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After a long day of doing camp activities, the counselors put the exhausted campers to sleep and prepared themselves for the morning. Gwen was doing laundry while David was taking a shower. While she was picking up some clothes, an interesting piece of garment found its way on the floor next to David’s bed. She didn't recognize it to be hers, so it must be his, right? But it has some resemblance to that of a sports bra. It was black and had elastic sewn inside it. She furrowed her brow not sure as to why he would have this in this side of his room, maybe from Bonquisha? No, it looks far too small.
David finally walked out of the show and dried off the best he could, wrapping the towel around his chest. He loves being clean, but he couldn't deny it was torture for him and his dysphoria while taking a shower. He avoided mirrors at all costs when nude, keeping his eyes shut at all times. Routinely, he would snatch his binder as soon as he could, keeping on the rail right next to the shower once finishing up, but as soon as he reached for it, he noticed that it was gone. Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no. This can’t be good. “Oh, stupid David! Stupid, stupid! Where could you have put it?” He panicked.
Gwen immediately thought it must have belonged to one of the campers, so she threw it in the dirty pile of laundry along with the other kids' clothes she placed in the washer.
David was on the verge of having a panic attack; he quickly paced around the bathroom trying to collect himself. He couldn't let her know. He couldn't let anyone know, especially Cameron Campbell, he knew how he treated people like him when he was a kid. God only knows how many people like him are in town, he didn't want to risk that in Camp Camp. His breathing became heavier and quicker.
Gwen was reading a trash magazine when she heard David’s heavy breathing emitting from the bathroom, she walked closer, wondering what was taking him so long, her curled hand hovered over the door inches away from knocking before hearing him talking to himself, “David, you stupid idiot, God, why did you leave it? God, why, why, why?” She quickly put two and two together. That garment was his, but why make such a big deal about it? Surely, he didn't need it that much, right? “Hey, David, are you ok? It’s getting late, and we should probably go to sleep now. It's already past 10:00 pm.” “Just…a minute I-I, sniffle I’m fine-I just need to brush my teeth.” “David, you’re not ok, I can hear you crying.” “No, no, it’s just-it’s allergy season and my nose is really runny.” “David, I’m not stupid, I know you’re upset. What’s wrong?” He couldn't tell her the truth. Who knows how she would react. Plus, he didn't want to make her uncomfortable, he knows how people treat those like him. “I-I-uh.” His mind went blank. He didn't know what to say. Should he lie to his best friend? And even if he did, she already proved he was a bad liar at that. He stood there for a moment, silent. “David, you can tell me anything, I won’t judge you.” She reassured. Maybe he should just get dressed without it on, could it really make a difference? Ohh, but he knew the dysphoria it would cause. He knows how he gets when he’s like that. “David..” Gwen tiredly spoke, rubbing her eyes. “Listen, if you don't want to talk, I won't force you, but I gotta go to bed, alright?” She said, turning her back against the door. “I already put the clothes in the laundry so you don't have to worry.” She what? David's heart sank. His binder was definitely in that washer for sure. God, he hoped it didn't get destroyed. “Wait, Gwen!” Gwen paused and turned back to the door. “Ya?” “Gwen…” David swallowed. “I-I need you to get something for me real quick.” she nodded, listening.
“So, you want me to get that black thing that looks like a bra?” “It’s not a bra, it’s…nevermind, I just need you to get it.” “Alright.” she shrugged. God, he hoped she didn’t suspect anything. He unlocked his door preparing to retrieve the garment. Just within a couple of seconds later, she opened his door unannounced. “Well, here’s the…whatever it is-” she said before freezing mid sentence, David stood there covering what seemed to be breasts with a towel, a face completely flushed red. Gwen stood completely stunned. “I-” “G-Gwen what the hell!?” He screamed. She covered her eyes and shoved the garment in his face while slamming the door behind her. Her face flushed deep red, fueled with shock. Were those..? Was David a..? No, that can’t be. David stood completely still. Oh god…His worst nightmare had come true. She knew. He stared at his own binder fueled with shame, embrassment, and dread. His heart, pounding in his chest, yet his face, emotionless. He could feel tears burning through his eyes. Why him?. Why of all people, why? Why did he have to be born this way? Before he even knew it, tears bursted from his eyes. “I’m a fre-e-ak!” He wept. His face planted in the palms of his hands. “No David, you’re not a freak…” He sniffled, “But-but, you saw…” “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have barged in like that, listen, it’s not your fault, I…I thought you were finished, I didn’t think…” “You don’t think I'm a freak?” “No, of course not, dude.” David stood there for a while. “So, you know…” She wasn't exactly sure what he meant by this. “Listen, some guys have tits, it’s not that big of a de-” “No, no, not like that…” He signed. “I was born a girl, Gwen…” “Oh.” “I’m-I’m trans.” He shut his eyes, feeling the warm tears streaming from his face. Gwen turned around, dragging her back against the door and sat down, thinking of what to say next. David was expecting the worst. He was expecing her to laugh or make a joke. “Why didn’t you tell me before?” Concern in Gwen’s voice. “You…You don’t hate me?” “Why would I hate you?” “I just….It’s just people in this town-” “Those people can suck a cactus for all I care. They don't matter for shit.” David chuckled. He put the binder on his chest immediately feeling relief then his shirt followed after. He sat against the door mirroring Gwen, his hands wrapped around his knees. “I guess…being the only trans kid in school in this God-forsaken town can make it hard for you to make friends.” He mumbled. “Hey, me and you both.” Gwen snorted. “I mean without the trans part. I didn’t really have any friends growing up either, but hey, look at how I turned out! I write fanfictions about lizard people and have to clean kid’s clothes and mustard stains off of floors." Both immediately laughed in unison “To be fair, I think you’re the best Lizard Lovers’ fanfiction writer and the best mustard cleaner this camp has to offer!” David reassured her. “Gee, thanks.” Gwen rolled her eyes with a sarcastic smile. Unexpectedly, David emerged from the bathroom with his clothes on. His binder was still damp from the washer, but it was better than nothing. He sat right next to Gwen, glancing at the floor, semi crossed-legged. “You won't tell anyone, right?" He asked, his eyes meeting hers. “What? No dude, of course not.” she said, landing her hand on his shoulder. He nodded and looked at his hands fiddling with his watch, calculating what to say next. “I’m sorry I never told you Gwen, I don’t like keeping secrets from people. If I’m gonna be honest with myself I…I don't like being this way. The constant dysphoria, the shots, the paper work, this stupid binder…" He said, grasping his shirt. “I know there are people who have it worse than me, but it doesn't take away the dreadful sleepless nights, the bullying, the hate...the loneliness...It’s not fun, and truthfully, I’d take anything over this.” They both sat in silence for a mere moment before David concluded he overshared, “Oh god, I’m making you uncomfortable, aren't I?" He said, his face hiding in the palm of his hands out of embarrassment. “No, no, man, you're fine!..I just don’t know what to say, I dunno much about this stuff.” She said, scratching the crook of her neck. “Listen, we've been working with each other for how long, now?” “2 years, 4 months, and 13 days.” David mumbled. “And how many things do you know about me?” “Well, I know everything about you.” His cheeks blushing red. “Exactly! So why not make it your turn?” “Hmm” He didn't realize how little Gwen actually knew about him. Or cared enough to know. He knew her favorite color, her favorite music band, her parents, her hobbies, interests…But, what about him? “Well" he continued..."My favorite color is green-wait no, yellow…yellow-ish green. My favorite artists are Cavetown, Jack Stauber, I really like acoustic guitar, but also, polka, jazz, swing, and a little bit of country. Oh, my favorite movie is ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ my favorite song is ‘Daisy,’ but I also really like ‘Smile Darn ya, Smile,’ ‘Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows,’ Lemon Boy, ‘Get Back up Again,’ and of course, my own camp songs, my favorite thing to do is watch the sunrise with the campers and my friends….”