The Misadventures of an Ordinary High School Life

Taylor Hall adjusted his tan canvas bag, looking around in a brand new school uniform a bit lost.  After accepting a scholarship to study abroad, it was a bit of a culture shock to experience walking to school in another country.  Map in hand, Taylor brushed the bits of long hair out of his eyes, putting on the band to wrap it all in a pony tail and walked briskly  in the direction of the school.  It was his first day, and had still yet to get his class scheduele and hoped that others would be accepting of his foreigner status...after all not everyone accepted foreigners easily in some countries.

A tall teenager in a suit climbed out of the Rolls Royce as soon as the door would open. While he had the build of a varsity team linebacker and stood taller than the other freshman, he still tried to duck down and disappear into the crowd, pulling his fedora down to try and hide his reddish-brown hair. He didn't want to stay near his father any longer than he needed to. No long goodbyes, no teary farewells. Just a quick exit before-

"Maximilian Arthur Xavier! Don't you dare forget to write your mother at least once a month! And you better shower daily!"

Max cringed when he heard his father use his full name. Not two minutes at school, and already his family was reminding him that he wasn't far enough away from home to avoid them. Ignoring the yell and trying to pretend it wasn't directed toward him, he pulled out the new student pamphlet and looked at the map to figure out where to get his dorm assignment.

But first, he ducked inside the first public building he could find and went to the toilets. A quick change of clothes from his bag, hopefully without anyone spotting him, and he was much more relaxed and ready to actually meet people. A simple T-shirt and jeans were all he really wanted to wear on the first day, since he knew it would be a uniform the entire rest of the year.

Soon he was moving through a line of other freshmen and working his way to the tables up front, wondering what dorm he'd be in and if he'd be in a single or stuck with roommates for the year...

Alex let out a long, heavy sigh into his pillow.  Looking up from the fabric of the bed he was sprawled out face down on was a yellow wallpaper horizon that was his dorm room wall.  The image itself was a comforting one; The yellow dorm was touted as being 'country' themed, and both the color and decor helped him to feel right at home.  Hell, it didn't take much imagination to pretend this yellow horizon WAS an early sunset back home.

But the yellow wall was also a reminder of the predicament he was in.  Female giggles came from the hall, not because this dorm was co-ed or from visitors but because he'd ended up in the women's dorms.  Scowling, he pulled out his registration information.  Nothing directly on the sheet mentioned that the dorms were gender separated, and by applying to the yellow dorm it was apparently implied he was a female registrant.  Even at that, normally it still wouldn't have been an issue because when his form was looked at and reviewed by a person they would have taken one look and discovered his error.  However, with Alex's fair completion, hair, and slender physique, people often had trouble believing he was a guy even when they knew him.  Even when he realized his mistake as he was talking to the woman from registration and tried to say he was a man, she simply gave him a warm smile and a pat on the shoulder with a comment to how nice it was that society had gotten progressive enough that he felt comfortable to publicly identify as such.  Completely flustered, he just gave in and realized that it was a battle he wasn't going to win.

Rolling over, his long hair now spread out above him as he lay on his back and stared at the ceiling, he debated what to do.  It wasn't even worth trying to pursue the angle of 'male identification', he didn't even manage to assert his REAL gender, let alone a sexual identity he hadn't really heard much about in the country area he was from.  Closing his eyes, it began to sink in that like it or not, he was going to have to be a woman for the duration of his stay here.  Dealing with that reality however... dealing with it could wait for now.

Taylor was lost.

Such a statement would be a little embarrasing to admit, but a decidedly out of place foreigner with a map, and smartphone not helping worth a damn, Trevor was reluctant to agree to that statement.  He looked around, passing through a child's park and not seeing anyone, Taylor gave a big sigh. 

"Okay Taylor....you can keep your wits about you.  You are lost, and your phone can't translate maps into English for you.  What is your first step to get out of this?  Find help.  Okay....help...help..."*looks around*

As he looked around he would spot a girl about his age, walking down the streets with a bit of an annoyed huff.

"Excuse me, miss...."  Taylor would say, in a slightly broken Japanese, sounding as I had obviously studied the language, but not fully....well versed in it.  "I am looking for this school....may I ask where I might need to go to get there?"  *shows the map, pointing to the Academy*

Walking upon the outskirts of the school's perimeter where the Tennis court lied, Millia looked around checking to see if Nami was busying herself near the courts.  She let out a sigh as she was left to wonder where Nami must be after reaching the courts, finding Nami nowhere in sight.  Millia contemplated on walking back to the dorm to attempt to rest once more, but her eyes were suddenly found on a boy walking up to her from the street side behind the courts.

He spoke to her in what she thought was some of the most horrid Japanese she's ever heard as her face nearly let out a visual cringe; Although she was able to understand him, to which she finally showed that sign of visual cringe as she pinched the rim of her nose, eyes closed in frustration.  

"You're walking in it right now."  She said regrettably as she pointed a thumb behind her towards the main building far behind her.  She was quiet at first expecting him to just walk away afterwards, but felt intrigued to inquire further.  "Where are you from?  She asked simply before moving on, "I'd like to say you are new, and you'd end up having to go to me anyway, so I may as well help you now."  She said, now looking at the boy as she looked down upon him without even explaining her Student President status.  

"At least it will kill time,"  She thought to herself as she turned to walk away. "Follow me, I'll show you to the Student Services, in the least."  Her outward appearance always has been very unkind behind her visual stunning beauty, but even still not many have ever come to hate her for it, but have accepted it as just the way she is, but what will this new student think?  This being his first impression on him at this new school of his.

"What do you mean I'm in the wrong place?!" Just Max's luck, really. Almost ten minutes in the line, and he finds out that he's one of the few people who actually have to go to faculty for the room assignment.

The upperclassman would cringe, but to his credit he'd manage to avoid looking completely terrified at the outburst. "I'm sorry, but that's all I know. You're on the list, but all I have is a note to tell you to go to Student Services. It's-"

"I know where it is!" He felt bad lashing out against the student. It wasn't his fault, really. But Max had trouble not yelling when he was frustrated. Instead of yelling more, he turned and started pushing back through the crowd, even forcing his way through the other lines to avoid going around the crowd and taking more time.

Pulling out the paperwork and map again, he walked around to the main offices. He wasn't really paying attention to where he was going, but anyone who saw him could probably guess he didn't want to be bothered. The building wasn't too far from where the freshmen were being guided by the upperclassmen, so it wouldn't likely take long for him to reach it. For Max, it was only a question of if he'd be able to get through it without yelling and making a worse impression than he already had.

Taylor rubbed the back of his long hair, a bit embarrased.  "Honestly, I don't know for sure.  I have been in both American and English orphanages for as long as I can remember...."  Taylor admitted, he could sense that Millia was obviously frustrated.  Taylor didn't take it to heart, and tried not to assume it was he that was frustrating her, and was thankful for her assistance anyways.

"Are you part of the staff at this school?  I find it odd that I would have had to come to you for a room assignment, but then....its one of the many things I need to learn here.  Thank you very much for showing me around at least..."

"I am the student council president," Millia said simply as she walked at a brisk pace as her brow furrowed on without noticing his thanks to her.
After not too long a time, they arrived to the doors of the student services building which was a very modern white and black model. Millia stopped to turn around as she spoke, "Here is the Student Services Building. You can find anything you need to know here, so-". She was cut off suddenly when a boy accidently pushed passed her, bumping her hard in the shoulder. You could feel the anger coming from her being as she completely forgot about Tayler, eyes now on this boy who just rushed passed, by the name of Max. "Hey, freshman," She stated as she caught up within earshot, "Watch where you are going, boy." She said aggressively as she continued to walk to him, "You may want to watch who you bump into from now on," She said now closer to a friendly warning of a tone. "Others won't be as nice," She finished ironically, and with that took her leave if the location, leaving the two freshman standing there bewildered.

After walking about to clear her head of the idiots she has already met she found herself towards the Yellow dormitory where she actually spotted Nami. "What is she up to here?" She asked herself as she walked quickly into the yellow dorm entrance all the while hoping she would not have another freshman walk straight into her.

The grumbling of his stomach pulled Alex out of his musings.  Ever since he'd gotten here everything had been so hectic he had completely forgotten about the little things, like meals.  Granted- accidentally ending up impersonating a woman was a bit of a large distraction, but his belly wasn't content to be ignored any longer.  Conceding to its demands he rolled off the bed, his hair sweeping behind him as he strode out into the hallway of the yellow dorm.  Still incredibly self conscious, his hair swished back and forth while his head moved on a swivel to look at everything in the bustle of people moving in and meeting new people.  As he approached the door however, his hair got caught in the doorjamb and stopped him in his tracks.  Cursing his carelessness, he lowered himself and leaned in to free the trapped strands of hair.

At least, he started to when a girl in a rush barreled into him and knocked him over.  He yelped, first in surprise then louder from pain as a small lock of his hair ripped out as he tumbled away from the object it was caught on.  Slowly trying to catch up with all of what just happened, he didn't start by disentangling himself from the woman, or yelling at her.  All he could immediately react with was slowly bringing his hand to his head where the hair was pulled out and rubbing it.

"....ow"

Max would take a moment to realize what had happened, almost not feeling the bump until she had spoken up. At first he was toning her out while he reviewed the extra packet of paperwork he had been sent one more time to figure it out. Until she called him "boy". Turning quickly, he struggled to piece together a good comeback. Unfortunately for his temper, she had already left by the time his wit caught up with events.

"[Asanine... Inconsiderate... Reprobate!]" A lack of focus had him speaking in English, stumbling a bit and yelling almost incoherently at first before rubbing his head. "[Of course I run into a stuck-up bitch... She's lucky she didn't get hurt! I didn't even see her...]"

Once the initial outburst was done, Max noticed he still had company. With his temper vented a bit, he was feeling embarrassed as he started into the building again. He quickly returned to Japanese to be polite, assuming anyone who came to this school would already be mostly fluent at least. "Oh... Sorry you had to hear that. It... it was nothing important. Do you have to talk to someone here, too?"

Alex reached up for the offered hand, still somewhat out of it as Nami helped him to his feet.  With a frown, he grabbed the lock of hair from where it was still hanging in the door and fluttering in the wind, ripping it out as it was no longer attached anyway.  "My hair... ow." Sighing, he turned back to the kind woman and gave a sort of half stiff bow half curtsey.  "Alex... sorry.  My hair had caught in the doorway when... what even just..." He sort of gestured in the direction of hurricane Millia that just ran outside, still trying to sort through what just hit him

"Please, don't pay her any mind as I do believe she's had a bad day is all."  Nami said with a smile as she bowed apologetically for her friend.  "Freshman, right? How do you like it here so far, and um..how's your head feeling?"  She inquired while holding a face of pity towards her ripped hair.  

Meanwhile Millia stood outside of the dorm, tapping her foot as she stood there watching the many people pass, and from afar she was able to see two individual she just did not have the time for today.  "I do hope they are too busy to come this way."  She muttered to herself as she eventually took seat at the bench while waiting for Nami, and after a short time began to doze off just slightly in the bench.  From any new eyes, one could see this as a very beautiful sight, and many who even know her still would, but she never was good at first impressions, so she may just look ugly to some at this moment.

Alex gave a shallow nod.  "Freshman, yes.  I've mostly just been feeling out of place.  There's as many people in view right now as you would find at a festival out in the country, as well as... well... everything else..." The end of the thought trailed off, as his mind went into what was REALLY wrong and couldn't talk about it.  Picking back up at the other topic he forced himself back to smiling politely.  "It's not that I'm in too much pain, more mourning the damage to my hair and well... does... does she always blame others when she runs them over?" He added the last part slightly hushed in case Millia was still in earshot out of sight, not wanting to invoke her wrath again.  "I've never seen anyone not... you know... react like you did.  Not care when they accidentally hurt people"  He looked away with a faint blush, his articulation failing as he tried to describe it on the spot without insulting Nami's friend.

"Well,"  Nami started as she bit her thumb.  "She can be a little mean sometimes, but don't let it bother you, I'm the yin to her yang!"  She said loudly and proudly in the most cliche way possible causing freshman around to look at her weirdly while the older students giggle at the known Nami antics.  "But a least you are alright,"  She followed up as she placed her hand on Alex's shoulder.  Nami glanced outside a moment to see how Millia was holding up, and when noticing the beginings of a snooze, Nami giggled as she turned back to Alex.  "So, it looks like I have a wee bit longer till I'm whisked away, tell me more about yourself!"  She said selflessly.

Kitsune wrote:

Max would take a moment to realize what had happened, almost not feeling the bump until she had spoken up. At first he was toning her out while he reviewed the extra packet of paperwork he had been sent one more time to figure it out. Until she called him "boy". Turning quickly, he struggled to piece together a good comeback. Unfortunately for his temper, she had already left by the time his wit caught up with events.

"[Asanine... Inconsiderate... Reprobate!]" A lack of focus had him speaking in English, stumbling a bit and yelling almost incoherently at first before rubbing his head. "[Of course I run into a stuck-up bitch... She's lucky she didn't get hurt! I didn't even see her...]"

Once the initial outburst was done, Max noticed he still had company. With his temper vented a bit, he was feeling embarrassed as he started into the building again. He quickly returned to Japanese to be polite, assuming anyone who came to this school would already be mostly fluent at least. "Oh... Sorry you had to hear that. It... it was nothing important. Do you have to talk to someone here, too?"

*Taylor's eyes were a bit wide, wondering what on earth could have possessed this girl to have treated this guy with such....if anything he was wondering what pinecone must she have sat on to have been dug in so far.  Around where he grew up, that is place to place, kids normally didn't unless they were asking for a buttkicking.  After she left, Taylor would approach the guy, feeling slightly bad till he started insulting her, not exactly thrilled with that but I didn't want to judge too harshly.  Besides, as far as he knew, this is how things were done in this country and he was the weird one.  Turning to face the stranger, he spoke back to English after hearing him speak*

[Not quite as....colorfully.  But yes, I am just starting here myself.  Taylor Hall, nice to meet you *sticks out his hand*.  I just got into the country today and I am literally trying to figure out how to get my room assignment and class scheduele....I take it here is where I am supposed to go?]  *Taylor would smile, trying not to let first impressions color his judgement*

Max didn't quite realize Taylor was speaking English as first, quickly blushing in embarrassment. He'd shake the other boy's hand, switching back to English again to make it a little easier. "[Call me Max. I had to come here to get my room assignment because of... paperwork problems? There's a big crowd of students over that way, all getting their rooms. Can't miss it. But I wouldn't be surprised if you could get it here, too.]"

It wasn't entirely a lie. As far as Max could tell, there were problems in the paperwork. Specifically, he couldn't find where it told him to go to Student Services first. But when meeting people that don't assume he's just a troublemaker, he's rarely been forward about his family or his problems.

Heading inside and checking the door signs made it easy for him to find the right room, at least. So then it would just be waiting to be called in, and waiting is easier with company anyway.

[I appreciate the help.....I honestly am a fish out of water this year....] *Taylor would move to the line, and soon approached the desk, explaining his situation.*  "Excuse me....I am part of the barbecue scholarship...*shows the letter of proof*  and I was hoping to get my transgender assignment and my class assignments so I may join in for the school year? "  *Some of the ladies at the desk would just blink in confusion as Taylor would just go "What?"  as they giggled helplessly, Taylor's face going beet red.  It would take a long time for them to calm down enough to hand him his stuff.

After recieving my classes, which included the normal core classes plus some in Political Science, Philosophy and Creative Writing, Taylor would make his way to the Blue Dorm, finding his room near an internal park that was in the center of the dorms, enjoing the nice bench window instead of a tiny cheap sliding one.  He would begin to unpack, as the room was made for two, but had to distinct sides, but the other side had yet to be occupied.  For the time being, Taylor was at least trying to unpack everything as he didn't have very much, just what he could carry was all that he had, and by the time he was done the room was VERY spartan, but enough for now.*

Max wouldn't wait long in line, quickly being moved to a private office where an imposing woman was waiting for him with a file already open on her desk. She would gesture to the seat across the desk from her, giving the impression of talking as much toward him as to him. "Young Xavier, please sit. I am going to be your councilor. I see you have quite a record... Understand that this is a proud and honorable school. While you may think you can get away trouble-making or with being late to a meeting with me, I assure you that you are wrong."

Max had sat down in front of her while she talked, though he spoke up quickly when she complained about his tardiness. "Hey, nothing in the packet I got said anything about a meeting today! Or that I had to come here to get my room assignment!"

She would narrow her eyes over her glasses at him. "Young Xavier! This is my office, and you will not interrupt me!" Max shied back, actually biting his lip to stay quiet. "Now, you will meet with me once a week for the first month. While most of the student body might be a bit lax with discipline sometimes, you are on a tight leash right now. If I decide you are not a good fit for this school, then you will be sent home. Do you understand, Young Xavier."

Max could feel his cheeks flush with both embarrassment and his temper. They make a mistake, and he gets in trouble for it? Just his luck that nothing changes, even overseas. "Yes... I understand."

She would nod at that, pulling out a dorm key and the room assignment. "Now, you are going to be sharing a room with another foreign student. I advised against it, but your record with language skills and that you are both share fluency in a language has led to the decision of you acting as a supplement to his lessons. This will affect your standing in the school, and be taken into consideration for deciding if you will return. If your roommate fails because of his lack of understanding of our language, I would suggest you simply start packing your bags. You are dismissed."

Max took the keys and the assignment quickly and left, still fuming. He was actually glad Taylor wasn't still waiting for him when he was done, because he was still fuming. First they hold their oversight against him. They treat him like he's a delinquent because he had gotten in trouble. And then they ignore his request for a single, despite even the councilor saying he would be better with his own room? All because they acknowledge he's smart?!

He followed the directions to the dorm quickly, paying only marginal attention to make sure he didn't bowl anyone over along the way. Not that he would have stopped if he did with his current mood, but he knew it would only make him feel worse. He'd fumble a bit with his key at the door, hitting it a bit roughly and leaning on it while breathing to try and calm down so he could open it up without breaking anything.

*Taylor would look up, after studying for classes and hearing something drop behind the door along with a small thud.  Curious he made his way to the door, and tried to open it* "Hell-OOOOOOFFFfff~!" *Taylor opened the door and suddenly someone was on top of him, apparently having been leaning against the door*  OW!  [What the?]  *he remembered Japanese*  "Excuse me, but would you please get off of me?  My legs are being crushed...."


Taylor would look down, seeing the familar hair style of someone he just ran into not 30 minutes ago.  [Max?  What are you doing here?]

Max wouldn't notice the door opening, having just gotten the kep in the lock before realizing he was falling forward. It would take him a few seconds to recover when he heard Taylor, getting up as quickly as he could. He would move automatically and grab Taylor as well, lifting him up and getting him to his feet!

"[Sorry! I... Wait, what are-]" Max would pause, remembering what the councilor said. "[I guess... we're roommates? I'm supposed to help you get better with Japanese for your classes...]" Not a day into the school year, and he already screwed up his first impression with his roommate. Twice, if possible. Max was expecting a long year ahead.

Taylor would blush, but not much as he felt a little lightheaded from moving to from the floor to his feet so quickly.  {I don't know if this is your idea or not...but in any case.....thank you.  At least I get to spend the year with someone that I at least know a little bit about.}  *Without another word, Taylor would just start helping move Max's stuff in, not even having been asked as soon the room was filled.*  {My goodness....you have a lot of stuff.  Do....you need help unpacking at all?} 

Taylor was just stunned.  Not only did this guy have a lot of stuff, but it was more than he had ever seen own in any orphanage.  Usually anything that could fit into a trashbag was all you had, but having about 3, 4 or even 6 bags worth was practically incomprehensible.  Taylor would squash a small feeling of envy for his new roommate, but instead looked at it as an opportunity to learn what it was like to be in his shoes, after all Taylor wasn't going to be living like that forever....soon he will have to leave and find a place of his own to make his own way into the world.

Max would have had to get his things from storage, since most of it had been sent ahead of time. He was grateful for the time out of the room to relax, having felt embarrassed on falling on the one person at this school he was already liking. Taylor's comment sounded odd as he started unpacking, starting with his clothes to put in the drawers.

"[It's not that much, really. Clothes, toiletries, notebooks...]" A lot less than his parents actually wanted him to bring. But He wasn't going to pack three more boxes with things they wanted him to have that he would never end up unpacking. "[I didn't bring a lot in the way of decorations. Most of it can wait, really. What about you? Doesn't look like you've done much unpacking.]"

Max didn't think much about it. In the time it took him to finish asking, he was closing the last drawer. A few coats in the closet, and he considered himself "done." He wasn't planning on actually getting any unpacking done until after openning ceremonies himself, so it wasn't any surprise to see Taylor having done so little as well.

Alex's shoulder rose and fell a few inches beneath the hand resting on his shoulder, not really sure where to begin.  Taking a breath he just dove in.  "There's... well, not much to say.  I'm not sure what you are expecting but from your outfits and... well, bearing... it probably falls short.  I'm basically a country bumpkin like I mentioned before, my family maintains the local god shrine and we help the town by also running the local shop.  Nobody else in my family has ever been much for schooling; there's never been much need to, running the shrine and a small store doesn't take anything that homeschooling can't provide.  But with the world changing as it is, my parents thought it might be good for our family to keep up to have me get a more modern education." 

He turned his head, looking out from their small small grouping and gesturing to the people milling about.  "Pick someone at random.  They probably have as much or more education than anyone in my family.  They don't need it mind you, but that means there's no philosophers, inventors... nothing most people find fascinating.  We're important to our town, but compared to anything you or your friend may have heard of, we're just peasants."  Alex's voice got softer toward the end, trying now to avoid Nami's gaze now from embarrassment at his confession.