Page 56 of His Untoward Hate

“Wait…seriously?” Jasper asked, almost believing her.

“Why do intelligent people always take jokes seriously?” Czyra asked.

“Because intelligent people suck at jokes. It’s like true, half-meant, or whatever.” Jasper waved his spoon at her.

“Of course not. I actually like being friends with you idiots,” she said, rolling her eyes again, something she seemed to love doing.

Jasper let out a soft laugh.

“You know, people with the same mind get along pretty well together.”

“Exactly. Plus, you and Jude are way cuter and more genuine than those fake bitches at school,” she said, rolling her eyes once more before shoving a spoonful of rocky road into her mouth.

Jasper opened his favorite chocolate flavor as well.

“How about you print two hard copies of our research paper, and then we binge-watch something on Netflix?” she suggested.

“But Miss Leizel still has to check it first in a soft copy,” Jasper said, resting his elbow on the couch while sitting on the carpeted floor.

“I’m pretty sure there aren’t any errors left, Jas. And don’t worry about the bond paper or printer ink. I’ve got plenty of those,” she said proudly, though not in a way that made others feel small.

She was simply stating a fact.

“Come on, Jas, print it already so we can watch Heartstopper.”

Jasper’s mouth fell open in surprise.

“Wait…what? How did you know I like BL?”

“I did not say you like BL, but you confirmed it literally just now,” she said, and Jasper felt stupid. “And duh!” she paused, rolling her eyes once again. “As you said, people with the same mind get along pretty well. I could tell because I’m gay too. I’m a lesbian, didn’t you notice?” she asked, brows furrowing.

“I mean, I kind of figured you were a lesbian, but I wasn’t completely sure,” Jasper admitted awkwardly. “But how did you know about my sexuality? So…you already knew I was gay this whole time?” he asked stupidly, just wanting confirmation.

“Yup!” she chirped in a high-pitched tone, pressing her lips together before making a popping sound as she pulled them apart.

“How?”

“Gay instincts,” she answered simply.

“When did you know?”

“A long time ago…eighth grade?” she guessed.

That was too long.

“Was I really that obvious?”

“Nope. Students at school don’t even know. I’m just having this special ability of being so observant, you know?” she said proudly, like she was the greatest detective in the world.

Jasper let out a relieved sigh. He still was not ready to come out, still terrified of people finding out he was gay or bisexual. At least with Czyra, even though her confrontation made him feel as if a bucket of ice had been dumped over him, he still felt a sense of security in her.

“Good thing you didn’t tell anyone at school about it.”

“About what?” she asked, her forehead wrinkling in confusion.

“That I’m gay,” Jasper said, lowering his voice.

The sound of it still disgusted him.