Mysteries & Royalty

Chapter 38

Doot doot doot

I'm shoving my AP class pain onto Emilio lmfao

Emilio was cramming for a test. He didn't sleep Saturday night, for a few reasons. First, worry. He did try to sleep, but whenever he shut his eyes, he saw Damien crying. That was one reason. Next? AP classes. Emilio decided to pull an all-nighter. Make it productive. It would've been a bit more productive if Damien wasn't popping into his mind. Emilio was sitting at the library table. He was waiting for the guys to show up for sensitivity training, he might as well be studying.

The six guys eventually walked in. Emilio didn't look up.

"We're here. What now?" one of them asked, Emilio was pretty sure his name was Adam

Emilio pointed to a pile of books, "Take one, some have names on them for specific people, and read. Ask me before you switch, they're picked especially for you guys."

They sat down. Ia was right next to him.

"What are you reading?" she asked

"Textbook. Shush and read" Emilio replied

They were quiet for a while. Two of them actually did switch books, but it wasn't too much of a problem. After about two hours of reading and Emilio studying, he shut his textbook, putting the notebook he was taking notes with down.

"You gonna talk to us now?" one of them asked

"Yeah, that's the two hours we needed to do this week. What the fuck?" another shot to him

Emilio smiled, "Did you like the books?"

The 6 of them all nodded or muttered 'yes'.

"Every single one of them is by an lgbtq+ author. I recommend researching a bit more on them. They're actually all really cool. They have really inspiring stories too." Emilio explained

A few of them looked down at their books, the others looking at one another. Emilio packed up his things, picking up his stuff. The others followed suit. Emilio waved to them, walking off. Ia came up to him quickly first.

"Hey, I was just wondering. What does the author of my book identify as?" she asked him

"Oh yeah. Picked this one especially for you. Definitely research more on her. She's a trans woman and has been living out for a couple of years. She's a really good author too." Emilio told Ia

She looked down at the book smiling. Emilio waved off and started to walk away but got stopped again.

"I think-" Ia bit her lip, sighing, "I think I'm gonna wear a skirt tomorrow. To school. Don't worry, my friend and I planned it all out. The skirt isn't gonna be short or anything, I'm gonna wear stockings too. I've been dressing fem privately for almost two weeks now and I just- I can't hide this anymore. I almost cried in the boys locker room the other day. I'll go into the girls and change in the bathroom. I don't care. I just need this fucking dysphoria to end."

"Ia, I think it's great you want to express yourself, but be careful okay? If anyone says anything, tell me. I mean it." Emilio told her

She nodded to him.

"I'll see you, 'Milio" she said

"Bye, Ia" Emilio replied, waving, and finally walking away

~

Ia always knew at some level that she wasn't who she was born as. She didn't think it'd be as literal as it turned out to be. But here she was. Standing at the door of her dorm, female uniform on, door on the handle.

What would the group think of her? She didn't even fucking care about the rest of the school. What would they think of her? What would Adam think? Ia sighed. She couldn't work out her feelings. She thought she liked Adam, but wasn't sure. His laugh killed her. She had a heart attack when their fingers brushed together sometimes.

He was her right hand man for years. Maybe that just translated into liking him? Ia was confused about too many things to deal with this.

Finally, she opened the door, walking out. She closed the door behind her, walking through the hallways of the dorms and to the school. People were staring already. Ia was ignoring them. She was still stronger than them. Even as a girl.

She walked towards her group of friends slowly. Once she made it over, she looked up.

"Hey Li-" Adam stopped, looking her over

Ia cringed ever so slightly, keeping eye contact. Slowly the group all understood as they turned to look at her.

"This isn't a change. This is who I've always been. Don't think this is about Schulz either. I found out long before all of that shit. I just didn't have the confidence to show it. Not until now." Ia told them, "I want to be referred to as Ia. Only she/her too."

They all glanced at each other uncomfortably. Except for Adam. He just stared. Liam was their leader somewhat. Now Ia was here. They weren't ready for it.

"Okay?" Jack said

"Good." Ia replied, "I'll be at my locker"

She walked off. Leaving them there. Leaving Adam staring. She made it to her locker, getting her stuff. Adam appeared next to her.

"Li- I mean- Ia?" he asked

"Hi, Adam" Ia greeted

"What's going on with this?" Adam asked

"What do you mean?" Ia asked back

"You're a girl now. What's that about?" Adam clarified

"It's like- you ever see the matrix?" Ia asked

"Yeah." Adam answered

"It's like that. There's no way to explain. It's just this intense knowledge that something isn't right. No one who doesn't know it can truly understand." Ia explained

Adam took a moment to process, "Okay. That makes sense, actually"

"Yeah"

"So. You're a girl."

"Yeah"

They looked at each other for a minute before laughing at each other for staring.

"Everything's the same? You're still my right hand man?" Ia asked

"Of course. Always" Adam replied

They smiled at each other and a teacher came up from behind them.

"Liam Moore. What are you wearing?" he said, he didn't look happy

"The uniform. Obviously. Also, I go by Ia and-" but she was cut off

"You're wearing a skirt" he said, sounding almost disgusted, "You're a boy"

"Debatable" Ia replied, "I identify differently. It's like a favorite color"

"You were born a boy. Can't change that. It's in no way the same as a favorite color." the teacher said

Adam stood straight. Ia gestured for him to chill.

"What's your favorite color?" Ia asked

"Green" the teacher replied

"No. It's blue." Ia said

"It's not blue. I just said it's green." he said confusedly

"No. I've seen you wear blue clothing. You wore it as a kid too, I'm sure, and when you were a baby. So it must be blue." Ia told him

"That's not how that works!" the teacher complained

"Exactly. Same with gender." Ia said, "As you can see. My skirt is long enough. I'm wearing stockings too so I'm completely within the limits of the dress code. I have to get to class. Bye" Ia said, walking off

Maybe it was because Adam was with her and accepted her, but she got such a vote of confidence with this. She was a woman and nothing could change that. The gender euphoria was running through her veins like drugs and she felt like she could knock down an army. She probably could too.