Straighten Up (Friendfic)

1

CHARLIE

I shuffled onto the bus, starting at the ground. I sat in the first empty seat I saw, staring out the window.

"Can I sit here?" Someone asked. Without looking at them, I nodded. Soon the bus started, and we were off to our hell.

.........

Stepping off the bus, I heard the worker ask "What's your preferred pronoun?"

"Wha-what?" I was so caught off guard. They gave me a large smile.

"I'm Taylor. I go by they pronouns. What pronoun do you prefer?"

"Uh... He."

"And your name?"

"Charlie."

"What's your birth name?" I tensed, and she frowned. "I understand you hate the question."

"Emma." The anger in my voice was shown highly.

"Okay, Charlie. Go ahead over there to where Counselor Jason is standing with some of the other campers." She said. I gave a nod, a small smile forming on my face. Walking over to the group, I noticed someone with dyed red hair to their chin. I saw their glasses and let out a small gasp.

"Kat?" It was a near whisper, and I was surprised my usually deaf friend heard me. She glanced over, and I was confirmed it was her when she smiled wide.

"Charlie!" She whisper-yelled. A blonde walked over after hearing the names, and looked between us.

"Am I going crazy or...?"

"Midnight?!" Kat lunged at her friend, hugging her tight. Midnight awkwardly hugged her back. Pulling away from the hug, Kat look at Midnight, then me. "How did you get here?" She asked.

"My parents want their daughter back." I mumbled.

"Kids at school were... beating me up because of it."

"My grandpa found out." There was a silence of empathy for the others while we just looked at each other.

"Alright campers! If you haven't figured it out already, this is no correction camp. This is a safe haven." Counselor Jason said. He had more of a feminine build, and I wondered if he was trans too. There was a cheer, but a quiet one, as everyone was still thinking of how their families betrayed them. I smiled though. My parents will never have their daughter back. Not ever.