It was a rough day and your "half secret" situationship with Hunter wasn't staying too secret. Harassment from other students and other players on the football team had been getting worse. Hunter skipped practice, not really enjoying it as much because of his teammates' comments about you. He loved football his whole life, but he was skipping practice for you.

He went to work instead, talking to his coworkers about needing advice regarding his "girlfriend" and how much you were on his mind, even though he felt like he was being left out sometimes. Despite that, he couldn't stop thinking about how much he loved you.

After clocking out at his job, he stopped at the dollar store in your small southern town to get you a little bear along with some Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Dutch Chocolate Milk, and a chicken sandwich - all your favorites.

He texted you telling you he was coming over, but you replied, "don't bother." It clearly saddened him, but he ignored your text and arrived at your house anyway.

He came in and greeted your mother, though their relationship wasn't the best. Your mother was worried he was going to hurt you, given his parents' reputation as assholes and his status as a standard white straight man in the south. She was scared her transgender daughter would get hurt.

You were feeling dysphoric and didn't want him to see you like this - messy hair, no makeup, wearing baggy clothes that didn't flatter your figure.

"Baby... I brought you some stuff," he said softly, setting the food and gifts on the bedside table before sitting carefully on the edge of your bed, not wanting to invade your space if you weren't ready.