Lost Boy

## There was a time when I was alone

Bud Wilson nervously walked into the school. His sister Aurora, who was a two years ahead of him, had warned him not to embarrass her. She had just started 8th grade, and was already establishing a reputation. Bud was only 12 and in 6th grade. He was also autistic, which made navigating a new school and its students more challenging.

He nervously made his way up to his first class, and took a seat. He could feel his heart racing as he looked around the room, and saw the other students looking at him. He was so scared, he almost forgot to pay attention when the teacher, Mr. Lancer, called his name.

“Is Bud Wilson here?”

Bud slowly raised his hand, and Mr. Lancer gave him a warm smile.

“Welcome to middle school, Bud. I’m sure you’ll do great.”

Bud felt himself relax a little. He knew Mr. Lancer’s words were meant to be encouraging, but he was still scared. He had heard stories about middle school, and he didn’t know if he could handle it.

The rest of the day went by in a blur. Whenever Bud felt overwhelmed, he would take deep breaths and remind himself that it was going to be okay. He was so relieved when the final bell rang.

As he was leaving the school, he saw Aurora walking down the hall. She had a look of relief on her face, and she gave him a hug before they parted.

“You did great, Bud. I’m so proud of you.”

Bud felt a wave of relief wash over him. He was so grateful for his sister’s support. He knew that middle school was going to be a challenge, but he was determined to make it work. With Aurora by his side, he knew he could do it.

## Nowhere to go and no place to call home

Bud walked through the door, feeling exhausted but also excited after his first day of middle school. His little sister, Dandelion, followed him in, her face beaming with enthusiasm as she chattered about her first day of third grade.

Their father, Marcus, greeted them with a smile. “How was school?” he asked.

“It was great!” Dandelion squealed, running to him and throwing her arms around his waist.

Marcus laughed and ruffled her hair. “I’m glad to hear it. How about you, Bud?”

Bud shrugged, feeling awkward. He was autistic, and he often found it difficult to express himself. Marcus seemed to understand, however, and he simply smiled and said, “Let’s eat dinner. Then we’ll talk.”

The family sat down to a dinner of roast chicken and vegetables. Dandelion chattered away, telling them about her day, while Bud ate quietly.

Finally, Marcus cleared his throat. “Bud,” he said, “I want to talk to you about something important.”

Bud looked up, his fork poised in mid-air. Marcus continued, “I know you’re getting older now, and you’ll start to think about girls. But I want you to remember something: I was a teen parent, just like your mother was. I don’t want that to happen to you, so I want you to promise me that you won’t get a girlfriend until you’re older. Can you do that?”

Bud nodded slowly, not daring to look his father in the eye. He knew Marcus was only trying to help, but he still felt embarrassed by the conversation.

Marcus smiled encouragingly. “Good,” he said. “I know you can do it.”

The rest of the meal passed in silence, but Bud couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride that Marcus had trusted him enough to talk to him like an adult. It made him feel like he was growing up, and he knew that he would do his best to keep his promise.

## My only friend was the man in the Moon

Bud shuffled into the lunchroom, feeling a bit apprehensive about his second day of middle school. He had been hoping that he'd get to make a few friends, but he knew that wasn't always easy for him. After all, he was autistic.

He scanned the room, taking in the unfamiliar faces, but something caught his eye. A girl with long, wavy brown hair was sitting alone, and Bud couldn't help but feel drawn to her. He stopped and stared for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest.

He slowly made his way over to the table where the girl was sitting, not sure if he should even be talking to her. But before he could even get close, she turned and looked directly at him.

"Hi," she said with a friendly smile.

Bud was taken aback. He had never expected someone to talk to him first. He was so surprised he couldn't even speak.

The girl laughed and stuck out her hand.

"I'm Elizabeth," she said, "I just moved here from California."

Bud shook her hand, a little overwhelmed. He couldn't believe he was shaking hands with a girl. He was about to ask her more about where she was from when he suddenly remembered the promise he had made to his dad.

He had promised his dad he wouldn't get a girlfriend because he couldn't have sex. He felt a sudden pang of guilt and pulled his hand away.

Elizabeth must have noticed the change in his expression, because she smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm not looking for a boyfriend either. We can just be friends!"

Bud was relieved. He couldn't help but smile back.

The two of them talked for the rest of lunch, and by the time the bell rang, Bud had made a new friend. He couldn't believe it.

As he went to leave, Bud couldn't help but look back one more time at Elizabeth, still feeling a bit guilty for even thinking she was cute. But he was happy he had made a new friend.

Bud couldn't believe it. He had made a friend, and he hadn't even broken his promise.

As he walked home later, Bud felt happy and content. He had made a new friend, and he had kept his promise.

## And even, sometimes, he would go away, too

Bud heard his sister Aurora shouting from the living room, and his heart began to pound. He had never heard her sound so angry. Bud was 12 years old and in sixth grade, but he was also autistic. He had difficulty processing long, complex conversations, and the shouting match he heard in the living room was beyond his comprehension.

He put down his math homework and began to cry quietly. None of this felt right.

Suddenly, he heard his mother, Rose, yelling something about being 16 when she got pregnant with Aurora. Bud was confused. He had known for a long time that his mother had been a young mother, but he had never heard her talk about it before.

He heard his father, Marcus, speaking in a calm, soothing voice, trying to defuse the situation. But Aurora screamed back, "My boyfriend did it; he got me pregnant!"

Bud felt a wave of shock and fear. He had never heard of such a thing before. His sister was only 13 and in eighth grade. He knew that this was not right.

He heard his parents desperately trying to get Aurora to think logically and to understand the consequences of her actions. But Aurora was too angry and scared to listen.

Bud could feel the tension in the air, and he wanted to do something to help. He wanted to tell his parents that he was there for them, that they were not alone. But he was too afraid to get out of his bed.

Finally, after what felt like hours of yelling and arguing, the living room was silent. Bud was relieved that the shouting had stopped, but he was still scared of what might happen next.

He waited, his heart pounding, until he heard his parents saying goodbye to Aurora. They were sending her away, and Bud felt a wave of sadness wash over him. He knew that his family would never be the same again.

Bud waited until he could no longer hear the sound of the front door closing before he allowed himself to cry. He had never felt so helpless before. He was too young to understand the complexities of the situation, and he was too scared to intervene.

All he could do now was hope that things would get better and that his family would find a way to get through this difficult time.

## Then one night, as I closed my eyes

Bud stepped out of the house and into the darkness, the stars above twinkling like the tears in his eyes. He had seen the way his parents had treated Aurora, heard the words they had said to her, and he knew they had taken her away.

He had to find her.

Bud ran down the street, his feet pounding the pavement. He wished he had the strength of his older sister, Aurora, who was usually by his side, supporting him, and he wished he could take away the pain *he* felt for Aurora.

Finally, he spotted her sitting on the curb, her head in her hands. He ran to her, crouching down by her side.

'Aurora,' he said softly.

She looked up, tears streaming down her face, 'Bud,"she whispered, her voice raw and broken.

Bud put his arm around her and held her close. He wanted to take away her pain, but he knew he couldn't. He knew his parents had kicked her out because she was pregnant.

'Do you want to keep the baby?' he asked her.

Aurora shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks, "No," she said softly, "I don't think I can."

Bud nodded. He understood. He wanted to help her, but he didn't know how.

"Does the father know?"he asked her.

Aurora nodded, "Yes," she said. "But he doesn't care."

Bud felt a rush of anger. He wanted to do something, anything, to make it better for his sister.

Suddenly, he remembered the abortion pills he had seen on the kitchen counter. His parents had been discussing them earlier, but he hadn't thought much of it. Now, he knew what he had to do.

Without a word, he stood and ran back home. He climbed up on the counter, searching until he found the pills, then he grabbed them and raced back out to Aurora.

"Here," he said, handing her the pills, "These might help."

Aurora stared at the pills in her hand, her eyes wide. 'Bud,' she said softly. 'I can't believe you did this for me.'

Bud shrugged. "I'd do anything for you,"he said.

Aurora hugged him tightly, "Thank you," she said.

Bud smiled. He knew he couldn't take away Aurora's pain, but he felt relieved that he had been able to help her in some small way. Now, he just hoped that everything would be alright.

## I saw a shadow flying high

Bud nervously walked up the driveway to the house, his sister Aurora by his side. He glanced at her, more than a little worried. He had just provided her with the pills he had taken from the medicine cabinet. He had done it in secret, and he was sure his parents would find out soon enough.

He and Aurora arrived at the front door, and Bud could see his parents, Rose and Marcus, on the other side. He opened the door and stepped inside with Aurora following close behind him.

"Where have you two been?" Rose said, her voice tinged with worry.

"We were just hanging out, " Aurora said, her voice trembling.

Rose glanced at the bottle in Bud's hand and her face grew pale. She stepped forward and snatched it from his grasp. "My abortion pills," she said, her voice low and angry.

"I'm not pregnant anymore,'" Aurora said quickly.

"That could be true," Marcus said, his face grim, "But those pills won't take effect until tomorrow."

Rose turned to Bud. "You took these from the cabinet?" she said.

Bud nodded, his heart racing.

Rose sighed heavily and shook her head, "You know better than that," she said. "You should have come to us. We would have helped you."

Aurora stepped forward, "It was my decision," she said, "It wasn't Bud's fault. He was just trying to help."

Rose nodded, her face softening, "Yes, he was," she said, her voice gentle. She stepped forward and put her arm around Bud's shoulders. 'Come on,' she said, "Let's go inside and talk about this."

Bud followed his parents into the house, his heart still pounding. He knew he had made the right decision, even if he hadn't done it the right way. As he stepped into the warmth of the house, he realized that his parents were still there to support him. He was grateful for that, and he knew Aurora was too.

## He came to me with the sweetest smile

Bud was having a very bad day. He was already feeling nervous because his best friend, Elizabeth, was out sick, and now two of the boys from his first period class were bullying him. They were standing in front of him, jeering and taunting him, and he felt helpless.

'Hey, Bud,' one of the boys said, a smirk playing on his lips. 'Looks like your hoe isn't here to protect you.'

Bud felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. He looked down at the ground, not wanting to make eye contact with the boys. He wished he could just disappear.

Suddenly, the sound of a voice cut through the taunting.

'What's going on here?'

Bud looked up to see Mr. L, his homeroom teacher, standing there. The two boys immediately stopped their bullying and stepped away from Bud.

Mr. L looked at the two boys sternly. "Detention," he said. "Both of you. Now."

The boys grumbled something under their breath but walked away without another word.

Mr. L turned his gaze to Bud, "Are you okay, Bud?"

Bud nodded, but he still felt embarrassed.

Mr. L smiled at him reassuringly. 'I'm glad you're okay. Bullying is unacceptable, and we won't tolerate it here at school. If you ever feel unsafe, just come to me and I'll help you out.'

Bud nodded again, feeling a little better. He knew that Mr. L was right; bullying wasn't acceptable, and he was grateful that he had someone to turn to when he needed help.

He thanked Mr. L and walked away, feeling a little bit better. He knew that he could always count on Mr. L to have his back.

## Told me he wanted to talk for a while

Bud sat at the dinner table, poking at his food with his fork. He had no appetite, but his mother Rose had insisted that he join the family for dinner. His sisters Dandelion and Aurora were already seated, talking about their day at school.

Bud wasn't paying attention to their conversation, though. He was too distracted by the bright colors of the room. The walls were painted a deep red, and the window was framed with yellow curtains. He felt like he was inside a kaleidoscope.

Suddenly, his mother stood up from her chair. She cleared her throat and began to speak. “I have an announcement to make. I'm pregnant.”

Aurora, Bud's older sister, gasped and burst into tears. Dandelion, Bud's younger sister, just stared in shock. Rose stood there awkwardly, not sure how to respond.

Marcus, Bud's father, reached out and placed a hand on Aurora's shoulder. “It's okay to be jealous,” he said. “It's natural.”

Aurora sniffled and wiped her eyes. “I'm not jealous,” she said. “I'm just…I just…” She trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

Bud watched the scene unfold with confusion. He didn't understand why his family was so upset about the pregnancy. He had no idea why his sister was so upset about it.

The rest of the dinner was spent in an awkward silence. Bud was relieved when everyone finally got up from the table. He said goodnight to his family and retired to his room.

Once he was alone, he realized what had happened. His sister had recently aborted her own pregnancy, and seeing their mother pregnant again had brought up a lot of painful emotions for her. He wished he could have done something to make her feel better, but he didn't know how.

Bud sighed and looked out the window. He just wanted to make everyone happy. But sometimes, he thought, life didn't make it easy.

## He said, "Peter Pan, that's what they call me

Bud shuffled his feet as he walked up the steps of Elizabeth’s house. He was nervous about meeting his sister, Aurora’s, ex-boyfriend. He had heard so many stories about him, some good and some bad. He was ready to meet the person who had broken Aurora’s heart.

When he entered the house, he saw Elizabeth and Carson talking. He was shocked. He hadn’t expected Carson to be there. He stopped in his tracks and stayed quiet.

Elizabeth noticed him and waved. “Hey Bud, this is Carson, Aurora’s ex.”

Carson smiled at him. “Hey Bud.”

Bud felt awkward and unsure what to say. Carson and Elizabeth continued talking, not noticing his silence. He slowly stepped closer and asked, “Why did you leave Aurora when she was pregnant?”

Carson looked away. “I had made varsity football, and I didn’t have the time or money to take care of a baby.” He looked back at Bud. “Is she still pregnant?”

Bud shook his head. “No, she had an abortion.”

Elizabeth stepped in and changed the subject. “Are you gonna get in the pool or not?”

Bud felt relieved. “Yeah, I’ll be right there.”

He watched Carson and Elizabeth walk away. He felt a strange mix of emotions, he felt sorry for Carson, but also angry at him for leaving Aurora in her time of need. He shook his head and walked towards the pool.

He was still thinking about the conversation he had with Carson when he got in the pool, and even when he went back home later that day. He was relieved that Carson wasn’t his step-brother, but he was still sad for Aurora. He knew she had been in love with Carson and had been devastated when he left. He wished he could do something to make it up to her.

Bud wasn’t sure what he could do, but he knew he had to do something. He knew Aurora deserved better than what she had gotten from Carson. He had to find a way to make it up to her.

## I promise that you'll never be lonely"

Bud stood in the doorway, his heart pounding and his face hot. He felt like he was about to be hit by a wave of something – something he didn't understand.

He knew his sister Aurora was in her bedroom with her ex-boyfriend Carson. He knew it was wrong, even though he was only in sixth grade. He was smart, even though he was autistic.

But he didn't expect to walk in and see Aurora and Carson making out.

"You don't wanna get pregnant again, do you?" Bud yelled, breaking the silence. Aurora's eyes widened, and she started to cry. Carson looked up, and he was about to say something, but he was interrupted by Bud's parents, Rose and Marcus, rushing in.

"What's going on here?" Rose asked, her eyes narrowed.

Bud felt the wave of something he didn't understand again, and he stepped back, looking down at the floor.

"We were just talking," Carson said, trying to explain.

"Talking?" Marcus said, his voice raised, "It sure didn't look like that to me!"

"I'm sorry," Aurora said, wiping her eyes.

Rose and Marcus exchanged a glance, and Rose said, "Carson, you aren't allowed here anymore. You need to leave."

Carson opened his mouth to argue, but he closed it again when he saw the look on Rose and Marcus' faces. He got up and quickly left the room, not looking back.

Rose and Marcus both hugged Aurora, and Rose said, "It's okay, Aurora. We understand."

Aurora nodded, but she still looked upset.

Bud wanted to say something, but he didn't know what. He wanted to make his sister feel better, but he didn't know how. He just stood there, feeling the wave of something he didn't understand, and he wished he could make it all better.

## And ever since that day

Bud felt a stirring of courage building up inside of him. He had been thinking about it for a while now and he finally felt ready to tell his parents. His parents, Rose and Marcus, were seated on the couch, engrossed in a conversation.

Bud cleared his throat, trying to get their attention. They both looked up, a look of surprise on their faces.

"What is it, Bud?" asked Marcus.

Bud felt his heart racing, but he pushed the feeling away and looked directly at his parents.

"I...I wanted to tell you something," he said, "I'm an atheist."

There was a silence and Bud felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. He had expected his parents to be surprised by this revelation, but he hadn't expected the look of confusion and concern that crossed their faces.

Rose spoke first, "What do you mean, Bud?"

Bud felt his courage returning, "I mean that I don't believe in God. I don't think that religion is real or necessary."

Marcus shook his head, "But why? What made you come to this conclusion?"

Bud took a deep breath. "I've been thinking about it for a while now. I have done a lot of research and reading, and I just don't believe in it. I'm sorry if this disappoints you, but it's how I feel."

Rose and Marcus looked at each other, then back at Bud. They both looked sad, but Bud could tell that they were trying to understand his perspective.

'Bud,' said Marcus, 'We love you no matter what. We may not understand your decision, but we respect it. We just want you to be happy and make the choices that are right for you.'

Bud felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had been so scared to tell them, but now he felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He smiled and said, "Thank you."

Rose and Marcus returned his smile and then Dandelion and Aurora came running into the room.

"What are we talking about?" asked Dandelion.

Rose and Marcus looked at each other and then back at Bud. They both nodded and Rose said, "We were just talking about Bud's decision to not believe in God."

Dandelion and Aurora looked at Bud in surprise, but then Aurora said, "That's okay, Bud. We still love you no matter what."

Bud smiled and hugged his sisters. He felt so lucky to have such an understanding and supportive family. He knew that no matter what, they would always be there for him.

## I am a Lost Boy from Neverland

Bud nervously shifted in his seat as he watched his two sisters, Aurora and Dandelion, squabble over the window seat in the car. He wished he had the same enthusiasm for the holiday season as they did, but he couldn't muster up anything more than a feeling of dread.

'We're almost there,' his father, Marcus, said from the driver's seat, glancing back at him in the rearview mirror.

'Do I have to go?' Bud asked, his voice soft and hesitant.

'Yes, Bud. We've been over this,' his mother, Rose, said, her voice tired.

Bud knew it was no use arguing. He was an atheist, and he knew his parents were determined to send him to a church Christmas camp for a week. He'd heard stories of what went on there and it made him even more uncomfortable.

Marcus pulled into the campground and the car fell silent. Bud felt like his stomach was filled with lead as he watched his parents unload the car and carry his and his sisters' bags to one of the cabins.

'I'm not staying in there,' Bud said, his voice firm.

Rose turned to him, her eyes full of sympathy. 'Bud, I know you don't want to be here, but I need a break. I'm four months pregnant and I'm exhausted. I just need a few days to rest and recharge.'

Bud felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He knew his mother was struggling and he didn't want to make it worse. He sighed and reluctantly followed his family into the cabin.

Once inside, Bud couldn't help but be impressed with how cozy the cabin was. He was surprised to find that there was a TV and a game console, as well as several board games scattered around the living room. It almost felt like home.

For the next few days, Bud and his siblings stayed up late, playing video games and watching movies.They ate a lot of junk food and had a few heated debates about religion and politics. Bud found himself enjoying the company of his family, despite his earlier misgivings.

On the fourth day, Bud awoke to the sound of singing coming from outside the cabin. He followed the sound to the church at the center of the camp grounds and watched as the other campers sang carols and celebrated the holiday season. He couldn't help but be moved by the sight.

When he got back to the cabin, he found Rose and Marcus sitting on the porch, talking quietly. Bud walked over and sat down next to them, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face.

'What do you think?' Rose asked, her voice soft.

Bud smiled, "I think it's nice. I'm glad I came."

Rose smiled and leaned her head against Marcus's shoulder, "Me too."

Bud watched as his family enjoyed the peaceful moment and felt a sense of acceptance wash over him. He knew that no matter what his beliefs were, he would always be loved and accepted by his family.

## Usually hanging out with Peter Pan

Bud had always been protective of his older sister, Aurora. She was thirteen and in eighth grade, two years ahead of Bud in school. He had always been the more responsible one, mature beyond his years, so when Aurora had gotten pregnant six months ago, he had taken it hard. She had gotten an abortion, but Bud hadn't been able to shake the feeling that he should have done more to prevent it.

So when he saw her with a new boyfriend, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. He had wanted to like the guy, but he had already seen too much of the world to trust easily.

Bud had been playing video games in the living room when he heard Aurora's laughter coming from the kitchen. He got up to investigate and saw her with a tall, dark-haired boy. He was smiling at her and she was smiling back, and Bud felt anger beginning to bubble up inside him.

He tried to stay calm as he walked into the kitchen, but his face was already flushed with anger. Aurora and her boyfriend stopped talking when they saw him and Aurora smiled nervously.

"Hey Bud, this is my boyfriend, Mike."

Bud glared at Mike and then looked back at Aurora, "I thought you said you were done with guys," he said, his voice tight.

Aurora's smile faded, "I-I am," she stammered.

"Then why do you have a boyfriend?" Bud shouted, "You already got pregnant once. I'm not giving you abortion pills next time!"

Aurora's eyes filled with tears and she took a step back, "Bud, you don't understand-"

But he wasn't listening. He was too angry, "You're a slut!" he yelled.

Aurora started to cry and she ran out of the room, calling for her boyfriend.

Bud watched her go, feeling a mix of anger and guilt. He knew he had gone too far, but he had been so worried about her. His parents weren't home, and the thought of being alone with her made him feel even worse.

He put his head in his hands and sighed. He would have to apologize to Aurora later, but for now, he just needed some time to cool down.

## And when we're bored, we play in the woods

Bud was in his room, a dark cloud of anger and frustration enveloping him. He had just had a fight with his sister Aurora, and he felt like a hurricane of emotions was raging inside him. He tried to breathe deeply, to calm himself down. But it was no use, he was too angry.

He wished his parents were home. They were usually so good at calming him down. But they were both at work, and he was stuck here, alone with his swirling thoughts.

Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up, and saw Dandelion standing there. She was his younger sister, eight years old and in third grade.

“Hey Bud,” she said softly. “You okay?”

Bud shook his head. He had been so mad at Aurora for getting a boyfriend, even though she had already aborted a pregnancy with another boy six months ago. He felt betrayed and hurt, and he didn't know how to make the feelings go away.

Dandelion sat down next to him, and put her arm around him.

“It's okay,” she said. “It's okay to feel upset. You don't need to bottle it up.”

Bud looked at his sister, her brown eyes looking back at him with understanding. He let out a deep sigh, and leaned into her embrace.

“I know,” he said, his voice cracking. “But it still hurts.”

Dandelion nodded.

“I know it does,” she said. “But you don't have to be alone. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere.”

Bud smiled, despite the tears streaming down his face. He knew that no matter what happened, his sister would always be there for him.

“Thanks,” he said, wiping away his tears.

Dandelion smiled back at him, and hugged him tighter.

“It's okay to be mad,” she said. “But you don't have to stay mad forever.”

Bud nodded, slowly beginning to feel calmer. He knew that his sister was right. He could still be upset, but he didn't have to stay that way. He was an atheist, not believing in a higher power or an afterlife. But he also believed in himself, and he knew he could get through this.

With Dandelion's help, he was able to get through the autism spell. They talked for a while, and eventually he felt better. He still felt sad, but he also felt a sense of relief.

He hugged Dandelion tight, grateful for her presence. He knew that no matter what happened, his sister would always be there for him. He was an atheist, but at that moment he felt like he was being watched over by a higher power.

## Always on the run from Captain Hook

Bud sighed as he stared at the computer screen. He had been researching for his math project for what felt like hours, but he couldn't seem to find the right information. He was about to give up when he accidentally clicked on the wrong URL. He was taken to a video he had never seen before and he heard the words 'Aromantic Asexual'. Bud furrowed his eyebrows as he read the words. He had never heard of this before.

He decided to look it up and he found the LGBTQIA Wiki page. He read through the page and he felt a wave of relief wash over him. He realized that this was him. He was an Asexual, but he wasn't Aromantic. He felt a sense of understanding and comfort as he read through the page.

Bud closed the webpage and leaned back in his chair. He felt a newfound sense of clarity and he knew that he wanted to keep this to himself. He didn't want to tell his sisters, Aurora and Dandelion, or anyone else. He wanted to keep it a secret for now, until he was ready to tell the world.

He thought back to his schoolmates and how they would tease him for being autistic and an atheist. He wasn't sure if he could handle any more teasing. He was already tired of defending himself against the constant jokes and insults. He knew that if he were to tell anyone that he was Asexual, they would make fun of him even more.

Bud sighed and looked back at the computer screen. He had to finish his math project and he decided that he would keep his newfound identity a secret for now. He would tell the world when he was ready, but until then he would keep it to himself.

He clicked on the right URL and continued researching for his project. He was determined to finish it and he pushed his thoughts about being Asexual to the back of his mind. He knew that he would deal with it when the time was right.

## "Run, run, Lost Boy", they say to me

Bud had been asking for a phone for months, but his parents had kept telling him he was too young. But this week, he finally got the news he had been waiting for: his parents had decided to get him a phone.

Bud was so excited he could barely contain himself. He rushed downstairs, and there it was on the kitchen table, a brand new phone in its box, with a pink bow on top. He was so excited he almost couldn’t open it up.

“Thank you!” he said, grinning from ear to ear.

His parents, Rose and Marcus, smiled back.

“We know you’ve been wanting one for a while now,” said Rose. “We just wanted to make sure you were ready for the responsibility.”

Bud nodded. He knew his parents had been worried about him getting too caught up in the online world, but he was determined to show them he could handle it.

“I promise I’ll be responsible,” he said.

Marcus nodded. “We know you will,” he said. “Just remember to use it wisely.”

Bud took his new phone out of the box and turned it on. He was amazed by all the features it had. He could take pictures, send text messages, play games, and even listen to music.

He spent the rest of the day exploring all the possibilities of his new phone. He sent text messages to his friends and family, played games, and took pictures of his sisters. He even tried out some of the music apps and found some of his favorite songs.

By the end of the day, Bud was exhausted but happy. He had made the most of his new phone and was proud of himself for being responsible.

His parents were happy too. They had seen how excited Bud was about his phone, and they knew he was ready for the responsibility.

“We’re so proud of you,” said Rose, giving him a hug.

“We knew you could do it,” added Marcus.

Bud smiled. He knew he had made his parents proud, and that made him feel even better about his new phone. He was so excited to see what else he could do with it.

## "Away from all of reality"

Bud was in the backseat of the car, nervously tapping his fingers against the window as his father drove. His older sister Aurora was in the front seat, trying to make conversation in an effort to keep her brother calm.

"It's gonna be alright bud," she said, giving him a reassuring smile. "Mom's gonna be fine."

Bud nodded, but he was still scared. His mother had gone into labor with her fourth child, and they still didn't know the gender. Bud had two sisters already, Dandelion and Aurora, and he wanted a brother.

The car pulled up to the hospital and Bud's father, Marcus, rushed to the front desk to get a wheelchair for Rose. Bud followed close behind, trying to remain calm. The nurse at the desk gave them a sympathetic smile as she handed them the wheelchair.

Inside the hospital, the halls were bustling with doctors and nurses, but Bud managed to stay focused on the task at hand - getting to his mother's room. When they arrived, Bud and his father rushed to Rose's side. She was pale and sweaty, but she managed to give them a small smile.

"It's gonna be okay," she said, her voice tired but determined.

Bud nodded, taking her hand in his. He wanted to tell her that he was scared and that he wanted a brother, but he couldn't find the words. Instead, he just held her hand, silently offering her his support.

The minutes seemed to stretch on forever, and finally the doctor arrived with the baby. He held the small bundle in his arms and announced the gender.

"It's a boy!"

Bud felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had gotten his wish. He grinned at his parents and hugged his mother tightly.

"What should we name him?" Rose asked, her voice filled with joy.

Bud thought for a moment, then smiled. "How about Milo?"

Rose smiled and nodded. "Milo it is."

They named the baby Milo, and Bud and his sisters welcomed him into the family with open arms. As Bud watched his new brother sleep peacefully, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. He had gotten his wish - a brother to share his life with.

It was a moment Bud would never forget.

## Neverland is home to Lost Boys like me

Bud held his baby brother Milo for the first time. His parents, Rose and Marcus, beamed at him as he carefully cradled the tiny bundle in his arms. Bud felt a wave of emotion wash over him. He knew he was blessed to be part of a big family - his older sister Aurora, his younger sister Dandelion, and now Milo.

He glanced up at his parents, marveling at the love in their eyes. His dad had always been a bit more reserved than his mom, but even he couldn’t hide the joy on his face. Bud smiled to himself, feeling a wave of pride that he was part of something so beautiful.

Aurora and Dandelion were also there, taking turns admiring their new brother. Aurora had been especially excited for Milo’s arrival, and Bud was glad she was getting to experience this moment. Dandelion, on the other hand, seemed a bit more reserved. Bud knew she was still getting used to the idea of having a brother, and he couldn’t blame her.

Bud carefully rocked Milo in his arms, watching his little face. He couldn’t help but marvel at the perfection of his brother’s features. Milo had big blue eyes, and a set of chubby cheeks that made Bud smile.

“He’s perfect,” Bud said, his voice full of awe.

Rose smiled. “Yes, he is,” she said. “And he’s going to need you to help him along in life, Bud.”

Bud nodded, feeling a wave of responsibility wash over him. He knew his parents were counting on him to help Milo grow, and he was determined to do whatever he could.

“Milo is autistic,” Marcus said, his voice gentle. “And he’s going to need a lot of understanding and patience from all of us.”

Bud looked up, surprised. He had known Milo was different, but he hadn’t known it was autism. He glanced at his sisters, wondering if they knew too. Aurora nodded, her expression serious. Dandelion, however, had a look of confusion on her face.

Bud looked back down at Milo, feeling a deep surge of protectiveness. “He’s going to be okay,” he said firmly. “We’ll all help him.”

Rose smiled and squeezed his shoulder. “That’s right,” she said. “We’ll all be there for Milo, and for each other.”

Bud smiled, a warm feeling spreading through his chest. He had his family, and they had each other. Everything else could be worked out later. He looked down at his brother, feeling a deep sense of love and admiration.

No matter what happened, Bud knew he would always be there for Milo. He was part of the same family, after all.

## And Lost Boys like me are free

Bud took a deep breath of the crisp autumn air as he stepped outside. It was the morning of his first ever turkey hunt with his dad, Marcus. He was filled with excitement and a little bit of trepidation. He had heard some horror stories from his friends about their first turkey hunts and he was not sure what to expect.

Bud looked up at his dad, who was getting the hunting gear ready. Marcus was a tall, imposing figure, but Bud knew that beneath the gruff exterior was a kind heart. He had been teaching Bud the basics of hunting since he was a young boy, and today was the big day.

"Ready to go, son?" Marcus asked, a twinkle in his eye.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Bud replied with a smile.

The two of them loaded up the truck with their gear and drove off into the countryside. As they drove, Marcus told Bud stories of his own first turkey hunts when he was a boy. Bud listened with rapt attention, fascinated by the tales of adventure and excitement.

When they arrived at their destination, Marcus showed Bud the best spots to set up their decoys and blinds. He also explained the importance of being quiet and still while turkey hunting. Bud listened carefully, taking it all in.

Once everything was set up, Bud and Marcus took their places in the blinds. Bud was nervous, but he was determined to make his dad proud. He sat still and quiet, his eyes scanning the woods for any sign of a turkey.

Suddenly, Bud heard a loud gobble in the distance. His heart began to race as he realized it was a wild turkey! He looked over at his dad, who was grinning ear to ear.

"You ready, Bud?" Marcus asked.

Bud nodded and his dad gave him the signal. Bud slowly raised his gun and took aim. He held his breath and squeezed the trigger.

The shot echoed through the woods and a few seconds later, Bud heard a loud thud. He had hit his target! Bud and Marcus raced to the spot and found a beautiful tom turkey lying in the leaves.

Bud couldn't believe it. He had done it! He had gone turkey hunting with his dad and he had shot his first turkey! He smiled up at his dad, who was beaming with pride.

"Good job, son," Marcus said, giving Bud a big hug.

Bud smiled as he hugged his dad back. He knew that this was only the beginning of a life-long love of turkey hunting.

## Neverland is home to Lost Boys like me

But lately, something had been bothering Bud. He had noticed that Aurora had been acting strangely, and that she was spending a lot of time with different boys. He had asked her what was going on, but she had just brushed him off.

One day, Bud was walking home from school when he spotted Aurora in the park. She was with three boys, and they were all kissing her. Bud was shocked. He had never seen Aurora like this before. He stood there, frozen in place, until one of the boys noticed him.

The boy, whom Bud identified as Kingston, quickly ushered Aurora away, but not before Bud was able to see the truth. Aurora was not just kissing one boy, she was kissing all of them.

Bud couldn't believe what he was seeing. He rushed home and told his mother, Rose, what he had seen. Rose was shocked and angry. She immediately headed to the park, dragging Bud along with her.

When they arrived, Rose saw that Aurora was still there, and that she was still with the boys. Rose marched over to the group and asked Aurora what was going on. Aurora was too stunned to respond, so Rose looked at the boys. Kingston immediately stepped forward, trying to explain, but Rose wasn't having it.

'Are you hell-bent on becoming a mom at 13 or 14?' Rose yelled. The other boys stared awkwardly at Rose before quickly disappearing. Kingston, however, stayed behind. He grabbed Bud's arm and leaned in close.

'She's threatening all the guys in school to sleep with her or she'll kill them,' he whispered.

Bud felt his stomach lurch. He had known his sister was troubled, but he had never expected this. He looked up at Rose, expecting her to be angry, but instead she just looked sad. She put her arm around Bud and they walked home in silence.

When they got home, Rose made Bud a cup of hot chocolate and they sat at the kitchen table. She explained that Aurora had always had a difficult time fitting in, and that she had been looking for attention from the wrong people. She also said that she would take care of it and that Bud should never feel like he had to protect his sister from the world.

Bud felt a sense of relief. He had done the right thing by telling his mother what he had seen. He also realized that he should have been paying more attention to his sister and that he should have been there for her. From that day onward, Bud promised himself that he would do his best to make sure Aurora was safe and to be there for her when she needed him.

## And Lost Boys like me are free

Bud nervously tapped his fingers against his jeans as he waited for Carmen to arrive. He had never met his cousin before and was unsure as to what to expect. He had only heard about her from his parents. They had said that she was 19 and had a son.

Bud looked around the room and spotted his older sister Aurora standing off to one side. She had been the one to suggest that Bud meet Carmen. Dandelion, his younger sister, was in the kitchen with their newborn brother Milo.

The door opened and a woman entered the room. Bud was instantly drawn to her. They had the same dark eyes and hair. It was obvious to him that she was his cousin.

'Hi, I'm Carmen,' she said, smiling warmly at Bud.

Bud felt himself blush. He was usually shy around new people, but he was surprised at how comfortable he felt around Carmen.

She reached out and hugged him tightly. 'It's so nice to finally meet you, Bud,' she said.

Bud felt a wave of warmth wash over him. He had never been hugged by a stranger before, but it was a nice feeling.

Carmen stepped back and Bud noticed that she was holding a baby. He realized that this must be her son.

'This is my son, Emilio,' she said, smiling down at the baby.

Bud smiled back at Emilio. He was curious to know more about his cousin and her son, but he was also overwhelmed and didn't know what to say.

Carmen seemed to sense his discomfort and she said, 'Why don't we sit down and get to know each other better?'

Bud nodded and they both sat down on the couch. Carmen asked him about school and his hobbies, and Bud felt himself relax as he answered her questions.

The conversation flowed easily. Carmen was kind and patient with Bud, understanding that he moved at a different pace than most people due to his autism. She also respected his beliefs as an atheist.

When it was time for Carmen and Emilio to go, Bud felt a wave of sadness wash over him. He had really enjoyed getting to know his cousin and he was looking forward to seeing her again soon.

Carmen hugged him tightly before she left. 'It was so nice to meet you, Bud,' she said.

Bud smiled and said, 'It was nice to meet you too, Carmen.'

As he watched her go, Bud realized that he had made a new friend.

## He sprinkled me in pixie dust and told me to believe

Bud slumped his shoulders as he walked out of his English class, feeling the weight of his failure bearing down on him. He had tried so hard for that test, but he just couldn't seem to get it right. He was an autistic kid, and sometimes things like English just didn't come naturally to him.

'Hey, Bud. What's up?' He heard a voice call from behind him. He turned to see his best friend, Elizabeth, striding towards him. Bud couldn't help but smile. She always managed to make him feel better, no matter what.

'I failed my English test,' Bud said, his voice heavy.

Elizabeth's eyes widened. 'Oh no. That's awful. Did Mrs. Dayton put it on the wall of shame?'

Bud nodded. 'Yeah. She did. I just can't seem to get it right.'

'It's okay,' Elizabeth said, reaching out to give him a hug. 'It's not the end of the world. You're still pretty smart. You just need a little more time to figure things out.'

Bud sighed, leaning into the hug. He knew Elizabeth was right, but it didn't make it any easier. He wished his sisters, Dandelion and Aurora, could be here to cheer him up. But they were both too busy with their own lives.

And then there was his baby brother, Milo. Bud was the only one in the family who was an atheist, and he couldn't help but wonder if that had something to do with it.

'Hey,' Elizabeth said, pulling away from the hug. 'Let's go get a milkshake. That'll make you feel better.'

Bud smiled. 'Yeah, okay. That sounds good.'

And so, Bud and Elizabeth went out to get a milkshake, talking and laughing all the way. It didn't make Bud forget about his failed test, but it did help him to feel a bit better. Elizabeth had always been able to do that for him.

No matter what happened, no matter how tough it got, Bud knew he could always count on Elizabeth to be there for him.

## Believe in him and believe in me

Bud felt like he was floating on air as he walked away from Elizabeth. He couldn't believe that she had asked him out! She had been his best friend since the beginning of 6th grade, and he had always had a crush on her. He was so excited, but also nervous. His dad, Marcus, had told him a while ago that he wasn't allowed to date yet.

Bud thought about what he should do as he walked home from school. He was so happy, but he knew that his dad would be mad if he went out with Elizabeth. As he rounded the corner to his house, Bud saw his baby brother, Milo, in the arms of his older sister, Aurora. He wanted to tell her and Dandelion the news, but he knew that he couldn't.

He waved to them and walked inside, trying not to show too much excitement. He saw his dad in the kitchen, but he didn't want to talk to him just yet. He went to his room and sat down, trying to make sense of his feelings.

Bud was an atheist, so he knew that his dad's rule about not dating was based on his own religious beliefs. He didn't think it was fair to him, but he also knew that his dad had his family's best interests in mind. He thought about what he should do, but he couldn't figure out what was right.

Finally, Bud decided to talk to his dad about it. He knew it would be hard, but he needed to know what his dad would say. He took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen.

'Dad, I need to talk to you,' Bud said.

'What is it?' Marcus asked.

'Well, Elizabeth asked me out today,' Bud said. He expected his dad to be angry, but Marcus just looked at him with a kind expression.

'I know it's hard, Bud,' he said. 'But I want you to know that I'm here for you and I'll support you however I can. You're growing up and I understand that, but I still want you to be careful with who you date. Just be sure to talk to me about it, okay?'

Bud nodded, feeling relieved. His dad had listened to him and given him the support he needed. He knew that he could make the right decision for himself and he was happy that his dad trusted him to do so.

Bud thanked his dad and hugged him tightly. He was grateful for the love and understanding his dad had shown him. He was ready to make his own decisions and he was excited to start this new chapter in his life.

## Together, we will fly away in a cloud of green

Bud was fuming. He had been forced to go to church Easter camp, and he was not happy.

He watched as his mother, Rose, drove away. She had promised to come back and pick him up in two days, but Bud didn't believe her. As soon as she was out of sight, he bent down and picked up a rock. He threw it at the car, watching it ricochet off the bumper.

'That'll show her,' Bud muttered to himself.

He looked back at the camp. He had been forced to go, and he was sure he would hate it. He had never been to church before, and he was an atheist. He was also autistic, and he didn't like change.

Inside the camp, Bud could hear the singing and laughter of the other kids. He felt even more angry and frustrated. He wanted to be back at home with his sisters Dandelion and Aurora, and his newborn brother Milo.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and spun around to see a care worker standing there. 'Hey, Bud,' she said. 'Are you okay? You seem a little upset.'

Bud shook his head. 'I don't want to be here,' he said, his voice full of anger. 'I don't believe in any of this stuff.'

The care worker nodded. 'I understand,' she said. 'But maybe you can find something to enjoy while you're here. There's a lot of fun activities, and you might make some new friends.'

Bud shook his head again and crossed his arms. 'I don't want to,' he said.

The care worker sighed. 'Okay,' she said. 'Just try to have a good time, okay? I'll be back to check on you soon.'

Bud watched as she walked away. He knew she was right, but he still didn't want to be here. He knew he was being stubborn, but he couldn't help it. He was angry, and he wanted to be at home with his family.

He sat down on a nearby bench and stared up at the sky. He felt a tear fall down his cheek. He didn't want to be here, but he had no choice. He was stuck, and he had to make the most of it.

## To your beautiful destiny

Bud nervously fidgeted with his shirt, tugging at the collar as he looked up at the clock. He had been waiting for this moment for what felt like forever. It was finally the day of his date with Elizabeth, his best friend.

He hadn't told anyone about his plans, not even his sisters, Dandelion and Aurora. He didn't want to deal with the teasing and jokes they would make if they knew. His brother, Milo, was too young to understand anyway.

Suddenly, Bud heard a knock at the door. He ran to answer it, and when he opened the door, there stood Elizabeth in a beautiful dress. She had a huge smile on her face and was holding a bouquet of roses.

'Hi Bud,' she said, her voice full of excitement.

'Hi,' he replied, his voice shaking slightly.

Elizabeth handed him the flowers. 'These are for you,' she said.

Bud smiled and took the roses. He had never received flowers before and was taken aback by the gesture.

'Thank you,' he said.

Elizabeth grinned. 'You're welcome.'

The two of them stood there for a moment, just looking at each other and smiling. Finally, Bud remembered why they were there and asked Elizabeth if she was ready to go.

Elizabeth nodded eagerly and the two of them headed out the door. As they walked, Bud noticed how many people were staring at them. He was used to it; he was autistic and an atheist, after all. But he was still nervous.

When they arrived at the restaurant, the two of them sat down and began to talk. They talked about everything and anything, from school to music to religion. Bud was surprised to find out that Elizabeth was an atheist too. It made him feel more comfortable and accepted.

When it was time to go, Bud and Elizabeth said their goodbyes. As they hugged, Bud felt a warmth in his heart that he had never felt before. He felt like he was finally accepted and understood.

The two of them walked home together, and when they arrived at Bud's house, he hugged Elizabeth one more time. He couldn't believe it had actually happened; he had gone on a date with his best friend. He smiled and waved as she walked away.

Bud had never felt so happy in his life.

## As we soared above the town that never loved me

Bud watched with a mix of confusion and admiration as Aurora stood up for him against Christian and Brook, the two homeschooled fifteen-year-olds who had been bullying him at church camp. From the corner of his eye, he could see his cabin counselor, Jayce, watching the whole thing unfold with a mixture of surprise and admiration.

Once the other two kids had backed off, Jayce walked up to him and Aurora and said, “That was impressive, guys.”

Bud shrugged. “I didn’t do anything. Aurora was the one who stood up to them.”

“Yeah,” Jayce said, “But it takes a lot of guts to do that. You should be proud of her.”

Bud nodded, looking away as he felt a swell of pride in his chest.

“Anyway,” Jayce continued, “I thought I saw something earlier that I wanted to ask you about.” He hesitated for a moment, then added, “I thought I saw Christian and Aurora…um…kissing.”

Bud froze. He had been dreading this conversation since he’d found out about Aurora’s past. He took a deep breath and said, “Yeah…they were.”

Jayce’s eyes widened. “But…Aurora’s only fourteen.”

Bud nodded. “It happened last year, when she was thirteen. She was pregnant with her ex-boyfriend’s baby, but she had an abortion.”

Jayce looked away, his face pale. “I…I didn’t even know she had an ex-boyfriend.”

“His name was Carson. He dumped her after she told him she was pregnant.”

Jayce sighed and looked around the camp, his eyes settling on a group of six year-olds playing tag with a girl who looked about sixteen. “Hey,” he said, turning back to Bud, “Who’s that?”

“That’s Anna,” Bud said. “She’s homeschooled, like you.”

Jayce nodded, but didn’t take his eyes off of Anna. “She’s…beautiful.”

Bud frowned. “You have a crush on her?”

Jayce nodded. “Yeah…I mean, I don’t even have a girlfriend.”

Bud shrugged. “You should talk to her.”

Jayce sighed and looked back at Bud. “What about you? Do you have a crush on anyone?”

Bud nodded. “Yeah, my best friend Elizabeth.”

Jayce smiled. “Good for you. Does she believe in God?”

Bud shook his head. “No, and I don’t care either. I like her for who she is.”

Jayce nodded. “That’s good.” He looked back at Anna and sighed. “But I think Anna’s the girl I’d like to have sex with.”

Bud stared at him, his eyes wide. “You…you want to have sex?”

Jayce nodded. “Yeah, but I don’t know if she’d be interested.”

Bud smiled. “You should talk to her.”

Jayce sighed and nodded. “Yeah, I guess I should.” He stood up and started walking towards Anna, then turned back to Bud and said, “Thanks for the advice.”

Bud smiled and watched as Jayce approached Anna and the other kids. He shook his head, amazed at the power of love.

## I realized I finally had a family

Bud watched from his spot on the cabin deck as Jayce walked over to Anna, who was playing with Harvan and Gillie. He felt a thrill of anticipation as he watched the two of them talking. After a few minutes, Jayce ran back, a piece of paper in his hand.

'I got her email!' he yelled, a grin spreading across his face.

'Congrats,' Bud said, a hint of envy in his voice.

Jayce sat down beside Bud, and the two of them watched as the kids continued to play.

'So what's the plan?' Bud asked.

Jayce glanced at him, his eyes gleaming with excitement. 'We're gonna get married,' he said, his voice barely a whisper.

Bud stared at him, aghast. 'You confessed your feelings?' he asked.

Jayce shook his head. 'No, we're just friends right now,' he said. He leaned in closer, his voice now a whisper. 'But I'm gonna have sex with her eventually.'

Bud looked at his friend, his brow creased in confusion. 'Why are you telling me this?' he asked.

Jayce shrugged. 'I just wanted someone to know,' he said.

Bud nodded, understanding. He watched as Jayce stared off into the distance, a dreamy look in his eyes. He knew that Jayce was slowly but surely working towards his goal, and he felt a wave of admiration for his friend.

## Soon enough, we reached Neverland

Bud watched as Jayce stared out into the field. His eyes seemed to linger on something, and Bud followed his gaze. There, in the field, he saw Anna, Jayce's crush. She was playing with Dandelion, Bud's sister.

'What do you see in her?' Bud asked Jayce, curious.

Jayce smiled and said, 'She's so kind and she loves little kids. Look at her.'

Bud looked on, taking in Anna's demeanor. 'Cool,' he said.

'I want seven kids and a farm with her,' Jayce said dreamily.

Bud shook his head. 'My parents were seventeen and eighteen when I was born and it was too much,' he said. 'I can't imagine raising seven kids.'

'I don't care,' Jayce said. 'I love Anna and I want to get married when I'm seventeen. And I want to have sex directly after marriage, too.'

Bud frowned. 'Why is sex so important to you?'

Jayce chuckled. 'I had five siblings with religious parents. I want to make sure I can continue having intercourse as soon as possible for a baby.'

Bud still didn't get it. 'You should enjoy your youth,' he said. 'Go to parties and get drunk or something.'

Jayce shook his head. 'God doesn't approve of alcohol,' he said.

'But as soon as Anna gets pregnant, there's no turning back for you,' Bud said. 'No more cabin counselling for you if Anna gets pregnant.'

Jayce shrugged. 'I was raised that way,' he said.

Bud knew Anna was raised the same way, sadly. He looked away and sighed. 'God is a bitch,' he mumbled.

Jayce mumbled something Bud couldn't make out. 'Enchanted' by Taylor Swift, he said.

Bud sighed again. He knew there was no changing Jayce's mind. He just hoped Jayce would be happy with Anna.

## Peacefully, my feet hit the sand

Bud looked up from his book as his cabin counselor, Jayce, asked him for a favor. Jayce's face was beet red as he asked Bud to talk to his crush, Anna.

'Why me?' Bud asked, his brow furrowed.

'You're the only one I can trust,' Jayce said.

Bud sighed and nodded. He had a feeling he knew what this was about.

Bud found Anna in the camp mess hall. She was homeschooled and a few years older than Bud. She seemed embarrassed to be talking to him, but she smiled politely when he asked her if she liked Jayce.

'Yes,' she said, looking away as her cheeks flushed.

'He wants to marry you at 17, and then have sex directly after, buy a farm, and have seven kids,' Bud said.

Anna looked at him, her eyes wide. 'I love kids,' she said softly. 'And I'm a virgin anyway.'

Bud was taken aback. 'Jayce is a virgin too,' he said. 'Why throw your life away like that?'

Anna smiled. 'It's all God's plan,' she said.

## And ever since that day

Bud watched Jayce and Anna standing together, talking quietly. He couldn't hear them, but he was sure they were talking about the date Jayce had asked her on. It was his idea, and he was so proud of himself for getting it done. He had helped someone he cared about, and that made him happy. He hugged Jayce tightly and said, 'I love you, Jayce.'

Jayce chuckled and said, 'Thanks for getting Anna to go out with me. You're a good friend, Bud.'

Bud stepped back and said, 'You better not be a dad next time I see you, Jayce.'

Jayce laughed and said, 'No promises!'

Bud smiled, then turned to see his parents' minivan pulling up. He ran over to Anna and hugged her tightly. 'Good luck with Jayce. His balls are bigger than you think,' he said, then kissed her on the forehead. 'God will come around,' she said softly.

Bud smiled, but the tears in his eyes told a different story. He walked back to his sisters, who were already seated in the minivan. His mom asked if they had fun. He said it was the best, and his dad joked and asked if he had a girlfriend. Bud grinned and said, 'No, I got Jayce a girlfriend!' His mom looked surprised, but she said nothing.

They drove away, and as Bud watched the church camp disappear in the distance, he smiled. He had learned something new today, something important. He had learned that you could help someone else find love, even if you yourself weren't looking for it.

## I am a Lost Boy from Neverland

Bud stared at the envelope in his hands, not quite believing what he was seeing. It was an invitation to Jayce and Anna's wedding--something he had helped to make happen just two weeks ago. He had been so surprised when Jayce, his former cabin counselor at church camp told Bud he loved Anna.

Now, here he was, holding an invitation to their wedding. Bud was still in shock, but he knew he had to tell his parents. He ran downstairs and found his dad, Marcus, in the kitchen.

'Dad,' Bud said, holding up the invitation, 'I got an invite to Jayce and Anna's wedding. Can I go?'

Marcus peered at the invitation, then looked up at Bud. 'I guess,' he said, a hint of a smile on his face.

Bud was ecstatic. He thanked his dad, then ran back to his room to email Jayce. He opened up his laptop and quickly composed an email to jayce.godschild@aol.com:

'Hey Jayce,

I got your invitation and I'm going to your wedding! Can't wait to see you.

Thanks,

Bud'

He hit send and smiled to himself. He had helped two of his favorite people find each other, and now he was going to be part of their special day. He couldn't wait.

## Usually hanging out with Peter Pan

Bud watched as Jayce and Anna exchanged their vows and kissed, their love was so pure and beautiful that it almost made him sick. He noticed that Jayce had a special glow about him, and he couldn't help but wonder if it was because he was looking forward to that night.

Bud cleared his throat and Jayce turned to him, his face brightening.

'Hey Bud, you made it!' Jayce said, his face beaming.

Bud nodded and tried to smile. 'Yeah, I did. Are you excited to…you know…'

Jayce knew what he was trying to ask and he chuckled. 'Oh, you mean about losing my virginity tonight? Yeah, I'm definitely looking forward to it. Hopefully I can conceive tonight as well.'

Bud was secretly disgusted but he kept his face neutral. 'Are you sure you're ready? For a baby, I mean?'

Jayce's face softened. 'Of course, as long as God gives me sperm.'

Bud smiled and walked over to Anna. She looked up at him, her face filled with joy.

'God brought you to me, and I thank him, Bud,' she said, her voice full of emotion.

Bud was taken aback by her statement, but he decided to ask the question that had been lingering in his mind.

'Do you want to get pregnant?'

Anna laughed softly and shook her head. 'God will decide if it is meant to be,' she said.

Bud was so tired of hearing about god, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Jayce called him over to dance and Bud gladly obliged. As the song came to an end, Bud's parents arrived.

Bud walked up to Jayce and said, 'Have a fun time having sex later.'

Jayce grinned. 'I will.'

Bud ran over to Anna and quickly said, 'Have fun being pregnant.'

Anna smiled. 'Only if God lets me.'

Marcus, walked up to Jayce and said, 'Have fun. Seventeen sucks to have a baby.'

Jayce chuckled and reassuringly said, 'I'm ready, Marcus, trust me.'

On the way out, Bud quietly said to himself, 'I'm glad I'm not a Jehovah's Witness.'

## And when we're bored, we play in the woods

Bud sat staring at the computer screen, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. He had been pondering for the last few weeks whether Jayce and Anna had conceived a baby yet. It was something that he couldn't stop thinking about, due to his own parents being teen parents. He had been to Jayce and Anna's wedding a few weeks ago and he had been so happy for them. But he was also a little apprehensive about them starting a family so soon.

Bud took a deep breath and typed an email to annakraker@godsworshipers.org. He wrote, 'Are y’all pregnant or not yet?'

Just then, Bud's sister Aurora walked into the room. She saw Bud typing away at the computer and asked, 'What the fuck?'

Bud told Aurora that Jayce and Anna had wanted a baby after they got married a few weeks ago. Aurora said she remembered Anna from a Christians Unity Camp a few years ago. Bud said that Jayce and Anna were both Jehovah’s Witnesses, which Bud thought was gross.

Aurora shook her head and said, 'It's not okay to ask Jayce that. He's a private person.'

But Bud was determined to find out if Anna was pregnant or not. So he sent an email to jayce.godschild@aol.com and asked if Anna was pregnant.

He waited anxiously for a reply, his heart pounding in his chest. He had no idea what Jayce's reaction would be, but he had to know the truth.

## Always on the run from Captain Hook

Bud slammed his laptop shut and let out a deep, shuddering breath. His mind was reeling, and his heart was pounding in his chest. He had just received emails from Jayce and Anna, both confirming that they had gotten pregnant. For Bud, an autistic atheist, this news was devastating. He had asked Jayce and Anna if they had gotten pregnant before, and they had both said no. But now, it was true.

Bud stumbled out of his chair and made his way to the basement. He stumbled over laundry and toys, not paying attention to anything but the phone he was searching for. Finally, he found it – a rotary phone belonging to his father, Marcus. He picked it up and dialed Jayce’s number, his hands shaking as he did so.

When Jayce picked up, Bud let out a stream of curses. “You stupid idiot!” He yelled, his voice quivering. “How could you do this? How could you just ignore what I said and go ahead and get pregnant anyway?”

Jayce tried to explain, but Bud was too angry to listen. He hung up the phone and threw it onto the floor. Tears streamed down his face as he realized that he had no control over the situation. He was helpless.

Bud slowly made his way back upstairs and sat down in front of the computer. He wiped away his tears, and then typed in an email address: millie1234@aol.com. This was Millie, Jayce’s younger sister. She was a Jehovah’s Witness, and was homeschooled. Maybe she could help him. He typed a simple message:

“Can we call?”

He hit send, and moments later, the reply came back:

“Yes, of course. I’ll be waiting.”

Bud picked up the phone and dialed Millie’s number. When she answered, he explained the situation. She listened patiently, and then gave him the advice he needed. Tears of relief streamed down his face as he realized that he wasn’t as alone as he thought he was. He thanked Millie, and then hung up the phone.

It was clear that Jayce and Anna had made their decision, and there was nothing Bud could do to change it. But at least now he had someone to talk to. Someone who understood.

Bud walked into the school with a heavy heart. He had just found out that his two best friends, Anna and Jayce, were expecting a baby. Bud had been close with them since his days at Christian Unite Camp, where Jayce used to be his camp counsellor. Now, he was starting 7th grade without them, and he was feeling a lot of emotions.

He made his way to the cafeteria, where he saw Carson, his sister Aurora’s ex-boyfriend and the father of the baby Aurora had aborted, sitting at a table. Bud walked over and sat down with him.

“Hey, Bud,” said Carson.

“Hey,” said Bud, his voice low.

“So, what’s up?” asked Carson.

“Not much,” said Bud. He hesitated for a moment before finally asking, “Do you still love Aurora?”

Carson sighed. “Of course I do,” he said. “But I know she’ll never forgive me for what happened.”

Bud nodded. He knew that was true.

“Hey, by the way, have you heard from Elizabeth lately?” asked Carson.

Bud shook his head. “No, why?”

“Oh, she moved away,” said Carson. “I heard her family was relocating.”

Bud felt a stab of sadness. Elizabeth had been his best friend since middle school, and he was going to miss her.

“Hey, look at the bright side,” said Carson. “You still have us.”

Bud smiled, but he couldn’t help but feel a little jealous of Anna and Jayce, who were starting a family. He was only twelve, and he wasn’t ready for that kind of responsibility.

At that moment, Miss. Finchy, Bud’s teacher, walked into the cafeteria. Bud groaned. Miss. Finchy was a strict disciplinarian and, according to Bud, a real “bitch”.

“Time to go, Bud,” said Carson. “I’ll see you later.”

Bud nodded and reluctantly got up from the table. He followed Miss. Finchy out of the cafeteria, but his thoughts stayed with Anna and Jayce, and their new baby.