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Not Your Average Teen Pop Star (DarkDreamer9110 x MsBloom)

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Cassie had listened to Ellie's suggested list of famous trans people from both history and modern day with eagerness, although two particular names elicited special reactions from her. At the mention of Caitlyn Jenner, she had frowned, shaking her head for a moment before hearing the other names, and the one which got the next major reaction was Kim Petras, who was, and of course Ellie knew, a major influence on Cassie. Her fashion, her look, and her musical styles, in many aspects, had directly inspired Cassie. Plus, Kim's relative success was a much-appreciated bit of inspiration that Cassie could succeed as well and the driving force that had led her and Cassie to start Funhouse Sweethearts.

She nodded as Ellie spoke, then her phone started ringing. She checked the caller ID, then shrugged, answering the call. "Hey, Adrienne." That was the captain of the girls' track team, and a fairly decent friend.

Cassie listened, then nodded. "Yeah, that's how it happened." Pause to listen. "Yeah, she's here, too. That important?" "Yeah, I'll put you on speaker." She glanced at Ellie, smiling. "It sounds encouraging." She said, switching the phone to speaker.

"Hey, girls!" Adrienne's voice rang out, and Cassie smiled.

"Hey, Adrienne. You said you had something good to share?"

"Yeah. So, hey, if either of you girls want it, the track team's got your back. Anybody gives you trouble for either of you coming out, we're not letting them get you alone. We can meet you at the parking lot when you get here."

Cassie chuckled. "I kicked Keith's nuts into his throat. I don't think we need protection. Not like shadowing us. Might be good if you all just keep an eye on things if anything goes down. Just watch unless it gets bad. But bodyguards?" She glanced at Ellie.

"What do you think, babe?"
 
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Ellie shook her head. It was of course nice to hear that they had friends at school who supported them but what Adrienne suggested was exactly the kind of big deal she certainly didn't want anyone to make about either of them coming out.
"Nah we're good," she agreed with Cassie.
"You should've seen her, like a fucking knight in shining armour or something. But thanks for having our back. I think it might be more helpful if you all just helped keep the jargon respectful. Y'know pronouns and such."
She had a feeling that there were many who might start referring to Cassie as a boy now that the secret was out that she had not been born a girl. She wasn't as much worried about what the kids at school might say about her own coming out as lesbian because it was a lot more commonplace. This was after all Pasadena and not some narrow minded mid-western small town. She had put Keith's comments down to nothing but a wounded male ego.

About fifteen minutes later they were parked outside the school and Ellie took a few deep breaths and straightened her skirt a few times feeling a bit more nervous than she had expected to. Part of her just wanted to go back home and crawl back into bed. As she stepped out of the car she could see Madison heading out of the school's administrative building and coming towards them. She had a serious look about her and Ellie wasn't sure whether or not it was cause for worry or not.
 
Cassie smiled, nodding. "Yeah. We shouldn't have problems with physical confrontation, but the real support we could use is just keeping people respectful of the little things. The small stuff is just as important as the big stuff. There's a lot you can do that isn't physically confrontational that can help. And besides, Ellie and I don't want to really draw attention to ourselves. We're not some zoo animals."

"Hey, girl, I gotcha. We'll do that. But yeah, we support you. See you two later."

After they had arrived, Cassie glanced around, nodding as she saw her mom approaching.

"Hey, Mom. How's it going?"

"Hey, girls." Madison said, giving them each a quick hug before stepping back and nodding. "So, they've decided to have an assembly later today to address this situation and about respect and LGBTQIA+ rights. They are going to be enforcing a zero-tolerance policy towards any sort of harassment over it, and they are also looking into appropriate measures regarding Keith's actions. And I may have informed them we're lawyered up if anything warrants legal action."

Cassie nodded. "Sounds good."

"There is one other thing. They want to see if you have anything you want to say, if you want to speak during the assembly. But I made it clear that you are the only one who can decide that and not to force you."

Cassie nodded, glancing at Ellie and nodding. "I might have to think about that for a bit."

"Whatever you want and think is best, dear."

"Alright. Thanks, Mom."

Cassie looked at Ellie and smiled warmly. "Well, let's go ahead, shall we?" They had some time before classes, and Cassie figured they might as well see what kind of an overall reaction they got in public by heading to the cafeteria for breakfast.

"That way we get the biggest feel for it, see how many people act differently immediately or not." She explained. "Get the possible "freak show" reaction over with."
 
An assembly, with the whole school? All just because Cassie had decided to let the world know she was not just an average teen girl? Talk about being put on display.
At the same time Ellie of course realised that it was probably necessary. She just felt like everything would now be about them, about her and Cassie, mostly Cassie of course but considering the change in their relationship it would be about her as well. She too would be the attention of said assembly, if perhaps slightly off center. he bit her bottom lip nervously but then she grabbed her bag and got out of the car. She scoffed lightly when Mrs Clayton said that the school was also looking into appropriate measures against Keith for his attempted rape. Why not just throw his ass out. She wasn't all that optimistic about the outcome. He'd probably just get a slap on the wrist. Let's be honest, she thought to herself, it's not like Keith was just another student, he was a star of the football team, and she was convinced that would weigh heavier than her virtue and right to say No would. After all, despite it being the third decade of the 21st century, guys still got away with all manner of stuff that are not even remotely ok. She could easily hear Keith blaming it all on her, suggesting that she had been leading him on both before the prom, during and well what was a guy to do when a girl has teased him for weeks and then at the crucial moment says no. How was he supposed to control himself especially when she was dressed the way she was. There were far too many stories like that, not only in social media but also in the courts, rapists getting off more or less unpunished if they could cast even the slightest shadow of a doubt on their victim by claiming that she lead them on, that she provoked them. And on top of that it now seemed like they were about to tear up Roe vs Wade and send women's right to their own bodies back to the dark ages. She didn't say anything though and shook it off when Cassie woke her from her train of thought.

"Sure thing," she said, grabbed her bag and got out of the car.
She slung the back pack over one shoulder and as they started walking towards the cafeteria she reached out and took Cassie's hand. Suddenly everything felt a little better, a little less nervous. Part of her wanted to just give Cassie a big kiss right there on the steps leading up to the school and give them all a real freakshow but she didn't. It would probably be more interesting to just see what happened when they walked into the cafeteria hand in hand, ordered their breakfast and sat down, all as it usually was with the minor exception of them holding hands as girlfriends and Cassie's coming out.

She could feel the mostly curious looks and hear the whispers the moment they walked through the door. She took a slightly firmer grip on Cassie's hand and walked a little closer to her as they approached the counter
"A short stack," she told Mrs Underwood behind the counter and trying hard not to look over her shoulder at all the other students having their breakfast she poured herself a large coffee and a glass of fresh orange juice.
Taking the plate she then loaded it up with an assortment of fruits and berries, cantaloupe, kiwi and papaya slices, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries. She then balanced her tray over to the table where they usually sat for breakfast and lunch.
 
Cassie had noticed that Ellie seemed unconvinced about the whole deal, and as they sat down, she frowned. "Look, babe, I know this whole thing is a lot. I get it. You don't think it's a big deal worth this response. But ... I'm a trans woman in a world that still argues about my right to exist. To me, them taking the steps to make sure that the student body doesn't do anything against me for that is a good step. They're addressing it before it becomes a problem. As for that other matter ... my mom can be pretty intimidating. Plus, we got that police report filed. Keith isn't going to get away with it. Trust me."

The murmurs and glances towards them were far from the hordes of harassment that Cassie had feared, and she smiled. "Hey, about what my mom said yesterday. About me talking to her about my feelings for you ... it was a while back. I was still ... figuring out my sexuality, and I was ... I was scared. I didn't want you to reject me for it, and I never thought you weren't into guys. She told me I was the only one who could decide if, when, and how to tell you, that I had to decide on my terms if I wanted to take the chance."

She sighed. "Look, we're gonna get through everything that happens. No matter what." She squeezed Ellie's hand comfortingly.
 
Cassie was of course right, no matter how much Ellie accepted Cassie as a girl, and always had, without any doubts or questions, she simply couldn't quite understand how important the assembly would be to Cassie. She was of course more than aware of the issues her girlfriend was facing and would probably continue to face even after gender affirmation surgery because there were people all over who would continue to see her as male, at least as far as genetics was concerned. She was quite aware of the TERFs who argued that trans-women were not to be included in the fight for women's rights. And of course Ellie too was quite upset about their message but at the same time it was perhaps difficult for her to fully understand what it felt like for Cassie, even if they had talked at length about it. Ellie had been born female and that alone meant that there were certain things in Cassie's world she would never fully understand, not on a deeper emotional level.

Having focused on her pancakes since she sat down Ellie now looked up at Cassie as she mentioned Mrs Clayton's comment from the night before about how Cassie had had feelings for Ellie for quite a while and explaining why she hadn't said anything about them. It made perfect sense of course and if Ellie was honest about it she might have reacted much differently even just a week before if Cassie had brought it up. She would perhaps not have rejected her BFF as such but she might not really have been open to engage in a romantic relationship. Perhaps it would have ruined their friendship and that was the last thing Ellie wanted, even if at some point they should happen to fall out of love she knew that she would still want Cassie in her life.

"I dunno if I'm into boys, or girls," she said quietly, almost in a whisper.
"I just know that I am into you."
She stopped with a piece of pancake halfway to her mouth.
"Like ... It's not about you being trans or anything but more like who you are in here," Ellie explained and poked her finger gently at Cassie's sternum to indicate her heart.
"It wouldn't matter if you had been born a girl or if you'd still identify as a boy. I wouldn't care."
She took a deep breath, put the bite of pancake into her mouth and chewed it more carefully than was perhaps necessary, as if to buy herself some time to think.
"Although I have to confess that I may have had more than a few curious fantasies about, y'know, what it would be like to kiss a girl, and ... "
She cleared her throat.
"... Y'know, more."
She then quickly put another bite of pancake into her mouth as if to shut herself up.

"Together. Always. No matter what!," she eventually agreed with Cassie and for the first time since sitting down looked around the cafeteria only to notice how, after the initial curiousity, most of the students were focused on their breakfasts and each other.
There were only a few that seemed unable to look away, the way it is almost impossible to look away from an accident. At that moment she realised that they'd be fine an that it was perhaps better to get the curiousity and questions out of the way right from the start.
 
Cassie chuckled. "Ellie, if I thought you were only into into me because I'm trans ... we wouldn't be friends, let alone in a romantic commitment." She said lightly. "And ... I don't care if you do decide you're bisexual and need a good dicking now and then from some guy. If you have needs I can't meet, as long as you're honest with me and safe with them, you can do it. As long as you come back to my waiting arms, you can explore your sexuality with other people. I don't mind. As long as it's just casual, though. I don't know if I'd be okay sharing you romantically."

She shrugged as Ellie noticed the relative lack of spectators and general crowd obsession with them, nodding. "I think most of our esteemed classmates are sufficiently socially conscious enough to be on the side of progress." She commented, then sighed.

"Guess I should head to the office, see who I need to talk to about my Debutante Ball speech." She said, shifting into a cross between a southern drawl and a London accent for the emphasized words, deliberately going excessively comedic with it as she grinned at Ellie, hoping to brighten the mood.
 
Ellie didn't really think of Cassie as trans most of the time. Cassie was, and had almost always been, a girl as far as Ellie was concerned. It was as natural to her as the sun rising in the morning. It had not come as much of a surprise when Cassie had stated the fact. If anything Ellie had been more surprised that Cassie felt the need to explain something that to her was so obvious. Cassie's coming out had done almost nothing to change the relationship between them. Perhaps it had caused some curiousity in Ellie as they both began to go through puberty, the way their bodies didn't develop the same way, despite Cassie's medicines. Cassie for instance didn't bleed once every 28 days, which, if she was completely honest, Ellie envied her BFF, her ... girlfriend. It wasn't that Ellie's periods were all that bad. It was more of an inconvenience than anything but she knew girls who barely got out of bed because of the cramps, who had to take aspirin, or even stronger medicines, to make it through.

She then burst into a slightly embarrassed giggle when Cassie started talking about how she wouldn't mind if Ellie felt the need to get a good dicking from some guy.
"Of course I'd always come back to you," she said and bit her bottom lip.
"Assuming such a need should arise. I mean ... that's what dildos are for right?"

She then stuffed her mouth full of assorted berries and followed it with a large piece of pancake. Again it was almost as if she was trying to shut herself up. It wasn't so much that they never talked about things like that. They had spent hours browsing through various adult toy shops giggling and staring with fascination at all kinds of dildos and vibrators. She had barely managed to swallow down most of it when Cassie said she should go see about who to talk to about her Debutante Ball speech and the exaggerated accent made Ellie smile from ear to ear.
"You do that," she said after having swallowed down the last of what was in her mouth.
"I'll see you in class."
She then leaned in to give Cassie a kiss, suddenly not really bothered who was looking.
 
It was true that their relationship hadn't ever really changed when Cassie came out. She'd realized eventually it was because she never had particularly hidden her tendency towards femininity from Ellie; she'd never felt the need to hide things. Cassie knew she had been lucky with her parents as well, being able to feel comfortable, safe, and respected enough to tell them when she fairly young. And her parents had been open and responsive.

She chuckled, nodding. "I just wanted to be clear that I don't want to stand in the way of any development you might have with that aspect."

After they parted ways, Cassie headed to the administration office to talk to the principal, and was surprised as she rounded the corner outside the office and spotted Keith emerging from the door, head down as an older man, presumably his father, stalked beside him, angrily muttering at Keith. As she stepped to the side, hoping to avoid getting too close to him, though, the movement caught his eye, and as he recognized her, Cassie watched the dejection in his face immediately turn to rage.

It took a moment before he acted, and in that moment Cassie realized what he was going to do. But the fear was immediately countered with rage, and also clarity. How to make this work out.

As Keith rushed her with a yell of "you fucking tranny bitch," Cassie gave ground, such that she was thankfully already against the wall as he slammed his hands into her shoulders to pin her.

"You cost me everything! Couldn't mind your own business! Well, you're going to pay!"

Keith's hand pulled back into a fist, and as Cassie noted the teachers and faculty now converging on them, the few student eyes on her, she pressed her hands back flat against the wall, raised one leg to plant the sole of her foot into the wall, and pushed herself forwards and upwards, the knee slamming into Keith's crotch. As Keith crumpled to the ground, Cassie darted away, into the arms of Ms. Harrison, the girls' gym teacher, as she started shaking, the fear finally saying it needed to be felt. As she was guided to a seat, she noticed the few students in the hallway moving to put themselves between her and Keith's crumpled, groaning form.

Cassie smirked as she heard two particular phrases between the adults. The first was a simple "call the cops," and the second was from their principal to Keith's father: "That suspension is now an expulsion."

Perfect. Keith had just dug his own grave.

Cassie had noticed Adrienne nearby, and had just been about to wave her over when Adrienne rushed over on her own, stopping just short of a hug, but Cassie smiled, getting up and hugging Adrienne.

"Girl, are you okay?"

Cassie chuckled. "I'll be fine. The shock isn't strong enough to overcome the sense of triumph here. That fucker is fucked!"

She nodded before continuing. "You want to help? Try to slow the rumor mill a bit."

Adrienne nodded. "On it."

Cassie remained absent through first period and the bulk of second, by which time some rumors of Keith's unceremonious escort from the school in handcuffs had emerged. Cassie had sent Ellie a simple text just ahead of the first bell:

Whatever you hear, I'm fine. Don't worry. Dealing with it. See you at assembly.

The announcements in first period had included only that there was a mandatory assembly being held later that day to address expectations of conduct "in light of recent developments," saying more details about when it was being held would be forthcoming.

About three quarters of the way through second period, the announcement came over the PA announcing that the assembly would be replacing third period, and around the same time Ellie would find herself being summoned by a student aide delivering a note from the principal to report to the office.

On the note was a section in Cassie's handwriting:

Convinced them I needed to see you now, to explain what happened. I know you've worried.

Love you,

Cassie

P.S. Funhouse Sweethearts forever
 
When Cassie didn't show up for first period Ellie got curious as to what kept her. Perhaps there had been more to discuss than she had expected. She kept checking her phone to see if there was any messages from her girlfriend but there was nothing after the good night from last night. She had just sat down and taken out her math book when the message came: Whatever you hear, I'm fine. Don't worry. Dealing with it. See you at assembly. Was Cassie in trouble? Had someone attacked her? Ellie just sent a thumbs up in response to let Cassie know she had seen the message but as Mr Davenport, their math teacher, started writing up a few problems on the whiteboard Ellie couldn't really focus. Whatever you hear? Had Cassie perhaps been the aggressor, had she run into Keith and taught him another lesson, perhaps he had taunted her in ways similar to what he had written on their latest vlog post, perhaps Cassie had lost her temper. It was worrying and Ellie couldn't really focus on much else.

On her way between classrooms Ellie, luckily, ran into Adrienne, or if Adrienne perhaps had made a point of seeking out Ellie. Adrienne briefly filled her in on what had happened and Ellie nodded with a smile forming on her lips.
"Boys huh? she said and rolled her eyes.
"Boys indeed," Adrienne agreed and the two went their separate ways.

By the end of second period one of the Senior girls, one of the student aides, waited outside the classroom for Ellie and handed her a note: Convinced them I needed to see you now, to explain what happened. I know you've worried. She had indeed worried though not as much during second period as she might have had she not met Adrienne who was doing her best to keep the rumours to a minimum. As it was she could barely contain herself before she could hold Cassie in her arms and see with her own eyes that she was fine.

As she made her way to the administrative section of the school she overheard a group of guys talking ... just kneed him like out of nowhere ... wonder how she'd like it if someone kicked her in the nuts ... She figured they must be team mates or at least supporters of Keith's. One of them called to her but she chose to ignore it. ... stuck up tease ... dyke ... she heard them throw at her when she didn't respond. She quickened her steps, turned a corner and knocked on he door to the principals office. His assistant opened it for and there she was, Cassie, her love. Her face lit up at the sight and she rushed across the room to throw herself into Cassie's arms.
 
Cassie's own face positively glowed as she saw Ellie, and she rushed towards and embraced Ellie with a gleeful whoop of laughter, pulling her into a kiss and then just hugging her more. At least until her shoulders and back twinged and she winced with a soft gasp of pain. "Hey, babe," she said softly, emotion nearly choking her words as she pulled back, sinking into the chair.

"Oh, man, it's good to see you. I ... he just came at me, screaming, and I ... Ellie, I was terrified. But he ... in public? Really? And I just ..." her words fell silent as he started sobbing softly, shaking again.

"I ... he ..." she broke off again, staring at the ground. "I ... didn't think ... even he would ... but at ... school? In front of ... witnesses? He's already ... been expelled ... and you bet ... your ass I'll be seeing ... that ... that ... bastard in court." She forced out between her sobs.
 
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By the way the two girls greeted each other one might perhaps think they'd been separated for a week, not two measly hours, barely. Ellie giggled happily as they almost danced around the small and somewhat crowded antechamber to Principal Hardinger's office at least she did until Cassie winced with pain.
"You kneed him in the nuts?" Ellie suggested playfully after Cassie had stuttered the of some sort of incoherent explanation.
She did perhaps sound more proud and happy about the way Cassie had defended herself against Keith than was proper under the circumstances but she didn't care. Instead she looked around the room.
"Well in that case I think there are other Boys that might need a talking to," she said and looked at Principal Hardinger.
She then told him what she had overheard on her way there and what she had been called.

Principal Hardinger nodded seriously and said that all would be dealt with. He had himself witnessed the altercation and had seen that no matter who had caused the other more harm Ms Clayton, as he called Cassie, had merely defended herself. He proceeded to inform Cassie that he saw no reason for disciplinary measure to be taken against Cassie.
"Now shall we make our way to the auditorium. We are running a bit late already," he suggested.

When they arrived at the auditorium Principal Hardinger went in first, followed by his assistant and Ms Harrison and behind them, almost as if it had been scripted, Cassie and Ellie walked in hand in hand, both looking rather serious. As soon as they had entered the large hall they saw Adrienne waving at them from the front row. She had saved them seats.
 
Cassie had taken some time to calm down again, and had eventually shown Ellie her bruised, sore shoulders, both from Keith's initial slam and hitting the wall, remarking that "it's like a battle scar. It hurts, but fuck if it wasn't worth it. And yeah, I did. Again. And that's all I did. I disabled him and disengaged. Totally reasonable defensive force."

Cassie had already given her statement and had the bruises documented in the police report, and had managed to get a guarantee that, if she spoke at the assembly, she would be allowed to address whatever she felt like, as long as she did so civilly.

Cassie smiled at Adrienne as they headed over, Cassie sitting next to Adrienne with Ellie beside her.

Principal Hardinger soon called the assembly to order.

"As many of you are by now aware, one of our students, Cassie Clayton, came out publicly as being transgender. In light of this, and especially due to events earlier this morning, we deemed it best to have this assembly to make certain things clear. Any harassment, bullying, or attack on Ms. Clayton for her gender will be met with harsh and immediate punishment. Since the events this morning are clear and indisputable, I wish to address them."

"While leaving the office this morning after being suspended in relation to having attacked another student on prom night pending further investigation, Keith Bridges chose to assault Ms. Clayton, screaming a slur, rushing her, slamming her to the wall, and attempting to punch her. Ms. Clayton was able to defend herself and get away, and Mr. Bridges has been expelled and arrested, with charges pending."

"It should be made clear here that Ms. Clayton was indisputably the victim, and her actions were within the bounds of an expected defensive response. Mr. Bridges is solely responsible for having brought this upon himself and any form of retaliation or victim-blaming will not be tolerated."

As the assembly moved along, covering pronouns and misgendering, Cassie leaned into Ellie, smiling.

Eventually, after briefly addressing the major points related to respect and acceptance, and reiterating that the school would not tolerate any sort of discriminatory bullying towards anyone and would in fact be strengthening their policies on it, Principal Hardinger looked at Cassie and, once Cassie nodded, he invited her up to the floor, and Cassie gave Ellie a questioning look.

"You want to come up or stay here?" She asked.
 
It was funny, Ellie thought to herself, but before prom, falling in love with Cassie and then coming out as, not-heterosexual, she had never really noticed just how beautiful Adrienne was but now as she saw her for the third time that morning she smiled as it dawned on her just how sexy the start of the school's track team was. It was like an awakening, as if Ellie was only now that she and Cassie were girlfriends had begun to understand who she was and what she liked, at least as far as her sexuality was concerned.

She had a rather content smile on her face as Principal Hardinger mentioned the circumstances of the attack on Cassie earlier that morning and even the events at the event of prom night where Cassie had saved her from getting raped by Keith. She had a content smile on her face and nodded in agreement with all he said even though she was a bit surprised at the decision to first suspend and then expel Keith from the school. She had not really expected the school board to take those kinds of measures. This would certainly help when she reported the incident to the police.

When the opening statements had been made Principal Hardinger handed the word over to Ms Harrison and to Ms Baker who taught social studies for a more in depth talk regarding pronouns, misgendering and respect. No one made any mentions of Cassie having to start using the boys locker rooms for phys ed or having to use the boys restrooms. Ellie was less surprised by the two female teachers, both of whom they had as teachers. Ms Harrison was as good as a confirmed lesbian even though no one actually knew for certain what her preferences were and Ms Baker was an outspoken advocate for women's rights.
"No woman shall be judged or excluded from women's rights because they were assigned a different gender at birth," Ms Baker concluded and smiled down at Cassie.

Principal Hardinger then announced that Ms Clayton would like to say a few words herself and as he invited her up there was a stir among the students.

"I ... ummm ... I dunno," Ellie said when Cassie asked if she wanted to join her.
In a sense it was Cassie's issue not hers but at the same time she wanted to be there to support her girlfriend.
"I suppose ..." she added and nodded.
As she stood up Adrienne leaned in close to Cassie.
"Just say the word and me and the girls will stand up with you too. I think you're about the bravest person I know to even walk up there in front of the entire school."
Some of the other girls from the track team nodded to show that this was something they were all in agreement on.
 
Cassie had noticed Ellie's surprised expression at the full extent of just how quickly the decision about Keith had been made, both about the expulsion and the original suspension, leaning in to whisper "lawsuits make excellent threats, and Mom knows how to make her filing one sound scarier than it should be."

Cassie could tell Ellie was hesitant about it, and could wager why. Ellie probably didn't want to overstep as an ally, and while Cassie got that, she also knew that she mainly wanted Ellie there for emotional support. "You don't have to say anything, babe. I just want you with me up there."

Adrienne's offer got a quick look of surprise from Cassie, and she smiled, then nodded, voice catching for a moment as she spoke. "Thanks. I ... thanks. Yeah, that would be awesome. Just ... you and the others wait for my signal, okay?" She said, tears glistening in her eyes.

Standing straight, she walked towards the center floor, Ellie in tow, and smiled as she took the microphone. "Thank you, Principal Hardinger." She began, turning to look at the crowd. This was the freak show moment, all these eyes staring at her, and she took a moment before speaking.

"Hey, everyone. You all know me. You've known me for three years. I've always been Cassie to you. When I first moved here, I had already come out to my family and best friend." She glanced at Ellie. "My girlfriend, now. But anyways, I had never come out publicly in that town. I was starting my medical transition, the HRT, at about that time, and had already been dressing and looking more feminine.

"We decided the move was the perfect time to socially transition. I could go stealth. That is, I was able to "pass," which is a whole gross concept anyways, as a cis woman. How many of you here ever would have guessed I was trans, just from looking at me? I had the benefit, the privilege, to pretend I hadn't been AMAB. That's "assigned male at birth." And it puts the blame on the system that demands kids be gendered. But anyways, I was lucky that I could avoid being read as trans. I had the privilege that, unless I said something about it, possibly nobody would have known. I could avoid that stigma.A lot of people can't. But you have never known me as anything but the girl I am. Who I am hasn't changed. Just because you learned something new about me, just because I decided that I wasn't going to hide being trans anymore, I am still the same girl you've always known.

"But not all of us can be so open yet. Hell, I thought I was safe coming out and look what happened just this morning!" She reached up to her shirt collar, pulling it to the side and twisting to reveal the ugly bruising on her shoulder.

"By coming out, by standing here in front of you, I am painting a target on my back. I know some of you have some problem with trans people that's actually complete BS, and I know that some of you might still try something. But I am not afraid of people like you. The transphobes, the "TERFs," the bullies who object to my existence on principle. You don't scare me. I'm up here, in front of you all, because every voice for a marginalized group matters. Because I see a cause that I can help with. People like me, hell, every marginalized group, we're still suffering. We're still not equal. I mean, interracial marriage, gay marriage, can trans people use the bathroom of their gender? People, I have been using the girls' locker room and bathroom for three years. If I wanted to attack some cis woman in it, wouldn't I already have done it?"

She took a breath, eyes raking the crowd intently. Her voice continued, building in passion and intensity. "Every marginalized group has had to fight for rights by inches, piecemeal. At every step, the dominant groups, the ruling classes, the ancient cishet white Christian men, they basically go "wait, does your marginalized group actually deserve this basic human right?" And that is getting old and tired. Yes. Yes! YES! Everyone deserves respect. Everyone should be treated fairly!"

She looked around the crowd, then started pacing back and forth in front of the crowd. "I see people here before me from every marginalized group. Some of you visible, some not. Some of you might be hiding something. But we're all suffering! We need to stand together! If you're part of a marginalized group, or if you're an ally to social justice, I want to say this: if you want to, come on down here! Let's see how many of you are willing to stand with me! How many of you are willing to say it's time for real change? Who's with me?!"

In a moment, Adrienne and the track girls were on their feet and coming up, and then a few seconds later a trickle started, just a few students glancing around before standing up and beginning to walk down towards the stage. And then more students. And more.

It wasn't the entire student body, not even close, but it was enough to make Cassie beam with joy. Dozens at least. She looked around, then nodded. "That's what I'm talking about!"

"Anybody still up in there who's maybe closeted and scared to come out, anybody up there dealing with mental illness and not knowing who to talk to, anybody who might need it, we're all safe people down here! And it's okay not to want to put yourself on the lines of this fight! I think there's enough of us here to fight for you!"

Nodding, she spoke again. "I just want to thank everyone here for the support they've shown me, directly or indirectly, and to say I hope there's a day when true social justice and fairness are everywhere and the fighting for it is finally done. Have a great day."
 
Ellie followed Cassie as she made her way to the floor. She was less nervous than she thought she would be but Cassie made her feel safe, and Adrienne's offer to stand with them as well had boosted her confidence. She didn't say anything though, just stood there watching Cassie do her thing, listening to her words which seemed so practised, as if she had had days to prepare a speech and perhaps this was a speech Cassie had been thinking about for a while now. She watched the crowd whenever Cassie did and she saw those students she mentioned, the haters, the ignorant, the xenophobes. She also saw those who were still lacking the confidence to stand up when Cassie asked them to, girls and guys who were hiding secrets they never thought anyone would accept them for, not even in the light of Cassie's speech about equal rights. She felt for them, wanted to speak up and add to Cassie's assurance that this was a safe space and that all the others who had come down to stand with Cassie would make sure it remained a safe space.

Adrienne and the girls from the track team had been first and as Adrienne reached the floor she had walked up to Ellie and taken her hand, and then the next girl had taken Adrienne's hand and so on until they had formed something of a chain of held hands. It was at least two dozen kids standing with Cassie, mostly girls but there were a few guys as well. By the time Cassie stopped speaking there was a lot of noise coming from the remaining students, mostly the jocks and cheerleaders, the popular kids. A few stray insults were hurled at them.

To complete the chain of support that had formed with Adrienne and the track team girls Ellie walked over to Cassie and took her hand as well and as she stood there looking up at the rest of the students she felt that perhaps it was not so much a chain of support as it was the beginning of a wall. Even Ms Harrison and Ms Baker joined the chain of held hands at one end each. It was a beautiful moment and Ellie had never been more proud of Cassie.
 
Standing there, surrounded by people who were choosing to stand by and support her, Cassie felt the warmth rising in her cheeks as the tears that had ben threatening finally broke, and she started laughing, turning to throw herself into Ellie's arms, pulling her into a passionate kiss punctuated by giggles and jumping excitedly up and down.

It wasn't lost on Cassie, this had been a trial run, essentially her first public appearance and performance. And it had been a performance. A performance rehearsed for years. It was her taking a lifetime of seeing how unfair it was and channeling that passion into this plea before the masses, this chance to get people to choose their side. She had wanted to say all of this for so long, and now the emotions were overwhelming.

She forced herself into something resembling slight composure, and looked at Ellie, nearly sagging into her before catching herself. "Hey, can we ... I need a minute. I just ..." the sobs broke out again and she fought them back to say, "That was ... a lot. Kinda ... yep, emotional high is heading for a crash." And promptly hugged Ellie tightly, clearly disinterested in the crowds

Adrienne, having overheard, immediately began urging the people nearby to give Cassie some space, and get her a clear path out into the hallway.
 
Ellie felt Cassie's emotions overflowing even before the first tears formed in the corners of her eyes. They had always that that deep connection between them, instinctively knowing when the other needed a hug with no questions asked, or needed a shoulder to cry on but she also started laughing and giggling along with her girlfriend. The kiss came as both a surprise and as something absolutely natural even if it was in front of the whole school. She also began to cry. The whole situation was just so overwhelming that every possible emotion just rushed through her.

As Cassie, seemingly drained of energy from the emotional outbursts of happiness, said she need a minute Ellie first caught her and then nodded. Ellie stroked Cassie's hair and as Adrienne paved the way for them into the hallway Ellie wrapped an arm around her shoulders and walked with her, not just into the hallway but across it into the girls restroom opposite the auditorium. She gave Adrienne a nod and Adrienne responded with a nod. She'd keep watch and not let anyone in.
 
Thankfully the restroom was close, and empty. Cassie moved over to a stall and sat down on the seat, shaking as she started giggle-sobbing again. She reached out to pull Ellie onto her lap, hugging her tightly.

As it all began to ebb away, she smiled. "I did it, babe. I did it. I stood up there and I made my point and I spoke out for my beliefs and fuck it I'm going to be as vocal as I can with my platform now."

She sighed. "I've anticipated and dreaded this day, Ellie. I'm just ... it's incredible. I know I made a difference today."
 
"You sure did babe," Ellie said as she sat there straddling Cassie's lap, hugging her tightly, giggling and crying along with her.
"I'm so proud of you," she added and leaned in to kiss Cassie.
She could feel the tension running off of Cassie as they just sat there, hugging, sharing the occasional kiss, a giggle.
"And I had never expected so many to stand up when you asked them to. I mean Adrienne and the track team sure, they had offered but like I counted almost twenty five students plus Ms Harrison and Ms Baker. Damn right you made a difference."

At that moment there was a rather indiscreet knock on the door.
"Hey," they heard Adrienne's voice from the outside.
"Back off. Show some fucking respect and give them some room. Cassie just fucking stood up an bared her soul to you fucktards."
This was followed by more bangs on the door and adult voices mixing in with the students voices.
 
Cassie chuckled, nodding. "I was surprised, myself. I was expecting maybe just a few." And then the commotion started, and she sighed.

"Guess I'd better go ... no, you know what? We should get cleaned up and go out there while giving zero fucks. They don't scare me, especially with you."

As they cleaned up, Cassie's phone buzzed the text alert, and she checked who it was from. One of their other acquaintances. Cassie smiled as she read the text, then gasped.

"Oh, my God, Ellie, listen to this. It's from a classmate.

"'Cassie, I couldn't stand up there with you today, but it felt great to hear you talk about that. I really needed it. I have been questioning my identity, and I'm happy to know there are safe people to talk to. A few friends and I recorded your speech, and I wanted to see if you'd be okay with us putting the videos online. I think it could help a lot of people to see it.'"

She beamed at Ellie. "I mean, I can't say no to that if it'll help people." She said, quickly typing out an enthusiastic yes response before she and Ellie finished cleaning up. She nodded at the door, taking Ellie's hand. "Ready to give zero fucks to the people who think their problem with me or us is our problem?"
 
"They don't scare me either. Not while I have my knight in shining armour at my side."
She gave Cassie one last kiss before she slipped off of her lap with a slight hint of reluctance. She walked out of the stall and took a look at herself in the mirror. Her mascara had run down her cheeks and her eyes were red from the tears. Looking over at Cassie as she stood beside her it was obvious that she was in even more need of a clean up.

Ellie washed her face with cold water to get rid of the swollen red eyes and rubbed off the running mascara. She looked up as Cassie started to read the text she had received. In light of what was most probably awaiting them on the other side of the door it was amazing news. It also put a big smile of Ellie's face to see Cassie light up like the fourth of July.

"Yea. Let's give exactly zero fucks," Ellie said as she took Cassie's hand but before they walked out the door she first gave her another kiss.
"Funhouse Sweethearts forever," she whispered.
"You and me forever."
She then opened the door with her free hand and the two of them stepped out into a scene that was halfway between a minor riot and a heated debate. Ms Harrison and Ms Baker were trying to handle the situation along with the janitor and Principal Hardinger. Ellie smiled at Adrienne who was standing firm by the door as if her entire purpose in life had been to make sure no one opened it from the outside. She then flashed that smile at anyone looking at her and Cassie.
"Where to now babe," she whispered to Cassie.
 
Cassie smiled, squeezing Ellie's hand and nodding as she returned the kiss. "Funhouse Sweethearts forever."

The scene in front of them was a barely controlled chaos, and Cassie gave Adrienne a smile like Ellie before looking at the crowd. As more eyes settled on them, the commotion slowed and died, a tense silence settling as all eyes were on them.

Cassie took a moment to look around. "Seriously? One girl gets up in front of you, bares her soul, and tells you she's not going away just because you don't like the facts, and you practically start a riot?"

She walked over towards a cluster of the more popular kids, the football team in particular, stopping in front of them.

"You want to blame me for Keith getting himself arrested and expelled? Go ahead. I'm right here. And Keith isn't. Try something, and you won't be here long either. But I have a question for you: why? Why do you have such a problem with me? What did I ever do to you? Who made you the sole arbiters of what's acceptable?"

"You're cowards, bullies, bigots, feeling like anyone who doesn't meet your standards is inferior, a target to prey on because you have to feel big and tough. You disgust me. But you have the same right to be here as I do. So let's live and let live, okay?"

She glanced at Principal Hardinger, then the crowd. "Shut up and stop this bullshit. Let's wrap this up and get back to class without someone deciding to swing a fist."
 
Ellie didn't let go of Cassie's hand even when she walked up to the guys from the football team though she had to admit she was a bit scared. What if things escalated out of control. She didn't want Cassie to get hurt anymore than the damage Keith had already done to her that morning, but it was as if her confronting them in a calm and collected, almost polite tone of voice seemed to take the wind out of the commotion. One of two of the guys actually took a step back and looked down at their feet, some were more obviously ashamed of their behaviour than others and more followed as she called them cowards, bullies and bigots but the main argument and the one that really seemed to land with most of them was her live and let live suggestion. There were of course still a few who refused to back down. One of the guys who had called Ellie a stuck up tease and a dyke before actually looked like he might swing a fist at Cassie. It would of course have been the single most stupid decision of his life to do so in front of the better parts of the student body and at least half the faculty.

Adrienne and many of those who had stood with Cassie at the assembly had gathered around or near her for support and possibly also to be able to protect her should it become necessary. Luckily though most of the students had already shut up when she started talking and most of the rest did when she told them to stop the bullshit and get back to class before anyone decided to turn to violence rather than words. After a little while it was just Cassie, Ellie, Adrienne, a handful of their supporters, Ms Harrison, Ms Baker and Principat Hardinger left.

"It's been an emotional morning for you Ms Clayton," Principal Hardinger said.
"And I am sure no one would blame you for wanting to take the rest of the day off from school if you feel you need to."
 
Cassie had been quite happy to see that her words had an effect, and as the crowd dispersed and just their small group remained, she had leaned against a wall, worn out once again. She smiled at the suggestion she could go home, nodding. "I ... yeah. This has been ... a lot. Exhausting. I think I'll do that." She said, turning to Ellie. "Thanks for everything, babe. I know you probably want to go with me, keep an eye on me, but I ... I think I need some time alone. I'll be back to pick you up after school, okay?" She glanced at Adrienne. "You keep an eye on and take care of her today, okay?"

Adrienne nodded. "Sure thing."

Cassie smiled at Ellie, hugging her for a minute. "See you later, babe." She said, heading towards the door.

Adrienne glanced at Ellie. "Come on. I'm your substitute BFF for today."
 
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