The thought of telling Lottie makes your head spin and your body weak. You feel a cold sweat drip down your back as you think of different scenarios where she leaves the room in disgust after you tell her you're trans after weeks of flirting. You know it's just your mind getting to you - Lottie would never look at you differently, but still, it flashes through your mind so fast that you feel like you're gonna vomit.

"Hey, you okay?" Lottie interrupts your oncoming panic attack and reaches out to touch your hand. You drop the pencil you're holding and the sound it makes when it hits the floor is deafening. She shakes her head while she reaches down and picks it up, mumbling something about you being a klutz.

"I have something to tell you, and I don't know how. I, uh, I know we've been flirting for the past couple of weeks, and I just feel the need to tell you before it gets even more out of hand..." you mumble, avoiding eye contact with her. Out of the corner of your eye, you watch her set down her notebook and lean back on her arms. "Don't tell me you're getting bored of me." she jokes, and for a moment that staticky feeling in your brain disappears.

You chuckle softly, shaking your head and clearing your throat. Your mouth opens and closes a few times, trying to figure out the right words to say. "I'm... I'm stealth?" it comes out more like a question and you stutter as you try to continue talking. "I've been on T since middle school, since before we met and, uh, I'm trans. I just pass really well, and I thought I should let you know before this turns into... something."

Lottie blinks a couple of times, and she sits up straighter as she takes in what you said.

"So, you want this flirting to go somewhere?" she sheepishly asks, and you nearly break your neck from how fast you look at her. That's what she took from your confession? A part of you is glad that it's over with, and you blink wide eyed at her.