BenT, SDRAWKCAB, and Broken

Weighted Wanderers and Mysterious Movements

The light shines in through my new lime green curtains. My new room was decorated with the neon green and baby blue that was almost identical to my old bedroom. From behind the curtain a band of light shined over my eyes, slowly waking me as it got brighter. When I woke up I groggily showered and got ready for this breakfast with this stranger. I stared into the small mirror next to the mirror, but my yoga pants and t-shirt showed exactly how much I cared. I couldn't help it. I went back to my bathroom and gazed into my own eyes.
I look disgusting, I can't look like this when I am trying to make friends...or ever.
I hated these thoughts. They stopped me from doing anything I wanted to do just not care, but that seemed impossible. I sadly changed into a dress with a full face of make-up and nice shoes. My eyes fell back to the reflection; something felt wrong but I couldn't name it and no matter what I wore I never felt like myself. I couldn't do anything about it now so I figured I would just have to deal with it for another day.
The clock above the door displayed 10:26 on its face. I sat carefully on my office chair avoiding wrinkly in my outfit. I read the number on the phone and texted it,
"Hey, it's Ivy. I'm ready to go whenever you are!! :),"
The response was almost instant,
" Alright I'm downstairs, head on down,"
Once I was down stairs there was a large lobby. Comfy chairs had been placed around coffee tables where people were catching up with friends. I spotted Joey sitting across the room so I went over and sat down. He was on a call so I didn't interrupt, instead I directed my attention to the front desk. Two police officers stood arguing with the staff member that typed at a computer behind a desk. One man was tall and slender. He sported his hat and displayed his weapons belt with pride. Inside the belt there was a handgun, taser, and he was holding his bat with his hand. His counter part was larger around the stomach but was similar in height. He leaned on the desk but said nothing and was looking around the room. His eyes quickly locked on something and I followed his gaze. Close to the desk sat a student. This student had a beautifully feminine body. They were sitting alone sketching on a notepad. The officer approached the student calmly. When the student addressed him I saw the short haircut, lack of any makeup, I "boyish" tee shirt and baggy jeans. It took a second then I realized that this student was transgender, I gasped quietly and watched the scene.
He grabbed the person by the wrist and pulled them to a standing position. He raised his voice, pointing at their hair and clothes. I couldn't sit and watch I glanced at Joey who was so fixed on the event in front of him to notice. I walked up to the officer and student. I watched almost invisible tears darting down their checks.
" Hey dude, come on we have to get going, sorry officer we are running late,"
I pulled the teen away and signaled to Joey to follow me as I promptly left the building. When we got outside into the warm and windy August air the student instantly reacted.
" Thank you so much, I was scarred for my life."
"No problem...do you wanna come to breakfast with us....um?
"Ash, and that sounds great"
Joey caught up to us.
" Are you alright?" He asked as he place his hand on their shoulder.
"I'm fine, really."
They shared a reassuring few seconds of eye contact. Then the subject changed. " So are we all going to eat or not?" We both nodded at Joey. "Alright let's go then, car's this way" He said motioning for us to follow.
Ash and I lagged behind Joey and started chatting.
" So I just wanna ask, are you a guy or girl, gender wise?"
Ash looked thrilled when I asked that question.
" Oh my god, never thought I'd hear that question in a serious context. I'm gender fluid, which if you don't know means I...well flow between genders."
" Makes sense."
Ash looked at me strangely enough, but glanced in front of them when I tried to catch their eyes.
We arrived at breakfast. It was a small family owned diner called Molly's. It was not easy to miss considering it was painted a bright neon pink. Inside seemed too small for the amount of people that ate and chatted in the seven or so booths. The walls were decorated with small, framed, black and white pictures of the city when it was younger and the who I assumed to be the owner of the restaurant cutting the opening ceremony ribbon.
Peoples eyes lifted from their food to examine the three of us head to toe. When they saw they would quickly turn back to their company and snicker, gossip, or make jokes.
I noticed one family didn't participate in the bullying. There was only only a mother, father, and daughter. The parents chatted without even recognizing us, this was normal, but the child. This girl seemed about nine or so years old. She didn't break eye contact when I looked back at her. Her stare didn't feel judgmental the other customers. She had bobbed light brown hair, hazel eyes and wore a white dress with pink and green flowers on it with white sandals to match. This girl had also caught Joey's attention. They watched each other for a few seconds. Then in a very hidden way Joey lifted his left hand, acted like he was reading the menu, and with his right hand drew a wavy line on the back of his hand and tapped the same spot two times. Out of the corner of his eye he peaked at the child. She smiled nodded and repeated the gesture back to him. Joey chuckled to himself then followed the waitress to the now clear table.
Let's just say I was a little absent while we ate.
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