Newly Not Cis

First day of school

After lunch, they parted ways. Katie assured him that she'd be available at school if he needed. It was lonely yet comforting being alone in his empty house, no one could find out then, he didn't know how he would cope when his mum came back tomorrow, or how he'd survive school.

The clothes Katie had picked out for him went a long way in concealing these changes to his body, but he couldn't shake the feeling that someone would notice something else, his voice or his facial hair going missing or the new softness in his face. Staying quiet was probably his best option, hopefully his friends could make enough noise for him as well.

Homeroom was the first struggle of the day as he would have to deal with Ben, the loud edge lord, constantly trying to engage him in conversation about games or whatever he had on his mind, James just tried to tune it out and let Ben fall into a rant. Listening only enough to notice if Ben brought up something about his appearance. Katie was on the other side of the room, where she usually sat alone. He had been tempted to try and talk to her when she first stopped talking to him, maybe if he had just done it she wouldn't have been scared of him but he didn't. As much as he wanted to talk to her, it was probably best to leave her alone, trying to explain to Ben why he didn't want to join in the taunting would be too hard and she didn't deserve it.

First class was easy as the teacher enforced quiet over the room so for the first time in a while he quietly did his work. His anxiety coupled with his bra made his chest feel tight. Still no one noticed a thing. After class though was recess. Katie as usual hung out with Adam who from what he had heard wasn't his biggest fan. He figured it was best to leave them alone, he had to act normal even if he wanted to talk to her again.
He began following his normal route to the library. Now he had to worry about his friends. Ben was reliably self-obsessed, he would happily talk to a brick wall as long is gave him an occasional disinterested "uh huh", Lachlan probably wouldn't try to talk to him outside of the library. Nick was probably the most dangerous, he was kind and smart, of them Nick is the only one that would likely look at him properly. Though if he got to the library, they would all be too busy on their laptops to pay attention. He just had to get there.

"Hey James, wait!"

Hearing Nicks voice made him pick up the pace. He needed to get there before Nick did. Nick's height allows him to seemingly catchup. Half panicking, he begins running to the library, he's so close, he can't wait for Nick. He hears a thud and Nick cursing but doesn't think to investigate. James' pace slows as he approaches the door. Sitting in front of his computer he was able to relax for a second.

"Jesus Christ dude why did you run? I tripped trying to catch up with you" Nick asks as he walks to the seat next to him. "I asked you to wait?"

"Yeah sorry. I wanted to save us a spot" James lied. Hearing his own voice made convinced him he was going to be found out, the shakiness didn't help. God he was bad at lying, the library was empty.

"Whatever man," James was relieved Nick was willing to let it slide. "Were you online over the weekend? I tried to check up on you, but you didn't respond, you alright?" Nick's usual smile was replaced with a look of concern.

James had forgotten about the message,

"Oh, sorry man I wasn't able to play some stuff came up" He stared at the computer screen. Something needs to be done about his voice. Sounding like a twelve-year-old was not fun.

"What kind of stuff?" Nick asked, raising his eyebrow. 

"Just you know sick stuff, I was sick. My throat hurt" His excuse is weak, but it should explain why he isn't acting his usual self.

"Well if you need a tissue or something, let me know"

The smell of a fresh layer of deodorant hanging in the air was a dead giveaway that Ben would be joining them shortly and if he was there, Lachlan was not too far behind. Despite the urge to check where they were, he kept his eyes glued to the screen until they sat down next to him.