youth ❀ karlnap

i will always be here for you

The school bell blared over the intercom, and Karl frowned anxiously as he glanced at his schedule again. His last class was gym, which was one of his least favorites. He heard that there can be accommodations for transgender students who were uncomfortable or unsafe to use the other changing rooms, but it was still scary for him to have to ask. His entire day was spent correcting teachers or quickly informing them before class even started, which was tiring, but at least they actually listened and continued to call him Karl unlike his old teachers at the private school.

He got up and pulled his backpack over his shoulders, looking to the schedule and then the paper map and back again until he had an idea of where he was supposed to go. Then he began to follow the mental path he just drew up, searching the hallways for any familiar faces as he went. He had passed Wilbur in the hallway and he shared history class with George, which was exciting. He hadn't really been in a class with someone he genuinely liked in probably years. And George had an interesting personality; he seemed like the type to be quiet until someone leads him into opening up, which was completely understandable. Karl would be willing to rant to him to the end of time as long as it meant George was more comfortable. That was exactly what they did when they sat together. Karl just talked about anything and everything that popped into his head while George listened thoughtfully with his head rested on his hand.

He could tell they were gonna be very good friends.

Karl was so distracted by his thoughts of his day so far that he barely processed approaching the gymnasium. Once he did, he peeked inside, frowning when no one was in there. Was he really going to have to search around for a teacher? That was embarrassing. He figured he had to anyway, and he skimmed the area, stepping into a hallway that had two different divisions; the boys' and girls' locker rooms. He froze for a moment, nervous, but his eyes widened when he caught the sight of someone.

A familiar white shirt over a black hoodie, accompanied by the checkered backpack pulled over the shoulder. That was Sapnap, no doubt, and just catching the sight of him for a split second before he disappeared into the boys' room was enough to make his heart race excitedly. He shared a class with him? He glanced at the teacher's name on his schedule, hoping that both of theirs matched up. Even if they didn't, Karl knew he could probably admire him across the gymnasium whenever they crossed paths. That was honestly good enough for him.

He was almost tempted to follow him right into the changing room, as he was filled with a burst of adrenaline, but he could only imagine what he was going to be told by other boys the moment he changed his shirt. Not to mention the idea of being seen like that by anyone made his stomach twist in knots, especially if Sapnap was there. That would just be mortifying; even if he trusted Sapnap the most with anything, that was something he couldn't imagine ever. He winced, moving past the changing rooms and sighing in relief once he finally caught sight of an office. He peeked his head inside, nerves still making his stomach do flips.

"H-hi, I um-" Karl said meekly until the man that sat at the desk turned to look at him, and he had to swallow hard to stay focused. "I-is it possible for me to get a private changing room?"

"Uhh, I think so, what's your teacher's name?"

Karl grimaced slightly, pulling the piece of paper closer to his face to read the name. "Ms. Carroll."

"Hold on, I think she's just getting off her break," The man replied, getting up with a huff and walking into another door that was in the office; it was probably bigger than what Karl could see standing at the first doorway.

Eventually a shorter woman stepped out to greet him, and Karl couldn't help but feel a rush of euphoria when he realized that he was taller than her. He was considerably short for a guy, so being taller than anyone boosted his confidence a little bit. He smiled a little, but felt embarrassed when he noticed she was trying to smile back at him. "You said you need a separate room? What's your name?" She already started to walk out of the office, to which Karl followed like a lost puppy.