A Boy and A Girl

゜ ✭ ・. Chapter 9

Point of View: Genevieve

Tw: Mild (Somewhat Unintentional) Self Harm, Mild Language

"Bailey, do you want to try on some of my makeup?" At this question, Genevieve watched her boyfriend's face shift from nervous to terrified.

He shook his head. "N-no! I could never want to try on your makeup, I- just- no!" He protested. But Ginny could see it in his eyes. He totally wanted to try on her makeup.

"I know you want to." She grinned, though realized that her approach wasn't helping him to feel more confident, so she rested her hand on his. "I talked to River after you left, and they told me all the things you said. I... honestly, Bailey? I feel awful for never noticing, and I want to make it up to you. Besides, I'm really good at makeup." She added. "I'd love to try doing yours... if you want it." She said kindly.

Bailey looked down at his feet. Although it had been a long time since they hung out, and even longer since they'd had a serious conversation, Genevieve recognized that face. It was the face he made whenever he really, really wanted something, but felt too shy, embarrassed, or guilty to ask for it.

"If it makes you feel any better, Bailey, I think you would look very good with makeup on." She said as she reached over and lifted his head up with her hand. He smiled weakly at her, and she knew he was feeling anxious.

Though she didn't suffer from any anxiety herself, she'd always secretly suspected Bailey of having an anxiety disorder. The way he reacted to loud noises or sudden things was indicative of such a disorder, though he refused to admit it and refused to tell anyone about it other than his friends. Now, his weak smile showed that he was trying to fight off the anxiety.

"S-so... you're serious? You really will do my makeup?" He asked. She leaned back, glad that she'd managed to convince him to be more confident.

"Of course I am!" She exclaimed. "If you want, we can even go shopping sometime for makeup and jewelry." She thought for a moment and then added, "Or clothes, if you wanted to do that. I know it's not something you mentioned, but if you wanted, we could go shopping for some nice clothes to go with the make up. And... I dunno, it may be too much, but I think even a skirt would look nice on you, if that's something you'd want to try."

Genevieve noticed that her statement made the blond boy shrink back and blush, though he did seem to like that idea. Before their conversation could continue, Peach brought their orders to the table. "Alright, strawberry jelly filled plain doughnut for you..." she said as she set down Bailey's doughnut in front of him. Genevieve recalled that strawberry had been his favorite flavor since he was little, and it made her strangely happy that it was still the same.

Peach turned to Ginny. "And for you, Ms. Genevieve, a medium cup of coffee with whipped cream, cinnamon, a drizzle of chocolate and as much sugar as you can legally put in a cup of coffee..." she set the coffee down, "and a freshly-baked apple scone. Careful, it's still pretty hot!" She warned and set the plate down in front of the blue eyed girl.

"Thank you, Peach." Genevieve replied warmly. "You don't seem to have any more customers..." she pointed out. "So how's Solstice doing?"

"Oh they're doing well." Peach replied, glancing at Bailey. Ginny knew the drill; Peach was testing him out to how he reacted to Solstice's she/they pronouns. "Although she's begun testing out neopronouns and it gets a little frustrating. I mean, bad enough that they're trying to convince the people in the shop, but now she's also going by neos? It would be more acceptable if we were at least living in the north, but in this tiny southern town? They're gonna get themself killed, that's what I think."