She needed something bigger than her hand to write on, so pushed up her left sleeve and quickly wrote her response.
'I felt sick, it felt like everyone in my class was staring at me and talking about me… But I could ask you the same thing, was it that Tara girl you mentioned?'
"…" he didn't say anything. "I'd rather not talk about it…" He looked away messing with his bracelet. "It's not something people take lightly."
'I think I understand… Where were you going to run to?' She had a shy yet hopeful expression, wondering if she may finally have the chance to have a friend she could relate to.
"Just anywhere…Away from Tara at least" he states Tr bracelet waw slowly falling apart. "and what do you mean understand?"
'Ah never mind, I'm just assuming that this girl knows something about you and is clearly using it against you on purpose because they don't agree with it. Sorry if I'm wrong.'
Leonie could feel her face burning up in embarrassment, she thought she had made a mistake, and her brain was telling her to run before she embarrassed herself any more. But she stayed, she didn't think she'd get a chance like that again.
"That's exactly why…" He said surprised she understood what he was going through. "It's a certain reason though…" He said hiding his bracelet.
'Well for whatever reason-' She ran out of space on her arm, things were going to get difficult. She rummaged through her pockets again and found a folded up sheet of overdue homework. On the back she carried on writing. '-she has no right to do that. Whether it's because of your clothes, your hairstyle, your sexuality or gender, heck even the colour of your eyes, no one has the right to use anything against you. If I could I'd teach her a lesson, but that probably wouldn't go down well :)'
"Never know, Also why can't you speak? Are you mute" (Me irl)
Soon the bell rang.
(Really? Interesting)
'No i'm-'
As soon as the bell rang, Leonie stopped writing and mouthed 'I'm sorry' before weaving her way through the crowd of students to find Cora.
(yeah…)
"S-See ya," he said and went to go find Jacob but noticed Tara talking to him. "traitor." he whispered and walked off somewhere random not dealing with class.
Cora already had a notepad open by the time Leonie found her in the next class. Thankfully it was art, and the teacher never paid attention to the students, so note-talking was easier to do while they worked.
'You feeling better?'
'I didn't exactly go to the nurse…'
'SPILL!'
Alexander stayed in the courtyard alone letting his baggy shirt flutter in the wind. "I can't believe him…Saying he would stay away from Tara but doing it anyways…Why did he lie…?"
After Leonie told Cora what happened, she couldn't focus for the rest of the lesson.
Something was on Alexander's mind and I can tell it was upsetting him… I really do hope he is okay.
(skip to after school?)
(Sure!)
Alexander got a message from Jacob
Jacob: Dude where are you?
He put his phone away not answering him
Leonie sat on her bed, reading a book, when a knock came at her door.
"So how was school today Liam?" her mum asked, opening the door.
"Fun I guess." she'd gotten used to her parents deadnaming her that she no longer had the energy to try and argue with them. When her mum closed the door she let out a sigh of relief. She hated her parents asking her questions.
Alexanders mom came in. "Honey…The dog ripped you other binder…You might have to go without one."
"Thanks for letting me know mom." He said smiling.
She stood in front of her wardrobe, trying to decide what to wear the next day. A choice of skirts, or skirts, perhaps a dress, or more skirts. Perhaps that dress…those converses… this cardigan….
She pulled out the clothing items and draped them on the chair in front of her dressing table. If there was one thing that Leonie's parents had done right, it was allow her to wear what she wanted and decorate her room how she wanted. It's stupid how they still deadname me…
Alexander found some baggy clothes. "Hopefully this will work…" He got changed for bed and went to sleep. He hoped tomorrow would be better than the hell he went through today.
It took Leonie ages to fall asleep, and the dark circles were noticeable come morning. Nothing that makeup won't handle for today!
She always tried to wake up in a good mood and as she slowly strolled to school with a flowery tote bag on her shoulder, she kept in mind that it was going to be a good day. At least until someone changed it.
Alexander was stressing. "Dang it dog."
Tara looked at her. "well if it isn't amy (the most wonderful woman in the world).
"Tara" he rolled his eyes
"What's wrong 'Girly'?"
"I'm. Not. A. Girl."
"Sure do look like one."
In the corridor, not too far from her, Leonie could hear someone that sounded like Alexander. He was getting annoyed at someone. When she glanced over, she saw a girl confronting him. Is that Tara?
"I'm not."
"Then why do you look like this?"
"Just cause I have boobs don't mean I'm not a dude."
"You can't be a dude."
"What's wrong with being a dude?"
(Aaayyyyy)
Something started pulling in Leonie's chest the longer she watched the scene unfold. She found her feet unconsciously moving towards the two of them, but all she did was gently tug on Alexander's sleeve. I hate myself so much, what am I even doing? I'm probably going to make it worse for him!