~Reality~

Chapter 10 A Good decision?

I receive a text

look under your window ~s

I see Sarah standing underneath. I contemplate again whether or not I should do what I was planning to do. But then, I think about my parents again, and it removes all traces of doubt. I'm gonna do it.

I lock my door and climb out the window with the help of the tree that was conveniently growing outside my window. I hug Sarah.
"Thanks for coming" I say wiping a stray tear.
"Of course" She replies. "You know..." she adds as an after thought, "I think becoming friends with you was one of the best decisions I ever made. There's so much action going on all the time!"
I fake glare at her. "Glad to know you're happy to be friends with me because of my great personality" I say sarcastically, knowing it was her way of trying to cheer me up.
She rolls  her eyes. "So what's the plan anyways?" She asks with her grey eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Straight to it I see...

"so um.....I'mcuttingmyhair" I say really quickly.
"What?" She asks.
I take a deep breath. "I'm cutting my hair"
"And your parents are okay with that?!?" She exclaims. She stares at me as if I'd grown antlers
"Shh..." I put a hand over her mouth and drag her behind the tree.
"No! Of course not! It just that.. if they can't accept me for who I am, I'm gonna make them.." I whisper.
Her eyes soften with understanding. "But are sure that's the best direction to go in?" She asks.

This takes me aback. I thought Sarah would be the first one to agree with me. I start doubting my plan for the thousandth time.
Then, I think of all the times my gender has stopped me from doing something I love. I grit my teeth.
"Yes. They need to move on from the past and understand that I'm as capable as my brother."
"Umm Ava, your brother is 5..."
"I know that! But look me in the eye and tell me that he won't be allowed to do whatever he wants when he's my age!" I say struggling to keep my voice level.

"Ava! Listen to me! From all the things you've told me about you're parents, I'm pretty sure he may be given more freedom than you, but won't be given complete freedom either!" She says
"What do you mean?" I ask her.

"Your parents will expect him to become what our 'society' perceives as a figure of 'masculinity'. Imagine, if your brother likes cooking, do you think he'll be able to pursue it? If he cries do you think he'll be allowed to?? No! He won't! You know what, let's go. I'm taking you to a salon right now. You're going to get the best haircut of your life."

Her words hit me like a load of bricks. I know what she was saying was true.
It makes me even more determined to change this horrible system where people can't be themselves.
I nod. "Let's go."

We make our way to the salon. Long story short, they cut my hair short not like Sarah but more in a rebellious kind of way. (Picture above)
I look at myself in the mirror. I look....different.
But...At the same time... I look like myself....
I grin. "I love it"

Sarah smiles too. "You look amazing!"
I click a selfie and send it to Katia, Cody and Zia from Seattle.
They all reply instantly, Sarah had already filled Kate and Cody in on the way.

Looks awesome ;) ~Kate
Is that a rebellious touch i see :P !~Zia
Looking great =) ~Cody

I smile. I love my friends.

We make way back home and I stand at the base of the tree, ready to climb back up.
Sarah looks at me with a sad smile, "What's gonna be your parents reaction?"

I sigh, "I don't know Sarah, I don't know....But, I'm about to find out.."
And I climb up the tree.

Sorry for the short chapter guys, but I wanted to leave it hanging there a bit. Anyways, thanks for reading!

*tries climbing tree like Ava but hardly reaches one centimeter high*

Stay tuned!