“Evan, wake up. Dad is back and wants you at school.” I heard Alex say from my bedroom door. I pulled the blankets from my face and pushed my bangs off my forehead.
“What? Why is he home?” I croaked while rubbing my eyes. Alex walked over to my bed and sat on the foot of it.
“He got fired, that's what Mom and Dad were arguing about yesterday. Apparently, he came home last night when we were sleeping and apologized to mom and she forgave him. He’s back and wants you at school.”
“Jesus, what about you?” I asked sitting up.
“He wants me home, Lacey is going to work with Mom today.” Alex mumbled looking at his hands.
“Oh, alright. Um, can you drive me when I’m ready?” I asked.
“Sure thing.” Alex said before walking out of my room. I grabbed my phone off of the table next to me and scrolled through my notifications.

From Sally: Why weren’t you and Jack at school yesterday?

To Sally: I was sick and Jack stayed home to take care of me. I’m coming today.

I put my phone down, I felt bad lying to her but I didn’t want her to know I was getting beat up. She wasn’t even my girlfriend in the first place. Of course we hold hands and hug and shit but I never officially asked her and we haven’t even kissed. I was too scared. If she started dating me at school, people would start bullying her and that is that last thing I want. She already gets enough crap just being friends with a fuck up like me.

I rolled out of bed and walked into my bathroom since we all had our own. I don’t know how we have a lot of money in the first place. Dad’s job sucked in the first place but I guess Mom has a great job.

I looked myself in the mirror and all I seen was an ugly mess. My face was all bruised, I had a cut on my lip and my nose was slightly swollen. I went out of the bathroom and crept into Mom’s bathroom on the second floor. I got some of her makeup and locked the door.

I put the liquid skin color stuff on my bruises and blended them in and also put it on my nose and then went over it all with a powder. Sally can’t see me all bruised up. I couldn’t cover the cut on my lip but I could make up an excuse for that. I put the makeup back in the bin and ran as best as I could to my room.

I grabbed a crewneck that was laying on the floor, I sniffed it and it smelt fine so it should be fine to wear. I got some black skinny jeans and converse and walked to the bathroom.

I ripped my pajama shirt off and turned around not facing the mirror. I couldn’t look down. I grabbed my binder and put it on. With this you can barely tell I have boobs and that’s what I wanted. I did not want boobs, I did not want a vagina. It was not fair. Why did I have to be born with the wrong parts? I slipped the crewneck over my head and put my skinny jeans making sure not to touch my scarred thighs. I haven’t burned myself in a long time and I’m proud. Nobody knew about it and that’s how I plan to keep it but I haven’t burned in five months. And I think that is good for being on my own through this.

I brushed my hair quickly, put in different plugs and walked out of the bathroom slipping my shoes on and walked downstairs, grabbed my backpack, and met Alex in the living room.

“Ready?” He asked hoping up from the couch slipping his phone in my pocket quickly.
“Who were you texting?” I asked suspiciously.
“No one.” He said quickly.
“Get to school Ashl- Evan.” Dad said from the kitchen. I groaned since he forgot to call me Evan again and walked out the door with Alex closely behind me, We hopped into his car and he started driving.

“Alex?” I questioned breaking the silence.
“Hm?”
“Do you think Mom and Dad would consider the surgery and letting me get testerone...” I whispered. I knew Alex didn’t care but I still didn’t like talking about it with other people.
“How long have you been considering this?” Alex asked glancing at me quickly but then looking at the road again.
“Well, you know I’m not meant to be a girl but I won’t officially be a boy till I have y’know.” I muttered my face turning red.
“So you want a penis and you want one soon?” Alex said completely serious.
“Yeah...”
“Well, you know Mom most likely won’t care but she would have to look into it just to make sure your body can handle the hormones and then the surgery but Dad most likely won’t allow it.” Alex said truthfully.
“Well, maybe if Mom got on board, she could convince Dad?”
“That’s a possibility.” Alex shrugged and pulled into the parking lot. “Now go on, have a good day. Just text me if something happens.”

I nodded and got out of the car, watching him drive away after I got into the building safely. I walked to Jack’s locker and everyone was already there.

“Alex and I haven’t even started our song yet!” Tay groaned.
“Jack and I don’t have much done either, don’t worry.” Cass smiled.
“More than them though.” Jack laughed making Sally slap him.
“I’m stuck in stupid tech this quarter.” Sally groaned leaning against Jack. Thank god he is gay.
“We don’t have music either!” Rian complained with Zack nodding along the side of him.
“Evan!” Zack shouted when he seen me.
“Ayy!” I shouted back laughing. Pretend everything is alright and be happy.
“You’re finally here.” Sally squealed getting off of Jack.
“Yeah.” I laughed awkwardly scratching the back of my neck.
“Uh, yeah, I think we should them some privacy.” Rian said clearing his throat before pulling Cass and Tay along with him while Zack followed. Jack looked back and when they were gone he said, “is Alex okay?”
“What do you mean?” I asked confused. Sally looked at us with confusion too.
“He texted me saying he had to stay home.” Jack asked worriedly.
“Yeah, my Dad wanted him for something.” I shrugged. What’s the big deal? He had an episode yesterday but it’s not like he actually caused physical pain on any of us.
“Your Dad is back?” Jack’s eyes widened.
“Yeah, but everything is okay. Don’t worry.” I said. Jack muttered something under his breath before he walked away.

“What was that all about?” Sally asked leaning against the lockers.
“It’s nothing.” I smiled leaning in front of her.
“So, y’know, I’m not doing anything after school today.” She smiled beautifully.
“Oh, really?” I smirked. She nodded and I said, “that’s great! Because actually I have this date with this old dude and I was wondering if you could pick out my outfit.”
She started laughing but then said, “Evan, I’m serious.”
“So am I! His name is Ralph, he’s like 4’11 with a white beard.” I joked.
“Ugh, you’re impossible.” She groaned.
“Well, I could cancel with Ralph and take you out to dinner if you would like.” I smiled grabbing her hand making sure no one saw.
“I’d like that.” She gushed.
“Good, I’ll pick you up five.” I smiled before kissing her cheek and walking away.

---

“God, what am I gonna do!?!” I screamed pacing back and forth in Alex’s room.
“I don’t see what the problem is, Evan.” Alex shrugged.
“The problem is that I really like her, which means I wanna kiss her, which means her becoming my girlfriend, which means the whole school bullying Sally.” I groaned falling onto his bed.
“Then, if anyone messes with her, I’ll have the team beat up whoever messed with you guys.” Alex said. Something seemed wrong but I didn’t know what.
“Your team hates everyone that has to do with the LGBT community.”
“Believe it or not, the only homophobic ones are Colton and Riley.” Alex said making a face at me.
“Okay, well do you think they would actually hit Sally since she’s a girl?” I asked.
“They’re mean but not that mean.They usually just beat up guys who they don’t like.” Alex sighed.
“Like Jack?”
“Yeah, don’t remind me.” Alex groaned before saying, "go on, get ready for your date."

---

I was standing outside of Sally’s house with a single white rose. I was wearing a blue button down, with a leather jacket, along grey skinny jeans and combat boots. I’ve been standing out here for ten minutes because I was too nervous to knock on the door. Before I could get the courage to, Sally’s Mom opened the door.

“Evan, you’ve been out here for ten minutes.” She laughed before pushing me inside.
“Just a little nervous, I guess.” I laughed slightly. Did I forget to put on cologne?
“Well, if this helps any I’m glad my daughter likes you and not any of the other guys at your school.”
“Really?” I asked.
“Yes, you may be different but your the nicest of all guys.” She smiled before patting my shoulder and yelling for Sally. Her mom walked away with a final smile and Sally walked down the stairs.

She was wearing a pink v-neck that didn’t reveal any cleavage, light washed skinny jeans and some grey UGGS. Her hair was straightened which was usually curly and she even had makeup on. She quickly put on a light white jacket before walking over to me. She looked beautiful, not that she didn’t before.

“Hey,” she smiled, I noticed she had some pink lipstick on.
“Wow, you look beautiful.” I smiled at her.
“Thanks, Evan.” She blushed. I just laughed and grabbed her hand lead her out the door.

“So where are we going?” She asked squeezing my hand.
“That is a surprise.” I smiled slightly. I noticed that she was kind of shivering. It was December afterall and it was snowing slightly.
“Here.” I took off my jacket and slipped it onto her shoulders.
“No, Evan, you’re going to be cold.” She argued trying to take my leather jacket off.
“Keep it, I’ll be fine.” I said and slipped her arms into the jacket this time.
“Thank you.” She smiled interlocking our fingers.
“Don’t thank me,” I said before leading her into a Christmas restaurant that she loved.

“Oh my God, Evan! I love this restaurant.” She gushed when we walked inside. There was fake snowflakes hanging from the diner, candy cane table clothes, there was a Christmas tree lit up brightly and Christmas music playing quietly playing in the back.

The waiter lead us to our table and handed us menus.
“Can I start you off with some drinks?” He asked while getting out a notepad.
“I think I’ll have some peppermint hot chocolate.” Sally said rubbing her hands to get warms. Dammit, I should have brought her gloves.
“For you sir?”
“I’ll have some hot tea.” I smiled. He nodded and walked off.

“God, you are so British.” She laughed.
“Just because I was born in the UK and drink tea doesn’t make me British.” I challenged while looking at the menus. Holy shit, these prices were expensive!
“Uh, yeah it kind of does.” Sally laughed while the waiter gave us our drinks.
“Have you guys decided?” He asked.
“Have you?” I asked her. She nodded and said, “could I have the bacon cheeseburger?”
“And I’ll have the caesar salad, no chicken.”
“Alright, it’ll be right up.” He said and walked away into the kitchen.

“Evan. these prices are expensive.” Sally pointed out. Yeah, like I didn’t see the double digits.
“Anything for you.” I replied cheesly. She blushed at the comment and then her eyes widened.
“I totally forgot you don’t eat meat, do you want me to change my order?” She asked frantically.
“Hey, not it’s fine. Eat whatever you want.”

We ate our meals talking the entire time but I still never asked her the question. She has been kind of hinting onto it during dinner but I had one more place to talk her. We walked out of the restaurant, I have to admit I was freezing but I wanted her to be warm.

“My house is the other way Evan.” She said confused.
“I know.” I laughed grabbing her hand and started running to the square with her.
“E-Evan where are we going?!” She laughed as the snow hit our faces as we ran. Once we got to the square her eyes lit up.

“It’s so beautiful.” She whispered into the frosty air looking at the big lit up Christmas tree.
“Not as beautiful as you.” I smiled caressing her face. She looked at me and I started to lean in and her eyes shut, I took that as my chance to shut mine and bring her lips to mine. Our lips moved together lovingly, nothing mattered at the time. Just her and I.

I pulled away and she rest her forehead against mine. “I know this may be a bumpy adventure, but I want you to join the adventure with me, as my girlfriend.” I whispered.
“I’d love to.” She smiled from ear to ear before bring her lips to mine for the second time that night.

Notes

Awh, good for Evan! : ) Thank you so much for 31 subscribers! And thank you so much this story is on the 2nd page of popular stories! Gah that is the first it's ever happened! Thanks so much! Try and get this to the 1st page please? Sorry there wasn't any jalex really in this chapter but I though you should get to Evan more because he is an important character in this story. : )