Work Text:
Wendell pushed open his front door and slipped inside, the quiet click behind him loud in the otherwise still house. His fingers lingered on the worn cat-themed notebook Jamie had noticed at Waverly Gyros, now tucked under his arm. He dropped his jacket on the chair and settled on his bed, the weight of the day pressing on his chest. His eyes fell on the desk lamp’s soft glow and the familiar stack of papers waiting for him.
He pulled the notebook out and flipped to a clean page. The pen felt heavy at first, but soon the words came out, messy but real.
I can’t believe I’m actually thinking about asking Ms. Landon to do Behind the Hoodie for the showcase. It’s scary as hell. What if she says no? Or worse — what if she says yes, and people think it’s weird? Or that I’m just making everything about me?
But maybe that’s okay. Because this story? It’s mine. Not just the boy hiding behind the hoodie, but me — Wendell, who’s been scared to be seen. Who’s been followed, ignored, called names. And now here, with Jamie, writing poems and songs that say what I couldn’t.
Jamie’s right — writing it was the hardest part. But now I have it. I have something real to show. I just have to work up the courage to ask. I don’t know if I’m ready yet, but I’m closer than I was.
I want people to see me. Not the armor, but the real me underneath.
He set the pen down and closed the notebook carefully, fingers lingering on the cover for a moment. Taking a deep breath, he grabbed his phone to check a text from Jamie, a small reminder that he wasn’t alone in this.
With a quiet smile, Wendell switched off his desk lamp and settled under the covers, the weight on his chest a little lighter — for now.