I'm feeling a little better come Monday morning. Or, at least less exhausted. I make it through class alright, but on breaks, there's a new buzz of excitement.

People are starting to talk about summer vacation. It's a couple weeks away still but...

When I've talked to Mom on the phone over the last few weeks, she hasn't mentioned word of me spreading back home yet, probably because most people want as much space from their parents as possible.

But once summer vacation hits and everyone goes home for the holidays, it's going to be a whole different story.

For now, I'm putting off stressing about that. I have plenty more immediate problems, mainly language class...

“Alright, break up into groups.” The teacher waves a hand and goes, “Across, everyone in your row. Up, up.” With a few more words and waves of her hands, she gets everyone to cluster up into our groups.

However, the way she formed them… Most of my friends are staggered throughout the classroom. Amari is in my row, over by the opposite wall, but that's it. It's just the two of us, together with two other students I hardly know. Hell, Bolin Vance would have been in our group, but his desk has been empty ever since he attacked me.

The other guy and girl in our group eye me while I slide a little closer to Amari. They're Jeffrey Palla, who sits next to me, and Mary Lorelei, from next to him. As soon as we're all grouped up, the teacher explains that we'll be reading over some article and writing up a group response.

As soon as she waves for us to all start, the other groups buzz to life, but ours kind of... doesn't. We all keep looking between each other nervously, except Lorelei, who flicks a hand through her hair, sending one of her lavender purple braids over her shoulder with an annoyed look.

“Come on, this isn't going to write itself,” she scoffs. That finally gets us moving, even if it's just to stare down into our textbooks and read over the bit we're supposed to read. Once we're done, we get the paper written, but the whole thing is stilted. It quickly becomes clear that me, Amari, and Palla are the softspoken, introvert types, while Lorelei is one hundred percent extrovert. She ends up writing most of it with an annoyed scowl while the rest of us awkwardly chip in where we can.

We somehow make it through that, and then the rest of the day is smooth sailing. Right up until gym.

“Alright everyone,” Folle calls from the front of the room, “remember, we're starting with our swim classes this week, so you better have remembered your swimsuits.”

I cringe. Swimming? When did he say that? While I stammer my question at my friends, they grimace and say he mentioned it last Friday during last period. I... I guess I just wasn't paying attention at the time? I don't have mine...

“Don't worry, Seiko,” Leona comes over and pats me on the shoulder reassuringly. “I missed it too, I'll go get our swimsuits.”

“R-right.” I sputter. Because she can get there and back in time. Everyone is just starting to get up and shuffle through their things when she turns in the direction of the dorms.

“I'll meet you outside the changing room, just give me a minute.”

“Alright.” I nod, feeling the short burst of power rolling off her, then she's gone. There's a small shock of surprise through the class, some of them catching her teleport, or maybe just her glow beforehand, but it was fast enough that a lot of the students turning toward us didn't even see themselves. That, and I think everyone's started getting used to Leona suddenly teleporting once in a while.

In any case, it isn't long before we're heading out the door, all flowing down the hall toward the school's pool and attached changing rooms. They're only used for the pool, not for gym class. I guess they didn't want students walking all the way across the school in swimsuits?

Of course, it would make too much sense for the pool to be near the gym so the changing rooms could be used for both; instead, it's pretty much on the exact opposite side of campus, a fenced in outdoor section attached to one of the many wings of the monstrosity of a building. Which is why we normally change in our classrooms instead.

Just like she said, Leona comes running up to us right outside the changing rooms. She's panting, so she must have conserved some of her power by running partway. She passes me my school swimsuit as she approaches, and I sigh with relief. Now I won't get scolded by the teacher.

With that worry out of the way, I turn toward the changing room and frown. I still can't change with the other girls. Turning in place as my friends all move into their respective rooms, I don't see a toilet nearby. Where should I change then?

Leona's waiting with me as usual, so she shrugs and says, “We can just wait a couple minutes.” I grumble, annoyed again with how other people's stupid prejudice is making my life harder. “Or, we could say screw them and go right in,” she shows her teeth with a dangerous grin.

I actually consider it. If they're all going to be dicks to me, who cares if they're uncomfortable with my mere presence?

But... I sigh sadly. I already know I'd be way more uncomfortable than them. They would be ogling me the entire time; the thought makes me instantly sick to my stomach.

So we wait. After a couple minutes, to give the other girls enough time, we head in. There are a handful left, still partially dressed. They cover themselves and glare at me, but I ignore them and go to one corner where they won't be able to watch me change. And then I wait a little longer for them to leave anyway.

I fold up my uniform as I take it off, then pause to ask Leona whether I'm supposed to wear my underwear underneath my swimsuit. I didn't with guy's swim trunks, but I have no idea if this is done differently. When she shakes her head no, I remove them as well and slip into the dark swimsuit.

It's a simple one piece that isn't overly skimpy, in a blue so dark it's nearly black. None of that makes me feel the slightest bit more comfortable in the skintight clothing. I've seen these on plenty of girls before, so logically I know it's no big deal, but wearing it myself? I feel positively exposed. There's a reason I always wore loose fitting clothing!

The soft, stretchy fabric and how it conforms perfectly to my body, especially my chest and groin, already have me blushing badly. Do I really have to wear this? Everyone is going to stare!

“Seiko, are you alright?” Leona asks, looking down at me with clear concern. Of course, she looks as gorgeous as always in her own swimsuit, reminding me again that these really aren't that revealing. But they feel revealing...

“I-I just...” I flap my hands anxiously. “Everyone's going to stare at me!”

“It'll be fine,” she assures me with a smile. “You're really pretty, you look great.” That's not- I stare at the ground, cheeks on fire at her complement that's totally not the point right now. Doesn't matter, she called me pretty! “You do need to tie your hair back though,” she reminds me, breaking me out of my panicked daze.

“Right right, my hair,” I babble, grabbing a hair tie and getting it all tied up, nice and tight so it won't come out in the water. I shake my head and take a few breaths to steady myself. Just have to stay calm. Leona gets us moving, out of the changing room and into the pool area before we take too long and the class starts without us.

My expectations were, obviously, correct.

The moment we enter the fenced in area around the pool, and drop our towels over by the side, every eye lands on me, and I hide behind Leona, using her larger body as a shield. We shuffle to the girl's side, where everyone is sitting at the poolside, still staring, like they can see me right through Leona.

When we sit down, my friends cluster up around me, and the teacher gets to the lesson. Even she keeps an eye on me as she has us stretch a bit before getting in the water. It's nothing like the pair stretches for gymnastics though, just a couple basic arm and leg stretches so we don't get a cramp in the pool. Even the guys go through it behind us, on the far side.

Then the teachers order the girls into the pool first, so we can swim a couple laps. As soon as I slide into the water though, I shudder.

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Woah, this feels weird. Like... it's hard to even understand it. Like I'm sliding through the water instead of swimming in it...

It's only a few moments later that I realize the problem. I'm kicking my feet, but it's hardly working. I immediately take a big breath, before my head goes under. The extra buoyancy helps keep me near the surface while I work to paddle my way up again.

Once I do, I can keep myself above water, but it's hard. I can't tread water and stay afloat, I have to keep kicking and stroking, essentially swimming upward the entire time. It's not too bad though. Once I start swimming across the pool to do laps, the movement more or less keeps me up. At least the extra effort keeps my mind off of the other students around me.

When the teacher blows her whistle, we get out and swap with the boys. “Hey,” a voice calls as I'm approaching the side to pull myself out of the pool. When I get my hands onto the smooth tiled poolside so I don't have to keep kicking so hard, I look up. Charley Totek is standing right over me, a hand extended to help me out. He sits behind Ken in our class, with black hair and nothing in particular that stands out about him. But he's still a guy. I wince, huddling down at the edge of the pool.

“I'm fine,” I tell him, trying not to sound too tense.

“It's no problem,” he chuckles, like it's no big deal, but that's not the point.

“Really, I can do it myself.” I start scanning the poolside. Leona's coming, but she's still all the way on the other side. As for Ken, he's already in the pool himself. Lucy and Amari haven't noticed... Even with my friends all around us, there are a few moments I'm alone.

“Come on, Maka-san, what's wrong?” he extends his hand further. How do I deal with this? I don't want to be rude, but I try to be more firm.

“I'm fine. Please let me get out on my own.” As much as I try, my tone comes out clipped, and he notices, brow furrowing.

“What's the big deal? I'm just trying to help,” he insists.

I grit my teeth. Just stay calm... “Thank you for the thought, but I have an aversion to touch. You're making me uncomfortable.”

“Really?” His tone says he doesn't believe me. “Isn't that a bit much? What have I ever done to you?” He actually sounds kind of offended.

“Totek-san, please move.” I start sliding along the edge of the pool to get around him, but now he looks kind of angry. Should I swim away? I'm pretty tired...

“Come on,” he grunts, shifting in front of me again.

That's it. “I said no.” I glare up at him, then kick off the side, swimming away and aiming for the side of the pool where Leona quickly circling around, her eyes locked on me. The whistle blows, drawing my attention while I'm pushing myself to get across the pool again. My muscles are getting really tired from how hard swimming is now...

“Maka-san, out of the pool,” the teacher calls, “unless you've changed your mind.”

Was that really necessary? I growl internally. “I'm working on it!” I call back. I'm almost at my limit though, my arms and legs are getting really heavy. Leona stops at the poolside, just ahead of me, as I struggle the last of the way.

“Seiko, are you alright?” she asks, kneeling down over me.

“Yeah, can you help me up?” Holding onto the side, I actually do need help to get out now. She takes me by the forearms, easily lifting me straight up out of the water and setting me down gently on the grippy flooring around the pool.

“Thanks,” I pant out, bending over as I pant heavily and try to catch my breath. I have to fight just to hold myself up, my legs feeling like jelly.

“What happened?” Her eyes are already aimed at Totek as he stalks away with an unpleasant look.

“He wanted to help me out of the pool, but he wouldn't take no for an answer,” I grumble. “Jerk.” We head over to where the other girls are sitting to grab our towels and rest. I immediately throw mine over myself because they're all staring again.

While the guys start doing their time in the pool, we rest, but it isn't long before one of the girls speaks up. “Maka-san, what's with that outfit?” I duck closer behind my friends, sitting between us.

I look between them, seeing that it's Clara Mitchel who's asking. She's blond, with her hair pulled up into a short ponytail, like most of the girls right now. It looks shorter than most though, even mine.

“What?” I ask. I don't even want to, but outright ignoring her would be bad. What about my outfit? My stomach starts to fill with more nervousness; they're all staring at me...

“You look like a girl!” Mitchel exclaims, “It looks like you have tits, and I can't see your dick at all!” I my stomach turns at the word. All the girls are staring, their eyes all over my body. Faces of mixed confusion and disgust. The way they're looking at me makes me feel sick. I try to bite my tongue, but I can't this time.

“The fuck is wrong with all of you?! I already told you I'm a girl! If you don't want to believe me, that just means you're assholes!” I'm glaring across them, even as tears fill my eyes. My arms clutch around myself, fingernails digging into my arms as I curl up with my knees to my chest. “Why are you all like this? What's wrong with you?”

When I bury my head against my knees, there's a chorus of offended sounds, before one of the girls scoffs. “What's wrong with us? You're the one pretending to be a girl so you can perv on us!”

“Oh really?!” I fire back indignantly, head coming up again to glower at them, a fire burning through me, pushing away the sick dread of being ogled with pure, indignant rage. “Me perv on you? By getting kicked out of the changing rooms, bathrooms, and showers I have just as much right to as any of you? Shit, you're the ones perving on me! You literally just asked about my tits and- and-” I can't even say it. “Fuck, you-” and I jab a finger at Melissa Bolton who is just staring at the ground, “-peeked at me in the showers!”

With my fists clenched and jaw set in pure, seething emotion I've somehow kept in check until now, I rail on. “Why can't you just give me a fucking break? Haven't I been through enough?”

“Seriously? You're just a tranny and now you're playing the victim card?!” Tiffany Rekka barks with a leering scowl.

“Yes!” I finally throw my hands up. “I am! I am a fucking victim!” I admit, staring down at their shocked faces. “Why do you think we're missing students? Why do you think the admin was fired?! What they did to me!”

“I've been bullied and oppressed and harassed and coerced and molested! Attacked, sexually assaulted, forced to expose myself-” I rapid fire with everything bursting out, “-a psion tried to kill me and I almost got fucking raped! I'm too scared to touch people!”

Angry tears are starting to overflow as their faces all twist and morph across every range of expressions, before I clench my fists against the ground, starting to curl up as I can barely contain myself anymore.

Then-

“Oh shut up, a freak like you deserves it!” My eyes go wide as I stare up at Rekka, now standing and pointing a finger down at me. “If you'd just disappear, all our lives would be better!”

My mouth falls open and the fire goes out. How... how could someone say such a thing?

“I'm human too...” I whimper. “Doesn't that matter at all?” I'm too busy wiping at my eyes to notice when Leona rises beside me. Until her voice comes from overhead.

“Rekka-san, you've gone too far.” Her tone is flat, like a blunt weight as her power flows and the air crystallizes all around me. “Leave.”

Rekka cringes. “W-why should...” she mumbles weakly before her words vanish, already backing away with terror in her eyes.

Before Leona can push any further, Melissa Bolton stands as well. “Rekka-san, Maka-chan has never done anything to harm any of us. What gives you the right to treat her like this?” Her gaze sweeps over the surrounding girls, even as her shoulders hitch up in terror at the sight of Leona. “I don't know about the rest of you, but the way she treats people- I'd take Maka-chan in our changing rooms over Rekka-san any day.”

Everyone looks at each other, trading looks of confusion, confliction, uncertainty. There are murmurs of agreement and disagreement in seemingly equal measure, but even those who disagree scowl at Rekka. There are only a handful of girls out of the whole class who unapologetically stand by her with similar, hateful comments.

All at once, the group splits. Seven girls gather with Rekka, slowly moving off, while the rest stay clustered together here. When I look around at the other girls, many of them still seem unsure, but some of them offer small looks of reassurance.

“Seiko,” Leona calls my name, and I turn to her. She's kneeling, reaching out for me slowly, so she doesn't surprise me. The glowing rage is gone from her eyes, replaced with care. Her hand finds my back, rubbing briefly before she sits down at my side again.

When I settle against her, looking back toward the pool, I freeze, realizing that all the guys, and even the teachers, are staring. I just... shouted all of that in front of everyone, didn't I...?

I shrink down between my friends, and everyone lurches back into motion, continuing with gym class. For a bit, I just sit there, the splashing of the guys the only real sound while the girls remain in awkward silence. I can just make out the other group of girls all talking while they stand around one of the other fences, partway around the pool from where we are.

Then it hits me, and I turn. “Bolton-san,” I address her, and her head snaps over to me. “...Thanks.” She really helped at the end there.

“You're welcome, Maka-chan.” I smile a little at the name. It isn't too long before the girls ease up, chatting about class and boys and movies, and with the help of my friends, I manage to make it through the rest of gym class. I'm glad that we switch on and off with the boys and have time to rest, because swimming is really tiring now.

When everyone heads back in to change, I hesitate outside the door. Leona stays with me as always. Her one raised brow is all it takes to ask if I'm comfortable going in now or not. I... don't know. Am I? A lot of the girls seem to have started accepting me, but the thought of them seeing me naked is still...

I still can't help the shudder and revulsion that comes with the thought. The reminder of being watched. The pain and violation from that day are still there. Even with the time that's passed, the scar still feels fresh. I shake my head. “No, I'm not ready yet.” With a small nod, Leona waits with me, a few extra minutes for the other girls to change, before we head in.