I'm No Prince

Clover

Clover felt free, finally who she was meant to be. It wasn't as though it had been a huge change, but she was no longer someone she didn't want to be, wasn't she? Clover sighed a sigh of relief- finally, she woke up feeling like everything was right. It had been two years since she'd first come out to her parents, and in those two years, everything had changed. She'd begun hormone replacement therapy about a month after coming out, and just a few months ago, she'd finally gotten her bottom surgery complete. 

Clover stood from her desk, readying herself for the day, excited to once more be the happy girl she felt like, and that Kelsey always told her she was. She looked at the phone as she entered the hallway, and saw a text from Chloe. She grinned as she read it, and felt a dream begin to take hold.

"Hey, Clover!" the message read, "can you believe we're finally seniors?! I know I've been saying it ever since the school year started, but really!! We're so close to college, and I'm so ready to finally be with my high school sweetheart. hbu, cutie?"

Yes, Clover was excited, but she'd learned that she was still nervous about college. It wasn't as if conquering one fear would allow you to never fear again, but she also knew that she was strong. She wouldn't let college scare her anymore than confronting her identity, which would most likely be the hardest thing she'd experience for a while.

"Hey, Clover," her mom said as she entered the dinning room, "how's it going with Chloe, dear?"

"It's been really nice, Mom," Clover replied, "I can't believe that we're almost adults though. I'm going to have to do something really nice once we get out of high school. I'll surprise her big time!"

"Well," her mom told her, "if you ever want help, ask your father, he's such a silly romantic. You should hear the story of what he did on my birthday when we were your age!"

Clover laughed, it was always the same- her parents were so supportive when it came to everything. She couldn't believe she'd used to think that they'd never support her being who she was. 

"I'll ask him sometime," Clover said, making a note to ask Kelsey for help instead. Dad would have the best ideas for making people laugh, but for helping Clover make Chloe blush? Kelsey would be so much better.

music from the other side of the room shook Clover out of her romantic daydreaming. Kelsey had come downstairs. Her favorite song was blaring from her earbuds, because Kelsey was still not one for soft music. Clover hummed along to the song, letting the lyrics encourage her. The song was "Bang!" by AJR, and Clover finally understood why Kelsey liked it so much, after all, it gave off the feel of someone who was on the path to discovering who they were. It was beautifully relatable to her, and made her grin.

"Good morning Clover!" Kelsey declared as she stepped into the room, turning her music off.

"Good morning, Kels," Clover replied, "it's six o'clock in the evening, and yet you're still living in the morning?"

"Of course!" Kelsey told her, "remember, it can be morning whenever you want it to be, if you're in control of your life! Besides, it's good that you're not mourning anymore, right?"

Clover laughed again, smiling at her sister with the goofiest grin she could. Kelsey could be philosophical sometimes, but more often than not, she was just refreshingly silly. Clover was so glad that she had a sister like Kelsey to rely on.

Clover grabbed a pair of aprons, tossing one to Kelsey, and set to work helping Mom. Before Clover had come out, the twins would have simply sat around being too goofy or preoccupied to think of helping. However, Clover felt closer to her family now, and just wanted to focus on what was important to her; creating memories she'd cherish with the people she loved.

Once they were done making dinner, and Dad was back from the office, the family trickled into the dinning room. As they ate and laughed together, Clover turned off her brain. The future could wait a little longer, she knew. She was busy, after all.

She wasn't mourning anymore, and she was incredibly thankful for that. Her friends and family had banded around her, and she felt the most seen and known she'd ever felt in her life. This was the new normal, and Cover loved it.

She was incredibly glad she'd discovered who she was.