Trapped (egobang trans)

Chapter 25 - Quirks

A/N: this song is so relaxing, got me in the mood to write more of this cause the lyrics kinda made me think of Dani lol. Now I gotta find Arin's theme song...

Arin was walking out of the school at break as always, course set on her tree, when she heard the distant sound. It was too far away to distinguish, but intriguing nonetheless. Confused, she followed it and felt a stab fear when she realised that it was coming from the direction of the tree. Had someone taken her spot?

As she drew closer Arin recognised it as singing, a sweet melody just loud enough for her to hear. A second later she saw the shape of a person, starfished on their back in the grass by her tree. Her fear faded when she spotted Dani's huge mop of hair, frizzier in the warming weather. Her eyes were closed and she didn't seem to notice Arin as she walked over.

Arin couldn't help but smile; what was she doing?

Careful not to make too much noise she sat herself down a few paces away from Dani. For a minute or so she simply listened, impressed at the soft tone as so far she'd only heard her sing the lyrics of TWRP's songs, usually in a quite powerful voice.

It was a few weeks later, Arin reflected as she sat beside her unaware friend. A lot had happened. First off, Dani had finally got the all clear for her arm and no longer had the sling. She'd been getting to know Dani's friends more as well, and occasionally hung out with them. Though her and Dani had formed a more special chemistry, even if it only started as Dani trying to cheer her up from her self-hate. Arin still didn't know why Dani had decided to do that in the first place. It had all turned out for the best, in any case. She'd tried to mend the rift between her and Suzy, but that ship had sailed it seemed. If it wasn't for Dani's encouraging words and oddly uplifting presence Arin had a feeling she'd feel a lot worse about it than she did.

Dani was someone that Arin felt like she could really and truly trust. As she looked down at her, completely lost in her own world of music, she felt another smile creep onto her usually sullen face. Arin had been smiling a lot more recently. Her stutter had also started lessening somewhat. And it was all because of Dani.

Though there was one thing that still hadn't changed.

Her secret was still hers, but at this point Arin wasn't sure she'd ever get the courage to reveal it, even to Dani. The walls she put up were concrete, and though the misgendering stung like a thousand wasps, she couldn't bring herself to knock them down. Never again.

Arin sighed, a little louder than she meant to. At that moment Dani opened her eyes, hearing the sound and realising she was no longer alone. Her hazel eyes went wide, locking over onto Arin. Her face flushed a crimson red in an instant.

"How long have you been there?" she asked slowly.

"A few minutes?" Arin guessed, having got a little wrapped up in thought so she couldn't be sure, "I didn't want to disturb you."

Dani gave a chuckle, sitting up and brushing the grass from her curls.

"Heh, thanks. You were late so I got bored."

"Yeah, sorry about that. My teacher wanted to talk to me at the end of the class," Arin explained with an apologetic smile.

Dani raised her eyebrows. She turned her body more towards Arin and maneuvered herself so she was cross-legged.

"What about?" she asked.

"Just about making sure I'm caught up, since I'm still a bit behind with work because of... well, you know." Arin looked away for a moment, "A-Anyway."

There you are, stutter. Welcome back, I didn't miss you at all.

"Oh, that. Well at least it's sorted now," Dani pointed out, seeing Arin's discomfort.