The Outsiders by L.J. LaBarthe

Author:L.J. LaBarthe [LaBarthe, L.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Asexual, Bisexual, Science Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Less Than Three Press, LLC
Published: 2018-01-31T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Matty was very glad to see his friends when they arrived. He was even happier when Paul activated his shielding device and they could talk freely.

"Before we start, I need to tell you all something. Linda was here a little while ago."

"Again?" Paul asked.

"That's what I thought. Anyway, first of all, she thinks you're awesome, Paul, she really does have a crush on you. It's very obvious." As Paul groaned, Matty continued. "Also, her father works for the government here. He's thinking about burning the books in the library to use the building as a new agriculture unit. Lastly, Linda asked me to a wedding, said I'd make a great husband for her, and when I declined that generous, ahem, offer, decided that I was obviously gay."

Silence met his words. Then everyone burst out laughing.

"A wonderful husband? You?" Nisha said through her laughter. "You are one of the untidiest men I know!"

"Why did she decide you are gay?" Arkady asked.

"Because I don't want a wife."

"Oh, I see. Obviously that makes you gay." Arkady rolled his eyes. "Good lord."

"Does my sexuality matter so much?"

"Not to us," Paul said.

"You guys are who matters. From what she told me, it's clear that prejudice is still flourishing."

"I know." Paul sighed. "We'll fix things for you so Linda backs off a bit."

"I can be your pretend girlfriend for a while, if you like," Nisha offered.

"I don't think we need to go so far as you be my beard, Nisha. It's nothing I can't handle really. It's just fucking ridiculous, the attitudes and the assumptions. God, how would she react if she knew I was really asexual?"

"She'd have no idea what it meant, ask her father, and you might be in trouble," Paul said.

"Fuck!"

"Paul, did you know about her father?" Nisha asked.

"Not all of it. I knew that he was involved in something that was higher up than what any of us do, not that he was specifically government, though."

"Her brother works with him, Linda told me his fiancée works in the bank."

"You're going to have to be careful," Paul said. He was now deadly serious. "How did she react about the books?"

"I might as well have an open jar of the plague as an ornament," Matty said.

"I thought you'd get that reaction. They really don't like books here."

"You think?" Matty leaned back and sighed. "This place is FUBAR'd, you know that, right?"

"I second that," Nisha said.

"Thirded," Arkady said.

Paul heaved a heavy sigh. "Listen, there's a lot not to like, there's also a lot to like. Just give it a chance."

"Maybe. Arkady, tell him and Nisha what we found out today."

Arkady nodded and took a deep breath before launching into the telling. Matty listened, watching Paul and Nisha closely. He was far more interested in their reactions—he'd been with Arkady after all, so he knew how the report would go. Nisha's eyes were wide and her lips parted, her expression was shocked. Paul, on the other hand, looked grim, his lips pursed and his eyes narrowed.

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