Trapped (egobang trans)

Chapter 24 - Lady

< Arin's POV >

Agreeing to meet Dani in the cafeteria was one thing. Going after school to hang out with five people who she didn't even know? Arin thought she must have a death wish.

Whatever had compelled her to accept Dani's offer, Arin wasn't sure. All she knew was that at the end of the day she was texting her mum that she was staying behind, and then she was walking through the now empty corridors to a music room that she knew harboured a bunch of strangers, in odd masks no less. It was a recipe for disaster.

But Arin pushed on until she thankfully saw Dani waiting for her. It wasn't unlike lunchtime earlier, she was standing just outside and her face lit up when she spotted Arin. That reaction would take some getting used to; no one was ever happy to see her.

They exchanged greetings, and then Dani was opening the music room door and holding it open for Arin. Arin stepped inside, holding her breath to brace herself.

She jumped a little as Dani closed the door behind them, and blushed at the fact she was so on edge. Dani was there, there was nothing to be afraid of.

"I guess we're early?" Dani guessed, which was when Arin noticed the room was empty.

She didn't say anything, rooted to her spot as she surveyed the surprisingly boring room around her. For a music room there wasn't much there, a slightly elevated makeshift stage for practice and a few stacks of chairs in the corner. There was a single spotlight dramatically pointed to the stage but it was clearly out of use at this point and probably didn't even have a bulb. Arin noticed a small speaker off to the side on the stage, unplugged with the cable laying uselessly on the floor like a thin black snake. There was a back room, most likely holding instruments and maybe a control panel that would have once activated the spotlight. It was all very unused and given up on, Arin thought.

She was snapped from her internal analysis as Dani walked in front of her, ambling across the room towards the stage. She did a little spin before dropping herself onto the edge and leaning back on her hands. Her legs didn't swing since it wasn't very high, also not helped by how long her legs were anyway.

Dani patted the stage next to her, and after a moment's hesitation Arin came over. She sat down with some deliberate space between them. Her hands rested awkwardly in her lap, hating the silence that was building but unable to think of anything to say.

"Ugh, I swear if they decided to go home..." Dani groaned, taking out her phone.

In the corner of her eye Arin saw her pull up her contacts and go to text someone. Probably one of her friends, asking where they were. She barely typed a word when there was a loud bang behind them. Dani jumped up to her feet, spinning around to look.

Arin tried to do the same, but in her panic she stumbled, tripping over her own feet and landing heavily on the ground and almost smacking her head on the floor but just managing not to. Dani quickly helped her up, keeping hold of her arm for a second just to check that she was steady on her feet.

Arin saw the door to the back room swing open, and out came Dani's friends (she was still unclear on their names). They were all smiling, amused, though only one of them was genuinely laughing. Arin wasn't surprised to see the lion from earlier- Meouch -practically in stitches as he emerged. He was even clapping.

She smiled to herself, seeing the humour in scaring them. Dani, however, looked about ready to throw some punches. Arin knew from experience that that wasn't so unlikely.

"What the hell, guys?! Arin almost got a concussion!" she cried, waving her arms slightly in anger.

"It was Meouch's idea," defended the guy wearing the cone.

"I don't care whose idea it was! Not cool."

Arin was glad to hear Dani's anger already ebbing away. Perhaps she saw Arin's smile and realised that it was actually okay.

"Sorry, I saw you outside and I just couldn't help myself!" exclaimed Meouch, grinning.

Dani rolled her eyes, folding her arms though Arin caught her letting a smirk through.

"So, you decided to come after all?" added Brian, Arin recalled he was called, changing the topic.

"Yeah, thought I'd bring this guy along to see what we get up to," Dani replied.

The taller girl seemed to soften the last bit, going back to her carefree normal as she gave Arin a pat to her back. Arin couldn't help but think the gesture was vaguely masculine for a female, but what did she know about being a real girl? That thought brought a wave of dysphoria and she bit her lip, suddenly self conscious.

Maybe it was her imagination, but Arin thought she caught something flicker in Dani's expression. It looked vaguely like general worry, maybe because of her sudden lip-bite, but there was something... understanding about it.

She brushed it off as the group, who they quickly established liked to be known as TWRP, started talking to her. Introductions were exchanged, and then Arin was ushered to go sit down as they went to the back room again to pick up their instruments.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Arin was surprised to see Dani in this environment, so involved with the main group. She came off as reserved usually, though she didn't seem to have a hard time making friends when she actually tried. Even so, she fit like a puzzle piece here, perfectly slotted into her place. She looked over a sheet of lyrics she was given, and then gave a thumbs up as she went to stand on the stage where TWRP had put their instruments.

Arin watched in wonder as they all followed, preparing themselves to play something. It was so pristine, like cogs working in an extravagant machine as they were all somehow ready at the same time. Meouch locked eyes with Arin suddenly, clearing his throat.

"This new song of ours is called Built 4 Love, and it goes out to all the ladies in the crowd tonight."

Those words, even if they were just a preset introduction, were an equally as sweet sound to Arin as the unpolished but somehow amazing tune that followed a few seconds later. Lady.

A/N: whoa for once a song I put on the chapter is actually related to the chapter somewhat :0 was listening to this and was inspired to write, so here is a chapter that took me an hour at most to write, excuse any mistakes I didn't properly proofread :/