Nick & Charlie - A Neverending Story || Heartstopper

Chapter 6: Open secret

Hi, my name is Elle Argent, or as everyone knows me, the Higgs trans girl. Honestly, I'm a little tired of everyone seeing me like this, like I'm some rare specimen that you don't know how to deal with.

Everything is much better now, but to get here I've travelled a long journey. Since I was little I knew there was something in me that wasn't right, in the sense that I did not feel comfortable or represented by my body and who I was then. I never had role models, and no one talked to me about it, so I suffered a lot on my own trying to understand what was happening to me.

It was always difficult for me to approach others, largely due to the insecurity that made me think about how they would see me and the fear that they would reject you without even trying to get to know you. Luckily I met Tao, Charlie and Isaac, who have been my constant support in the process I have gotten through.

Having studied in a heteronormative all-boys school means unfortunately having to deal with transphobia on a daily basis, but when even the teachers don't make an effort to try to understand you and refuse to accept that you're not the same as before, I wonder if the world is really as advanced and modern as it is said.

Before, I was hardly able to raise my voice in public and defend what I believe and feel, but now I feel strong and sure of myself. All this change has been worth it.

Well, it's not really that I've changed, I've just found myself, and now I'm sure of who Elle is and I'm proud of the evolution I've experienced in all aspects.

In Higgs everything is very different, and Tara and Darcy have become my unconditional pillars there.

Girl power must prevail!

I love them very much, but I have to say that sometimes I get a little sick of being her constant candle holder. Still, I hope they stay this close and Tara has enough patience to put up with Darcy for the rest of her life. Sometimes I feel like their mother, but I really love our relationship. Once sisters, forever sisters. And together we can do our part to fight the "cis-tem".

Tarcy are not the only couple in the group, because we have CharNick.

Nick Nelson, who I thought was the straightest person I'd ever seen, and Charlie Spring, my dear Charlie. We have both faced our realities with many doubts and fears, but when he did not trust himself, I did, and look what happened to him since then.

Charlie is one of the people who understands me best, and I think despite everything he has lived and continues to live, he is the most mature and nice guy I know. I'm so happy about him and Nick, you don't know what Isaac, Tao and I had to deal with while he was drooling over him for weeks with intense pining. Nick is a darling, and I know they will be very happy together.

Isaac, for his part, is so particular that I wouldn't know how to describe him. But I know he has a heart of gold and he's going to end up surprising us all when he ends up doing whatever he's going to do. He's always up to something, and he has an observant side that very few people have. He really is charming, but sometimes I think he loves reading more than anything else. And for the record, I have no problem with that. He is like a cuddly teddy bear, I want him to be happy however he wants to be.

And finally I want to talk about Tao Xu. Tao, my soulmate, my confidante, the crazy one of the group, the one who always knows how to lift your spirits, he is as incredible as sometimes insufferable. I think no one could replace such an annoying and loud person in my life. Actually this love-hate relationship that we have, has ended up becoming a deep feeling for him.

He doesn't know anything, nor do I think he should know. In fact, I think he's the only one who doesn't know. Isaac's visionary mind figured it out long ago, and Tara and Darcy invited us out on a milkshake date with Nick and Charlie for a sort of triple date.