Chapter Text
Illi woke up late for her first day of her senior year of highschool, they woke up and rubbed their eyes, then looked over at her clock that read, ‘8:09 AM’ “oh no,” she said to herself and hopped out of bed, nearly falling onto the floor.
She stumbled over to her dresser and pulled out a black skirt, she loves skirts, they make her feel pretty, along with a cute lavender colored top and knee high socks. She stripped of her sleep clothes and turned to look at herself in the mirror, then sighed. They stood there staring at a body that didn’t belong to her. It felt wrong. She was supposed to be born a girl, supposed to experience teenage girl things. Not be born a boy. It’s just all wrong. A car horn going off outside snapped her out of the zone they were in, she turned back around and slipped her outfit on. They walked over to their vanity and grabbed a pink hair clip, clipping it into her soft black hair. She grabbed her bag, her favorite bag; it’s a forest green book bag with crocheted pins all over it that she made herself, and hurried downstairs to put their shoes on, her feet thumping against the wooden steps, tripping over her own feet as she got to the bottom of the stairway, she’s clumsy, it’s a wonder she hasn’t broken a bone.
Illi sighed when they noticed her brother Mikey had already left, “of course he didn’t wake me up, what a jerk” she muttered as she slipped her boots on.
She rushed out the door, and ran the entire way to the school, she finally arrived, out of breath. They spotted Mikey walking into the school and jogged to catch up with him.
“Hey!” She exclaimed, but really not speaking that loudly anyways, more of a loud whisper, she’s very soft spoken, “why didn’t you wake me?”
“You’re here on time aren’t you?” Mikey remarked, laughing a bit. Illi’s brows furrowed, she rolled her eyes, “you’re such an ass sometimes,” she muttered.
As they entered the school together Mikey sauntered off to find his friends, and Illi went to her locker, she pulled their books out of her bag, setting them inside her locker, looking for the paper that told her where her classes would be. Her panic began to rise when she couldn’t find it, and they were far too anxious to actually ask someone else. She sank down onto her knees, pulling everything out of her bag, books and pens scattered around on the tile floor. The floor was so cold she could feel it through her knee high socks.
“No, no, no,” she whispered to herself, their breathing faster than usual, heart rate picking up, tears welling up in her eyes; Illi always has been a sensitive person. She’s always struggled with stuff like that.
As Illi keeps digging through the scattered items on the hallway floor a shadow loomed over her, blocking the light. She freezes then slowly looks up, scared of what she’ll see, her body tense, and expecting to be laughed at or picked on. She looks and meets his gaze, a shorter guy, his clothes are obviously way too big for him, definitely someone who doesn’t pay attention in class that’s for sure, teenage dirt bag vibes… “Are you okay?” The stranger asks, tilting his head slightly. Illi opens her mouth to speak but nothing comes out, she looks down at her scattered school supplies and lets out a shaky breath. “Do you need help?” The stranger speaks again, he bends down and begins cleaning up the items and handing them to Illi. “I- uhm, I’m lost,” they say quietly, “I don’t know where my classes are.” The stranger smiles, “I can help you. What classes do you have?” He asks, smiling softly. “Science, that’s my first class,” she says. “Sweet, mine too. Come on I’ll show you the way,” he replies, standing up, Illi finishes packing her stuff back into their bag and quickly follows behind him.
Illi walks beside him, “what’s your name?” she asks, her voice soft and shy.
“I’m Frank. How about you?” He says with a soft smile, Illi pauses for a moment before responding, “I’m Illi.”
“Nice to meet you,” Frank says then he pauses outside of a classroom, “this is it, we have this class together,” he begins walking into the room, Illi follows behind.
As they walk into the classroom the teacher turns to them with a stern look on his face, “you two are late,” he says, sounding unimpressed and slightly annoyed, crossing his arms over his chest. Illi’s anxiety begins to rise, their heart rate picking up, she gets anxious when people seem upset with her, a result of unresolved trauma from her childhood.
“Sorry, Mr. Johnson,” Frank says, “she didn’t know where to go so I was showing her.”
Frank motions for Illi to find a spot, they nod slightly, her head down as she shuffles towards an empty seat.
Class begins but Illi can’t get herself to pay attention because she keeps taking glances at Frank, her cheeks flushing pink every time he catches them looking.
Frank smiles at her, she quickly looks away. The bell rings, everyone stands up and packs their stuff away. As Illi exits the classroom Frank follows behind them.
“Want me to walk you to your next class?” He asks, she jumps slightly, she didn’t expect Frank be directly behind her.
“Uh, yeah that’d be cool,” she says softly, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
The school day goes on, only she keeps thinking about Frank, her first friend? She’s never really talked to anyone in the school, except for her brother Mikey. She’s been too shy and anxious, but Frank makes her feel safe and comfortable, like she can be herself around him.
Once school ends she finds Mikey who’s hanging out at his locker chatting with his friends. She stands there in the crowded hallway, waiting for them to be finished talking, they would walk home alone but she doesn’t feel safe doing that. As she’s standing there, Frank walks by, she smiles at him, he smiles back.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Frank asks, his eyes flickering to Illi’s soft smile before meeting her gaze.
“Yeah, for sure,” she replies softly. Mikey rolls his eyes as he watches the two interact, he’s definitely going to tease Illi about it later. Frankie nods then walks down the hallway, towards the school's exit.
Mikey finally finishes talking to his friends then turns to face his sister, “you ready to go home?” He asks. She sighs, “obviously, I’ve been waiting here for twenty minutes.” Mikey chuckles, “seems like you’ve been distracted staring at whoever the hell that guy was that said he’ll see you tomorrow… making you blush and everything?” Illi’s eyes widen, then she glares at Mikey, punching his arm playfully, “oh my god shut up Mikey,” she says, laughing along with him. They knew Mikey would tease her about it, he always does shit like that.
They walk home together, Mikey rambles about his new video game that he’s going to play once he gets home, but Illi isn’t really even listening, she’s too busy thinking about seeing Frank tomorrow, she can’t stop smiling to herself.