Maxine stood next to a girl, Claire, looking up at the bus. There was still sounds of frustration and anger coming from inside, and she was worried things would get violent soon. She was rather surprised when another boy a few years older than her stepped off the bus and quickly made his way over to them.
"You're gathering volunteers?" he asked Claire, who seemed as surprised as Maxine.
"Y-yes, magical girl volunteers are meeting here," Claire said. "Sorry, I'm surprised we had another volunteer. I understand this wasn't your original destination."
"No, it wasn't," the boy said with an irritated look. "Nevertheless, we're here now, and I didn't really want to be going to the other place anyway. So, here I am. Beats wading into that mess," he said with a nod toward the bus.
"Very well, I promise you won't regret choosing to become a magical girl," Claire said with a smile. She extended her hand. "I'm Claire, and this is Maxine, you're fellow volunteer."
Maxine shivered slightly as the boy glanced at her. Claire had used Maxine's new name, but she was still male. To her relief, the boy either didn't notice or didn't seem to care as he returned the handshake.
"James. Though, I suppose I'll be needing a new name soon won't I?"
"You don't have to, but it'd probably be best," Claire replied.
"Excuse me," Maxine said. "You said you didn't want to go the manly camp. Why not?"
James seemed to glare at nobody in particular. "Because it's boring. All sorts of 'rough and tumble' and 'real man's man' crap. I have no patience for it. It's annoying, problematic, and just plain dull. This place may not have been where I wanted to be, but it's bound to be more interesting than the other camp."
Maxine nodded slowly. "I get that. I didn't want to go either, my parents made me. They thought it would... 'fix' me, after I told them I didn't feel like I was a boy."
Maxine was looking down at the ground, but jumped slightly when she felt Claire place a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she could see worry and compassion clear on her face, and James' expression had softened as well.
"I see," he said with a nod. "Yes, I suppose that camp would cater to that kind of... people. Perhaps our coming here was a kind of blessing in disguise."
"Yes, I'm sure it was," Claire said firmly. "No matter where you've come from or why you had to leave, you're here now. And I can promise you Maxine, that you will be welcomed here. The real you, the you that you want to be."
Maxine couldn't help but feel tears starting to form. She was accepted, wanted. Two complete strangers were treating her with more kindness and love than anyone in her family ever had. It was sad in a way, but happy in so many more ways.
"Thank you, thank you so much," Maxine said.
Claire nodded, and turn to face a new group of people heading their way. There was the first girl who met them when they arrived, the bus driver, and two other boys Maxine didn't know. The girl looked to Claire.
"I've brought you three more volunteers," she said. "Everyone, this is Claire. She'll be your guide for now. That situation on the bus isn't getting any better, and I don't think we'll be getting any more volunteers. Why don't you take these five over for registration while we try and work something out in there."
"Sure thing Kay," Claire said before turning to Maxine and the others. "Ok everyone! Follow me, and you'll take your first step in becoming magical girls!"