The same, but different. - Platonic MadWheeler

• p r o l o g u e •

2h47min p.m.

It's just another Saturday, Mike was in his basement, preparing the things for another sleepover.

They had this every week. The Party, how they like to call their group, sleeps over on Saturday, they hang out during Sunday, The Party sleeps over again and they go to school together on Monday.

Yet, Mike was nervous.

Scared.

Scared his friends would find out about his secret he has been keeping.

They know each other since 7th grade, a year after Mike came out as Transgender to his family.

They are now in their first year of High School, and he still hasn't told them yet.

I mean, what would be the right time? When was he supposed to say it? He couldn't just say "Hey, I'm a Trans guy.", there is a time for it, right?

But when would this time come?

Will it ever come?

He didn't know, and he didn't have the time to think about it, because he heard a knock on the door.

Probably Will.

He always comes early, to spend more time with his best friend.
Yeah. Just friend.

Mike went upstairs and to the door, grabbing the handle and twisting it, finally pulling the door open.

A panting ginger girl is revealed, she looked like she had been crying, considering her blue eyes looked like they were pools filled with water.

"Max?"
The raven haired boy gasped, looking down at the short girl.

Even if they didn't like each other that much, he never wanted anything bad to happen with her.
Nothing would happen with any member of The Party, not when he could do something to stop it.

"Can- can I come in?"
The girl choked out, she seemed terrified, yet relieved to see a familiar face.

"Yes, of course. Sit on the couch, I'll get you some chocolate milk and then you can explain it to me. Alright?"
Mike smiled, and let the girl in his home.

The ginger went straight to the living room, sitting at the edge of the couch. Mike went to the kitchen and opened the fridge, taking the chocolate milk and pouring it in a cup.

He knew why she came to him: his house is the closest to hers.
So, it was probably something she didn't have much time, considering she looked scared and tired. She probably ran there.

He decided on chocolate milk because that was her favorite drink. She always drank it whenever she got the chance, so he figured that would be something that would, maybe, give her some kind of comfort.

"Hey Max."
He said as he walked into the living room, giving the girl the cup he put the drink in.

"Hi."
She said quietly, taking the cup and slowly bringing it to her mouth, taking a small sip.

"What happened? You looked scared. Did anything happen back at home?"
The taller boy asked, and the young girl nodded at his question.

"Hey, you can tell me anything, alright? I know we're not exactly the best of friends, but I'm here for you. I'd blame myself for the rest of my life if anything happened to any of my friends. Including you, red."
He rested his hand on her shoulder and smiled lightly, in hopes that would give her some kind of comfort.

It apparently did, and she responded with a relieved sigh and another nod.

"Neil, he- he just slapped me. It wasn't much, it has happened before. But this time, mom tried to stop him, and he stopped. But..."
She trailed off, frowing and putting the cup on Mike's coffee table.

"What happened? Did he do something to your mom?"
The boy asked, slowly massaging her shoulder.

The girl nodded.

"What did he do?"

The lump on the girl's throat was too big, too strong.
She kept quiet, because if she opened her mouth, she wouldn't be able to stop her sobs.

"Hey, hey... it's fine if you don't wanna tell me, it's ok. You can tell me later, or just not tell me at all. Ok?"
He said in a comforting tone. The younger girl nodded, tears finally falling from her eyes as her lips quivered.

He gave her a light hug, which she responded by hugging him back, tighly.

She let it out, started sobbing. She needed that, and Mike noticed that.

They were never exactly friends. They just hang out. Yet, here they are.

They both are suppressing wounds, and that is what would make them be friends with each other.
Their wounds would make them closer than ever.

END OF PROLOGUE.

Hii!! How are you?

I hope you are enjoying this so far.

I may or may not put one vent or another in each of my books, using the characters, lol.