me: i read a lot

date: oh, we have a scholar on our hands!

(Seriously, watch the movie before reading)

For the record, this is Luca’s family discussing him being accepted by humans even though he’s a sea monster. But it really sounds like something else, doesn’t it?

CREATORHUB SUMMER EVENT 2021: Day 1 — Color

he didn't like the poetry. it would fly around in the bedroom with us. little words like gnats; all caught up in a smokescreen. i was used to this kind of thing - i would only enjoy my own writing with a flinch. i would apologize. i know, there's nothing real about an internet poet.

my friends didn't like to read anything i liked. they didn't like my music. they didn't like the way i sang or how i laughed or how i'd dress. i told myself this is normal - we all have different passions, after all. one thing is sweet to me, too-sour to another.

i didn't know. i thought friends were just mean sometimes, and you couldn't expect them to be excited. i thought love happened only half in the sunlight. shy about anything i liked. for a long time the people i met all loved the word "myopic". they refused to do anything without promising it was ironic.

i didn't know. it seemed easier, you know? to just hide all of it. it felt pathetic, begging people please just watch this. please read this. please try this. you'll like it, i know it.

my sister bought me house plants for the holiday. she doesn't keep them, she just knows i like them. my friend recently collected a list of 50 books with lgbt+ characters in them, ones where nobody dies in the end. she says she keeps an eye out for them, because i mentioned once i'd been looking to expand my list. the other day my roommate made me fish tacos even though he hates fish - he said i know you're having a hard day, and these are one of your favorites.

people don't have to "get it". but the good ones will try, anyway. the good ones will get excited with you. they buy you the concert tickets even though they don't know any of the music. they know all the actors of the show even though they don't have time to watch it. they ask you questions about the game even though they've never even seen the loading screen. they are happy that you are happy, and enjoying something harmlessly. they are just proud you are trying. particularly something creative - it is a dark world. to make something is powerful, and should be celebrated.