Jared's P.O.V

"Jenna, get down here quick! We're gonna be late for church!" My mother yelled from downstairs. I sighed, pulling up my overly-feminine dress. I wanted to dress less feminine, but my transphobic parents insisted on me wearing this dress. Of course, they didn't know that I identified as a male yet. And I wasn't planning on telling them any time soon.

I opened my door and ran down the stairs to see my father smiling at me and my mother fixing my brother Jeremy's tie. He looked at me sympathetically- he knew what I identified as, and he supported me. He would call me by he/him pronouns and helped me decide on the name Jared, but when around anyone else he would call me by my dead name and by she/her pronouns.

I slipped on my black and white converse and walked outside along with the rest of my family. My dog, Micha, tried to tag along as well, but my mother ushered him back inside. I opened the car door and slipped into the backseat, Jeremy doing the same on the other side. "Do you think you'll be able to get your hair cut?" He asked me quietly. I sighed and shook my head. "They'd rather cut off my nose and turn me into Voldemort." He snorted.

"How's freshman year going for you anyways?" I asked him. He smiled. "Dad told me I'd regret naming the dog after Michael once I got into high school because we'd 'drift apart', but that never happened." I smiled at my younger brother. "How's being a senior?" My smile faded at the question. "Well, besides all the anxiety of being rejected for being trans, it's going fine. I feel like no one is gonna even acknowledge my actual pronouns." I replied, leaning back a bit and taking a strand of brown hair out of my face.

Our parents soon joined us in the car, both doors opening and shutting in unison. "Micha is the most annoying dog I've ever seen." My mother said with a laugh. "Maybe it's because of that ridiculous name Jeremy gave her." Our dad suggested. Jeremy scoffed. I could tell he wanted to say a snarky remark, but he bit his tongue and held it back.

About twenty minutes of annoying bickering from my family and overplayed songs on the radio, we arrived at the wooden building. I sighed, opening the door. At least Evan will be there. I thought to myself, trying to stay positive. I didn't even know if I'd keep him as a friend for very long after I come out to him, but only time will tell.

I looked over at Jeremy, who gave me a reassuring smile. I smiled back at him, before turning back to the building in front of us. Opening one of the four doors, Jeremy and I walked inside, our parents not far behind us. The room we were in had almost nothing in it, with the exception of bathrooms, water fountains and posters that advertise small catholic parties held at 7:00 pm every two weeks on a Sunday. The next room was where everything else was.

Over all the church pews, I saw a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes waving at me with a smile on his face. I waved back at him and ran over to where he was standing.

"Hey Hansen!" I greeted. He giggled. "Hey Kleinman." It was a running joke between us, calling each other by our last names. I also preferred being called Kleinman because it has 'man' directly in it. I held my hand out for a high-five, which he greatly accepted. Evan and I have been friends since the seventh grade, and I got to admit- I do like him. A lot. But that's not at the top of my list of worries.

I looked around at the few people that I've seen in church many times before. I looked back at Evan. "Do you wanna make plans today? Hang out at my place?" I asked him. "I have nothing else to do. I'll just make sure my parents are good with it- speaking of which- HEY MUM!" I laughed. If the whole church was filled, he wouldn't do that- but almost no one was here. We were both always extremely early, which was great- it meant I had more time to hang out with him.

His mother walked towards us. "Hi Evan. Hello, Jenna." She ruffled my hair. I forced a smile. "Can I go over to Jenna's house today?" Evan asked his mother. She looked at Evan, then back at me. "Why not. We're not doing anything anyways. Just be home before 10." Evan and I glanced at each other, both smiling. His mother walked away.

The difference between our family and Evan's family is that they are much more supportive than mine. I asked Evan and his family once over dinner if they supported the LGBT community, and they all said yes in a heartbeat. I went home feeling extremely confident that day. Evan's parents were divorced, and I've never met his father, but I've met his two younger sisters Brooke and Chloe many times- they're twins.

I was planning on telling Evan soon, but I still didn't know when I should. The only person I've ever told was Jeremy, and that's because he told me he was gay last year. We both agreed to keep that information from our parents for as long as possible, though. We would be risking everything by telling our parents, so I wasn't planning on coming out any time soon. Atleast, not to them. I knew Evan's opinion on the community, so why was I so scared to just say something?

I guess it's that same fear of feeling like you're gonna lose everything you worked hard for. Evan and I's friendship is unbreakable. Every argument we've ever been in has been resolved and gone. But losing him would be like losing a whole piece of my soul- an empty shell.

Only time will tell what happens next.

1024 words. Short chapter, but I'll try to update this as frequently as possible and most likely every weekend. Peace out, sinners! ✌🏻