A Drake & Josh fan-fic created for the older fan (ages 17-adult)
A short story by Alison Lydon
Told in both the first and third person formats.
Lead characters:
Drake Parker & Josh Nichols
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. No copyright infringement is
intended.
If reading about gender issues is not comfortable then I suggest the person
who is reading this stop here at this introduction. For the rest of you, I hope
you will like it.
Chapter 1
Real Life Test (RLT)
…August 2005, before the start of Senior YearDrake hated what was now the usual screaming. Even if he had his Walkman on or his
amp up to ten he could still hear his parents, Audrey and Walter Nichols going at it
once more. His mother liked to throw things like her favorite daytime soap opera
heroines that she taped and watched after work. Things had changed drastically since
the start of his summer vacation. It seemed just like yesterday he was relieved that he
barely passed to the twelfth grade which meant he kept his bargain to his parents that
he would pass all of his courses so he could continue playing concerts at the Brew
Note and the Premiere and chase any hot girl with long legs and a large chest in a tight
skirt.
It was nine o'clock p.m. on a Saturday night and the only reason why he was home was
because of this recent bullshit that he was sure going to ruin his family. He didn't want
his mother to be alone tonight in case she needed her son and yet he didn't want to
punch Walter Nichols the man he grew to love as his own father. It wasn't his fault. They
weren't fighting because of each other. They were arguing over that freak. They've
been doing this since late June when Josh made his announcement at the family
dinner table. Drake remembered what was served that night because he never wanted
to eat lasagna ever again.
They were going to seniors in a week and he goes and pulls this 'stunt'! What in the
fuck?
Drake wanted to transfer to any school, but Audrey wouldn't let him and told him he
needed to "be supportive".
This year was going to be Hell.
He played his usual bored random chords. His eyes went downcast when the door to
his room opened.
"Drake. DRAKE! Won't you talk to me?"
"You want me to talk to YOU! Fine, I'll talk to you!" Drake put his guitar down and
jumped off his bed.
He walked to the door although he really didn't have to open it. It was with precision
timing that when he opened it he heard something else break.
"This is ALL your FAULT! You better finish getting all of your junk out of MY ROOM. I
want you OUT of here! You are such a FREAK! I've always known something was up
with you. But I didn't realize how MESSED UP you really are! I fucking hate your guts.
There I talked to you, happy? I wish you were DEAD!" Drake's face was flushed and
his nostrils were flared. He couldn't stand being in the same room as this poor excuse
for a human being. Drake needed to be anywhere else but here.
The tears came once more down Josh Nichols' eyes. He knew this was going to be a
problem for all of them to accept. But he never counted on Drake hating him so. There
were only a few people he counted on in this world. He assumed his brother was one
of them.
He sprayed his bed with lavender scented oil to calm his nerves as he took his cell
phone off his dresser.
"…I told you he's no good." Mindy said. She didn't tell her strict and conservative
parents what was going on. They never would accept this news. Besides she would be
eighteen in a few months.
"Mindy," Josh opened up the drawer in his end table to take out a small glass bottle,
"Hate only breeds more hate. I got your package today, thanks. My mom is worried
and called the Superintendent at his house. They want to put me in small special
classes and isolate me from the student body. I won't have that. Of course, Mom wants
me to wait until I graduate---but I have to do my RLT before I even think about college---
Ssh…"
"What is it?"
"I hear footsteps outside. I think they stopped arguing. Drake blames me for that too."
"I always knew he was a jerk wrapped in a pretty package."
"Mindy! What did I just get done telling you?" Josh shook the bottle of
M A C delicate balance pink nail lacquer. What an appropriate name, which was half
of the reason why he bought it at the counter. The other reason was that, it was time to
stop relying on the clear shade.
"It's only because I love you."
"That means a lot to me."
"I just wish you didn't have to do your RLT at school. People are cruel. You're sensitive.
What if you get threatened? Can't you do this at home and maybe at work? Helen can't
fire you---"
"It has to be all day. I know, but it's something I have to do. You're still going to the
Galleria with me tomorrow?"
"Of course."
"I'm not going to lie and say I'm buying a gift for my mother or a mythological cousin."
"I know. I understand. But, I swear if anyone makes life difficult for you, I'm going to kick
their asses!"
She was content on being the male figure in this relationship.
Mindy Crenshaw could always hold her own especially when she was sent to a
rehabilitation clinic for her breakdown during Drake's Honor Council trial when she
tried to frame him from stealing Mrs. Hafer's car and putting it in her classroom.
"That's what I love about you. I hope you didn't spend all of your allowance on this
purse."
It was pink with pastel colored hearts all over it.
"Josh, don't worry what I spend my money on."
He coughed, "You forgot…"
"What? Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't do that on purpose. Honest."
"I'm too high-strung. I realize that you and everyone else needs to make adjustments."
His nails were done. He hated them.
"It's all right. I know this can't be easy for you, either. Why are you groaning?"
"I need to go to Smart-Aid for press-on nails."
"Eww! I'll take you to Lily's."
"Drake is going to explode even more. I really am going to ruin his senior year. Maybe,
I am a freak?"
"Stop it, Dina! You can only be who you are. If you ask me Drake needs a good smack
upside the head—he should be supportive. He's such a selfish bastard."
"…but I love him." Josh/Dina took another box of out his drawer. They were medium
sized silver hoops with dangling mini heart charms. He took out the sole diamond stud
that used to be Josh's favorite earring because it signaled his identity to the female
side and put it in the box and put in the bouncy earrings.
"I don't know why." Mindy trailed her voice off.
"Because he's my brother."
Drake heard that last bit of the conversation and tried to expel the lump out of his throat
and to hide his own tears.
"I have to go. My Mom is calling me. I love you—Josh and Dina both."
"I love you too, Mindy."
Drake opened the door.
"You're still here." He didn't look over.
"I'm sorry, Drake. I got to talking to Mindy on the phone."
"You have an hour. I'm going out for a drive."
Audrey was collapsed in the bedroom and Walter had the handy legitimate excuse of
going to work do to the eleven o'clock weather on KDJY. Drake couldn't even look at
HIM/HER/IT.
It hurt too damn much.
Why was this fucking happening to his family?
Out of all the homes in America------why God, did you have to take my brother away from me?
Author's Note: Due to the adult content, I cannot put my sources up for this one. But
if anyone wants any links just send me a pm or email and I'll be glad to send you the
information. This subject matter is controversial and for mature audiences so I'd feel
safer keeping those links from minors who might be browsing fan fiction net. Also,
there are many versions of the Real Life Test (one of which I mentioned in a future
chapter) and there are some transgender people who choose not to do it period.
Which seems to follow many plotlines in this story, what person "A" does for their
transition does not mean person "B" does the same thing.
Also note the Josh/Dina and Him/Her styling was done for a reason. Mostly just to
illustrate the rocky transition, there is a point in one of the future chapters when the
references to Josh (Him) will be dropped.
This is going to be more difficult to write than Knit Cap, but I hope you guys enjoy
reading and reviewing. Thanks.