WARNING: Misgendering; occurs three or four times in the second half of the chapter. If you are sensitive to such, please proceed with caution.
1. In 2019, the American Medical Association described violence against the trans community as an "epidemic" that disproportionately impacts trans individuals of color, especially trans women of color. More than 1/3 of Black trans individuals who have interacted with police departments report harassment. In 2019, at least 26 trans or gender noncomforming Americans were killed violently; 91% were Black trans women. As of June 2020, 12 trans or gender noncomforming Americans were killed violently. 1 in 5 trans people are refused medical care. 78% of trans students (K-12) experience harassment. More than 50% of trans male teens have reported attempting suicide. Of the 1.6 million homeless youth in the U.S., 20-40% are transgender. We cannot allow this to continue. To be better allies, we must LISTEN to trans people. We must use our privilege as cisgender individuals to UPLIFT trans voices. Even on a small scale, we must normalize introducing ourselves with our pronouns. And that is only the beginning. (Condensed from soyouwanttotalkabout on Instagram.)
Bonjour vous-autres! Mon nom c'est "faerialchemist," et mon pronoms sont elle/sa. So, my pronouns are she/her. I don't think my attempt at French there was extraordinarily accurate, but it was worth a shot, lol. If you're comfortable with it, feel free to leave your pronouns at the beginning of your comment if you choose to leave one!
This chapter is on the shorter side, but you'll meet a few more characters in the gang of friends I've created, whom I hope you'll love as much as I do. Next week... shit gets real. Can't wait for you guys to read both this chapter and the next! I hope you enjoy!
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Callum had been busy doing research on the Xadian exchange program when his phone started buzzing on his desk, startling him enough that he jerked backwards in his seat before leaning forward to actually read the caller ID.
He frowned. Why was Claudia calling him?
Wait. He wasn't supposed to pick her up from rehearsal today, was he? No - it was Monday. Soren was able to get her. But she was calling him. That meant it had to be important, since she hated talking on the phone as much as he did.
"What's up?" he asked after picking up.
"First, I'm sorry for interrupting your day out of the blue," Claudia began, "but could you come to Seton Hall and jumpstart our car? My dad is at work and I don't want to interrupt the rest of rehearsal. Everyone else who was dismissed has already left, so right now we're just kind of stuck."
"Sure," Callum said, closing his laptop. Seton Hall was less than ten minutes away from his dorm by car. "You want me to come now?" He glanced at the clock on the wall of his bedroom. "Also, I thought your rehearsal ended at five." At that moment, it was only a few minutes after four.
"Uh… Today we just did a cold read," Claudia explained, "so Ms. Secrest let everyone out early except Dominic and Hazel. Er, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. I think they're doing some character workshopping stuff."
"Oh, okay. Cool." She sounded like she was holding something back, but Callum didn't feel the need to read too deeply into it. If it ended up being important, she'd tell him. He stood up from his desk, grabbing his keys. "I'll be there in about ten, fifteen minutes tops."
"Thank you so much, Callum! You're literally the best."
He laughed. "I know, but I appreciate the reminder."
True to his word, he arrived only a few minutes after leaving his dorm. During the drive, his thoughts were primarily occupied by the Xadian exchange program, as they had been nearly 24/7 since his dad first introduced the prospect to him. He'd done some preliminary research over the weekend into what the application would entail. Pretty standard stuff, if he was honest. An essay about why he was applying, a copy of his transcript, two teacher recommendations, a copy of his passport, and basic information, like his age, grade, all that jazz.
He wondered if he was allowed to ask Harrow to write one of his recommendations. If not, he could ask his physics instructor. And maybe Professor Dupuy.
But he still hadn't actually decided whether or not he was going to apply. It was exciting to consider, yet he also knew he had to keep in mind that he'd never been away from his friends or family for so long. And he was almost certain that he was the type of person to get homesick.
He'd talk to Soren and Claudia about the program, then. While he was jumpstarting their car. Or rather, while Soren used his car to jumpstart theirs. Since Callum was kind of incompetent when it came to cars and any other form of heavy machinery. He needed to work on his complete and utter lack of knowledge in that department, sure, but… Eh. A problem for another year.
Callum turned into Seton Hall's parking lot, stopping his car in front of Claudia and Soren's. "Your knight in not-so-shining armor has arrived," he said with a mock-bow and a small smirk as he climbed out next to them. "You're welcome."
"Uh huh. Thank you," Claudia cooed, dragging out the final vowel. "I owe you big time."
"Am I allowed to take favors from the both of you?" Callum asked, glancing at Soren and grinning. "I wouldn't mind having two favors on my tab. You know. Just in case I need them."
"That would be three favors, if you count me!" a cheerful voice added, and Callum turned to his left to see a person with short, curly blonde hair and brown freckles scattered across their nose and cheekbones in stark contrast to their pale skin standing just behind Claudia. "The name's Emilé. They/Them pronouns, please." They gestured towards Soren and Claudia, and Callum noticed they had a thin white ring on their left middle finger. "I was catching a ride with these two today, meaning you're helping me out most outstandingly by coming all the way here. So I also owe you one."
Callum chuckled. "I can't complain about having three favors stocked up." He offered them a smile. "It's nice to meet you, Emilé. I'm Callum. He/Him pronouns." Claudia had mentioned Emilé at least a few times before. He was pretty sure they were one of the three witches with her, and that they were supposed to have met up with them after a game ages ago but they ultimately hadn't been able to.
That said, he didn't really know anything else about them..
Emilé gasped. "You're Callum?" They grinned. "I have heard many excellent stories about you. Claudia says you're the ride or die friend."
"Uh, because he is," Claudia said, rolling her eyes. "Don't doubt me now, Emilé. It's not too late for me to refuse to bring you home."
"Claudia, that is a most heinous presumption on your part! I would never doubt you."
Callum didn't really understand why Emilé sounded like they were straight out of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, but it definitely added a unique and… highly specific charm to their persona.
"Success!" Soren exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention back to the two vehicles hooked together. He then detached the jumper cables, closing the hoods of both cars. "Thank you, Callum. Your generosity will not be forgotten." He stuck his cables into the trunk of his car before turning to face his sister and Emilé. "Do you guys have everything you need before we go?"
Claudia started to say yes, but was promptly cut off by a loud, "Oh, bogus!" from Emilé.
Callum had to bite back a laugh. "I think someone might have forgotten something."
Emilé groaned. "Yeah. I left my character shoes in the dressing room." They sighed. "Sorry, guys. I'll be right back."
As Emilé jogged back into the building, Callum decided to seize the moment and as his friends about the Xadian exchange program. Not that he didn't want to do in front of Emilé, he just… didn't know them particularly well, as fun as they seemed to be. And this topic was… well, it was personal to him. Though it could be rather amusing to hear Emilé's thoughts on the matter, what with their occasional penchant for 80s slang.
"So," he began, fingering the sleeve of his blue jacket and feeling oddly nervous. "My dad recently told about - about a new exchange program KSU is implementing. Next year. Kind of a response, I guess, to the program Rayla is participating in."
Claudia snapped her fingers. "Ooh! I think I know what you're talking about! The one with Xadia University, right?"
Callum blinked, though he wasn't sure why he was surprised that Claudia knew about the program. His dad had probably worked with Viren to confirm another exchange was possible, after all. "Uh, yeah. That's the one."
Claudia gasped, her eyes widening with excitement as she grabbed his arms. "Callum, are you going to apply? That's so awesome! You're totally gonna get in!"
Callum couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. "I haven't decided yet. I wanted to talk it through with a few people first." He gestured to the brother and sister duo. "And you guys are my oldest and closest friends, so obviously I wanted to ask for your thoughts on the matter."
"Well, my thoughts are that it's amazing," Claudia said, beaming at him as she released his arms. "Going to Xadia is, at this point in our timeline, pretty much a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You could learn so much there! You have to do it."
"Yeah, I know it's a really unique learning experience," Callum admitted, "but also… a year is a long time to be out of Katolis. And it's not like I can just come home after a week if I decide I don't like it there. It's - It's a big commitment."
Claudia paused. "Okay, true." She gave him a soft smile. "But it's not like you'll be completely cut off from contacting us. We can text all the time, and even schedule weekly video calls if you want! Plus, I'm pretty sure my dad mentioned something about whoever is accepted into the program having the option to fly home during the holidays." She winked at him. "Not to mention you'll have Rayla, which is a pretty significant advantage that will probably make it way easier for you to get adjusted there."
Callum flushed. "Okay. Yeah. That's true." His dad had said the same thing.
Claudia smirked at him. "Trust me. You won't be able to get rid of our constant presence in your life that easily. If you get in, I will be living vicariously through your experiences. That means I will expect photo updates on the daily."
Callum tilted his head, frowning. Claudia seemed pretty interested in the program herself, so… "Why don't you apply? You're an incoming junior, which means you meet the qualifications, too."
"Ah." Claudia winced, exchanging a look with Soren that Callum wasn't sure how to interpret. "Dad… doesn't want me to. He'd prefer I not" - she cut herself off, grimacing - "well, he just wants me to stay at KSU all four years. So I can't go." She winked at him again, her cheery attitude returning. "Which is all the more reason for you to apply! It's not the same as going myself, sure, but it's a pretty close second."
Callum chuckled. "You seem very confident that I'll be the one who gets into the program."
"As long as you get Rayla to proofread your essay, you totally will."
Callum rolled his eyes dramatically. "You have so little faith in my writing capabilities." He paused before adding, "And you are completely justified." He then turned to Soren, who'd been oddly quiet the entire time. "What do you think?"
Soren pursed his lips, leaning against the side of his car. "I think that you are the only person in all of KSU who could genuinely appreciate spending a year in Xadia," he finally said. "No offense, Clauds."
"None taken."
"So yeah. I think you should apply for the program." He chuckled. "I wanted to study abroad as a junior in Duren, but my dad didn't let me go, either. So you should definitely take advantage of an opportunity like this one, especially since you have Professor Harrow's support."
Callum felt tension ease out of his shoulders, and a burst of confidence surged through him that presented itself as a grateful smile. "Thanks, guys." He laughed. "It feels really good to have talked about that with someone besides my inner critic, who is much more judgmental than you are."
Claudia snickered. "Yes, I imagine so."
"Do you plan to ask Rayla about it?" Soren asked.
Callum chewed his bottom lip. That was - to quote Emilé - an excellent question. Obviously he wanted to hear his girlfriend's opinion, but he was also kind of terrified, because what if she didn't want him to go? That would be painful to discover. Like, more painful than finding out he'd been rejected from the art showcase. Which hadn't happened, to be fair, but he'd still imagined it several times. "At some point, yes," he decided. "I'm just waiting for the right time." He figured it would be wisest to ask her after he'd been introduced to Runaan and Ethari, as she was currently very stressed about that upcoming event.
He was stressed out of his mind, too, but he was trying his best to remain calm and collected for her sake. Callum was pretty sure she could see right through him, anyways.
"You should for sure talk to her eventually," Claudia agreed. "Maybe when -"
She was interrupted by a loud crash from inside the building, a booming noise that startled all of them. The three exchanged a quick glance before promptly darting inside and sprinting down the hall to the classroom where rehearsals were being held.
"James, that is enough," a tall lady with curly red hair was saying. She stood at the front of the room, on top of a 'stage' about half a foot high. "Your behavior is inexcusable and you will be reported for this."
"And you can forget about being in any of KSU's future performances," a blonde woman that Callum vaguely recognized as the theatre teacher, Ms. Secrest, snapped. "Consider your role recast."
A pale boy with light brown hair - James? - was also on the stage, standing above a shorter, dark-skinned boy with tight, curly black hair shaved close to his head, as if he'd shoved the second boy to the ground. A speaker was also toppled over, half-fallen off the stage - presumably what had caused the loud noise they'd heard.
"Don't you two try to defend her!" the brown-haired boy shouted, angrily stomping his foot and nearly crushing the hand of the boy on the ground. "She doesn't deserve your support!"
"Don't talk about me like that, James," the boy on the ground retorted, though he was careful not to make any sudden moves. "You're letting petty jealousy get the best of you."
"Shut up! You don't know what you're talking about!"
"What's going on?" Callum whispered, anxiety making his stomach roll.
Claudia appeared frozen in place. "I -" She shook her head, snapping herself out of her stupor. "That's James," she muttered, pointing to the boy who was still standing. "He really wanted to be Macbeth, but he ended up getting cast as Duncan. Dominic" - she pointed to the boy on the ground - "got Macbeth. James was pissed about that from the get-go, because he's an arrogant twat. Then he found out Dominic was trans, because as vice president of KSU's chapter of Katolis Trans Advocates Dominic is really open about his transitioning, and basically - well, James was really rude about it." She grimaced. "So Ms. O'Reilly, our AD, said he had one chance to fix his attitude before he was kicked out of the show. Which is the real reason we were dismissed early today." She shook her head again, frustration burning in her green eyes. "Looks like he failed. Good riddance. He was enough of a douchebag already, even without the transphobic bullshit."
"James, step away from Dominic right now," Ms. Secrest ordered. "You have done enough damage today."
"It's not my fault you cast a girl in a part meant for a guy," James snapped. "A part I could have performed a hundred times better than her."
Dominic glared at him, though he wisely made no move to change his position on the floor. "I'd appreciate it kindly if you would stop referring to me with those pronouns."
"Who the hell is going to stop me?"
Callum noticed Dominic wince at James's words - an expression he'd seen before. Bitterness, pain, frustration, a stinging paralysis of not being able to make something stop. He'd seen it…
He'd seen it on Rayla.
Anger roared in Callum's chest, and before he knew what he was doing, he'd barged down to the front of the room and - politely - pushed his way through Ms. Secrest and Emilé, who he hadn't even noticed was there, and slammed his heel on the edge of the stage. "Hey!" he snapped. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Who the hell are you?" James sneered, avoiding his question.
"All you need to know is that I'm Professor Harrow's son," Callum retorted, his sudden adrenaline rush already fading but he was still determined not to back down. "So I hope you've enjoyed your last day at KSU, because I'm going to make sure you're expelled before the sun rises tomorrow." He really wasn't sure if he could do that, but he was damn well going to try. He'd managed to get Coach B suspended for two months without pay earlier that semester, after all.
Hesitation flickered in the boy's eyes, and he took a step away from Dominic. Then his gaze hardened, and he glared at Callum. "You really expect me to believe that? You don't even look like -"
"If you don't believe him, then believe us."
Callum blinked, realizing that Soren and Claudia had appeared by his side.
"Professor Viren is our dad," Soren continued, "and we're going to tell him every single detail about your pathetic little stunt here today."
"Buh bye, transphobe!" Claudia said cheerfully with a little wave, though her tone didn't match the malice in her eyes. "It really wasn't nice knowing you."
James faltered at the onslaught of words, and his hesitation provided enough time for Dominic to push himself away and for the redheaded teacher to grab James by the arm and pull him off the stage before leading him out the classroom, presumably to some superior's office to file a Title VII report.
"Thank you," Ms. Secrest said. "I'm sorry you all had to witness that deplorable behavior." She turned to Dominic. "Especially you, honey. I should never have cast him in the first place."
Dominic offered her a sympathetic smile. "It's okay, Ms. Secrest. It's not your fault he was hiding so much bigotry inside of him."
She sighed. "Perhaps, but I still should have been paying closer attention to his behavior." She shook her head. "I'll be right back. I need to help Shannon fill out all that paperwork."
As she left, Dominic carefully stepped down off the stage, only to be immediately crushed in a hug by Emilé.
"Are you okay?" they asked frantically. "I'm so sorry I didn't say anything! It was most non-triumphant of me to remain silent while James was being such a jerk."
Dominic laughed as he returned the hug. "You're fine." He then shook his head in amusement. "Man, Felix is not going to be happy when he finds out about this. He was suspicious of James from the beginning. Like, he wanted to be at rehearsal today and everything, just in case something happened." He laughed again. "Guess I should have let him come after all!"
Emilé snickered. "Oh, Felix is totally going to kill him."
"Ugh. Promise to help me stop him?"
"Whatever you need, dude!"
Callum felt a little awkward about just standing there. He'd already barged in on something that technically wasn't any of his business, though he supposed he had done the right thing by speaking up. Still, when Claudia had asked him to come jumpstart her and Soren's car, he definitely hadn't imagined his afternoon playing out like this.
Dominic then released Emilé, turning to face everyone else. "Thanks," he said, giving them all a wide smile. "That was really cool of you guys to step in."
"Well, we couldn't let the most talented member of the cast be ragged on by an asshat like that," Claudia said with a casual shrug. "And no one wants to work with human garbage like James, anyway."
Her deadpan expression earned laughter from Dominic. "Seriously. Thank you." He paused, then added, "And you guys don't actually have to tell your parents about him. I think the threat alone was intimidating enough, plus he's now going to have a report on his record."
Callum rolled his eyes. "We can't let him get away with that kind of bigotry. And to be honest, my dad would probably be more disappointed if I kept the incident from him."
"We're also telling our dad, whether he wants to hear it or not," Claudia affirmed, gesturing to herself and Soren. "We've got your back."
A wide grin broke out on Dominic's face. "Y'all are awesome." He offered his hand to Callum. "I don't think we've met before. I'm Dominic."
Callum shook his hand, returning his smile. "I'm Callum. It's nice to meet you."
And it was. Obviously. His mom would have been proud at how he kept expanding his circle of friends.
He was pretty proud of himself, too.
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Writing Emilé brings me so much serotonin. They're just a delight. And Dominic! I'm so excited for how his arc/narrative importance, in a sense, will play out in future chapters. I hope you enjoyed this update! See you next week!
