You run like a duck

This is me coming out...Well kinda...Anyways-

Ah hahahahaha that's the thing I haven't really came out to anyone except: My Irl friends, My Online friends, And 2 of my brothers,Oh! and Y'all

Sooo, If you were wondering I'm Bisexual and Yes, I have a girlfriend.(and I love her alot so hey babe If you see this :) )

**\*Take a drink of water every time I say ' So,' or ' Yeah,' \***

* **Side note before you start reading- a lot of the Irl, Text, And comments mentioned in this are from my memory so they are probably not as accurate as they should be :|**

A little story of how I met my Girlfriend and how we got together:

(The fact that every time I read this in my head I read it in the Adult Scotty Smalls voice from the sandlot)

So for a few years I was always confused about my sexuality. Because I knew I liked \*gags\* guys...but then at the same time I would always get butterflies anytime I saw my favorite actress on screen or that one scene with princess jasmine in aladdin or that one scene with jade from victorious (we all know that one scene in 'take a hint'). So then Quarantine hit and maybe a few months into it I found out about wattpad. So, me being me I was like *"huh this wont go that bad."* So I made an account and I slowly started making a few friends and there.

Then some really personal things happened and I just felt melancholy (congrats on me for using a word that I've never used in a sentence other than talking about 'My Dear Melancholy,' by the Weeknd) all the time. And no one knew not my parents, not my siblings, not my friends, no one. No one knew I was feeling like that. And I didn't want them to know because I didn't want their sympathy, I didn't want them to feel sorry for me. So, one day out of the random I was like *"remember that old childhood crush you had on Benny 'the jet' Rodriguez?"* And upon remembering the old childhood crush I had I was like *"Lets just read a Benny fic just to make fun of your old crush."* Oh god, how that one harmless (at the time) decision would change my life forever (In a good way of course) So I was just reading the fanfic and it was at the part when the Boys were fighting with Phillips' team and ham was like *"Fart smeller"* and then I saw it, an innocent little comment saying *"They need Richie Tozier for this."*

**\*Meeting Well...Kinda...You'll See\***

And not to brag or anything but I had been in the IT (2017) fandom since it started and Richie was my absolute FAVORITE character (it also didn't help that I had a MASSIVE crush on Finn Wolfhard) so you know I just had to comment on it. And all I think really said was *"lmaoo yes."* (I made some of the best friends I could ever ask for just because of this one little comment) and fast forward a few days or something and there was this girl that commented (holy shit would she change my life forever) and she said something along the lines of *" \*bangs gong\* This meeting of the losers club had officially started. Who's Here?"* and I remember just bursting out laughing and thinking *"holy crap this person is so funny."* And, flash forward a few months and Mostly everyone who commented on that one comment had formed a little friend group (myself included) so we obviously dubbed ourselves as **"The Losers Club"** and chose our respective characters. I wanted to be Richie but the same girl who commented about banging the gong had beat me to it.

So, I chose Eddie. looking back on it I still have the same reason I chose Eddie. Because that girl chose Richie and I wanted to be like *"lmao we could be the wlw fannon version of Reddie."* But I never admitted it...until now. But looking back on it dude, I was so oblivious to the fact that I had a crush on her. I mean like I would always get butterflies when she texted in our makeshift group chat and not to mention how nervous/excited I would get every time she texted. So after a few months of having a group chat in a Benny fanfic I was like *"yk what? Imma just make a normal group chat and ask for their numbers."*

So, I told them my idea. And you'll never guess who texted me first. It was Richie (I'm just gonna call her Richie bc why not.) Holy crap I remember when she first texted me I was freaking the fuck out and what didn't help is the fact that I was in the car with my family. So, there I was blushing like crazy with my heart skipping like 3000 mph with my mom being less than 3 ft away. And I kid you not this girl had me giggling and I don't even giggle if i'm laughing you best believe I'll laugh my ass off. Like omg as I'm writing this I'm all smiley and shit and SHE'S MY GIRLFRIEND. Anyways- Richie had the bright idea to be like *"hey let's send each other pictures of ourselves so we know we're not 35 year old men. lol"* If I remember correctly Richie had the upper hand and had quicker fingers so she sent a picture first. all I have to say about that picture is **HOLY SHIT** Richie was just...wow...I-...words can't even describe the amount of butterflies I had when I saw what she looked like. So yeah, that's how I got her number. (no hate to the other losers they are all also very pretty. But yk it was Richie...)

**\*Slight Time Skip\***

So like let's fast forward a few weeks and Richie and I were like talking everyday. (yk and some of the losers club too.) And we were like messing around and stuff just you know getting to know each other better. And at this point I had a small crush but I didn't really realise it. So where I'm from they have this place called Andretti and its this super cool Go-Karting place that has a bunch of things to do. And Rich and I were texting and she was like *"That sounds so cool. Wish I could go."* So than me being the smooth mother fucker I am I was like *"Shit maybe I'll have to take you one day."* So then there we were...Planning out what we would do once we finally got to meet each other Irl. (yeah,...Idk If I mentioned this but we live over 1,765.7 miles away from each other) and I kid you not while I was waiting for her to respond I was sending Screen Shots to two different Group Chats literally begging for help.

And Little confession time she was like *"lmao don't tell the other losers."* and I was sitting there like *"oh yeah no it will be our little secret."* (quoting that one scene with Richie and Pennywise in IT chapter 2) knowing damn well that I was sending them screenshots because I have no idea how to talk to people. And I still don't. So yeah babe, sorry if you thought the other losers didn't know...they do. BUT in my defense they thought it was cute. and it is so if it's anyone's fault it's ours for being a cute couple. And shout out to my friend Marilyn for immediately shipping us and naming herself ship captain even when I mentioned that I might have had the slightest crush on her (Richie). Also, thanks for hyping me up bestie :) ily. Also, flashback to when I asked My oldest brother Richard (lmaoooo nooo) If he supports LGBTQIA+ and he said...*"I mean I don't have a problem with it I just don't like it."* **BISHHHH WHAT?? IT"S NOT YOUR LOVE LIFE JUST LET PEOPLE BE HAPPY.**

**\*How I Confessed My feelings\***

Ok Question, What is the worst way to confess your feelings? Answer: On April fools day. Ok I know that sounds absolutely terrible but here's why I did it the way I had to. It was March 31st, and something came up to where I had got my phone taken away and I was scared that I would never get the opportunity to talk to her again. (yeah, I did something that bad.) But, lucky for me a few weeks earlier I had the bright idea to make a group chat with me, Richie, and my three Irl friends (Denise, Ivan, and Sharome) the main point of that group chat was so they could hype me up for her. That group chat was died the same day it was made. And that's when a light bulb went off in my mind, I knew at least 3 of my friends had her number. So that's how I was going to do it. I was just going to confess and see where it would lead me.

So there I was it was April 1st, in 4th period Denise's phone in hand literally shaking as I was typing out my long ass confession to her. After about 10 minutes of typing and Re-Reading I was semi happy with what I said. So I grew a pair and I sent it. The thing that I had In mind while waiting for a response was *"It can't be that bad if she reject me. If she does she does, and I'll just have to accept the outcome."* So I went on with the rest of my school day acting like this one "little" text that I would sent wouldn't impact my life for the greater good of forever. Then I went home, I went home like it was nothing. And then my dad picked me up for the weekend and that was it. We celebrated my birthday on April 2nd (the next day) and My oldest (and previous favorite) brother Richard came down from Austin to celebrate with me (because before this I hadn't seen him since October or something) and I acted like everything was fine.

I went back to school a nervous wreck. My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. Finally, I saw Denise she had forgotten all about the text, but not me. So I asked her if Richie had said anything I felt like I was going to throw up right then and there from the nerves I had while awaiting an answer. Her face, was unreadable. I couldn't tell If It was good or bad. So, she handed me her phone, All it said was this. *"Hey Denise is Ariana with you?"* then it was Denise's response *"no but I can tell her something If you want."* then Richie *"No, it's ok can you just tell her that I want to talk to her in private?"* then all Denise said was *"ok."* And that was it they just left it at that.

Then the school day was over as I was walking to my bus my friend Elizabeth, was trying her best to calm me down because I was on the verge of having an Anxiety attack. During the whole entire bus ride my leg was bouncing up and down as I eagerly awaited getting to go home. Once, I finally got home I went to text her (don't ask how I really don't feel like getting into it right now.) all I said was a simple *"hey."* and that was It. I tried my best to get my mind off of the whole situation the best I could.

The day of April 6th, Holy Crap. That day was just crazy. (A good crazy tho) all I really remember from that morning is that I had the chance to read what she sent me was this-*"Ok, so idk if your playing with me but-"* and that's all I'm going to say but just know she like totally confessed her feelings for me. So yeah, she asked me if I was willing to give this (Me-points an imaginary line between Richie and I indicating 'us') a try. And holy shit I was ecstatic, once I got to school I was telling all my friends as soon as I got to talk to them. I'm going to use Denise as an example because I actually remember her reaction. So I see Denise as soon as I get to school so I was like all smiley and shit and she basically was like *"woah, you're in a good mood."* and I was like *" DUDE GUESS WHAT?"* and she looked at me like I was crazy

*Denise-"ummm....what?"*

*Me (Ari)-"RICHIE LIKES MEEEEE!!!!!"*

*D-"See I told you"*

*A-"AHHHH HA HA HA HA HA I'M SO HAPPY!!!!"*

And yeah, that's how I was for the whole day until I got home. And on April 7th Richie officially asked me out, And I couldn't be more happy. A few days after me And Richie got together we told the losers club, and they were all super happy and supportive.

**\*The end of an intro into my relationship\***

It's Literally so crazy how one little decision caused me to "meet" some of the coolest and funniest people ever. I'm so happy I get to call the losers my friends, It's crazy how much they get me (Idc If it sounds weird It's true) And I'm still beyond happy I get to call Richie my girlfriend, It's still crazy when I think about it. Yeah, I...uh hoped you enjoyed my little story time. I know some of my Irl friends never got the entire story so uhhh...here it is, well my pov anyways-. I hope It was up to your satisfaction. And me and Richie are going strong despite the distance. And yeah, I just love her alot. (When I say that to my Irl friends they're always like "awwwww") That's how me and Richie met. I'll ask her later if she's cool with me using her real name but for now I'm just going to say Richie. And if you're wondering Denise was the one to make me realize that I had a crush on Richie because one day I was like *"dude I Just \*sigh\* she's so funny, and cool, and **hot. Like dude she's so pretty. Like Holy Fucking Shit dude.**"* (yes I actually said that) and Denise was like *"Ari, STOP PRETENDING YOU'RE STRAIGHT. YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE A CRUSH ON THIS GIRL."* And when she said that I was like *"Holy Shit. Bro, I do have a crush on this girl."* and the whole time Denise was laughing at me and was like *"I knew it, I've known for years you were gay. I was just waiting for you to realize it."* So yeah, thank you to all of my friends (my Irl and the losers club) for helping me out on how to try and talk to her. If it wasn't for you guys I'd probs still be in the friend zone. So thank y'all so much and I love you guys 💜 :)

And that kids, Is The Story On How I Met Your Mother.

Take care and I love y'all :)

~Ariana~

~ May 25th, 2021 ~

💜💜💜💜