quick psa : I wrote this in 20 minutes it's probably terrible lmao
downinforest request, hope you like it :)))
wc : 7 3 8
-- joshler (high school au, Tyler's perspective) --
I looked in the mirror, and for once in my life, I was proud of myself. I've decided to wear things that would be seen as 'women's' clothing, to school. on my body. I thought about all the shit I'd get for this, but I'm beating gender norms and sticking up for those who need it. I'm setting an example that the world really needs. I pull on a skirt and a sweater, and I didn't look entirely terrible, not gonna lie.
I walk into the school, and the first thing I notice is the weird looks I receive from people I pass, accompanied by the less common admiring glance. I bow my head, as my cheeks had flushed red, and I move towards my locker as quickly as I physically can. I pull out my books, and walk towards my classroom, which is at the opposite end of the hall. more people look at me, and I hear some whispering. I'm sure the majority of it wasn't about me but the paranoia already began to set in.
I pulled out my usual chair, and sat alone in the back of my classroom. I was 17 now, and I had already begun to plan out my future. I wanted a career in music. I pulled out a pen and a notepad that I always kept with me from my bag, and waited for inspiration to set in alongside the paranoia that was still present as more students flooded into the classroom.
'I know, where you stand'
more students came in until every desk was full, and I could count every one of my homeroom peers.
a boy at the front of the class - Josh, I think his name is - was staring at me, but when I made eye contact he spun around. one of his mates nudged him with their elbow and I saw him point at me a few times. I had already begun to regret my decision, but I regret it more and more with each passing moment. but hey, at least nobody had come up to me yet.
the bell rang for lunch break, and I picked up my bag and my books as quickly as I could and began to make my retreat. I wasn't watching where I was going, and on my way out I saw the boys from homeroom. I had just happened to run into the tallest one with the seemingly largest muscles. great.
'watch where you're going!' he said, without turning around. I muttered a sorry, and I think he recognised my voice and spun around.
'hey, look fellas! it's the cross-dresser! are you gay, or something, man?' he said, with a cocky grin on his face and his buddies all whispered and laughed behind him, although Josh seemed neutral about the whole thing. I'd had a crush on Josh for years, but he never really noticed me. I think it would've hurt me to see him laugh at me, but this hurt more. him, completely neutral, watching me get made fun of, not saying anything, not even showing any signs of feeling or amusement, nothing.
'silent, in the trees'
during the time I spaced out, they'd taken I liking to calling me 'draggie' which I think had some reference to drag queens. whatever, I'm fucking done with this. I turn around and start to walk away, them calling nasty names behind my back.
'dyke!'
'draggie!'
'faggot!'
I start to walk faster, and my eyes well up. I hear somebody jogging behind me, and they stop when I stop walking to turn around.
it was Josh.
'what do you want?' I ask him, my tone harsh. he seems taken aback, but replies with 'I'm sorry about them, I don't think they understand you very well. but I think I might, and hey, I think it's really important what you're standing for.'
'th-thanks?' I stutter, completely shocked by the words that he had just spoken.
'hey, do you want my number..? maybe we could, hang out sometime?' he asked shyly, and I handed him my phone. he put in some numbers, winked at me, and walked away back to his friends. surely he was going to get beaten up about this, but he seemed indifferent.
I clutched my phone in my hands, and I knew that this was the beginning of something different. something, big.
