I'm not Samantha | trans story

4. Joy

Two Years later

To clear up any confusion, Othersam is eighteen, Isa is seventeen, and Sam is sixteen.

I've been staying with Sam for two years, and it's my sixteenth birthday tomorrow. I don't expect anything from my family, since they don't know where I am. I don't really expect anything from Othersam's family either, as I wouldn't want to seem rude.

I woke up very early in the morning with Othersam's face leaning over my bunk.

"Happy birthday Sam!" he whisper-shouted.
"Wow, I'm sixteen. That's weird. If I was in America I could own a gun."

"Yeah maybe it's good that you don't. But get out of bed, I've got your present!" Othersam said as they scrambled down the ladder of their top bunk.

I was happy too see him still excited about stuff even though he was eighteen now. I met him when they were sixteen, and now I was sixteen. Funny how time flies.

Othersam squiffled over to their wardrobe and pulled out a neatly wrapped present. I opened it slowly and gasped in shock, surprise and joy.

"You didn't."

It was a binder! A real one! I started to well up; I was so grateful. I couldn't believe anyone would get one for me.

"I'm gonna go put it on!" I raced to the bathroom and struggled into the binder. It had a zip on the side, and it was red: my favourite colour.

I zipped it up and looked in the mirror. I'm not joking when I say I cried with joy. For the first time, my reflection was finally me.

I think this is what they call "euphoria." It certainly felt wonderful.

Othersam knocked on the door.
"Hey Sam, does it fit?" he asked.

"It fits wonderfully. Othersam, I finally feel like me. I don't have... Chest thingys. Thank you so much!" I said, putting a shirt on over it.

"I'm glad you like it. I would have given it to you sooner, but I wanted to save it for your birthday," Othersam said. "Let's go downstairs, I'll make some pancakes."

Having Othersam in my life was like having the older brother I always wanted. I shouldn't have thought of older siblings. I suddenly got a sharp pain in my stomach.

"Hey, are you okay? Is the binder hurting?" Othersam came rushing over.

"No, I just miss my sister. She was the only one in my family who supported me. And now I'll probably never see her again."

"Tell you what, we could arrange a meeting with her where you don't have to see your mum, then you could see her again," Othersam suggested.

A week later

"So, where is she?" I asked. I was quite frantic.
"Just over there, on the other side of the park," Othersam said, pointing.

I looked over and saw my sister, Isa. She looked so different! Her hair was now orange, and she was a good three inches taller. I ran as fast as I could.

"Isa!!!" I cried, tumbling over and slamming into her stomach. She laughed and wrapped me in the tightest hug of all time.
"Isa, I've missed you so much," I sobbed into her jumper.

"I've missed you so much too, I didn't know where you'd gone," Isa mumbled, her face in my hair.

"You look so different! I love your hair!" I said.
"Yours is amazing too! It looks really nice short," she said, and I smiled wider than a burger King burger. That was the first time, other than Othersam, that someone had complimented my hair.

"So, are you going to come home? Mum wants to see you again," Isa said.

I froze.

"I'm not going to see her again, not ever," I said firmly.
"But she does miss you, and Dad said he wants to see you too, " Isa persisted.
"The only thing she misses is having someone to judge. And we haven't seen Dad in fifteen years."

"Please, at least think about coming home," she pleaded.

"Isabella, I'm not going back. I do miss you a lot, but I can't go back to that house. You don't have to worry about me, I'm safe at Othersam's."

"Othersam's?" Isa said, looking confused.

"I'm staying with him," I said.  "He's like me," I whispered.

Isa looked over to Othersam and froze solid. It was like she'd seen a ghost.
"I-I have to go. I'll see you later, Sam," Isa said, and ran off.

I didn't understand. I looked over to Othersam, tears falling down my face.
"Othersam, why did she run away? Does she know you?"

"I don't know, Sam. I'm sorry she ran away. But are you glad you got to see her?"

"Very glad. Thank you for arranging it," I said.
I felt very bittersweet. I was so happy I'd been able to see Isa again, but why did she want to me to go back home? I wouldn't go back for anything in the world.

Do you think Sam should go back home? Let me know :)

Word count: 841