The Wrong Body [Frerard AU]

Chapter One

He took one look at them and decided to get to know them.

Which said a lot, because he usually hated interacting with people.

He watched them as they lowered into their seat, picking nervously at the hem of their skirt. The plaid design matched with the plain gray sweatshirt reminded him of something Lindsey would wear. They looked extremely uncomfortable in their position.

They sagged down in their seat, brushing their bangs into their wide, hazel eyes. He watched as they stared down at their lap, occasionally reaching down to scratch their ankle or to pick at their nails.

He pulled out his sketchbook as well as a pencil and placed it in his lap. Glancing up at them one more time, he started to sketch their facial structure– the sweep of their jawline, the curve of their nose, they way their hair framed their face beautifully...

He finished the quick sketch during the class, looking up to study them every now and then. The school year was already a third of they way over; how has he never noticed them before? They were so interesting to look at.

He shoved his sketchbook into his backpack as the bell rang. He skidded into the hall, trying to find them again, but no luck. The crowd was too thick to pick out anyone specific. He sighed softly, trudging to his lunch table.

As soon as he sat down, he felt a pair of arms wrap tightly around his torso. A chin rested on his shoulder. "Gerard-senpai! Gerard-senpai!" A voice squealed excitedly.

The boy let out a short laugh. "Hey, Lindsey." He replied.

Lindsey giggled, plopping down beside her best friend. "So, I got a letter from the college I applied to this morning..." she drawled.

"You did? You mean the one in New York?"

"Yeah, I got in!"

"Oh, wow, that's great!" Gerard exclaimed as he hugged her tightly.

"And I better see you there when you graduate next year," Lindsey smirked.

But Gerard wasn't listening anymore. He had caught sight of them again.

Lindsey pulled away with a quizzical look. She looked in the same direction as Gerard was. "What'cha looking at?"

"Them," Gerard said quietly.

"Them?" Lindsey repeated. She grinned. "Using gender-neutral pronouns. I've raised you well."

"Oh– right." He didn't even realize what pronouns he was using. "Have you seen them around before?"

"No, I haven't," Lindsey replied. "They must be new. Why?"

"I don't know, I just... want to get to know them. Someday."

Lindsey slid to the other side of the table. "Well, it looks like 'someday' is going to be today," she said before walking over to them.

"Wait– Lindsey!" Gerard hissed. She shot him a wink as she strolled up to them.

He watched as she approached them, shaking their hand and gesturing towards the table. They gave a short, hesitant nod, and he saw Lindsey light up with glee. She led them to where Gerard was and sat down, them following suit.

"Okay," Lindsey said. "I'm Lindsey, I go by any pronouns, and that's Gerard, he/him pronouns."

If they were surprised by her way of greeting, they didn't show it. "I'm Frankie," they spoke. "Er– s-she/her pronouns."