😂

James' P.O.V.

"Peggy, I don't need a new binder." I tell Peggy as we walk into another store.

"Yes, you do!" She argues. I roll my eyes. I feel so uncomfortable right now.. Peggy made me take off my binder in public because I was wearing it too often..

I feel so feminine right now and I hate it... she drags me to the clothes section, trying to find a binder.

"You aren't going to find one."

"Yes I will!"She argues again. I roll my eyes. I cross my arms over my chest. I feel really exposed.. she drags me to a section with costumes and binders. Why is this even right here?

"Do you want a neutral color or..." she gets cut off.

"Hey Peggy!" A voice calls. I tense up, pressing my arms against my chest. We both turn over at the voice and see Maria there, walking over to us.

"Hey Maria!" Peggy greets her with a hug. Theodosia walks up behind Maria too.

"It's so great to see you!" Theo says smiling and giving Peggy a hug.

"It's great to see you guys too!" She says, pulling away from the girls. I just stand there awkwardly, pressing my arms against my chest.

"Hey! You're James, right?" Theo points out. I tense up even more if that's possible.

"U-umm... y-yeah.." I say, almost unsure of my own name..the two girls smile at me.

"So, what're you guys doing here?" Theo asks, smirking at us. I give her a questioning look.

"I ship it.." Maria says, with some restraint in her voice. Peggy and I look at each other, then burst out laughing. The two girls must've been so confused. We laugh until our sides hurt.

"That's a good one! I'll have you know we're both super gay!" Peggy says, putting an arm around me. I giggle and Maria's eyes went hopeful.

"Anyways, what're you guys doing in this section?" Theo asks, looking at the binders. I feel my face heat up and I look away.

"We're here for a friend." Peggy lies.

They talk for awhile and I just stand there awkwardly.. Peggy waves to her friends has they walk off.

"Sorry JJ." She apologizes then grabs a neutral colored binder and hands it to me. It felt.. better then the smaller one.. I'm so grateful for having her. She does way too much for me..

"I still can't get over that necklace Thomas gave you. It's amazing." She gushed, looking at my necklace as we walk out the store. I feel more comfortable now that I have an appropriate fitting binder on. I nod and sigh happily.He's so sweet..

"Hey Jasmine..." I hear someone whisper behind me. I freeze and don't dare to turn around. I see Peggy freeze as well, I grab her hand.

"Just keep going." I whisper to her. She nods and we continue walking. I feel a tap on my shoulder

"Jasmine." I hear the same voice call out.

"Shut up.." I mumbleangrily. I drag Peggy along faster. I felt my arm burn.

"JJ.." She whispers, trying to calm me down. I take a deep breath.

"James..?" The voice said from behind me, confused by using my name. I turn around and see a confused Samuel Seabury standing there. The white tattoo across his neck showing prominently. I tilt my head, confused why he wanted my attention.

"You're.. you're Jas-.. I mean.. James Madison right?" He asks shyly. Why is he talking to me? Isn't he friends with Reynolds? Is this a joke?

"Yes?" I ask confused. Peggy glares at him.

"Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry for using that name.. that must be terrible I'm a terrible person I'm so so sorry.." he apologizes frantically.

Okay.. now I'm really confused..

"Um.. it's okay..?" I say in more of a question.

"Reynolds told me to call you that and I was confused of why and he said you were trans. Oh my god that sounded like I was trying to offend you. Sorry! I just-.."

Peggy cuts him off, "Was there something you needed..?" She asks, also confused of why Samuel was talking to us.

"Oh! Right! Sorry I got sidetracked. Reynolds has not been the best... he never really has. I've been in the wrong group of friends for awhile.. I never wanted to be a bully.. And I'm sorry for being so rude to you and your friends.." he says with guilt. Was he serious?

"It's okay I guess.. you're not doing this for Reynolds are you?" I ask, just to make sure.He shakes his head right away.

"No no no! I promise. I know it's probably hard to trust me but... I would really like to try and be your friend.." he says with hope in his eyes. I've.. never seen him like this.. he usually always has a scowl plastered on his face or is pushing someone around... this seems like him...

"It will be hard to trust you.." I start off and his face falls, "but I'm willing to give you a chance to redeem yourself..." I tell him with a smile.

"You are?" Peggy asks surprised.

"Yes, I am."

He smiles brightly at me.

"Oh thank you so much! I promise to be a better person!" He swears, crossing his heart. I giggle.

"Why don't you come over to my house with us and hang out? We can get to know you better." Peggy suggests, now also willing to give him another chance.He smiles brightly again.

"That would be nice.." He says, and follows us while we walk. We talked the entire way home and we actually have a lot of things in common.

"I guess I was just afraid of being bullied so I became one.." he finishes his story of why he started hanging out with Reynolds in the first place.

"Well I'm glad you got away from them." Peggy says. He smiles at her.

Peggy reaches her hand out to open the door, but Eliza slams it open.

"WE HAVE NEWS!!!" She screams, apparently not seeing Samuel standing with us. Samuel shyly backs up.

"Calm down!"

"WELL ANGIEWait.. why is he here?" Eliza asks with disgust, pointing at Samuel. Sam looks down shyly and guiltily. Peggy and I shoot Eliza a glare.

"We're trying to trust him and be his friend. Now what is it?" Peggy says, rolling her eyes.

"ANGIE GOT A BOYFRIEND" She screams then runs back inside. Peggy and I exchange glances then walk in.

"He's not my boyfriend! Just someone I like!"

"He's so your boyfriend!"

"Is not!"

"Is to!"

"Is not!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Guys!" I scream over the 2 girls. Silence fills the air.

"Why is Samuel Seabury here?" Angie asks, just now noticing that Sam was here. I sigh heavily.

"Samual is trying to be our friend! And this isn't really a proper introduction" I say.

"It's fine James.." Sam mumbles.I take a deep breath.

"We'll talk about Angie later, for now can we get a proper introduction of ourselves to Samuel?" I ask. Silence stays in the air for a little longer until Eliza clears her throat.

"Hey Samuel! I'm glad you want to get away from Reynolds. I'm Angelica but you can call me Angie. I have the power of invisibility." She introduces. She then goes invisible and appears behind Samuel making him jump. We all giggle.

"I'm Elizabeth, but you can call me Eliza! I have a light power in my eyesand the power of Taste. It's really weird.." she says, clicking her tongue.

"And Peggy! Well, my name is Margarita but I'd rather people call me Peggy! I have the power of touch and quick math." She says.

"You already know me, I'm James. I have no clue what my power is!" I say with fake excitement. He chuckles.

"You guys are all sisters right?" She asks pointing at the Schuyler's. They all nod.

"But James is like our brother!" Peggy points out.

"Well.. I'm known as a bully. I'm Samuel of course.. I have the power offlash night vision, and quick react." He says.

"What's flash night vision?" Eliza asks confused and interested.

"I can see in the dark and make my eyes glow up when it's dark. Like a flashlight. Quick react is kind of like super speed." He explains.

"I'm glad you're trying to be our friends Samuel.." Angie tells him, with a sweet smile. He smiles back kindly.

"Now back to Angie's boyfriend..." Eliza says smirking at Angie.

"No! He's not my boyfriend and do you really think Samuel would.."

Sam cuts her off.

"Oooo! Who you crushing on girl??He asks jumping up and down slightly. Peggy and I burst out in laughter for the second time that day.

I hope Sam isn't as bad as he made himself out to be...

💙