You helped me regardless of the fact you didn't have to and for that I am sorry. My dad would beat into me that people like you were wrong-uns, and he was wrong for that.”

Leo looked pitifully at me. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. It doesn't make it right, but with explanation comes easier forgiveness,” Leo spoke wisely.

“Friends?” I asked timidly.

“Friends.” Leo repeated. We fell into comfortable silence after that until Leo spoke up

“You know this is a very toxic relationship, considering the first thing you said to me was insulting,” Leo said jokingly.