Secrets [Trans Jake AU, Juke Fanfic]

~ Prologue ~

Jade/Jake POV
(Friday June 14th, 2015)

I watched as the teacher's lips moved, but I didn't hear a word she said. All I could think about was the time. I couldn't wait to go home. It was the last day of school, summer was right around the corner. Summer. That one word felt like a wave of relief. This whole year had been biting me in the butt. Everyone had been picking on me. I was the laughing stock, just because I liked to sing. I was considered a 'Tomboy' because I act like a guy most of the times, so that didn't help either.  But next year is middle school. Hopefully everything will be better. New year, new school, new me. 

Suddenly the bell rang loudly. "Okay kids, time for your last recess! Make sure to savor it, the middle school doesn't have any recess," The teacher announced. I stood up, pushed my chair back under the desk and exited the room. I strolled over to the big black door, and attempted to push it open. Unfortunately I was too weak to even open the door. It was too heavy.

"Hey, get a load of this!" I suddenly heard behind me. Oh no.. I thought. "The music freak can't even open a door! Haha! What a loser!" An eruption of laughing began behind me. I tried to ignore their words, but they already dug deep into my heart. I teared up as a rock grew in my throat. "Awe, are you going to cry?" The voice continued. "Go on you crybaby!" 

"Boys!" A teacher called out. We all turned to see our teacher barreling down the stairs to us. "Leave her alone or else I'll call the principle!" I choked at the 'her' in that sentence. But, why? I've been using she/her pronouns my whole life. Why does it feel so wrong? I shook my thoughts away as I watched the three boys run off in fear. "Jade are you okay?" The teacher asked, placing a hand on my shoulder. Why did my own name feel wrong now? "Yeah.." I muttered. "Don't let those boys get inside your head, okay? Now why don't you head out to recess?" The teacher smiled, pushing the door open. I nodded and ran out. 

I walked around the playground, searching for the swings. Upon finding them I sat down upon one, pushing myself forward. I continued pumping my legs as I began thinking. Why did 'her' sound so wrong to me? Why did my own name sound wrong? What is wrong with me?! I'm a girl! It's been like that ever since I was born! I-I can't be a boy! Right..?

Just then I stopped the swing, my shoes digging into the ground. I lifted myself off the swing and ran up to the teacher watching the kids. "Excuse me?" I called. "Oh, yes young lady?" 

"Uh- Can I go to the bathroom..?"

"Of course! Just don't take too long," 

I nodded and ran inside. I ran down the stairs to the empty classroom. I tiptoed into the closet, taking hold of a small Chromebook used for tests. As I entered the password and opened the browser, I searched "can a girl turn to a boy?" in the search bar. As I scrolled through the search results, searching and scanning for an answer, I finally came upon a word. A word I have never heard before. 

"Transgender..?" I muttered out. "Meaning.. A person whose gender identity is different from the gender they were assigned at birth," A small smile appeared on my face as I read the sentence. I then closed out of the tab, placing the Chromebook back and walking out of the classroom. 

As I exited the classroom, I found myself walking over to the girls washroom. There I stood in front of the sink. I lifted my hands up to undo the hair-band, holding my blonde and red hair up in a tight bun. I watched as my curly hair fell to my shoulders. I moved my arm to my chest, pushing it down. With my free hand, I lifted my long hair up as if it were shorter. 

A smile crept up on my face. This felt right. I let go of my hair and chest, leaning onto the sink. "I hope this goes right.." I mutter, thinking of the choice I'm about to make. 

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Word Count: 733