Mattie’s POV
When I was 5 years old, my best friend was a boy named Charlie. Like me, he was quiet, but we liked to be quiet together. We held hands and hugged each other often. It was innocent and pure. We remained friends for several years, but that all changed.
Charlie didn’t like to hold hands anymore. I never understood why. I liked it. But he was my friend, so I accepted it, without question. When I was 11 years old, Charlie told me he had a girlfriend. It was then I realised I was different.
I cried myself to sleep that night. Charlie was my only real friend, but it was only when I saw him with Jenna that I recognised not only was I jealous, but that I had deep feelings for him. I never told him. I never told anyone. We drifted apart and I kept my secret.
Uncle Malcolm said I wa
