Trapped (egobang trans)

Chapter 46 - I Don't Like Guys

A/N: forget how good these guys are ^^^ and this song fits quite well with the current arc lol

< Arin's POV >

Not that she showed it at the time, but fireworks were going off inside Arin's head after she left Danny's house that night. Her mum asked how her day was, she listed the activities like a list. She would have been more excited about it, but all her attention was taken up by the same thirty seconds replaying in her head. The thirty seconds just before the doorbell rang.

The image of Danny's eyes was burned into her mind. So dark, so mysterious, and yet so gentle and sweet all at the same time. His face inching ever closer to hers, the way he'd leaned into her and the way she hadn't resisted. She wanted to scream, curse her mum for not taking ten seconds longer to pick her up. She wanted it to happen, but it didn't and now she didn't know what she was feeling.

Needless to say, sleep was difficult that night.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"H-Hey Brian, have you seen Danny this morning?"

Arin felt awkward walking up to him that next Monday, but she was dying to talk to Danny about their "moment". She wanted to know whether it meant anything - she still wasn't sure if she actually wanted it to or not.

"Uh, no, I haven't. Maybe he's just running late, you know how bad Danny is at getting out of bed," Brian chuckled with a smile.

"I-I guess so... Sorry for bothering you."

Hiding behind her hair, Arin hastily walked away. She thought she heard Brian say goodbye, but she wasn't really paying attention anymore. Mind reeling she let herself wander, barely noticing where her feet carried her before she looked up again. The boys' bathroom. She frowned, glancing down at her arms. Careful not to show too much she lifted her sleeve and peered inside, cringing at the disgusting sight. Then, she looked at the bathroom door almost defiantly, and flipped it off.

I promised Danny I wouldn't do it again. And I'm not going to.

Arin turned away, poised to leave, when she found herself facing Danny himself, and froze.

"Did you just pull the finger on a bathroom door?"

Danny smirked, and while that expression would usually comfort Arin she couldn't shake her unease now. She felt her cheeks flush red and she balled her fists, trying desperately to think of what to say.

"U-Uh, m-maybe..."

Danny chuckled and took a step closer to Arin. By some kind of instinct Arin took one back to match, regretting it as she saw the hurt on Danny's face.

"Is this about Saturday?"

All Arin could do was nod, words still failing her. Danny looked away awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck as he moved his hair, "It... It didn't mean anything."

"O-Oh..."

Once again she didn't know what she felt hearing that. Was she happy it meant nothing? Or did she secretly want it to mean something? A bit of both, maybe?

"Yeah, sorry Arin I don't know what came over me then. But... it was nothing. I don't like guys..."

"I-I'm not- uh, I mean... o-okay," Arin muttered in reply, in her awkwardness almost spilling her secret once again.

Luckily Danny didn't seem to notice and instead write it off as her just stumbling over her words. He gave a half smile, meeting Arin's eye again.

"So, uh, no hard feelings, yeah? Just forget it happened?"

"S-Sure, forget it happened."

But I don't want to forget it.

She flinched as he clapped a hand on her shoulder, somehow not noticing him come forward.

"Well, I gotta pee. Wait for me?" he said with an amused grin.

Arin nodded, and Danny walked past her, letting go of her shoulder and disappearing into the boys bathroom. Arin watched him go and felt herself smile. He'd been out for barely two weeks, and already it was as if he'd always been male. No one questioned it, everyone used the right pronouns and name. He was even given permission to use the correct bathroom.

Of course Arin was jealous. Who wouldn't be, especially when she wanted it all too? But underneath that she was truly happy for Danny. He'd had the courage to come out, and (though she was sure he didn't notice) he was much happier for it. It was nice to see, especially after the rough start Danny had with this school.

The bathroom door opened again and Danny sauntered out, his usual smile widening when he saw Arin still waiting. He ruffled Arin's hair, a gesture he'd been getting into the habit of recently, and she smiled back.

"What do we have first?" Danny asked casually as they walked away from the bathroom.

"Uh, English I think."

"Fun."

The obvious sarcasm in his voice made Arin giggle.

"It's not that bad!" she protested.

"I never said it was! Those are your words, Ar, not mine."

Arin glared up at Danny and his smug face. Her heart rate increased a little looking at him, but she ignored it. It didn't mean anything, after all.

"Whatever you say, Danny."

A/N: sorry for the shorter chapter, got a cool idea for the next one but it didn't feel right putting it right after the "almost-kiss" so I thought I'd put this in to break it up a bit and set up some stuff for my idea ;)