Lilac. {Muke/Lashton High School AU}

Chapter Eight

**Um hi! So I posted this on ao3 yesterday and for some reason it didn't fully go through? I'm sorry lol but this chapter is edited and everything! Hope you enjoy and leave a vote/comment if you like**

Now, Luke wouldn't really call themselves smart, but they also weren't stupid. They excelled in certain subjects like science and math and occasionally english so they didn't really have to worry about those classes. Or at least that's what Luke thought. But now they're sitting in the secretary's office waiting to get their new schedule which consisted of advanced english, math, and science and Luke was honestly terrified. That meant that they had classes with not only sophomores but juniors too. Luke thought it was bad enough to have to face people in their own class but upperclassmen? No, no way.

So Luke waited and waited and with each minute that passed Luke wanted to curse his counsellor for putting him in advanced classes. Luke would much rather be in class right now then waiting and dreading the second they have to walk into their new classroom late. And they were trying to avoid attention on themselves.

"Hello Luke, I'm Mrs. Brown and I'm your counsellor. So if you need anything you can just make an appointment and come speak to me. I have briefly talked to your parents over the summer and I've had your brothers as well and I wanted to ask if you had anything to speak to me about?" Luke bit their lip, now would be a good time as any.

"Well-um-I don't know really how to say this but I'm-uh-I'm gender fluid. Like I'm not just a 'boy' like my physical body.." Luke shifted slightly in their seat waiting for a response.

"Ahhh I see, well we here try to accommodate for all of our students. There should be no problem about this from the staff or anything. And as long as dress codes are followed there shouldn't be any problems, now, I just have one question. We have only had a few students that are gender fluid and we just want you to know that there is a personal bathroom that only certain people are allowed access too. If you ever feel the need to use a private bathroom instead of the others just let us here in the office know and there will be no problem. Would you like that?"

Luke bit their lip, they hadn't been expecting such a open welcome, but that didn't mean it was under appreciated, "Uh-I think I'll be okay for now, but yes, I would like that to be an option for me. Thank you, I really wasn't expecting this."

Mrs. Brown just smiled, "I'll let them know, and really it's no problem. We want to make sure you're schooling here is as comfortable as possible. Now Mrs. Matice will be in with your schedule and will bring you to your class so you're excused, it was a pleasure meeting you." Luke smiled and nodded as she moved out of the room and was replaced by an older shorter woman.

"Hello Luke, I'm Mrs. Matice, your new schedule is all printed out and I can take you to your home room, okay?" Luke nodded silently and she smiled widely at them, "Okay, so your first class is english with someone who is one of the best teachers I've ever met, I'm sure you'll like him as well."

Luke just zoned out on the rest that she was saying, too nervous to actually pay attention. They were now twenty minutes late to class and the attention was sure to be on them. Luke's hands started to shake as the pair came to a stop and entered the classroom. "Hi, Mr. Bloomfield, sorry to interrupt but we have a student who just switched into your class. His name is Luke Hemmings, freshman."

Luke felt their body tense, this was a moment they were expecting but that doesn't mean Luke was ready for it. Luke shuffled slightly closer to the two adults so they could have a little bit more privacy. Well as much as you could have in a full class, "I-um-actually about that, I'm gender fluid so I'm not really just a 'boy' like what you may see. Like today I prefer to be referred to as they or them if that's okay?" Luke bit their lip, they never had to be so straightforward about this before but it felt good. Luke watched as they both gave him what Luke hoped was reassuring smiles before talking quietly to themselves as Luke shifted on their feet.

Luke felt eyes on them and they really didn't like it. Luke could hear whispers break out about them most of them consisting of 'Is that Jack's little brother?' 'There's another Hemmings?' And 'what the hell is a freshman doing here? Poor kid.' And Luke didn't like them at all. They vaguely remembered the teacher greeting them and assigning them a seat. Luke slouched down in their seat wanting the constant attention to go away. They glanced around the room noticing countless movie and book posters plastered to the walls, most of them were Luke's favourites even the classical plays. And maybe just maybe they would like this class after all.

"Would you look at this, looks like you're not only cute, but also a brainiac." Luke felt himself flush as the voice whispered in their ear. Oh god, why was Michael in this class?