#pandimack

[scientifthicc]

andi’s outfit is very season 1-esque and i’m loving it

[frisbee-camp]

Let Me Help

AO3 Link//Wattpad Link

Tj and Cyrus have been friends for a long time, but will that change after life comes crashing down and impulsive decisions catch up to them? (Angst, Ambi, love notes, slow burn, aged up so they're all in high school, god tier ships, mental health, and like a whole bunch more ladies! Let’s get this angst.)

Chapter 13 Of course I remembered 

By Saturday morning Cyrus had left his room, by Saturday night TJ led him outside. Cyrus should have been incredibly embarrassed of having TJ see him hit rock bottom, but he wasn't. He never felt TJ judge him. They had spent the weekend watching TJ's favorite old romantic French films and sitting in Cyrus' backyard talking about nothing and everything. Even when Cyrus got hit with waves of sadness and tears, TJ was there to get him through it. Even when TJ had read him cheesy Pinterest poems, Cyrus smiled. TJ never tried to fix him and he didn't have to stay, but he did. The two of them had even attempted to make muffins. They were soggy and burnt, but Cyrus was proud of them. They had made something together. TJ had even let Cyrus see him without contacts in. Cyrus almost collapsed by the sight of TJ in glasses and fluffy hair. Sunday afternoon, Cyrus thought he'd try his luck while sitting in his yard. They had just finished playing fetch with Nala, "Are you going to the winter dance with someone?" he asked. Tj looked bright, the sun reflected on his glasses, "No" he smiled. "Are you going at all?" "I have to, Amber's planning it remember?" He laughed, Cyrus loved that laugh. "If I don't go she'll literally kill me, she knows where I live." Cyrus chucked, "I want to go too." "Not with a girl I assume," Tj teased. Cyrus rolled his eyes lovingly. "Obviously not," Cyrus said. "I'll tell you something, If you go I'll go with you Underdog" TJ squinted and held out his pinky, "Pinky promise." Cyrus gave him his pinky, "Pinky Promise" they shook on it. Cyrus didn't know where it came from, but when TJ went back to lounging in the sun, he asked him "Have you ever had a girlfriend?" TJ suddenly became very still, Cyrus thought he might have gone too far. They never talked much about relationships. "No," TJ said flatly. Cyrus thought he'd poke again, "Would you like to?" They were sitting in the grass across from one another, Tj had his knees up to his chest, Cyrus sat crisscrossed with a blanket around his shoulders and Nala's head in his lap. "No," TJ cast his eyes down and picked at the grass, his dirty blond hair fell into his eyes. Just say you like me, Tyler James. TJ was always honest with Cyrus- this Cyrus knew, but he also never elaborated when conversations got personal. When Cyrus asked him about why he didn't like talking about himself, he said that it was because he didn't think his life was that important. The TJ Cyrus saw in front of him wasn't tough, or mean, or conflicted, or anything else everyone thought he was. This TJ was considerate and soft-spoken, this Tj knew how to get Cyrus to smile, this Tj had dropped everything to stay with him, this TJ was Cyrus' favorite. The one in the sun, the one without gel in his hair. This version was the most important to Cyrus. Cyrus pet Nala's ear, her tail swished, "How about a boyfriend?" Cyrus said softly. TJ stopped picking the grass, "No" he said. Cyrus' heart picked up speed. "Would you like one?" Cyrus asked cautiously, making sure to not make any sudden movements, he knew TJ usually avoided personal questions if Cyrus wasn't careful enough. He didn't know where this bravery was coming from, maybe it came from knowing something he wasn't supposed to? Maybe because Cyrus was beginning to notice this crush his friends had tried to convince him of? He grinned a little. "Maybe," TJ said, barely moving his mouth. Cyrus thought he saw TJ blush. Maybe was all Cyrus really needed. Maybe TJ had become a better person, maybe Cyrus did have a crush on him? The following week of school was painless for the most part, Andi gave him a new blue flower crown, Buffy gave him a million bone-crushing hugs and Jonah gave him an exploding fist bump. His friends knew him well enough to not ask about his absences, but they did notice that TJ and Cyrus developed a sort of secret language. Tj knew when Cyrus felt overwhelmed, Cyrus, knew when Tj wanted his friends to change the conversation. All they had to do was look at each other. Cyrus liked having Tj around, it made him feel protected. He felt brave, but Cyrus still wanted Tj to admit his crush first. Before he knew it, it was Friday and he was walking in the snow to Buffy's to help set up for their annual holiday party. Not many people were invited, but Cyrus had picked out his best winter-themed sweater anyways. Cyrus was greeted by Buffy's mom who led him into the living room, where he saw Buffy and Andi cutting snowflakes out of paper. "Cyrus! Come help!" Buffy smiled at him as he sat down on the floor with them. Cyrus looked around the room as he folded and cut the paper. It looked like the north pole had thrown up in her living room. There were tiny Christmas trees next to the bigger ornament adorned the tree, white lights in every corner, poinsettias galore, and rid ribbon everywhere. He loved seeing what changed every year, this time the stockings were stuffed with cranberries and pine cones instead of tiny worker elves. "Decorations look great this year Buffy, tell your mom she never fails to amaze me," Cyrus said grinning. Every year, they told each other they'd help her decorate, but every year all they do is mess up their paper snowflakes. Andi's were the only ones that got hung on the windows. When the work was done and the snacks were set out, Andi, Buffy, and Cyrus sprawled out on the carpet. "So," Andi spoke first, "We, your best friends, couldn't help but I don't know....notice that you and our ex-enemy are..." they looked towards Buffy, "Buffy help me out here." Cyrus' gut twisted, he closed his eyes, he always thought better with his eyes closed. "Basically in love with each other?" Buffy smirked. Cyrus knew this would happen. "Yes, that you and our ex-enemy are in love with each other," Andi said, Cyrus could hear the smugness in her voice. Cyrus groaned and hid his face in his arms, "It's not like that," he murmured. "Cy, how many times do we have to remind you of your own feelings? You're allowed to like him, idiot," he heard Buffy add. "No one's holding you back," Andi said, lightly poking his side. Sure, no one was holding him back, but confessing is uncertain. Cyrus hated uncertainty. He cracked his eyes open and rolled over to face his friends, "No one but myself," he whispered and pouted. If he confessed to TJ, then that would mean he'd have a real boyfriend, and that would mean he'd need to come out to his parents, really come out. People would probably make fun of him for being with another boy, people may even start to hate him. If he confessed, and the rumors of TJ liking him were true, then they'd have all of these unspoken relationship rules, they'd probably fight and make up, only to break up when they go to college, only acknowledging each other when they friend each other on Facebook in thirty years. Cyrus would be alone in his Malibu beach house, probably with a Golden Globe nomination and three cats, but he'd be alone. That's what would happen if he confessed to TJ. He was sure of it. "Oh come on Cy you're the bravest kid we know, you can totally do it," Andi said. Today they wore a tinsel sweater. "it's not just that," Cyrus would much rather talk about anything else at the moment, not when the rest of their friends would be arriving in less than twenty minutes. "Then what is it?" Buffy asked. Buffy had become extra gentle with Cyrus after his last episode, Cyrus thought that maybe Marty had something to do with her recent soft demeanor. Cyrus didn't respond to her question, he was hoping he wouldn't have to make it so obvious. "Does it have something to do with TJ?" Andi said. "No," Cyrus gave a slow blink, he knew they'd figure it out. "Reed?" Buffy said. Cyrus nodded no. If he was being honest, Cyrus had almost forgotten Reed existed, he never asked TJ about it after that one morning. "Then who is it?" Andi asked, now sitting up. Buffy knitted her brows and sat up too, "It's Jonah isn't it?" Cyrus didn't respond, but he sat up and gave a shallow sigh. He looked at the carpet. He didn't want to admit it to himself, but he knew that Jonah was always in the back of his mind. Especially now that they knew he wasn't straight, Cyrus couldn't help but think he might still have a chance. His feelings didn't entirely return, but he knew they could if Jonah asked them to. Andi said, "But you don't like him anymore." Just as Buffy said, "Cyrus he's with Walker." "I know but," Cyrus was whispering, his voice always left him when he was nervous, "if they break up, then maybe I'll have a chance you know?" He gave his friends a quick glance. Andi was frowning, Buffy looked apologetic. "Cyrus," Buffy said softly, scooting closer, "you can't leave your happiness for later. You have a boy in front of you who is totally lovesick, you can't let that slip just because your dream was to be with dimples." Cyrus sniffled. "I guess," he said quietly. "No Cyrus," Andi had gotten closer too, "We know you said you hate when we micromanage but do you really need us to spell it out for you?" Cyrus played with the carpet fibers instead of responding, his friends gave each other worried glances. Andi picked his head up, forcing him to look at both of them, they said, "He left the only friend's he's ever known for you, he defended you at Iris' party, he literally will inflict pain on anyone who dares speak against you. What has Jonah done for you, Cyrus? Break your heart? Say something funny maybe every six months? Respond with only emojis?" Cyrus shrugged, he always seemed to make things more complicated than they needed to be. "You need to let yourself be happy," Buffy said, "you can't keep chasing after the idea of Jonah." Cyrus sighed through his nose and hugged his friends, he knew they were right, he just needed someone to tell him how ridiculous he was being. The first person to arrive at the party was Marty with some of his track friends. They all knew Buffy pretty well, so that left Cyrus and Andi playing connect four in the corner until Jonah and Walker came. Walker had brought his art friends, and Jonah had brought the frisbee team. They came over to him and Andi quickly, Walker wanted to show Andi a new art thing Cyrus didn't really understand but nonetheless left him alone. Cyrus thought for a minute that Jonah would sit with him, but he was too busy showing Gus something on his phone. Cyrus played connect four by himself, he didn't have the energy to talk with anyone right now. "Mind if I join?" Cyrus looked up to see TJ in a sweater with a gingerbread graphic saying Let's Get Baked in a fancy swirly font. It was horrendous, Cyrus loved it. "Not at all, is Amber here?" Cyrus expected to see his twin next to him, but he was alone. TJ sat down across from him. "Who do you think drove me here illegally?" They grinned at each other. After playing three rounds of Connect Four Cyrus gave his best pout said, "Stop letting me win!!" "No way Cyrus, you're adorable when you win" Cyrus' heart skipped a beat, he chewed on his lip a bit. TJ stopped and held his breath for a moment, then said, "I got you something" "White Elephant is later T," Cyrus said amused. "Consider it a housewarming gift," Tj grinned. "This isn't my house or my party," Cyrus put a yellow chip in. "Yea, but," TJ put in a red chip next to his and took out a small wrapped box from his pocket, "I just wanted to give you something. I know you don't celebrate Christmas, so consider this a nonsecular gift," Tj moved a chip around the little table and pushed the box towards Cyrus. Cyrus opened it slowly and smiled to himself, then to TJ, then to the ocean snow globe in front of him. He shook it with both hands, swirling the sand, starfish, pufferfish, and shells together. "See," Tj said, pointing at the starfish, "that's Asteroidea," he pointed at the pufferfish "and that's tetraodontide" Cyrus laughed to himself and corrected TJ, "Tetraodontidae." "Yea, that" Tj said timidly. "You paid attention," Cyrus couldn't take his eyes off of him, how could someone know him so well? His heart swelled. "If I'm being honest, I had to rewatch that documentary like five times to remember how to say the name, but I didn't mind, I liked the colors." Tj shrugged, Cyrus saw his lip curl into a smile. "Thank you," Cyrus said as he gently placed the snowglobe on the table, "I love you- I mean it- I mean you- the snowglobe, everything you do for me, you're so cool for doing that. I'm a waste of humanity and don't have a present for you," Cyrus stammered, he wanted the ground to swallow him, he wanted Buffy to rescue him. What the hell is wrong with me? He blushed furiously and put in a yellow chip a little too quickly. Cyrus looked up and saw a beaming Tj, "You're not a waste," he said to Cyrus as he gently combed back some of Cyrus' hair with his fingers. Cyrus slowly blinked up at him and thought he was about to have a heart attack. After their sixth or seventh game (Cyrus had lost count), Buffy announced that they'd be exchanging gifts. Cyrus got stuck with a pair of holiday socks, but so did TJ. They then played some game Andi had invented and drank copious amounts of fruit punch. Cyrus sat next to TJ on the couch and tried his best to pay attention, but Cyrus just couldn't stop looking over at Walker and Jonah, who just looked so happy. After the game, the party went outside to stargaze and roast marshmallows, leaving TJ and Cyrus alone on Buffy's couch. Cyrus had his head on Tj's shoulder and was lightly tracing the lines in his hand. "Jonah and Walker are a really good couple" Cyrus heard Tj say above him. Cyrus hummed. Being around too many people for too long made him tired, he was glad Tj knew him well enough to not drag him outside with the others. "Who'da thunk..." In a low voice, Cyrus responded, "They are aren't they" "You know," Tj muttered, "I was talking to Jonah the other day, and he said that Walker has helped ground him like I don't really know what that means, but he just seems more, stable. You know what I mean? Like before he was kinda like floating around, and now he's here. He's like a real person." Tj was rambling, Cyrus knew that when he rambled, he wanted to say something important. "Yea he's good for him," Cyrus quickly added. Right then, in the middle of Buffy's annual holiday party, Cyrus wanted to chase his own happiness. He was tired of waiting for it to come to him. He intertwined his fingers with TJ's. "I've seen the video TJ," Cyrus said as he breathed out.  "What video?" TJ asked, Cyrus felt him tense. Cyrus pulled out his phone and showed him the video Buffy had sent him, the one where TJ confesses his crush and then proceeds to punch Reed in the face. "Oh," Tj breathed out and made to remove his hand from Cyrus', but Cyrus held on. "Tj," Cyrus said firmly and sat up to look at him. "I'm sorry," TJ said, his eyes cast down. "Tj," Cyrus said again as he slowly ran his thumb over TJ's knuckles, "It's okay." TJ looked at Cyrus, his eyes brimming with tears, "I," he swallowed, "I didn't want you to find out like that, I wanted to tell you myself." "Then tell me," Cyrus smiled a bit. So it was true The Tyler James Kippen, captain of the basketball team and biggest Jock at Jefferson, had a big fat gay crush on him. Cyrus felt powerful. "I don't know how," TJ blinked, his eyes flickered up. "Then I'll say it," Cyrus tried his best to calm his racing heart, "I like you, Tyler James, like in a gay way." "I like you too, in a gay way," Tj said cautiously, Cyrus didn't expect it, but TJ hugged him. Cyrus smiled into TJ's shoulder, he thought he would melt right then and there. 

[secretly-of-course]

I love how every Andi ship is just godtier ya know like you got

Jandi — may work better as friends but objectively a cute ship, first crush vibes

Bandi — best friends to lovers excellence, one of the best tropes in existence

Wandi — an artsy power couple, we have no choice but to stan

Ambi — rivals to friends to lovers, a trope that cannot be surpassed

Landi — two crafting queens loving and supporting each other, we love to see it

Kandi (Kira x Andi) — pure crack that I just made up now but crack that I would like to see nonetheless

Andi x SAVA — actual goals tbh, love that for her

[tyrus-time]

@tyrus-traxsh in response to your reply on that Ambi post — some people headcanon Andi as pan which is 100% valid but some people headcanon her as a lesbian which is also 100% valid! 👌

I used to favor #pandimack but I saw more and more how much her boy drama can be understood as compulsory heterosexuality, which is why I prefer the #lesbiandi headcanon!

[salneedscoffee]

Hm

Hi?

I dont think my acc will die bc of everything that its happening rn bc im like... one of the purest souls on this website? But just in case, if anything happens

My instagram is saraneedscoffee

My Twitter is Saraneedscofee and pandimack

If this acc dies you know what to do

[anbimack]

Canonjyrus --> anbimack.

I didn't give much thought to my url when I made this account, just like "what am I mostly going to be giffing?" And the answer was Jyrus so I put a positive word in front of "jyrus" for ya know,, positivity. Jyrus being canon is a nice positive thought.

But I was never really happy with the url I slapped together real quick. When I realized this new url wasn't taken I was excited, because Bi Andi is a great thought (pan andi is amazing too but pandimack was taken) and because it is almost a canon url bc the b looks like a d backwards.

[smauhelp]

username ideas

andi mack edition

andi:

@pandimack

@artsymack

@andishack

@andiman

@bambimack

@craftymack

buffy:

@notthevampireslayer

@theslayer

@buffydris

@basketballbuffy

cyrus:

@cyguy

@cygoodman

@cyrusgreatman

@cryrus

@smileycyrus

@cysgonnacry

amber:

@ambskippen

@ambsbrown

@amberkipp

@blondiekippen

@amberrr

@amberkipps

tj:

@tjkipp

@scarybasketballguy

@theloniousjkippen

@teejkipp

@teejkippen

@teegay

jonah:

@jbeck

@jonahhb

@jojobeck

@jonahhhh

@spaceotterjonah

@frisbeedude

@guitarhero

[frisbee-camp]

Let Me Help

AO3 Link//Wattpad Link

Tj and Cyrus have been friends for a long time, but will that change after life comes crashing down and impulsive decisions catch up to them? (Angst, Ambi, love notes, slow burn, aged up so they're all in high school, god tier ships, mental health, and like a whole bunch more ladies! Let’s get this angst.)

Chapter 9 Unresolved 

"What do you mean you saw them kiss!?" Cyrus had practically yelled, Nala jumped. Andi and Buffy had told Cyrus that they saw Jonah with Walker the entire night, practically attached to the hip. "He's been avoiding us a lot lately," Andi frowned and bit her lip. Buffy nodded and added, "Plus, Marty said there were rumors that Walker was dating a boy." "But, Jonah?" Cyrus said, slumped, "Jonah Hercules Beck is straight..." "No one's straight Cy," Andi said as they pointed between themselves and Cyrus, "we would know." "Yea, but..." Cyrus trailed off. He had totally believed Jonah Beck™ was 100% straight. But now that he knew he was with Walker, he felt a sudden urge of jealousy. He was the complicated one, he was the gay one, not perfect and popular Jonah Beck. Cyrus grimaced, his cheeks felt hot. "Cyrus?" Buffy said, "are you alright? It's OK to be jealous." "Yeah Cy, we all know you liked Jonah, it was pretty obvious," Andi said smiling, "but now that means you can focus on TJ! Who has a total massive humungo crush on you!"  "Guys, I don't know why I said I liked him, I think it's because he defended me. It's because he defended me right? I mean no guy will ever like me," Cyrus said as his friends gave him shocked looks. "You've got to be kidding right! You've got the toughest guy in all of Jefferson basically in love with you and you don't even see it? You're all he sees Cyrus! D'you think he'd punch his longest friend over anyone? Don't be so oblivious," Buffy huffed, clearly over Cyrus' lack of self-esteem. After that, their conversation shifted to Buffy complaining about all of the girls that flirted with Marty and Andi complaining about never being able to see Amber because of her work schedule. Cyrus stayed silent for most of it, thinking back to when he woke up in his own sweater. Any other jock would have thought it was embarrassing or dorky, but TJ had kept it. His heart skipped a beat. Maybe he did like TJ? But, at the same time, he thought about how Jonah was going out with Walker, and that made his skin burn. It was worse than when Andi dated him, at least then he thought he had no chance, but now? Now that Jonah was, bi? pan? questioning? Whatever, Cyrus was still bitter. He envied Walker. What did he have that Cyrus didn't? Art skills? He could take a class. He's an artist! He'd won an award for his screenplay. Whatever, he thought, I'll just make Jonah jealous, we'll see how he feels then.  When his friends had left after telling him that their "relationship intervention" was over, Cyrus received a text from TJ.  From Cool Basketball Guy!!!: Hey Cy, hope you got home safe and everything, I'm sorry I punched Reed... Are we still cool? 😬 To Cool Basketball Guy!!!: Yes :0 thanks again,,,,,sry i was a mess lol. see you tomorrow?  From Cool Basketball Guy!!!: Of course :) See you at lunch? To Cool Basketball Guy!!!: Yup WOOP WOOp 💥 Cyrus couldn't help but frown at his own text message. Ugh, I'm such a dork. He immediately texted Buffy and Andi for help.  To GHC👩🏻👩🏾‍🦱🌈❣️: Cyrus 💕🕍✨: I think I just said I liked him because he defended me, so I'm overthinking it right? Like we're friends, so nothing will happen PLUS HES A HET!!1 ANDIII😽: cyrus stop overthinking everything, this happened with me and amber too remember???? BufFY 😩🙆🏽‍♀️: HE LIKES YOU DONT BE A DUMBBASSSSSS, THE ENTIRE SCHOOL KNOWSSSSSSSS LOOK AT THE VIDEO I DMD YOU ON IG GODDAMN  ANDIII😽: Buffyyyy we weren't supposed to show him that.... BufFY 😩🙆🏽‍♀️: he needs to know Cyrus was never into social media, he only went on to comment encouraging things on his friend's new posts. He even had his notifications off, but once he opened the underused app, his screen was filled with dm's, new followers, and comments. He quickly scrolled through most of them. Many of them asked if he was Dating TJ?! One said Hi cy i know u dont know me but ur like really brave another said idk who ur kidding, tj is straight lmaooo and another said hey is it true? His heart raced, he suddenly needed to stand up. Where would people get such an idea? Sure, people must have seen TJ fighting with Reed, but he didn't think people would connect that to him. TJ was respected, Cyrus wasn't, why would Tj's actions be caused by Cyrus? Cyrus opened Buffy's direct message, which had been pushed to the bottom of his feed by the time he went looking for it. It was a dark video, but Cyrus managed to catch an out of focus TJ and Reed standing in Iris' living room. He turned up the volume,  "-somewhere else!"  He heard Tj say, he looked disheveled and sweaty. "GOD, What is with you. Do you like him or something?" Cyrus gasped at the same time as the camera person. Is this the source Buffy and Andi were talking about? "So we were right, you do like him! And now you're choosing him over us?! We've been friends longer than you have with that loser-" Cyrus' eyebrows raised as he saw TJ's fist come in contact with Reed's face. The rest of the video was a blur of curse words and drunk teenagers chanting "FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!"  Cyrus sat down on his bed, unable to comprehend what had just seen. Now he knew why he was getting so many notifications. He didn't know TJ could resort to violence like that. Hearing about a fight is much different than seeing that. But, he smiled. TJ had defended him, plus someone liked him! Him! Anxious, depressed, confused Cyrus Goodman who hated loud noises and sports. He felt light and airy, but most importantly he felt needed, more needed than ever. He had almost wanted to come out to his parents right then and there. They were all there, of course, sipping their wine about twenty feet away. He had quickly texted his friends a shocked cat gif and turned off his phone as he walked out of his room with newfound confidence.  "Hey Cy," one of his parents had called to him suspiciously, he didn't care which. TJ Kippen liked him and maybe he liked him back.  "Hello parentals," Cyrus said cheerily as he sat in an empty dining room seat, they were still having brunch, which had now turned into wine and ice cream. Cyrus picked at the leftover grapes and popped them into his mouth grinning.  "You look very happy today Cy, what did those girls do to you in there?" Norman joked. Cyrus shrugged and chucked uncomfortably.  "Whatever happened to that girlfriend of yours Cy? Ilene was her name?" a mom said. "No Sharron, it was Ivy," Todd said. "No, I'm pretty sure it's Isa," Leslie said. "Guys, you're all wrong. It's Iris. And we were never really together and I don't want to talk about this with my parents right now," Cyrus got up to leave, but one of his parents called out to him.  "Wait! Cy! Don't close us off so quickly. Just tell us, are there any new girls we should know about?" Shannon wiggled her eyebrows, Leslie nudged her side. Cyrus laughed a little too loud, "NO," he said, "no girls mom, never."  "Never?" Todd said, quizzically. Cyrus stopped. Did I just out myself through a joke? Am I really boo boo the fool?  "Cyrus?" His mom said, "do you want to tell us something we might already know? You know you can trust us." Cyrus thought about how his parents were trained in observing and analyzing. He knew that if he didn't answer, then they'd know he was hiding something if he answered too quickly they'd also know, and if he said anything at all they'd also know. He stood still instead, hoping that some being would impossibly teleport him to a different planet. Maybe Pluto? he thought Pluto is cute, and very far away from here.  "Cyrus?" His parents called again. Cyrus stared at the wall behind them, unable to speak. He gave one last chuckle and turned to walk a little too quickly to his room. He put on his headphones, played his playlist titled I'M A BIG FAT HOPELESS ROMANTIC and looked at the messages left on his phone. They ranged from encouraging Bitmojis to angry girls telling him to back off.  Oh my god, tomorrow is going to be hell. Cyrus spent the rest of the day nervously doing his homework in anticipation of tomorrow. Normally, he'd text TJ whenever he was nervous, but now that he was the reason for his anxiety, he stuck to his history notes. He had come out of his room only when he knew half of his parents were gone. Monday morning was relatively quiet, his parents had decided to not ask him about what had happened yesterday, which he was eternally grateful for. However, that was not the root of all of his worry.  Once he got to school, Cyrus immediately knew something was different. For the first time in his life, people his age noticed him. Everyone's eyes followed him down the hall, to and from his classes, and even during the peak hallway traffic. Thankfully, he had Buffy and Andi the entire day to protect him. Sure, they could protect him from direct attack, but he could still see kids whispering and pointing at him.  During lunch, Andi, Buffy, and Cyrus sat at their usual spot.  "Okay you guys, things are different now, be prepared." Buffy had warned them both. Cyrus felt uneasy, he knew something was about to happen, but he didn't know what. They had been discussing how to address Jonah's new boyfriend without being overbearing. They decided to not bring it up.  Just then, Marty and Amber walked up to the table and sat next to their respective partners, leaving Cyrus alone with his muffin for the millionth time. He thought about texting TJ, but he didn't know what to say to him.  "Cyrus!" Amber said, "I'm glad you're feeling better. TJ should be here soon."  Suddenly, the cafeteria doors opened and in came Jonah holding hands with Walker. Cyrus made a fist. They sat down a little too happily, Cyrus looked down at his tray. He felt tears pool in his eyes.  "Hello there," Buffy eyed them. Cyrus tentatively looked over at Jonah who seemed grounded. There was something different about him as if a light he didn't know existed had been turned on. He watched as Jonah talked to his friends, he didn't listen to what they were saying, he was too busy looking at how Jonah looked at Walker every so often just to smile at him. Cyrus wanted that. He wanted someone who understood him, someone who grounded him in reality, someone that didn't make him feel so lost.  "So," he heard Jonah say in his direction, "I heard that TJ likes you. I thought you guys were already together?" Cyrus thought he heard a twinge of jealousy in his voice, but it might have been his imagination.  Cyrus suddenly couldn't handle it anymore, from the stares to the questions, to gently coming out to his parents, it was too much. He silently stood up. His friends eyed him. "I need," Cyrus started but couldn't seem to verbalize his thoughts. What did he need? Something, he needed something. "Something," he said, before quietly packing his things and walking towards the cafeteria exit. Before he could exit, he saw TJ walk in. Cyrus saw the confidence oozing out of him, his stomach churned.  "Hey," TJ smiled at him, "Where are you headed? Lunch just started." "Oh, I was going to uh-" Cyrus looked up at Tj, Did his face get cuter? "I uh, was going to go sit with Andi and Buffy and them," he looked for an escape, but TJ was already turning him back around to join his friends.  "Come on then silly, they're the other way," TJ grinned. Cyrus hid behind TJ for most of the walk back to the table, the whispers they were getting were becoming unbearable, he wanted to cry. He couldn't make himself look his friends in the eyes when he sat back down. "Is this the something you needed?" Marty chuckled, Buffy jabbed him with her elbow. Cyrus fiddled with a broken spork as his friends continued talking about Jefferson gossip. Tj had inched himself closer to Cyrus, he let him. He hadn't noticed how different he felt with TJ around. How much easier living seemed to be. Before he knew it, he and TJ were shoulder to shoulder, leg to leg. He still couldn't bring himself to look at his friends, but they were used to his daily mini meltdowns. TJ started to laugh at something Walker had said, Cyrus grinned slightly He fits in so well. He saw Tj look down at him worried, he gently pried the spork out of his hands, it had started to draw blood. Cyrus hadn't noticed.    "What's wrong? Do you want to leave?" Tj softly asked him. Cyrus gave a small nod, his heart lurched. There were too many eyes on him.  Tj quickly packed away his things and gave his friends an excuse. Before walking away, Cyrus saw Jonah frown at them.  Cyrus didn't know where Tj was taking him, but he didn't really care. In the hallway, Cyrus thought he heard a noise. Once they rounded the corner, he saw Reed, Lester, and a couple other boys he didn't know. He gulped. TJ moved in front of him. "AYYYY look who it is!" Reed said, throwing his arms up.  "Leave me alone Reed," TJ said, trying to walk through.  "Bro, we're still bros. I forgive you for the other night. I know you were drunk and shit." Reed leaned in closer and said something to TJ that Cyrus couldn't hear, but made TJ look back at him.  "Dude, leave him alone," Lester said, pushing on Reed's shoulder.  "Hey, I just want to know what we're all thinking. So Teej, what is it? Are you still choosing this dork over your bros?" Reed said. The rest of the gang looked apprehensive, they didn't care enough to cause a scene. "Dude, just leave it," One boy said worried.  "Shut up," TJ said quietly, "Just shut up." Cyrus saw TJ ball his fists and tense up. Lester moved towards Tj, but Reed stopped him with his arm.  "Tell us," Reed said.  TJ stayed still. "Teej-" Reed had said before Cyrus heard bodies hit the floor. He closed his eyes. There was yelling, sneakers hitting the floor, and eventually, he heard the voices of teachers. Someone pushed him against the wall, someone else called his name, someone else touched his hair. He didn't want to open his eyes.