6:23am
Why am I up so early ohmygod I wanna die-
Au
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"Virrrrgil" his friend, Mike, dragged out his name as he spoke. Virgil knew what that meant. Rolling his eyes, he looked up at his friend who was sprawled out on the bed set up for him as he slept over during the night. It was the morning of the Saturday, and neither had anything planned. Well, that was what Virgil thought.
"You know I'm your bestest friend in the world?"
Virgil snorted, shaking his head. "What now?" He questioned with a fond gleam in his eye.
"I'm going to a party tonight"
Instantly, he tensed, and Mike noticed. "Nothing like a high school party! It's actually pretty formal, plus out of town, so no one I'll know us" Mike grinned, jumping up onto Virgil's bed next to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and squeezing him in a friendly way. Virgil relaxed again and leaned against him, shutting off his phone to get the most out of this comforting hold. If it wasn't obvious, Virgil was quite touch-starved.
"The reason I want you to come is, it's outrageous I know, but hear me out" Virgil sighed, preparing himself to hear whatever his stupid plan will be. "I need you to bring us attention-" Virgil once again tensed, the idea of a bunch of strangers eyes being on him making him recoil and look up at Mike with narrowed eyes. He knew how much Virgil hated attention - why couldn't he get one of his friends to do it?
"With your cleavage"
That's why he couldn't ask one of his friends to do it.
"What!? Mike-"
"I know, I know!" Mike cut him off before he could protest, holding his hands up gently. "I know" he repeated, voice softer. "It's just for one night, and I'll bring a bag with your binder and normal clothes, once you bring us the attention of certain boys, they'll forget you existed by the time I start talking with them, then you can change, and come back as my man-friend" he paused, then back peddled. "Not like you won't be my male-friend before you change, you'll always be a man to me, Virgil. I just need this for one night, please? I'll do anything for you in return" while he spoke, he reached forward and held Virgil's hands softly, stroking his knuckles.
Virgil stared at him for a long moment, sighed, and looked down at his breasts. Everyone knew he was transgender, and not once has he been bullied for it. He and Mike had been friends for many years, and he was the only person Virgil was comfortable with not wearing a binder around, which was why he was hesitant to agree. Looking back up at Mike, he shrugged meekly. "I..." he drifted, "don't have anything to wear.." he sighed, and Mike's eyes lit up.
"Don't worry about that, Virgil! Trust me, I have everything planned" Mike brought him into a tight hug. "Thank you" he said sincerely, "you're the best" he added on, chuckling lightly. Virgil hugged back, pressing his face into his shoulder. Maybe Mike didn't have any ill-intent? Virgil hated himself for even thinking Mike would, they were best friends, all Mike wanted was some help - who was Virgil to not do that for him? After all Mike had done in the past?
For the majority of the day it wasn't brought up again. Mike brought him around town and they actually had a lot of fun, going through shops and buying random things, spending quite a lot of time in fast-food restaurants, and even going to the cinema to watch a random movie just because. When they finally arrived home, they were laughing, holding a few bags full of the shit they had bought.
"The look on her face!" Mike laughed, reminiscing of his stunt earlier that day, where he walked out of a changing room wearing a dress. "I should wear dresses more often" he winked, Virgil snorted and carried on taking stuff out of the bags, putting them around his room.
"So, I have this" Mike reached under his makeshift bed and pulled out his bag he brought to the sleepover the day before, pulling out a folded dress that was placed neatly into a bag. Virgil bit his lip, the idea of putting it on raising goosebumps across his skin. "A few other things, too, we'll change, and get ready to leave" Mike handed him the bag and returned to his own to grab his clothes. Virgil had honestly forgotten about the deal from how much fun he had with Mike - he can't back out now, though, he would be the worst friend in existence.
Holding the bag strap tightly, he locked the bathroom door after him and tugged off his clothes until all he had on was the binder. C'mon, Virgil, he thought, urging himself, you have to do this. Pulling the binder over his head, he picked up the bra that was also in the bag and put it on, adjusting his breasts slightly while avoiding looking in the mirror. God, this felt strange, he hadn't worn a bra like this in so long - the type that pushes the breasts up. He always hated them. Ever since he came out to his mom, she stopped buying them instantly, and instead helped him collect binders. He loved his mom so much, and was so happy for the woman when she threw her rotten husband into the trash, leaving him behind in Georgia.
Mike didn't care about what type of pants he wore, so he kept on the usual boxers, and tugged the black dress over his head. When he finally realised it was skin tight, he winced, gripping the sink to keep him upright. His stomach coiled, and he felt like he could faint in that moment. The mere thought that all eyes would be on him almost sent him into a panic attack - what would it actually be like?
Mike knocked on the door. "You okay?"
Virgil breathed in lowly. "Y-yeah" his voice failed him. Opening the door for Mike, he stepped in and smiled, pulling the dress further down his body, helping him out. "Wow" Mike breathed, stepping back, Virgil tensed, waiting for his response. "You still look like a man" Mike chuckled, and Virgil sighed out, smiling at him fondly. "Whatever, Mike, lets just get this over with" Mike nodded, he was already in his suit and ready to go. Virgil texted his mom - who was still at work - that he was going to a party as they drove away from the house. She allowed him to go, (luckily) only if he was back before one am. She was laidback like that.
The drive was long, at least two hours, and by the time they reached the destination, it was reaching nine pm. "Everyone should be there" Mike commented as they walked to the building hand in hand. Mike took it and held it tightly when he noticed Virgil's discomfort - it helped relax the boy.
Virgil couldn't seem to stop adjusting the dress, especially when they entered the building, a few eyes trailing over to him already, and they weren't even at the party yet! It was on the top floor. Mike showed the passes to the guard standing by the elevator. He nodded and let them on through. In the elevator, Virgil leaned closer to Mike for reassurance.
"It'll be fine, Virgil" Mike murmured, rubbing his arm after he wrapped an arm around his waist. "No one will notice when you change out of the dress" Mike reminded, and Virgil used that as a make-shift coping mechanism. When the doors slid open, they stepped out into a smaller room that led to the party through the open doorway. There were groups of girls, men, and both, all mingling and talking with glasses of champagne in their hands. Virgil suddenly realised why this wasn't a high school party - it was full of adults. They were both seventeen, so they weren't far off, but why would Mike want to come to this?
While they stepped through the crowds, Virgil kept his eyes glued to the ground, but even if he couldn't see them, he could feel eyes burning against him, especially towards his cleavage - he hated how prominent it looked. Reminding him off the time when he did come out to his mom - it was very similar to this. She invited him to a party, and gave him a dress that showed cleavage, but not nearly as much as this. From everyone's comments and lingering gaze, he took off to the bathroom and cried, allowing his mom to comfort him when she watched her son sprint away. In that moment, Virgil told her, they left, and she held him close on her bed as they watched movies as a distraction. The memory made him smile - it was the best night of his life.
What brought him back to reality was the hand that pinched his ass. Flinching, he turned his head to glare, but the man winked, his arm laid across a woman's waist. Ugh. Men. Virgil thought bitterly. Turning back to Mike, he realised the two had stopped, and he was talking to a bunch of men. This must've been the people he was talking about. They were laughing quietly while they spoke - Virgil barely paid attention, more focused on his breathing.
"Who's this fine lady you're with?" One of the men gestured to Virgil. "My lovely girl" Mike tightened his grip on Virgil, "Luna"
Virgil tensed up when he heard Mike utter his birth name. Oh, how he wanted to punch his best friend in that moment - no one had uttered his name intentionally since he came out, Mike promised Virgil he wouldn't tell anyone the name. Maybe coming here was a mistake. He wanted to leave, but Mike's grip wouldn't relent.
"Stop being difficult" Mike whispered harshly in his ear. "You can leave soon"
No, Virgil wanted to leave now, but he couldn't, he would cause a scene, and he didn't need that right now. So, he stayed, ignoring the gaze, the remarks, but it all became unbearable when the music started, and everyone walked onto the dance floor. "Now you can change" Mike handed him the bag, and Virgil almost sank in relief, walking across the room hurriedly, only to be stopped when someone grabbed his hips and grinded against him. He gasped in shock, tears pooling his eyes as he pushed the man away and carried on walking. In the low lighting - which had dimmed when the music started - it was hard to see where he was going, and Virgil had no idea where the bathroom was.
People kept touching him, no one would give up unless he fought roughly in their grip - could these people not keep to themselves!? It wasn't so hard! Personal-fucking-space!
When someone grabbed his breast, though, that was when he had enough. Whirling around, he socked the man right in the jaw, sending him to the ground. A few people around him gasped, and someone grabbed his arm, tugging him through the crowd. He tried to get away, but when he realised it was a girl, he wasn't so fearful. They both hurried into an empty hallway, the girl pressing him against the wall.
"You don't know what this is, do you?" Virgil quivered in fear, clutching the bag to his chest, shaking his head. "You look so young, too..poor girl" she whispered, making it worse for Virgil, but he couldn't blame her, she didn't know him. "I'm not a girl.." he found himself whispering. The stranger looked over him for a moment, then pulled him into a brief hug. "I'm so sorry, you need to go, this isn't the type of party whoever persuaded you to go said it was, just go home, okay? You'll be safer there" Virgil nodded, thanked her, and left before he could change, running out onto the street (luckily Mike didn't force him to wear high heels).
Tears finally fell down his cheeks by the time he reached the car. He couldn't take it, it was Mike's, plus the man still had the keys. Rummaging around in the bag, he grabbed his phone and haphazardly tried to call his mom. Instead, he clicked on the contact 'Moron' and didn't notice until the person on the other end answered.
"M-mom" he sobbed, slipping to the ground. "Please pick me up, I-I want to come home, please" he begged, sniffling and heaving, barely able to get his words coherent.
"Virgil? Is that you?"
He gasped a sharp intake of breath. Of course. He called Roman instead of his mother. He didn't know the boy very well, only had his contact for the project they worked on earlier in the year. But, he wasn't as bad as Virgil once presumed, and in the end didn't care who picked him up, he just wanted to get away before Mike could find him.
"Please help me" he whispered, "Please, Roman, I-I-I'm scared" his voice broke with vulnerability, and instantly Roman was up, grabbing a shirt for before Virgil called he was laying in his bed topless with joggers.
"Keep breathing, Virgil, do you know where you are?"
Virgil gazed around, trying to find a sign, but he couldn't. "It's okay, can you send me your location over text?"
"Y-yeah.." Virgil tried to wipe away his tears to see his screen more clearly. Entering Roman's chat, he sent the location, and placed the device back against his ear. Roman placed the phone on the dashboard on speaker, typing the destination into the gps. He cursed when he realised it would take him two hours. "Is there anywhere you can go and wait?"
Virgil once again looked around, finding a bus shelter across the street. Grabbing the bag, he walked over, sitting in a ball in the corner of the stone-structure. "Please hurry, Roman.." Virgil breathed out shakily, and Roman promised he was going as fast as he could. Although it took two hours, Virgil felt like it took four, He was sitting in that bus stop for eternity, waiting, praying to see the familiar car he knew Roman owned. Throughout the two hours, Roman never hung up, and talked to Virgil about anything he could think of - it calmed him down for most of the time, apart from the moments where emotions would overcome him, and he'd start crying again.
"Virgil?"
The boy looked up at the entrance to the bus stop, letting out a sob when he saw Roman. The boy knew Virgil was trans, so when he saw him in a dress, he was immensely confused, but didn't expect him to want to explain. "Here" Roman pulled off his shirt and helped Virgil put it on. "You're freezing.." Roman rubbed his arms, staring at him with worry before tugging him up and grabbing his bag.
They sat in his car and for the drive back Virgil wouldn't stop apologising. Roman would reassure him each time, but Virgil felt so bad for asking him to do this, when they weren't even that close. "Virgil, listen to me" Roman demanded softly, holding his shaking hand. "I did this for you because I care about you, I know I don't make it obvious, but since our project, I couldn't get my mind off you..." he trailed, not wanting to take advantage of his emotional state. Virgil looked over, tears glistening his eyes and lashes.
"R-really?" He sniffled.
Roman smiled, glancing at him for a moment. "Of course. You're irresistible, Virgil, but enough of that..don't ever feel bad about asking for my help - or anyone's help, for that matter - people want to make sure you're okay, and if that means doing stuff like this" Roman gestured to the car, chuckling, "then we'll do it, in a heartbeat. It's what friends are for" Virgil fell into another crying fit, and Roman never let go of his hand, not once.
When they made it home, Roman turned in his seat and asked who took him to that place.
"M-Mike"
Roman glowered at the ground. He despised Mike. He made fun of Patton - who was Roman's younger brother - and ever since he couldn't stand the boy. "H-he told me...it was just to get some men's attention, then I-I could change, b-but he wouldn't let me leave, people..." he felt shame wash over him, "people touched me..th-they wo-wouldn't let me go.." once more, his eyes pooled, but now his cheeks were red with shame.
Roman bit back his angry remark at Mike, instead he helped Virgil out the car. "Virgil, a true friend would never force you to do that" Roman said while he used the keys Virgil gave him to unlock his door. "I-I know, I can't believe I let him trick me...use me" Virgil sniffled, hugging his arms around his body. Roman frowned sympathetically, leading him to his room where he quickly changed in the bathroom.
Roman waited on his bed, looking over at the boy after he sat beside him, now wearing an oversized top, and joggers. "Thanks.." Virgil drifted, allowing Roman to pull him into a side hug. "Don't mention it, Virge...I'm just happy to see you safe"
Virgil bit his lip, "I-I know it's a weird...you probably won't want to do it...I'm sorry, it's stupid-b-but can...do you want..." he sighed, clenching his eyes shut. "Cuddles?" He murmured weakly. Roman chuckled, but it was in a fond way, never mockingly. "Sure. I can stay the night?" Virgil nodded, "Please" he whispered, and the two settled into his bed, Roman holding him close while texting his parents loosely what happened, and where he was now. His two moms loved Virgil the moment they met him for the project, so of course they allowed it.
And, so what if on Monday Roman beat the shit out of Mike? Fucking bitch deserved it.
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7:26am