~Reality~

Chapter 9 I blow up

"Look what we have here" I hear someone say. I turn around and my eyes widen. "Mark." I growl, "What do you want?"

"Oh it's nothing, just happy to finally see you as a girl. Honestly, I had given up hope, I had truly believed that the girl in you had died." He sneers.

It takes everything in me not to pounce on him. I try to maintain a cool composure. "oh really?"

"Of course! I mean, you do cheerleading along with playing soccer, which you don't play very well by the way" he says the smirk never leaving his face. My heart was pumping out of my chest. By the way said it, I knew he knew the truth.

He was indirectly black mailing me. I decided to play dumb. "What are you going to do?" I ask

He chuckles. "And I thought blondes were dumb"
I grit my teeth thinking about Sarah. "shut up and get to the point."

"Well, you see, I'm just warning you in advance for what your mother's reaction might be..." he says.

I was wrong. He isn't blackmailing me. He's already told my parents. " You have no proof... Why would my parents believe you?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe they've seen a picture of you playing??" he says nonchalantly.

I freeze. I resist the urge to scream. The one time I finally get to play soccer without any interference had to been ruined by this jerk. "why?" I ask him

"You see, you were becoming a nuisance for the team. When I finally found out about this little plan of yours, it was the perfect way to get you out. I couldn't just let this opportunity slide out of my hands." He says.

"No, I mean what do you have against me?" I yell . "Why can't you just accept the fact that I can play soccer!?"

"Because you are a GIRL!!" he yells back. His words echo around the locker room. He takes a deep breath. I feel my mouth drop open.
"So what?!!" I yell back " I am as good of a player as you!!" I couldn't believe it. Yet again my gender was stopping me from doing what I want.
"Why do you even care?" He sneers "Shouldn't you be caring about looking pretty or finding a boyfriend?" He comes closer to me.
"And even when you get older, do really think ur going to go forward in soccer? No..I don't think so" He whispers

I stare at him. Why is he saying that? Is this really what he is taught at home? How can he be so sexist, It's the 21st century for goodness sake!

"Anyways, at least I won't have to deal with you now. Have fun convincing your parents Ava. Oh, and I would say it was nice talking to you, but it wasn't, bye" he smirks and walks away. I let out a curse. I hate him so much.

I make my way to the pick up area and see mom there looking furious. I pray that Mark was just bluffing, but the look on her face says otherwise. She knows.

"What the hell were you thinking young lady?" She yells. I don't answer and make my way to the car. I sit down and wait for the yelling to start. But the thing is, she doesn't say anything. That makes it even worse if possible.

We reach home and I go to my room and text Sarah, Kate and Cody about today. Suddenly, I hear the front door opening. I freeze. Dad's home early. "Where is she?" I hear him say quietly and the next thing I know, he's in my room mom close behind.

"You disobeyed us" he states "Yet again, you have gone out of your way to try doing things that are not meant for you" he says his voice rising with every word.
I feel like shrinking under his gaze. But I don't. I realise, there is nothing wrong with me doing what I love. I gather some courage.

"SO WHAT?!" I yell at them.

They seem taken aback, but there is no stopping now.

"I'M TIRED OF ALL THIS!." I yell, "YEAR AFTER YEAR I HAVE ENDURED ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT ME BEING FRAGILE, ME BEING WEAK, ME LOVING PINK, ME LOVING CHEERLEADING AND WHATNOT! WHY? JUST BECAUSE I'M A GIRL!?"
I try and lower my voice but am unable to hide my bitterness behind the words, "No matter how much I try to convince you that my gender doesn't define me, the more you impose certain rules! WHY CAN'T I JUST BE MYSELF? Why do you want to make me like a 'stereotypical' girl? A real girl is a girl who is HERSELF." I expect them to be understanding but he says something I never expected..

"This is all our fault" my father whispers with a glare cold enough to freeze a lake. "We have been giving you too much freedom. And, that girl, what was her name?" He asks
"Sarah" my mom whispers from behind me.
"Yes...Sarah, I'm pretty sure she has been a bad influence. You will no longer be meeting with her, understand? Oh and you'll be doing cheerleading whether you like it or not, and I'll make sure of that." He walks out. Mom gives me a disappointing stare and walks out right behind him.

I desperately try to hold back tears. I call Sarah and tell her about what happened, she becomes speechless.
I suddenly feel a flare of anger. Not just at my parents but at the society who imposed such images about people, who judges people for being who they are. I feel a sense of rebelliousness. I make a split decision, nothing big, but enough to tell my parents that I can be who I want to be.

"Sarah meet me at my house, don't knock or ring the bell, just stand underneath my window I'll come down. Just don't tell my parents." I whisper.

She sounds a bit confused, "what are you doing Ava..?"
"Just come" I whisper.
"Okay" she replies and ends the call.
I'm going to show my parents that I can be whoever I want, do whatever I want, and look like whoever I want and nothing can stop me.
Yes, you heard me right. Nothing.

Not. Even. My. Gender.

Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone who is reading this story, it truly means a lot.
Secondly, This chapter was really intense, but it was worth it. :P
Lastly, please don't forget to vote, it means a lot. But, if you are a silent reader, I appreciate you reading it nonetheless.

*keeps a very serious expression matching the feeling behind the chapter but hiccups and desperately tries to cover giggles*

Stay Tuned!