BRIGETTE WAS KNOWN for being strong; independent, and she was told before she broke down the barriers. In the highschool she was in she had to place a facade, however. She kept a secret that was nearly impossible to hide. All eyes were on her, and she was the only one who really critizied herself for heavy weight on her chest.The reason why is because nobody else knew.

 The struggles went from placing on a disguise everyday, wearing makeup and contouring away all the strong, sharp edges of her face. Shaving away all evidence of the person she didn't want to confront, and stuffing bras viscously and taping herself up.

 And it goes to the smaller, weird things you wouldn't get unless you were in the same situation. Like nearly pissing yourself in class because you don't want anyone to know who you were.

  The simple things kill you.

Like gendered bathrooms.

The girls here already gave double takes at her broad shoulders and masculine figure, and the rare, rare times where her dad came to pick her up and deadnamed her.

 Usually it was Reinheart, though; it wasn't like her dad didn't care. It was just hard for him to see a daughter in his son.

But right now she didn't care about that. She only cared about how much long would she have to wait until she could actually pee. The school wasn't ok with a boy in the girl’s bathroom. She was told she could be suspended for it, even. They didn't care. It was in the rulebook; the ancient rulebook that was begging to be updated. Thank god it was last period Study Hall.

 Of course she just smiled on, her anxieties being put at bay with Hana’s rambles. About her day, silly jokes, whatever popped in her brain seemed to come. She didn't block it out. She almost just zoned into it, being lost in her inflictions and tone changes.

 “Hey, Briggie?”

She snapped out, realizing that an actual conversation was going on rather than an ASMR. Also, her bladder nearly pulsating.

“Yeah, what is it Hana?” She adjusted herself, pulling down the sleeves to her hoodie and looked up. A half hazardous smile was placed on her face. She knew that her awkwardness was plainly visable.

 “Are you okay? Am I borning you?” She scooted closer, her hand moving closer to her own. Her thin fingers gently grazed her own, her thumb rubbing over the top of Brig’s hand. She almost shivered at the touch; it was so familiar, so soft yet so intimate.

 “No! Oh gosh no, you know I love your voice, Hana Banana!” She forced a small chuckle and pecked her cheek, and Hana gave a critical look. Scrunched up nose and puckered lips twisted to the side.

“You sure you’re okie dookie?” She wrapped her hand completely around her own now, squeezing gently.

 “Yeah, yeah!” She wasn't sure why she repeated herself. Just happened to happen, she just did. She took in a subtle deep breath. She was going to literally piss herself.

“I gotta go pee real quick, okay? I’ll be back.”

Hana smiled, and Brig scooted up and rasied her hand. Basic conversation between teacher and student, and a quick yes and the sign of a pass led to her shaking and heavy breathing.

 Nobody was here. Nobody was around. Nobody will see. Nobody, nobody, nobody.

 Simple signs, fuck, basic signs that have basic things that people should get and be able to register. Two basic stick figures; one with a barely passible triangle dress and one without.

 She held her breath and closed her eyes, speed walking into the one without a dress. To be fair, she wasn't fond of them anyway. Maybe she belonged here, maybe she didn't belong with the other girls. Maybe she was different in more ways than one.

Nobody, nobody. She walked in and she saw nobody. Thank god.

She rushed to a stall, shutting the door behind and locking as if someone entered the school and their main goal was to slaughter her. It felt like that.

Go, get your bussiness done and leave. Basic. Simple.

She wrapped up, and maybe too much information, felt very much so relived. She was ready to unlock the door until she heard footsteps.

Of course, of course. Why wouldn't there be footsteps? Maybe she was delusional. They weren't too loud, they were soft. She cracked the door open to see the silver of a man and she shut the door immediately.

Of all the people, of all the guys. Could’ve been Lucio, Jamie--fuck, she’d even settle for Gabe. But no.

The guy noted to be the biggest asshole is here instead. Mako.

 He looked her way. She felt his eyes, she knew he was confused and judging her. She felt herself get worked up; shaking, her breathing hitched. She didn't want to move. It would hurt in so many ways.

 “Hey?”

 She looked up. She didn't see a face, but the deep horase voice was recognizable.

“Yeah?”

“Bridgette? Why are you in here?”

He knew her. Of course he did, why wouldn't he know her? True, he was on the football team and they somehow let her be a cheerleader, so they talked. But she had no reputation. She was just a vague face in his memory.

“Oh, heh, didn't realize it was the guy's room! Simple mistake, I’m not the brightest.”

“You got a decent GPA from what I’ve heard.”

She closed her eyes. Tears formed, he would know. He would know and if what she knew was right he would laugh and he would be more than loud about it.

“Yeah, well that isn't the same as common sense! I need more of that. I wish I had more of it.”

He knocked. Why did he? Not sure. It startled her and she fell down, and she pulled her legs to her chest. Mako sighed.

“Get out.”

“Why?” Her tears choked her up. Her heart was lodged in her throat.

“I’m not going to sock you, Christ. The floors disgusting.”

For some reason he was calming despite the agression. She stood up, legs wobbly and makeup only slightly ruined. She opened it.

He was a good foot higher, and a good fifty pounds hevaier, maybe more (bulk in the arms, soft in the belly.)  Hair shaved on both sides, bleached and put in a ponytail and several piercings. That combined with hos undeniable strength and a face that always a stern look, he was scary beyond measures and a force to not be reckoned with.

Brig gathered herself up and flashed a smile, one hand on her hip. Mako sighed and went over to the paper towel dispenser and handed her some rough paper towels.

 “Here. It's not bad, but noteable.”

Wirh hesitance she took it, and dabbed ir under her eyes. She forced a soft laugh that was barely audioable.

“Well, thanks! I didn't-”

“Yeah, I know. Expect it.” He said, shoving his hands into his hoodie. The sleeves were still rolled up just a tad, and Brig spotted tiny silvers of pink that stood out from his pale-ish flesh. Brig caught herself looking and Mako slid his hand further into his pocket, his face turning to a slight cringe before returning to it's normal stoic face.

 “Okay, for real. What's up. Get if you don't trust me, but if it's what I think I got advice.”

“I don't know what bathroom I can use.”

“Your dad won't let you transition?”

Brig felt herself freeze and looked down. Won't let you transition. Did she really pass this poorly the whole time? Does she really look like just a guy?

“Well, he’s...weird about it all.”

“I have a close friend of mine. I don't know what to do if he’s forcing you to be girly, but I know when he couldn't get his hair cut he used beanies.”

Wait. Wait, wait wait.

“I’m..not female to male? Heh, I’m..well..”

He looked confused for a second. “Wait-” Mako started and sighed. “Damn, I feel like an idiot. Shit, just ignore me.”

Brig gave a slight smile. He had no idea, oh god! She looked like a girl, she passed so well and her heart fluttered.

“I shouldn't of assumed. Sorry, fuck me.”

“I like girls, sorry!”

 For the first time, despite how shitty the joke was, Brig saw Mako smile. Not laugh, and it was small, but it was a big enough grin to reveal a snag tooth strained by braces. Brig laughed at her own joke. It wasn't even funny, but everything just felt right for it.

Mako sighed and looked at her. “Yeah. In that case, you're in the wrong bathroom. And you should probably walk out of the stall. No offense, but it's kinda awkward just to stand here and have you nearly unmoving.”

 Brig did as he asked, face flushed by the realization that she was standing there the whole time.

Mako took out his phone and checked the time. “Shit, it’s dismissal. You should probably wash your hands and meet up with Hana before she gets worried.”

 “I..never heard you talk this much.”

“I hate everybody, is that a problem?”

Brig felt a bit tense again, but remembered just how sweet he was not too long ago. She nodded.

“I hope you don't hate me.”

“Well, I’m talking aren't I?”

“Well, I guess so!” She gave a decent chuckle; a real one; and took a paper towel to dry her hands off. She scurried out, Mako behind her.

“Oh, and Brig.”

Before she opened the door to let them both leave, she looked behind her to see Mako. His face seemed a lot softer now.

"By those dumb school rules, I'm in the wrong bathroom."

Brig smiled, and she opened the door and let him through.

He knew.  And that made everything all the better.