I enlisted help for my date with Rain. Mr. Hardwick, my dad, Luke, and Cole helped me set it up. Mr. Hardwick even told me to call him Colton. He said it was less formal.

Once we got everything ready, I waited. God, I hope she liked it.

Mom helped me get ready and had me follow her. We went downstairs, and I walked into another room. There stood Antonio with a table and twinkling lights. He had soft music playing in the background.

I walked over to him, "You did this for me?" I said in wonderment.

"You said no noisy place or flashing lights," he said.

"Aw, grasshopper, you're learning," I said as I pinched his cheeks.

Antonio wondered who the hell was talking to me.

He pulled out my chair, and I took a seat. Then he took one. Cole brought out the food and set the plates in front of us. We had chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and a vegetable. It was my favorite food.

We ate as I bounced around in my seat. I moved my head around as I ate. Antonio just watched me and smiled as I enjoyed my meal.

After we finished, he stood up and held out his hand to me. I looked at him, "Rain, will you do me the honor of dancing with me?"

I reached out and placed my hand into his. He gently pulled me up as he took me in his arms. This time I didn't look at my feet, but at him.

We started dancing. I wrapped my arms around Antonio's neck as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

We moved together, and I enjoyed it. Antonio was gentle with me. He took his time and was getting to know me. Antonio didn't see me as a label. He just saw me as Rain. I wanted people to accept me.

As we danced, I enjoyed being in his arms. I rested my head on his chest as he held me while we danced. Next to my family, I loved Antonio because he is terrific.

I stopped, and he looked at me. "I love you," I said. He looked at me, surprised. "You're special to me, Antonio. You treat me like a person." Then I laid my head back on his chest.

He wrapped his arms around me firmly and whispered, "I love you more, Rain." That made me happy. Dad always said when someone loves you, they take care of you. They protect you and treat you special. Antonio did that.

That was unexpected, but I'm so glad she told me. Just hearing her say that made me feel amazing. Everything Rain did or said made me amaze and love her even more.

To me, it wasn't about school anymore. Spending time with Rain showed me a whole new world. She saw things for what they were, and there were no complications.

Every day she was learning something new, and each day when she did things most people did, we celebrated the milestone. It was a victory for her, and I wanted to celebrate it with her.

I also saw her personality emerge more and more. I realized when people ignored her; they were missing out. Here was this terrific person, and people passed her by because she wasn't like them. Good, I prefer her to be herself.

I remember I used to walk by that room and I would stop to watch her. She would work on a puzzle alone, and I remember watching her in the halls. She kept her head down and avoided people; then I heard the name-calling and whispers.

While they were mean to her, she was never mean back. While other kids screwed around in class, she would work on assignments. We had a subject together, and I remember how she struggled the day in and day out but kept going.

If that isn't courage, then I don't know what is. People think of others as heroes, but Rain was one. She showed people how not to be, but what they should be. For that, she made me want to be better.

I didn't just fall in love with her, but I love her. I'm so glad they paired her with me.

As we danced, all I could think of is I was damn lucky.

After a few dances, we stopped and talked. I laughed a lot, and so did Antonio. For my first date, it was terrific. I never understood what dating meant. I never realized why people did the things they did. No one ever explained them to me until now.

As we talked, Dad and Mom watched us.

"She's coming out of her shell," Mom said to him.

"She just needed the right person, one that can be patient with her and take their time. Antonio is that person for her," he reasoned.

"I'm glad. Antonio's a nice guy," she smiled.

"If it's anything I learned from you, it was that kindness goes a long way," he said genuinely to her. She kissed him, and he didn't hesitate to kiss her back.

As the night ended, I walked Antonio to the door. Before he left, he placed his hand on my cheek and leaned in, giving me a soft kiss.

"Thank you for agreeing to my date," he said to me.

"Thank you for the best first date," I smiled.

"Goodnight," Antonio said.

He left, and I closed the door.

"How was the date?" Dad asked me.

"It was great. Is dating always this fun?" I asked Dad.

"Mostly, yes, but it's better when it's with someone you care about."

"Oh, then maybe Cole will ask Wade out on a date. I think he will be happier than he is with that doof he's talking to," I said as I walked away, leaving Dad stunned.

Mom came into the room. "Did she have fun?"

"Yeah," he said as he stood there, confused.

"Colton? Why do you look like you want to hurl?" Mom asked him.

He looked at her. "Did you know Cole is gay?"

She looked at him, stunned.

"Guess not," he said as they both stood there. After that, I dropped the little bomb on them. It's not my fault. Cole should be honest. He would be happier than hiding who he is. Why must everyone make things so complicated?