Chapter 3
The next morning as Reggie was getting ready, they asked Julie to help them. Ditching the chest binder for a bra, Reggie was feeling more feminine today. Julie styled their hair like a cute short pixie cut style, dabbing eyeliner along their lids, and helped Reggie pick out a red flannel skirt and leather vest to go with their tank top and black fish nets. Ray chuckled, saying that as long as Reggie was around, punk would never be dead. Julie waited while Reggie tied their converse, dressed in her own torn jeans and tie dye shirt. They walked to school together, meeting up with Flynn on the way. Luke was the first one to comment when they got to school early, “Whoa, looking good, Reg!” He grinned, wrapping an arm around Alex.
“Uh, thanks.” Reggie muttered, smiling just a little.
“You do look beautiful.” Julie whispered sincerely, and Reggie directed their grin at her. Reggie was actually feeling good today. But they knew that wouldn’t last. Sooner or later, someone would say something about a boy wearing a skirt, and Reggie was already wincing internally. As they made their way to music, Reggie was talking with Julie about Carlos’s birthday, until Reggie ran into someone. They fell back, landing on their butt on the hallway floor. “Oh, I’m sorry!” Reggie blinked, looking up at the hand being offered to them. Nick looked guilty, waiting for Reggie to take his hand. Reggie flushed, taking the offered hand as the blonde pulled them up. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t looking. I don’t think I could’ve missed you if I was.” Nick stopped suddenly, the two of them flushing as Julie snickered nearby.
“We should- we should get to class.” Reggie cleared their throat, gesturing to the classroom.
“Oh, yeah, yeah, sorry again.” Nick stepped out of their way, following the two of them into the room. But Nick didn’t take his usual seat that day. He took the seat that had been empty in front of Reggie. “Uh, hi.” Nick said awkwardly.
“Hi, Nick.” Julie answered cheekily, flicking her gaze between the two of them. Flynn came in a second later, looking curiously at Nick before glancing at Reggie, a look of understanding passed over her face as she took her seat. Principal Lessa and Miss Harrelson came in just as the bell rang, the principal’s gaze zeroing in on Reggie.
“Molina, what do you think you’re wearing?” Julie blinked, clearly forgetting she wasn’t the only Molina for a second, but Reggie was already answering.
“Uh, a skirt? It’s long enough for the guidelines and -“
“Boys are not allowed to wear skirts.” Her voice was harsh, and Reggie involuntarily flinched at it. “We will need to call your father and have him bring you a change of clothes.”
“But-“
“No buts.” Julie stood up suddenly.
“Reggie isn’t a boy.” She called out defiantly. Reggie was already on the verge of tears, reaching out and taking Julie’s hand. “You can’t make them change just because you don’t understand.”
“Biology is what we look for.”
“But Reggie was-“
“That is enough, Miss Molina.” The principal glared. “You’ve been granted leeway at this school, but cross dressing is not tolerated.” Reggie’s vision was blurring. They got up, running out of the room. Julie and Flynn started to follow, but the principal cut them off, “If you follow him out, you’ll both receive a week of detention.” They shared a look, moving the rest of the way out of the room. As they were crossing the threshold, the two of them heard more footsteps and a voice.
“It isn’t crossing dressing if Reggie isn’t a guy. Reggie isn’t a ‘him.’” Flynn turned in the hallway to see Nick trailing after them. “Julie!” He called, quickly catching up, “Any idea where they would go?”
“Just one.” Julie led Flynn and Nick to the back of the school, out to the baseball dug out. Reggie was sitting in front of the bench, knees pulled up their chest. “Reg.” Julie called softly, rushing the rest of the way until her arms were wrapped firmly around them.
“I should’ve known it was dumb.” Reggie muttered. Reggie looked up, going still when they saw Nick. “What are you guys doing here?” They asked quietly.
“Came to check on you.” Nick said, taking a seat in the dirt on Reggie’s other side. Flynn sat cross legged in front of the three of them. “Principal Lessa was being ridiculous.” Suddenly, they heard more footsteps, glancing up to see the rest of their friends hurrying over.
“What are you guys doing here?” Reggie asked, shocked they were all skipping class.
“Being here for you. Flynn texted us.” Luke answered like it was obvious. Alex swooped in and pulled Reggie into a hug.
“You looked really nice today, Reg.” Alex whispered quietly, “Don’t let them make you think you can’t be who you are.” Reggie was crying more now, burying their face in their knees. Willie reached out silently, just brushing his fingertips over their knee.
Julie just wrapped her arm tighter around her sibling. “Reggie, I know you aren’t used to having people who care. But we do, and we’re going to fight for you. Any time, anywhere. I’m with you. Okay?”
Reggie nodded, giving Julie a watery smile, “Okay.”
Julie called their dad, explaining what happened, and he immediately came and picked Reggie up. Letting them ditch the rest of their classes while the others went back. When Julie came home after detention, she had a grin on her face but wouldn’t tell Reggie why. They found out though, the next day when Julie insisted they wear another skirt, promising it would be okay.
Reggie trusted Julie with their life, taking the blue flannel skirt she offered. They wore their gender fluid pride colored fish nets this time, owning who they were. Julie held Reggie’s hand tightly as they got to school, and waiting for them out front were Nick, Luke, Alex, and Willie. All wearing skirts of their own.