Life Imitates Art

Part 39 - All Roads Lead To Bloom

All dolled up and without a need to hide it, I still feel nothing but awkward, unrelenting shame gripping my emotions as I step out from the bathroom, following its latest temporary conversion to a makeup studio - courtesy of Tessa. Dad hasn't seen me quite like this before.

"Are you too embarrassed to give me a hug before you go?"

Not at all. I stay strong enough not to cry. Tessa doesn't.

"I'll miss you every day, Maxine. Or Dakota. Or... f*ck, you know what I mean, sis."

Oof. Tough not to cry when Tess is this emotional.

"We'll speak every day if we can. I won't let you miss me."

Tess goes to the door as I slip a pair of black boots on. The heel is low and sturdy enough to be almost flat, and they reach my knees with ease. I worry that they'll be too big, but they cup my leg perfectly so as to be neither loose nor tight. A parting gift from Tess. A truly welcome one.

"These boots of yours really do fit me well. It's like they were made for me and not you."

"They're... not mine. I don't know whose they are. I've never owned boots like that."

Hm? I don't remember buying anything like these either. Nah, they must be Tess'. She likely just has so many pairs that one going unnoticed is a drop in the ocean.

"Hm. Mystery boots! Well, I best be on my way to wherever. I'll call you when I get there."

"If you ever get there!" She mimics an old song in reply and gives me a miserable smile. That sort of stiff upper lip smile to give someone when they break your heart.

It's a crisp and cold morning. Nature itself implores me to return to my cosy bed. The thought of it threatens to cause further tears. That isn't my bed anymore. And it's Mum who has made that decision for me. I don't want to leave, but it's for the best. It wouldn't be happening if it wasn't. I'll take some comfort in the fact that what I'm being forced to do will at least keep the family together for longer.

The sky is clear from the showers of last night - the ones that drenched my coat when I stormed away from that psychotic situation. It's creepy. The lack of life outside gives me an extra chill to add to the one that I attribute to the temperature. The sky resembles Maxine Moonlight's skirt in colour and pattern. The stars aren't shying away from this new adventure. Despite temptation, I won't either.

Dad pops the cases into the back of the car while I settle myself in the passenger seat. Tess opts to stay inside for warmth and for the sake of her own mood. She stands at the door waiting to wave me off to my next adventure.

"OK. We all set?"

"Yep. Sorted."
The engine purrs as I start my line of questioning. It means I need to repeat my words.

"So where am I going?"

"Your mum... she found a home for you."

"OK. Doesn't help much."

"Relax, son. Eh, hon. Sorry." He is at least genuine when he makes that mistake. "Mum kind of... explained your whole situation to your school. While they were disgusted, they also pointed us in this direction. You'll thank us for it. I made sure she kept it nice and pleasant and didn't insult you too much."

"OK. Um... who is at the school? Does Mum know anyone that well?"

Dad smiles. "Well enough, sure. So just relax. We'll have you at your new home ASAP."

New home. Try not to cry, Max. It could be for the best. The words alone inflict a twang on the front of my nose. Every impulse tells me to cry. No, Max. Man up! Oh... oh, that's ironic. My fears cause me to exhaust myself into a sleep in the car.

It's super early for anyone to be awake, but the lights are on in the large building we park outside after a very long drive - one which I mostly slept through. Dad takes the cases from the boot of the car, telling me only to bring myself to the door. He already feels a need to stop his little girl from damaging herself by lifting heavy things. He takes them to the black front door and then opts to leave, tears in his eyes as we embrace.

"Don't forget to call me, son."

"I won't." Let's not pick on him misgendering me in this moment. I doubt it's at the front of his mind as he gives his youngest away.

I ring the bell, my cases lying against the wall in the back corner, behind the way I imagine the front door will open. If it opens externally. If not, I've basically popped them in the usual delivery slot for this property. That's where I'd leave deliveries.

"Oh, who could this be?" He sounds excited... and young. I am comparing him to my dad with that comment.

The door opens to reveal a man in a white t-shirt. He's dressed as if we woke him up. I don't blame him for that at this ungodly hour. Then again, no. It must be almost 8am now. The sun is slowly waking up, and the birds relentlessly chirp their morning melody.

"Hello! Max, welcome! You're looking a lot more put-together than me this morning! They did advise me that you were arriving early! We've set up a bed if you want to rest up a little further, but nothing is happening today. You just need time to settle in here. Your room is shared with Jodi, our star pupil! She requested it once she heard whispers of a new girl. Welcome to Bloom Academy! This is where girls like you belong."

As if she was summoned via Poké Ball, a girl with black hair and pink and blue highlights races down the stairs in a basic nightdress and pulls me in for a long hug.

"The new roomie! Hey!"

She pulls herself away. Her padding is heavy, so her releasing me causes some relief. Wait, is it rude to point it out? I guess I won't vocalise that.

"Sorry. I'm a hugger. I am now, anyways. Chris wasn't much of a people person. So, what do you call yourself?"

"I'm... uh, still working that out. I've been Max, Maxine and Dakota. Still working out what fits best."

She smiles sweetly, her dark red lipstick screaming evil intentions but her eyes showing nothing but sweet innocence and friendship. A complex mix.

"By the end of the day, we'll have that figured out. Come on, let's get you unpacked and I'll show you around the best school on Earth!"

As we take the first step up the staircase to the dorms, she turns to me again,

"Bloom Academy showed me who I really was. It'll do the same for you, I'm sure. Whoever this pretty person is right here, our school will let it all out!"