I'm not gonna lie, it's a little intimidating being friends with Bini and Nolan. They're both giants, and I'm not Jack. I'm the goose.

Which is fine, I'm not mad at the attention. It's just crazy watching them work, all so I can produce a golden egg.

A few moments ago I was just at my desk eating a cup of ramen working on my English paper. Now, I'm watching notification after notification pop up in the corner of the screen. There were so many emails, and it's not until I start going through them that I realize they're from the Student Government. Just full of dates and events that until this moment meant absolutely nothing to me.

I can't even respond, because before I know it, Nolan adds me to a Google Sheet and I just watch as he and Binita fill in the little squares, blocking out the next few weeks of my life right in front of me.

It's crazy, it's like watching a game of chess. They both take turns deleting and filling in days with whatever thing they think will give me the most exposure. Nolan will write club fair, while Bini erases it and replaces it Talent Show. If Bini writes Senior Symposium, Nolan will cross it out and add in the fact that Rita Schmitt's parents are gonna be out of town and there'll most definitely be a party.

I spend the next ten minutes watching them make concession after concession until a winner is finally decided.

Which, I guess, is me in this case. Because it's my life...

Then, in a little bubble off to the side is Bini with a single question.

Binita Nigam

This look good?

I said I trusted her for a reason.

Felix Nicholson

Can I give it a name?

#

Operation S.T.A.L.L.I.O.N.

Shit. That's. A. Lonely. Lad. I. Own. Nothing.

To Bini and Nolan, I just really wanted to have school spirit and represent the good ol' Spukani Stallions. That acronym is just for me though. If they knew they'd tell me that self-deprecation was just a self-fulfilling prophecy, but I like to think it keeps me humble.

What's important though is that I'm here. Here at crack of dawn, sitting alone in the cafeteria surrounded by absolute fucking nonsense.

I have headphones in as I watch the chaos in front of me. The Smiths are playing my ears as I watch Donovan Fairfax, a junior, pull the horse head off his costume as he tries and fails to lift his coffee cup with his hooved hands. Members of the color guard are in full costumes twirling their giant flags dangerously close to the future tech club as they're setting up a rolling cart full of what looks like expensive video equipment. Meanwhile, across the room I see Rebecca Waldorf and Maya Richards in period pieces splitting a bag of pita chips.

Huh, maybe The Smiths were onto something. I think I do know how Joan of Arc felt.

"FELIX! GET OVER HERE!" Bini yells. Somehow, her voice carried over every individual conversation, across the entire cafeteria, and straight into my ear drums. Despite being on opposite sides of the room our eyes meet, and when I find myself frozen to my comfortable seat on top of the lunch table, she flails her arms, gesturing for me to come over.

Unfortunately for me every person in the surrounding area was being treated to what could possibly be the worst game of charades on the planet. Clearly, she's doing The Cuban Missile Crisis, but I don't think anyone else will get that.

"Just go." It's Ms. Ridge, the drama teacher. She's sitting off to the side, her phone in one hand, and a tall coffee in the other. I can't barely make out her face behind her curtain of ginger hair, but I'm guessing she's annoyed because who wants to be here this early in the morning.

Without hesitation, I stand and start making my way to Bini.

"Not across the table," she adds, this time I can make out the daggers she's shooting, so I mouth an apology, hop off, and scurry over to Bini who's standing next to Harrison Carpenter. Who looks exhausted by the way, and I can't tell it's from the lack of sleep or working with Bini. I can't say I would trust anyone who's on their A-game this early anyway. That's just what being president does to you I guess.

He's kind of a lanky dude, so his oversized hoodie just swallows him up. He's always been kinda nerdy looking, you know, big teeth, ears that look like he's about to fly off into the sunset, but he wears it well. Always comfortable and confident with himself, I always thought it was kinda cute.

"Hey Binita, we're running short on time and the doors are gonna get unlocked soon. How much longer do you think it'll take before we can film?" Harrison asks, cracking his neck with a sigh.

"If you checked the itinerary I sent then you'd know we're only five minutes off schedule." Bini rolls her eyes, which doesn't go unnoticed by Harrison who plants his feet firmly on the ground.

"Yeah, I did check the itinerary. I'm just saying that we've got a lot of work. It wasn't easy working out a schedule that worked for all these clubs, gotta be respectful of their time. Right?" He looks at Bini who just stares back at him saying nothing. "And this is why we make a great team."

I'm just kinda standing there for a moment, not entirely sure what to do or say.

"Hi." I don't think they notice because Bini is key-smashing something into her phone and Harrison's mind is somewhere else, because he's busy looking out of the huge pane of windows leading outside of the cafeteria. "You called?"

"Oh Felix, there you are!" For a second I see Bini's shoulders drop in relief, but before she says anything else she tenses back up. "I know you've been so excited to work on this project with us, and we can't wait to put your amazing skills to good use." I see her eyes dart between Harrison and I, she's laying it on thick.

"Yeah, as soon as you told me about this I just knew I had to get involved." I have no idea what I'm actually supposed to be doing or what amazing skills Bini is talking about. "Just tell me what you need me to do and I got you."

"You can walk on your hands?" Harrison asks straight out. I'm not sure how to respond, so I just nod. "Backwards?"

"Yep." I answer back and he looks at me for a moment then looking back at Bini, and then finally back at me.

"Can you still put your legs behind your head?" He asks and I'm pretty sure that it's a genuine question.

"Nope, that went out the door when the growth spurt hit." I can see Bini finally release the breath in her chest, as she flashes Harrison a smile.

"You see, hands, hat, head, that's easy. He's gonna be great. He'll even do a back handspring if you ask nicely" She stands next to me and rests her head on my shoulder.

"I will not. I can, but I won't." I add, and I feel Bini roughly nuzzle her head into my neck.

"You can tell Ms. Ridge that we should be ready soon. We just need to get him into costume."

Costume?

"Cool, between Rebecca and my Aunt being down my neck, I'm glad we're almost done," Harrison says, running his hand through his ginger hair in relief before turning on his heel and walking away.

As soon as he's gone, Bini's head drops against my shoulder. Then the sound that comes out of her is almost inhuman... like she was trying to heave but someone punched her in the stomach in the process. "I'm dying Felix, I need you to take me out," she says into my jacket.

"Oh it's okay, we got this. You got this. This is gonna be great," I say, patting the top of her head. "Stressed?"

She shakes her head before pulling away from me. "I work so hard. I work so hard and I have so much to do and... I'm gonna die."

"Bini, no, it's too early for that," I cut her off. "Okay, let's talk about it? You're not gonna feel better until you do."

"We get three hundred bucks a month to entertain the entire school and they're expecting me to pull the Super Bowl out of my ass, but it's not the first time I've made something out of nothing. I just hate having to do it by myself." She sits down at one of the tables before pulling out her phone. "You remember what you need to do?"

"I'm guessing I'm gonna walk on my hands and put a hat on Harrison's head." I say, as Bini nods and hurriedly types on her phone. "I will say this is a stupid meme. I really don't think it's that funny."

"I know it's a stupid meme, but Facebook moms and the PTA will love it. It's literally just trippy shit happening to Everywhere by the Incomparable Fleetwood Mac"

"I swear before this you only heard that song in car commercials."

"Right?" She raises an eyebrow before going back to her phone."Sorry, I'm texting Nolan. He's been a bit out of it."

"He's still hungover?" I joke. I wouldn't be shocked, from what Bini tells me Nolan's liver is legendary. I will say that a two day hangover is a bit much though. I hope he feels better.

"I hope not. He's grabbing coffee so we're gonna try and talk before class. Do you want anything?" Her eyes haven't left her phone, waiting for a response.

"Thanks, but I'm good. I should probably go get into costume, which we're gonna talk about later. I said I'd do whatever, but at least warn me if I'm gonna dress like a clown," I say as Bini chuckles.

"I'll think about it. Anyways, Maya and Rebecca have this huge box of costumes, so you should have a lot to pick from. Just be reasonable."

"When have I ever been unreasonable?" Bini goes to say something before I stop her.

"I'm gonna go get dressed. Seriously though, relax. You're doing great." She smiles before waving me off.

For a second I thought I lost Maya and Rebecca, but then I remember that I'm looking for theatre kids. There's nothing wrong with theatre kids... they're just a lot. Which again surprises me that Toby is technically one of them. But, I guess I admire their confidence.

"I don't know how you convinced me to wear a corset, but never do it again." Maya, leans away from the table and stretches. "My boobs do look great though."

Rebecca laughs at that, and before I can say anything I catch her attention. "Felix, confirm or deny, how're the girls?"

Maya turns and offers a wide smile. She giggles when she sees my cheeks heat up and a non-answer sputter from my mouth. She was never the type to take things too seriously. Which is great, because she's so hot it's borderline intimidating, and I don't even like girls. She has these long micro-braids that whip around whenever she turns her head, piercing dark eyes demanding attention, and behind all that is one of the nicest people I've ever met.

"It's okay, Felix, I know they look great and that's all that matters." Maya chuckles. "You're the one getting costumed? Toby said you might come to the show, but I didn't expect you to go all in like this."

"I wouldn't say all in. I'm doing this for the clout and nothing else." It's been so long since I've actually held a real conversation with people who aren't Bini or Nolan. It's nice to know that things aren't all that different. "Hi Quebecky."

As soon as I say that Rebecca gags a little before shooting me a glare. "I swear to God if this starts again, I will kill you." I throw my hands up like I have a gun to my head, and I can tell from the look in her eyes she wants a reason to shoot. Okay, some things have changed. She sighs, "Relax, sorry, I just hate that name so much. I'm not even from Quebec. I'm from Toronto."

"No, don't apologize. That's my bad, I forgot we're not all seven anymore. " I feel bad, she moved here in second grade and us being kids... well, she didn't stand a chance. "I'm supposed to be getting costumed, so if I could get some help that'd be great."

"Okay... I might have some ideas. Maya can you grab the box?" Rebecca says, moving from the table to place her hands on my shoulders. Then she turns me around, rather violently at that, before turning me back around to face her. "Yeah, I might have something."

"Sure Quebecky," Maya says, causing Rebecca to groan.

"See what you've started. I'll forgive you, just this once though. You know, Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet, and all that jazz," Rebecca performs that last part flawlessly, too bad I have no idea what she's talking about. "And here I thought you knew theatre.'

"I know who Hamlet is." Rebecca raises a knowing eyebrow and smirks. "Hey it's not my fault that I'll never read Shakespeare by choice. Besides, you know theatre was all my mom."

"You're not wrong, but I'm sure your brain soaked up some of that sweet sweet theatre knowledge. It's just locked somewhere deep in the recesses of your mind." She flicks my forehead before laughing. "Besides, I know I learned a lot from her. You remember when we did that production of Aladdin Jr.? In hindsight, probably shouldn't have done that one, but I feel like she taught me how important it was to know your history. Being able to know the world you're walking into and understanding how your choices are affected by that."

She's always been a rambler, but it's nice knowing mom taught someone so much. I'm starting to wonder if I should have paid more attention. She turns to Maya, who's fully hunched over dragging a large wooden chest across the floor.

"Maya, if you needed help you could have just asked. Felix, be a gentleman and give her a hand."

There's no need to question her as I help Maya lift the chest onto a lunch table. As we crack it open I can see it's filled to the brim with colorful shirts, mix-matched socks, and some truly hideous costume pieces. Whoever decided on a bodysuit made out of pink stretch fabric with a white tulle tutu hot glued to it should be rhine-"stoned".

"So you're not gonna wear that." Rebecca takes the pink monstrosity out of my hand and throws it on the floor. "I'm thinking that we fit you to the theme and maybe have you be a little extra promotion for the musical."

"Oh, so like a french revolution thing?" I ask, and Rebecca's eyes roll to the back of her head. "Did I say something wrong?"

"It's not the French Revolution. It's the June Rebellion, it's a common misconception." Rebecca explains, sifting through the costumes and pulling out a large blouse.

"Oh, Toby said something about the French Revolution so I just assumed." I explain, Maya vigorously shaking her head no.

Rebecca sighs, "That guy I swear, how am I supposed to be in love with him and he doesn't even know when the play is set. While I'm fighting the ascension of Louis-Phillipe, he's still grieving the death of Marat, fucking Marat."

"Yes, we know you hate Marat. But, maybe if you sat down and actually rehearsed with him you guys wouldn't have this problem." Maya sits and crosses her arms. It doesn't take a genius to tell she's sick of this conversation.

"You say that, but you don't even have to act with him. Fantine's dead in like the first half hour, I have to die in this man's arms," she huffs before pulling out a blue military coat and dusting it off. "This should be perfect. Try this on." She hands me the jacket and the blouse she pulled before turning her back to me. "For Privacy."

It takes me a second to process what she means before realizing she wants me to change clothes. Maya throws a hand over her eyes. My cheeks heat up when I remember I'm standing in a cafeteria full of people. Oof, first big test of today, stripping. Well, not stripping but taking my shirt off. I shouldn't feel anxious about this, I've just haven't had to worry about anyone seeing me without a shirt on. It's nice not knowing what they think.

"Think of it like a quick change. It's only weird if you make it weird." Rebecca looks over her shoulder to see me still holding my shirt. "Hell, I'll take my shirt off too if it makes you more comfortable."

"Besides, I'm sure you look hot," Maya says, peeking through her fingers. "Release the nips Nicholson!"

I can't stop myself from smiling. Okay, these two knew how to make a guy swoon. With a quick glance around the room I pop off my shirt, the chill of the room brushing against my skin for a moment, before I quickly put on the blouse. It's really frilly and I look like a pirate. So, it's a win-win.

"Well, aren't you precious? I can't tell if you're gonna rob me or swash my buckle." Rebecca says, causing me to raise an eyebrow.

"Girl, what does that even mean?" Maya turns to her, hands on her hips, and the confusion clear in her voice. Rebecca just frowns and scowls. "It did sound a little flirty if you ask me. Don't you have a boyfriend?" She turns to me. "Felix, she has a boyfriend."

"Trust me, she's not gonna get far with me." I chuckle, but Maya just looks at me. "What?"

"I know she's taken, but that was brutal. Shot down before take off." Maya backs away from me and I feel my eyes widen.

"No, no, Quebecky's great!" I hear Rebecca groan loudly at that as I try and fail to put out this verbal firestorm. "No, I mean, I'm sure Rebecca's awesome. It's not her fault that I like guys."

They both turn and look at me for a moment. It isn't until I say that, that I realize something.

I just came out.

"Oh that explains a lot." Rebecca catches me off guard with that one.

"It's like one of those magic pictures where you have to squint to see it. Like once you point it out it's kinda hard to miss." Maya cocks her head to the side and looks me up and down. I truly don't know how to respond to that, but I'm guessing my face is saying it all, because they start to scramble to say something.

"You're a beautiful picture by the way." Rebecca turns and nudges Maya who nods in agreement. "Thank you for telling us. I'm glad you felt safe enough to say that." They're both smiling so hard that they look like clowns, very very scared clowns. Which if that's what they're going for great, because I can't stop myself from laughing. They have no idea what to say. I don't either, so I let loose every bit of air from my chest as I just lose it.

I'm sure I'm getting some stares, but I really don't care because if I don't stop laughing I'll black out from the lack of oxygen. I choke back what's left while I wipe away the tear that ran down my cheek. I pull myself together, reaching for the military coat and putting it on. "Thanks guys, that was actually really nice."

"It's no problem. I have gay friends, they're all online, but if you ever want a set-up," Rebecca says, dropping her hand on Maya's shoulders. "I'm gonna stop while I'm ahead. Maya, let's finish getting him ready."

Maya nods again, moving next to me, and pinning my jacket to my clothes. Before I know it though she leans into my ear and whispers, "For real though, thanks for telling us though. It's nice knowing that I'm not..."

"An endangered species."

"I was gonna say the only queer. But that sounds nice too." She jokes before doing up the last button.

I don't know what's happening anymore.

Rebecca grabs a glittered blue scarf from the chest and ties it around my arm before giving me the once over. "The color blue on the French flag means liberté, freedom."

"Oh my god, you are just the worst." Maya stands next to Rebecca and smiles. They're like two proud parents, I'm starting to think that maybe I do like a little attention. "You're all done. All you need to do is remember your blocking and given circumstances and you're golden."

"I like how that sounds. Given Circumstances, what exactly does that mean?"

"It's exactly as it sounds." Maya turns to Rebecca, who nods her head. "Like what you know when you walk into a room if that makes sense."

Rebecca thinks for a moment, hands on her hips, and bottom lip in her mouth. "An example would be like, you woke up this morning and you knew that we were coming to do an important task. So, that informs how you're going to enter a space. You might be more serious or more attentive than usual."

"I get that. I guess we could say that we do that all the time."

"Acting is just imitating life. When you realize that that's all it is, it all becomes so simple. Now go, before Harrison and Binita kill you, if they don't kill each other first," Rebecca says, shooing me away.

Maya follows behind, helping her pick up the leftover clothes from the chest. "I still can't believe you two have been dating for a year."

I roll my eyes and chuckle. I'll have to pinch myself later to make sure I'm actually awake and not dreaming. I make my way over to Bini and Harrison who have cleared away a lunch table for the video. There's a couple of different cameras set up by the kids from the FT club, and I have to admit it looks almost professional. I shouldn't have expected anything less when I knew Bini was in charge.

She grabs me and pulls me over to the lunch table. "Alright Felix, Firstly, how ya' doin matey? Second, it's simple. Harrison is going to walk through the cafeteria, weird stuff is going to happen all around him, and they're gonna put his gown on. When he sits, you're going to walk across the table on your hands, place the cap on his head, end pose and -?"

I interrupt, "Bini, this is a lot,"

She places her hand on my back and offers a warm smile. "I know it is, and I'm right here with you. Trust me, you're about to be the coolest person on the planet for like two minutes and you need to enjoy it."

"Yeah, you're right. I totally got this." I let out a restrained breath. "Question, am I putting the cap on with my feet?" I say before climbing on top of the table.

"I didn't plan on it, but if you can, please do!" She yells, sprinting behind the camera.

Before I know it, they're filming and my heart's racing. This is happening, and I have to nail it on my first take or else I'm pretty sure I'll be a laughing stock. I saw Harrison walk through the double doors with Bini and a camera boy following behind. When Bini said this was production she wasn't joking. As Harrison walks through, cheerleaders are doing cartwheels, band kids are playing instruments right in front of him, and Rebecca and Maya, waving the french flag, lip synching along to the song. Even the chess team gets in on the fun and were playing on a rolling cart while he just kept going. Stone-faced.

As he inches closer and closer to me, I'm beginning to have second thoughts. Why are we doing this? Whose dumb idea is this? I mean, I know the answer to that, but still. We were just gonna look back at this video in a few years and realize how much of a cringefest this was. Oh fuck, this was horrible, and I hate it.

Holy shit, there he is.

I just have to breathe and I got this. I take a deep breath and get onto my hands. Just do it and walk backwards. It's not rocket science. I push myself up, and suddenly I'm upside down and ready to finish this video. Well, that is until I realized that I left the cap on the fucking table. Of course I did. If I wanted to make an impact then I had to put this thing on my foot and I have less than ten seconds. Oh god, I don't have time to get down and get back up. So, I try to reach over and grab the cap. Balancing on one hand is a talent that I had less than a minute to master. When I feel myself start to wobble, I stop worrying about getting a superlative. It's not gonna matter, because I'll get a page long dedication celebrating my short boring life.

But I guess the universe has a different idea because I'm able to regain my balance and toss up the cap and catch it on my foot. I have to say, I'm gonna fucking scream, because that'll never happen again. If I could pat myself on the back I would, but I didn't have time as Harrison had taken his seat at the table.

My time to shine. I take my time walking over to him. I'm not going to mess this up.

One hand behind the other. I have this. My breath caught in my throat, but I keep going until I'm right next to him. With the hat that's nestled between my two feet, and more precision than I could have possibly mustered, I place the hat on top of his head. It's a little lopsided, but the job is done.

Bini jumps and claps in excitement. "And cut! Amazing jobs guys!"

Harrison raises his hand for a fist bump. "Nice Job Nicholson." I look at him for a moment, before realizing he was talking to me.

"We should do this again sometime," I say plainly, bumping him back. Every ounce of emotion I have went into that handstand. It'll take a bit to recoup from that.

Harrison laughs to himself, "We'll have to see about that." With that he leaves, joining Rebecca, who kisses his cheek and Maya.

Now I'm alone, sitting on my knees and watching the excitement around the room. Everyone's faces beaming with pride and smiles as they hug one another. I don't know what comes over me but I start laughing. I can wholeheartedly say that this was the most fun I've had in years. It's not like I had much to compare it to, but the point still stands.

When I finally push myself off of the table I'm greeted to just what felt like a never-ending mix of "That was awesome Felix!" and "How'd you do that?"

Maybe my face isn't used to this, but my cheeks hurt from all the smiling. I find Bini who hugs me with an iron grip. "Felix! What did I tell you? I think that we might actually have a shot at this!"

Okay, it's confirmed. I definitely like the attention.