The css goes by incredibly slowly. I struggle to focus on anything other than the girl I can feel staring into my soul. What the actual fuck is wrong with her? She should know better than to out a trans person like that. Even if she does hate me, that’s uncalled for.

  “Alright everyone, your homework is going to be on the problems at the end of page fourteen. There are only ten, so all of you better turn it in by tomorrow.”

  The moment the bell rings, I am on my feet and out the door. As I turn out into the hallway, I feel something tug at my sleeve.

  “Wait, just talk to me for a moment.” May says from behind me.

  I stop, and sigh heavily, before turning to her. “What do you want?” I ask icily.

  She sighs, and looks at me with an emotion I wasn’t expecting. Is that, worry? “Why are you still doing this?”

  “Doing what?” I ask coldly. “You’re going to have to be more specific.”

  “This!” She excims, and gestures towards me. “Dressing like a girl.”

  “Nope!” I shout, and turn away from her. “I am not doing this with you.”

  “Danny!” She yells at me.

  “Don’t call her that!” Paige thunders, and pulls me into her arms. “Don’t ever call her that!” “Not you too, Paige!” May says angrily. “You and Holly, both just using him for your own sick pleasure.”

  “She is not!” I shout at May, and then pull Paige closer to me.

  “Leave my girlfriend alone, asshole!” Paige yells.

  I snuggle in closer to Paige, and gre at May. She sputters as she looks at us. “I-I don’t understand… I thought you would go back to normal after we made Holly break up with you…”

  “This is normal, you jackass!” Paige shouts at her.

  “Wait,” I say darkly. “You made Holly break up with me?”

  “Yes!” May shouts. “She was abusing you, and we couldn’t let it continue.”

  “How was she abusing me?!” I shout. “She was wonderful to me! She is the only reason I’m actually happy right now!”

  “Wait,” Paige says softly. “You don’t know?”

  “Don’t know what?!” I shout, more than a little scared.

  “Emmy…” Paige says softly, and pulls me tighter against her. “Holly was trying to hurt you…” “Wh-what d-doyoumean?” I stammer through my building tears.

  “Holly had a pn to humiliate you…” May expins. “By making you dress like a girl for her, to the point that you would go to school dressed like one…”

  I let out a soft ugh. “You’re joking, right?”

  “She’s telling the truth…” Paige says gently. “Holly was pnning on dumping you, today actually, after you had been seen like this.”

  “You knew?!” I ask, rounding on Paige.

  “I did…” She says softly. “That’s why I broke up with May, because she was in on it… I tried to tell you, at the mall…”

  ‘I don’t know how to tell you this…’ “Right,” I say. “I remember.”

  “If it makes you feel any better,” Paige murmurs into my hair. “I think she genuinely did love you, at least ter on.”

  “Then why did you make her break up with me?!” I shout.

  “I wasn’t a part of that.” Paige says defensively.

  “We made her break up with you,” May expins. “Because we found out you had an HRT appointment, and we couldn’t let you make permanent changes to your body, for a cruel prank.”

  “Yeah well, Good job on choosing to hurt everyone around you instead of just talking to me.” I say, trying to hold back the kaleidoscopic mix of emotions in my head.

  “And how would talking have helped?!” May shouts. “You’re still doing the same fucking thing! Just for Paige now, instead of Holly!”

  “I’m a trans girl, you dumbass!” I yell back at her.

  May just stands there stunned. I don’t wait for a response, and instead take Paige’s hand and march off towards the library. When we get to the stairs, I turn back, and see May nowhere to be found.

  “I’m sorry…” Paige says softly.

  “For what?” I ask. “You haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “I knew, and I didn’t tell you.” She says sadly.

  I gently push her back to the wall. “You tried to tell me. It’s not your fault that my mom interrupted us.”

  “Then, I called you my girlfriend back there, and we haven’t even discussed it, and now she’s gonna go telling everyone.” She says, tears pricking at her eyes.

  Without thinking I lean into her and press my lips to hers. She freezes at my sudden movement, then quickly pces a hand on my cheek and pulls me against her. I groan slightly as my chest rubs against hers, and then all too soon she pushes me gently away.

  “Emmy…” She says softly. “I…”

  “I want this.” I say firmly. “I want you.”

  “I…” She repeats, before breaking into a sob. “Yes. Fuck! I’m so happy!” I grin brightly, and press my face into her neck. “I’m your girlfriend now, Paige.”

  “You’re so wonderful.” She replies, and then tilts my chin up and presses her lips to mine, in a soft and loving kiss. “My wonderful girlfriend…” She murmurs against my lips.

  “Yes.” I say with a grin. “Your wonderful girlfriend.” She smiles brighter than I’ve ever seen her do before. “Come on. Let’s not keep my brother waiting.”

  She smiles, and walks hand in hand with me towards the library. She opens the gss door for me, and I immediately spot my brother, sitting next to Tyler and two other guys I vaguely remember from st year. There is also a guy there who I have never met before. Interesting.

  “Paige!” Faye shouts excitedly, and then whispers. “Sorry.”

  “Gimme one sec.” I whisper to Paige, and then walk up to my brother’s group. “Hey, all.”

  “Hey, Sis.” My brother says with a grin.

  “Hey, Emmy.” Tyler says happily. “How’s school going so far?”

  “Both bad and great.” I say with a tired ugh. “Um, can I talk to you in private for a moment?”

  “Sure.” He says with a smile, and stands up. “Someone py for me.” I look down at the table in front of them, and see cards spread across it. “Sorry…” I say softly.

  “Don’t worry about it.” He says with a wave, and walks with me to the back of the library.

  Once we’re alone, I look up at his kind caring face, and sigh. “I’m sorry…”

  “Don’t be.” He says with a grin. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “You don’t even know what I’m sorry for.” I say softly.

  “You’re apologizing for being Paige’s girlfriend.” He says simply.

  “How did you…” I start to ask, but trail off.

  “I may be a jock,” He says with a smile. “But I’m not an idiot.”

  “Yeah…” I respond. “I’m sorry.”

  “Emmy,” He says firmly. “You are my friend. I knew that there was a decent chance that’s all we’d ever be, and I never had a problem with it. It’s clear you like Paige, and she seems to like you, too.”

  I throw my arms around Tyler, and pull him into a hug. “Thank you.” I murmur.

  “Don’t mention it.” He says with a grin. “Um, there is something I want to tell you…”

  “What?” I ask, confused.

  “Okay so…” He says, and rubs the back of his neck. “This may sound bad but…” He sighs. “So, I was thinking about the possibility of dating you, a little bit ago… Thinking about how sex would work…”

  “Oh…” I say, and feel heat rise to my cheeks.

  “Not like that.” He says quickly. “Just like, ya know…” He pauses, and then speeds ahead. “Anyway, I was thinking about different parts and… well… I think I might be into guys too.”

  “Oh?” I ask. “How did thinking about parts make you realize you like guys?”

  “I was looking at gay porn.” He says pinly. “To try and learn how sex with the same parts works, and I realized I was into it, more than just for the learning…”

  “I’m proud of you.” I say with a smile. “Got your eye on anyone?”

  “Two people, actually.” He says with a soft smile.

  “Anyone I know…?” I ask, leading him to tell me.

  “Caleb and Max.” He says quickly. “I um… I doubt anything will happen with it, considering they’re dating, but I’m going to tell them, because we’re friends, and they deserve to know.”

  “Makes sense.” I reply. “And who knows. Maybe they’re willing to try a poly retionship.”

  “I know Max is.” He says. “He was in one st year. I don’t know about your brother though.”

  “No clue.” I respond with a helpless smile. “I didn’t even know he was bi until very recently.”

  “I see.” He says softly. “Come on, let's go back to the group.”

  We head back to the bookshelves, and I hear Faye ughing loudly. I turn the corner to see Paige, Faye, and Rachel sitting in the circle with my brother and his friends, pying the card game with them.

  “Emmy!” Paige says happily, and pats her p. “Come, sit.”

  I sit down next to my new girlfriend, and pce my legs across hers. She pulls me close, and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I smile at her, and pnt a chaste kiss on her lips.

  “Ugh.” Someone nearby says. “Of course they’re dykes.”

  I turn and look at the group, to see Caleb, Tyler, Faye, and Rachel all giving one of the guys, whose name I should know, death gres.

  “Leave.” Caleb says sharply. “Now.”

  “Wha- but…” The guy sputters.

  “Go.” Tyler says emphatically. “Before you make things worse.”

  The guy stands up and looks at Tyler. “Dude, really?”

  “Don’t insult my friend.” He says sternly.

  “Don’t be so sensitive.” He replies with a scoff, and walks away.

  “Sorry…” I say sheepishly.

  “Don’t you dare.” Caleb says to me. “That guy was a prick. I will not be around someone who talks about my sister that way.”

  “Thanks, Caleb.” I say with a soft smile. I need a distraction. “What are you pying?”

  “Rummy.” He says with a smile. “We are already at max pyers, but I can let you py next round.”

  “I don’t mind just watching.” I say simply. “I don’t even know how to py.”

  “I didn’t either.” Paige says. “I’ll teach you.”

  I try to focus on the game, but can’t, so I just enjoy my girlfriend’s presence, and pull out my phone.

  ‘Hey, Mom. Stuff has happened. Both good and bac.’

  ‘Bad*’

  She replies nearly instantly.

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘Are you okay?’

  ‘I think I’ve been outed.’

  ‘Holly’s sister called me my deadname, and walked right up to me before saying it again. I just hope that the people in my css didn’t pick up on it.’

  ‘Also I learned some really troubling stuff about Holly, but I don’t want to get into it right now.’

  ‘I’m so sorry princess’

  ‘What was the good that happened?’

  ‘Paige and I are a couple now.’

  ‘Yayayayayayay!’

  ‘Im so happy for you!’

  ‘How did that happen?’

  ‘I’ll tell you ter. The Holly stuff, and how Paige became my girlfriend. I’m going to go back to my lunch. Love you, Mom.’

  ‘Love you too Emmy’

  ‘Call me if you need me’

  ‘I will.’

  I lean forward, and press my face into Paige’s neck. She giggles, and strokes my hair. “What are you doing tonight, Emmy?”

  “I didn’t have anything pnned.” I say softly. “Maybe just gaming with my friends.

  “Want to go on a date?” She asks, her voice quivering slightly.

  “I’d love to.” I reply happily.

  “Yay!” She whisper shouts. “I’ll come get you at say, five thirty?”

  “Lemme text my mom to be sure,” I say softly. “But that sounds good.”

  I pull out my phone and open my mom’s contact.

  ‘Can I go on a date with Paige tonight? She wants to pick me up at 5:30.’

  ‘Absolutely’

  ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘No clue. I’ll find out.’

  “What are we going to do?” I ask my girlfriend.

  “Dinner, then a surprise.” She says with a wink.

  ‘Dinner, then a surprise. According to Paige.’

  ‘Sounds romantic’

  ‘Yes it does.’

  The lunch bell rings, and I groan at the thought of leaving Paige’s arms. I reluctantly stand up, and then pull Paige to her feet. She takes my hand and leans against me. “What’s your next css?”

  “English.” I say brightly. “With Mr. Grant.”

  “I didn’t have him st year.” Paige says. “But I’ve heard good things.”

  “I guess we’ll see.” I turn to the rest of the group and give them a small wave. “See you ter.”

  “Not me.” Caleb says. “I’m catching a ride home with Tyler.”

  I give him a knowing smile. “Have fun.”

  “Will do.” Caleb grins. “Text me if you need me though.”

  “I will.” I reply, and then walk to the door.

  “You’re so pretty, you know that?” Paige asks with a grin.

  Before I can say anything, Alice of all people walks up to us. “Hey, Paige. How’s it going?” Paige gres at her, and pushes past her. “What the fuck, dude. I thought we were friends.”

  “Not anymore.” Paige growls, and pulls me along as she continues walking. After a few moments she whispers to me. “Sorry…”

  “Why are you sorry?” I ask.

  “I haven’t actually told that lying bitch that I want nothing to do with her.” She says.

  “Why don’t you want anything to do with her?” I ask.

  “Because she lied about you.” She replies pinly. “Lied about Holly too.”

  “I see…” I say softly. “Thank you.”

  “Anything for you, Love.” She replies. “Here we are.”

  I look up at the doorway, and see the number for my css. “I don’t want to be alone yet…” I say sadly. “I know I have to, though.”

  “I’ll come see you after css.” Paige says. “I can walk you to your st css, then we can meet up after fourth period too.”

  “You’re so good to me…” I say softly. “I’m so happy I’m yours.”

  “I’m so happy too.” She says, and gives me a soft kiss on the lips. “See you in an hour and a half.”

  “See you.” I say with a small wave, and head into css.

  I take a seat along the wall, and near the back. After a few moments I feel something tap my shoulder, and turn to see Alice. What does she want?

  “Can I help you?” I ask.

  “You were walking with Paige earlier.” She replies.

  “Yes.” I say simply. “She’s my girlfriend.”

  “Do you know why she’s upset with me?” She asks.

  “From what she’s told me,” I say softly. “It’s because you’re a pathological liar, now please leave me alone.”

  “I…” Alice says softly. “Sorry…”