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~Exchange Experience~

“Imperfection is beauty,
madness is genius
and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous,
than absolutely boring.”
-Marilyn Monroe

“Hello, I believe you must be [Y/N] from the exchange program. I am Feliks Łukasiewicz! And I must say that you are absolutely adorable!” Wait! Did they just say Feliks? You could have sworn from the moment you saw them, in their fabulous pastel dress and with their gorgeous blonde hair that they were one of those perfect looking girls that could work any outfit. You must say, he was totally rocking that outfit, maybe making you slightly jealous that he looked better than you’d ever do. Not getting any answer, the boy shook your hand giggling.

“Oh… You think I’m… cute?” you replied, cutting the silence, with one hand covering your blushing face. “I’m really pleased to meet you! I believe we will get along really great together!”

“I sure hope so!” his smile was so sincere, that made you unexpectedly give him a quick hug. Feliks was surprised at first, but gladly hugged you back.

“I hope you, kids, don’t want to spend all day long at the airport, do you?” your mother blurted annoyed. This was so unlike her, and you could see that your father wasn’t that comfortable either. You believed that they weren’t agreeing with the young man’s behavior and crossdressing, considering it outrageous. It was a fact that your parents weren’t keen on the idea of youngsters embracing any attitudes that wouldn’t define the limits of the society. The thought made you shiver inside.

“Let me get the luggage for you. We wouldn’t want you too tired out, would we?” your father said sarcastically, grabbing the guy’s baggage.

“That is like, so nice of you, sir!” beamed Feliks before you could say anything to your dad, the cute grin never leaving his face. Thank God that you two were going to be outside the house most of the time, so you wouldn’t have to deal with their rude comments.

On your way home, Feliks has told you about Warsaw, the city he was coming from, as well as about his best friend Thoris, who was from Lithuania. He promised to introduce him to you as soon as possible because, I quote “it would totally suck if you two awesome people wouldn’t get the chance to meet.” He was really fun to be around, but you couldn’t say your parents felt the same way.
You shoved the thought away as soon as you entered your home. You were excited to show him to his room.

“Me and my parents are making rosół, followed by gołąbki for dinner and pierogi as desert. Meanwhile, you should get comfortable and I hope you like your new room.”

“Are you like, kidding? You prepared all this for me?” he grabbed you into a tight hug, squealing with excitement. “You and your family are soooo fantastic!”

After he let go, you patted him on the shoulder grinning and left to help your parents in the kitchen. You were making a type of noodle soup as the first course, some kind of meat and rice wrapped in grape leaves packets and fruit dumplings. You’ve read that these would be recommended recipes for welcoming a guest in Poland, so you’ve decided to impress your new friend. In the moment you were done with the meal, you went to call your exchange partner for dinner.

“Feliks, dinner’s ready!” you gently said, knocking on his door.

“You should like, totally upgrade your wardrobe!” you heard him shout from your room. “These clothes are too old-fashioned!”

“What are you doing?” when you entered your room, you were welcomed by a huge mess. All the contents of your wardrobe was spread on your bed, Feliks looking through your outfits, nodding in disapproval.

“What are you wearing to school girl? I am telling you, these clothes are not shouting ‘this is me’ well enough.” He took some of your blouses and put them back on the rack.

“That’s because our school has a uniform politic.” You added showing him a checkered skirt with vest, with a black velvet jacket.

“You mean that hideous thing! I hate to be in your place!” Feliks made a disgusted face, throwing your uniform back in the wardrobe.

“I know that. But anyway, I’m not going out that much, so I don’t need fancy close.” You shrugged, while helping him to put the rest of your attires at their place.

“Next week we are so going at the mall and getting you some new outfits. Even if you don’t go out that much, you might meet someone you know… And hate. You gotta be fabulous!” He smiled victoriously and headed with you towards the kitchen. “That’s a promise!”

“Come on, you two! You move like my grandma!” yelled Feliks, practically running towards the Mall’s entrance.

“Is he always that excited when it comes to shopping.” You asked Thoris, whom you’ve met two days ago, according to Feliks’ promise.

"You should see him when we go for the summer collection discounts.” You two giggled and ran to catch up with the Polish guy.
He dragged you through almost every store, making both you and Thoris try on different apparels which he found almost close to perfection. You must admit, he had a fantastic fashion sense, and an eager eye for the best prices.

“No, darling. You must totally buy this tie! It brings out the color of your eyes!” Feliks declared while making his friend try different types of ties. Meanwhile you were searching the racks for some nice skirts, since the weather was announced to get warmer. “That looks absolutely brilliant!” you jumped after hearing your friend behind you shouting in excitement. “I must try that!” His hand reached near you for a flower patterned skirt in lovely shades of pink. In the other hand he was holding some blouses and other skirts he was planning on trying. “Will ya two tell me what you think?”

After each attire, Feliks would do mini pirouettes in front of you and Thoris, showing off his fantastic choices. You couldn’t believe how gorgeous he could look and what amazing legs he had. How could a guy look 100 times better in a dress than you? But the best outfit he paired so far was the flower patterned skirt and a light cream blouse with a ribbon.

“You must buy these, Feliks! They look the best on you and no one else!” you admired his selection clapping happily, while his friend gave him the thumbs up.

“Be certain I will! How could I not buy this fabulous attire!” he grinned at your positive responses. “Well, you two go to the check desk with your things while I get changed and I’ll see you in front of the shop.

As soon as your acquisitions have been bagged, you and Thoris have been waiting for your buddy to accompany you to the food court. Only, when you spotted him, he seemed down and he wasn’t holding any of the items you suggested him buying. He passed you mouthing something like “let’s go eat” in a bothered tone. What changed his emotional state so soon? Thoris went after him, while you just sat there at the entrance not understanding what happened. In the next second, a group of girls exited the shop as well, laughing obnoxiously and loud.

“What a loser! Have you seen the look on his face? ‘What do you mean it doesn’t suit me?’ He was hilarious! People like him shouldn't be allowed to leave the house.” the group broke in another flurry of laughters.

Then it hit you. Poor Feliks… How could anyone?... Why?...

“What’s so funny?” you glared at the teenagers in front of you? “Are you envious because a guy had more fashion sense than all four of you together? Have your feelings got so hurt that you’ve decided to empty your anger on the first person you saw because you can’t compensate with anything for your flaws?” You would have continued with the insults, but your phone signaled that you received a message.

“Thoris: [Y/n], I can’t find Feliks. [Sent at 4:23]”
‘Oh shit…’

One hour. One freaking hour and you still couldn’t find Feliks. After like 20 minutes you and Thoris decided to split up. It would have made the searching go easier. But so far no luck. Tired, you made your way to the nearest bathroom to wash your hand and face with some cool water before going back to your activity. It hurt you a lot to know how badly those girls have talked about him. He doesn’t deserve the shit he’s taking.

While in front of the mirror, you heard some faint sobbing coming from one of the toilet cabins. You approached it, slowly opening the door. The ray of light was brightening your Polish friend’s face, who was sitting on the toilet, crying in his hands.

“Feliks…” you sighed. “I.. I mean we’ve been so worried…” you scooped next to him surrounding his shoulders with your arms. “I thought you got hurt or anything terrible happened to you…” You brought his face to meet yours and looked into his green eyes, puffy from all the crying.

“[y/n]… I.. I am so so sorry… I didn’t mean to run away like that. I didn’t want you and Thoris to get all worried about me. I am sorry.” You hugged him tighter, letting him flow all the bad energies and thoughts on your shoulder. “But they are so mean, [y/n]. So freaking mean! Why can’t they mind their own business? What problem do they have if I wear a pantsuit, a pair of jeans or a dress?”

“Shh… It’s going to be alright… We’ll be there for y…”

“I’m a freak… A weirdo… I don’t belong here. Anyone who sees me thinks of me like that. Your parents despised me from the beginning. Everyone will point and laugh. I believe even you thought so in the beginning…” he huffed, his expression getting angrier.

“You are wrong.” You replied bluntly. “The thirst thing I thought when we first met was ‘Damn, why are you so gorgeous in that dress?’. Sincerely, I was jealous of how well you looked. I never even gave a damn that you were a boy. We were taught that boys and girls should behave a certain way just because they have to. And when someone gets out of the boundaries, people panic because there’s someone who doesn’t follow their example. They are afraid someone will be better than them, because they are original.”

Feliks looked into your eyes as he felt another wave of tears coming. But he held them back. He threw his arms around your waist, pulling you close.

“If you can just be yourself, then you have to be original because there's no one like you!” you used the occasion to whisper in his ear while in his embrace.

“Dziekuje, [y/n]… To znaczy dla mnie bardzo wiele.”*
After he let go, you left and ran into Thoris.

“Where the hell have you been? [Y/n], why didn’t you text me in the moment you found him? Feliks, why did you run?” he was scolding you like an adult.

“Chill, broski**! Don’t you worry. We are both fine and I promise this won’t happen again. And I am one that totally keeps his promises.” Thoris sighed, but he was relieved.

“Now, how about we go back so I could buy me that fabulous outfit?”