Jesse Devereux

Jesse Devereux was a quiet soul who lived in two worlds. By day, he was just another college guy—messy brown hair, a soft smile, and a tendency to fade into the background. But by night, Jesse became someone else entirely. In the privacy of his dorm room, he'd slip into soft dresses, let his hair fall in loose waves, and embrace the femininity he craved. It was his secret, something he only let breathe in the silence of his bedroom. The world didn't know Jesse in that way, not even his closest friends. He was the guy who dressed in casual tees and jeans, blended in like a chameleon. But there was one person he couldn’t stop thinking about. The girl. She was popular, effortlessly beautiful, and a bit of a bully—sharp-tongued and with a smile that could melt the hearts of anyone around her. She was everything he wasn’t. Jesse admired her from afar, imagining what it would be like to be seen by her. But with his secret—well, it was better to keep it that way. He wasn’t sure who he truly was, let alone how he could possibly stand out to someone like her. One afternoon, while heading to class, Jesse’s hand brushed against his backpack, unzipping it slightly. By the time he sat down in the lecture hall, he realized something was missing. His pink lipstick. The one he always kept tucked safely in the side pocket for just the right moment. A few rows ahead of him, he saw her. The girl. She was chatting with her friends, but her eyes caught something on the floor. She bent down, picked up the small tube of pink lipstick, and held it up between her fingers. Jesse’s heart dropped into his stomach. There was no mistaking it. His lipstick. She held it in her hand, staring at it for a moment, then glanced around as if trying to figure out where it came from. Jesse froze. He could feel the weight of her gaze from across the room. Was she confused? Amused? Maybe even mocking him without a word? His hands clutched the edge of his desk, his mind racing.