Phase

"Girly"

When I got off the phone, I told mom about my plans with Jacob.
"I'm glad you have Alex now," mom told me, "I was worried you were becoming too much of a tomboy."
"...What do you mean?" I wondered.
"Well, you know. You only hung out with that Jacob for a while, it had to rub off on you. You don't exactly dress... Girly."
I sighed, "define girly."
"Oh, you know what I mean."
"It's not like Alex is any different in that way," I pointed out.
"I know but... At least she's a girl. And maybe you'll both decide that you want to dress more normally."
"What's wrong with the way I dress?" I glared.
"Well... Look at you. You only wear flannel and plaid, and I haven't seen you wear a dress in years."
"But why do you care?" I scowled.
"Honey, don't take this the wrong way. But people are gonna think you're a lesbian."
"And why the fuck would that matter?" I spat.
She slapped me sharply across my cheek, "Don't you ever talk to me like that," she scolded, "I'm your mom. You don't get to cuss and swear at me-"
"But-"
"No."
I sighed, "I'm sorry."
"It's fine. Just watch your mouth. And I know you're just going through a phase with these clothes. Which is fine. You'll grow out of it soon enough."
Oh god. She was doing it again, telling me about my childish phases that I would eventually grow up and forget. I resented and hated that word. From the amount it was said to me I thought my whole personality must be one giant phase.
The next day in school, I questioned Alex about it.
"Do you think I dress weird?" I asked her.
"No," she snorted, "I like the way you dress. Why?"
"My mom was getting on at me about it," I suddenly saw the funny side and started laughing, "she told me I look like a lesbian."
She chuckled, "how ironic."
"I know. She got really pissed off though... God knows what she'll be like when she finds out I actually am gay."
"Don't worry," she rubbed my fingers between hers, "the only thing that matters is that you like who you are. Everyone else can fuck off."