Pinocchio

Ms. Jīn

"trans·gen·der
transˈjendər,tranzˈjendər/

adjective

denoting or relating to a person whose self-identity does not conform unambiguously to conventional notions of male or female gender."

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"Oh my God, are you alright?!" A girl with jet black hair and olive skin answered the door. Her name was Eleanor, a friend of his.

She looked at the boy's newly cut hair and backpack and instantly recognized what had happened.

"Come inside."

He followed her inside to the beige living room, sitting down as she handed him a raspberry popsicle, something she knew would put a smile on his face.

"Thanks." He smiled back at her, his eyes still red and puffy.

"...You only have a few months left to wait." Eleanor said as she brought a few pillows over and set them on the green couch.

"It feels like a long time from now, though."

"You could get the testosterone shots and an apartment not far out of town when you turn eighteen. You'll be okay. I'll be here, too."

He nodded his head slowly in agreement, his auburn hair occasionally sticking to the sides of his head from his smeared tears.

"Hey, when my mom gets home, we can all head out and go get you some new clothes." Her eyes began to wander away from his. Then she giggled, looking up just above his eyebrows. "And get you a clean haircut."

He smiled sadly, "God, Eleanor, you're amazing."

"I'm just doing what's best for you."

A loud noise was made from the kitchen area and a lady - who looked just like Eleanor but older - bursted through the door.

"I'm home early, El--!" The woman stopped after seeing the boy sitting on the couch next to her daughter, his hair cut and his eyes still runny.

She dropped her things quickly on the wooden counter, then rushed over to the open living room and kneeled down in front of the boy, frantically scanning his face. "...Oh no..."

"I'm fine, Ms. Jīn."

"...Your mother kicked you out, didn't she?"

"Yeah."

"Alright," she inquired, patting his knuckles. Bouncing back up onto her heels, she said, "let's go shopping. Shopping solves everything."

Eleanor laughed, knowing that this was exactly what her mother was going to say.