Trapped (egobang trans)

Chapter 52 - The First Day

A/N: what even is my music taste at this point

When Arin's dad came home that evening, she repeated the confession. He was equally supportive, and Arin couldn't have been happier to have her first family meal as their daughter. She finally felt like herself, not just some falsified mask to look out from behind.

The weekend passed by normally, and despite her initial resolution, Arin eventually caved and asked her mum to call the school. She wasn't entirely ashamed of the decision, she didn't know if she could handle the awkwardness of telling all her teachers in person. Danny and her parents - people she knew - was hard enough.

Sunday night she texted her other friends (Brian and TWRP) to come out. Again, she wasn't good face to face. Not like Danny, who'd taken it upon himself to tell everyone independently and in person. She was still a little jealous of that strength of his, but she was proud of her own method, however weak in comparison. Small victories, as Danny would say.

Monday morning was surprisingly calm, starting with a bunch of notifications of her friends' support after they'd read her messages. Arin left the house feeling prepared, ready and even excited to be herself at school. What she wasn't prepared for, however, was to be met with Danny's face when she opened her front door.

"Whoa! Danny?" she cried in surprise.

He was breathing hard, his hair windswept and Arin pieced it together he'd been running. She closed the door behind her and watched as he caught his breath.

"Thought I'd... leave early to... walk with you..." he panted finally, giving a thumbs up to show he was okay.

"Y-You left early, and then ran here just so you could walk to school with me?" Arin repeated.

Danny nodded, though he still seemed to be finding breathing difficult and huffed.

"Kinda regretting it now. I'm so not athletic."

Despite that, he then straightened himself and managed to take a deep breath. Shaking his locks so they fell back to their natural position he placed his hands on his hips, grinning wide.

"Okay! Regret over!" he laughed, and Arin felt her own lips form a smile in response.

The two of them started their walk to school, and on the way Arin told Danny about all that had happened that weekend. He seemed elated that she'd come out to her parents, and his face only beamed more when she told him that the school and their other friends also knew.

"Arin, that's awesome! Agh, I'm so proud of you!"

Arin giggled as Danny ruffled her hair that she'd brushed this morning, but she didn't really care. He hooked a long arm around her shoulders, grinning as they reached the school. Arin didn't receive any weird looks from the other students as they walked in, but she wasn't expecting them since only her teachers would actually know at this point. She was sure they'd catch on, like they did with Danny.

Multiple people grabbing her from behind made Arin jump, though it was Danny's totally manly scream that scared her the most. They turned around, and Arin was instantly enveloped in a group hug. She blushed, feeling the bulky plastic of Sung's cone pressing into her cheek.

"Whoa, you guys are gonna suffocate her if you're not careful!" exclaimed Danny nearby, laughing.

The group finally let go of Arin, and she straightened her sweater as TWRP and Brian stepped back from her. They were all smiling, and the attention suddenly made Arin nervous.

"W-What was all that for?"

"Congratulations hug, duh!" Meouch cried, throwing his arms up in the air and almost slapping Danny in the face.