The Fear Of Falling Apart

-22-

Me: I'm gonna write a chapter in a waterpark because it sounds like fun!

Me: *has never been to a waterpark*

So that's why it's gonna be so bad (:

Tanith's POV

To call the trip to the water park awkward would be a massive understatement.

It was mostly Brendon attempting to make small talk and Sarah attempting I respond to said small talk. But we made it in one piece and bought our tickets.

"Where are we meeting the others?" I ask as we walk in, readjusting the wrist band.

"I think we're meeting by the food stands." Brendon says thoughtfully, peering through the bright sunlight and  towards our destination.

"Who else is coming?" Sarah asks as we begin to walk over.

"Fin and Dall." I answer happily as I spot my friends. They're standing beneath a shade umbrella, Dallon wearing his sunglasses and holding his face incredibly close to his phone and Fin talking into his camera.

"Would you look at that, it's Tanith Urie." He smiles, turning the device to face me. I smile and wave and he turns it back around.

A moment later he closes the flip screen and smiles at me. "Ts a really nice day."

"That it is." I remark. "Ready to go swim?"

His face falls a little bit. "Uhm...I don't know if I can..uh..." He trails off, glancing down at his flat chest.

"What is it?" I ask, stepping a little closer and putting my hand on his arm.

"I can't swim in my binder." He whispers.

"That's okay." I reply quietly, offering a small smile. "You're never gonna be on your own today, and we're all here to support you."

"Does....Does Sarah know?" He asks, his eyes a little wider then usual.

I bite my lip. "I'm honestly not sure. But if you want me to explain it to her I can. I know for a fact she won't think it's wrong or unnatural."

He hesitates, but nods.

I nod back. "Hey Dall?" I call. His head snaps up and he looks over to me. "Yeah?"

"Can you talk to Bren for like five minutes?" I ask.

"About?"

"Just annoy him or something."

Dallon shrugs and shoves his phone into his pocket as he makes his way over to Brendon. "Brendon! BRENDON LETS GET ICE CREAM! LETS GO! RIGHT NOW!" He calls, getting louder and louder with each word. People turn to look, and Brendon reluctantly lets Dallon drag him away.

I feel Fin's hand nudge mine, and take it firmly, giving it a squeeze. "It's gonna be okay." I say quietly. "If she doesn't accept you then we'll leave, right now." He nods and bites his lip.

"Hey Sarah?" I call casually.

"Yeah Tan? What's up?" She asks with a small smile, glancing over to where Brendon and Dallon dissipated to.

I take a breath. "I have to tell you something, and it's important that you know, okay?" Fin squeezes my hand and I squeeze it right back.

"You know you can tell me anything, right?" She asks, pushing her fringe out of her face.

I nod, deciding just to spit it out. "Fin's gender fluid. And today he can't swim with his binder, and he's worried about getting mis-gendered." She looks a little confused, but nods none the less. "What does gender fluid mean exactly?"