Changes.............

"Hey, did I tell you my cousin Leilani is coming to visit?"

I looked at Mitch, who was standing by the sink. I shook my head, feeling a little nervous.

"No, you didn't. Mitch, does she know?"

"She knew you when you were younger, I never told her about you being transgender. I mean, she may remember Daniel. It's your business, Serena. It's not something I would tell anyone. She may know, she may not. Actually, there's something I need to talk to you about................."

I looked at him, as he swept his shaggy brown hair out of his eyes, and had a bad feeling about this. 

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"

He shook his head, making his hair fall into his eyes again. He sighed, shaking it out of his eyes again. 

"Well.............. I'm moving, you know that. Leilani needs a place to stay.............."

"Mitch! I can't do that! What if she finds out, she'll want to leave and where will she stay?"

Mitch sighed, and walked over to me, standing in front of me. 

"Everything will be alright. I'm sure she'll understand if and when she finds out, Serena. When's your next appointment?"

I sighed, looking at him. He could see I was annoyed with him over this, but he was trying to take care of his cousin and keep people happy. I had to got a therapist twice a week.

"Tomorrow, when is she coming?"

"The day after tomorrow.........."

I just looked at him, and he put his hands up in an 'I surrender,' gesture. 

"Mitch................."

"I'm sorry, Serena. I thought I told you."

It's been two years since I started everything. I was raised as 'Daniel,' but when I was 18 I told my parents and started the transition. Mitch helped me pick my new name, and always supported me

I shook my head, knowing I'd have to agree to this. I'd had a few surgeries and appeared female to people who didn't know about me. I hoped that she wouldn't see anything she shouldn't but I knew that she would see something, I keep injections in the fridge and I have to take medication for the Hormone therapy. I don't know how I'm going to explain it to her, but I needed to figure it out. 

"I know, she has no where to go. She can stay in the spare room."

"Yeah, and you can tell her that the injections are for diabetes. And she doesn't need to see the tablets, you keep them upstairs."

I felt happy, knowing he realized that I'd have to explain that. I realized I hadn't used my injection for today, and got it out of the fridge. I was fine using them around Mitch, he supported me with telling my parents. 

They're fine with it, but I'll get to that later. 

The injections are testosterone blockers, and the tablets are estrogen. It's all part of the Hormone therapy, which seems to be working. I've changed physically, thank God. For some people, it doesn't work, and the need more surgery. 

"Thanks Mitch, I was worried about that."

I pulled up my shirt, and winced as i used the injection. I hated doing this, but it was neccesary for what I wanted. 

"No problem, it's my fault you have to go through this in the first place, so I'll help in any way I can. Isn't there any way you can take something for that?"

"I need these, Mitch. I'll be fine."

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Leaving the appointment, I thought about what Dr. Crowley said. He told me I shouldn't be to worried about Leilani coming to stay, it could be a good thing. 

I sighed, thinking about what else he said. He said that I shouldn't stress about it, and I should get to know her. 

'You never know what could happen.'

I shook my head, thinking about that. I admit to being gay, but who would want to be with someone like me? 

It took a lot, but I figured that I'm transgender and gay. But, I knew she wouldn't want to be with someone like me.

Right?

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There was a knock on the door the following day at around 2. I spent the morning at a support group, another requirement for going through this, and was just cleaning up the guest room.

I walked down the stairs, and opened the door. 

"Serena?"

I nodded, and let Leilani in. Her long black hair fell into her bright green eyes.

"You must be Leilani."

She nodded, and smiled at me.

"I'm sorry to impose like this, but Mitch told me he's moving."

I shook my head, and showed her where her room was. She told me that she was moving up here for work as a graphic designer, and needed somewhere to stay until she got a place. She seemed nice enough, and she was really pretty.

Stop that, Serena! You just met her!

I shook my head, trying to clear it. I suggested getting something to eat, and she followed me to the kitchen. She opened the fridge and before she could ask about the injections, I explained everything.

"I'm diabetic, don't worry about those."

She nodded, and got everything we needed out. I was so nervous about her seeing them, but she just shut the fridge and we made dinner.

"So, you're a graphic designer?"

We'd just sat down at the table and I wanted to know more about her. She was going to be here for a while, so I might as well get to know her.

"Yes, I just need a place to stay while I get myself a place. I know Mitch is moving, and I really don't like imposing but-"

"Hey, stop that. It's fine."

I noticed a guitar pick pendant around her neck and asked her. She got a little nervous, and started playing with it. It had the gay pride flag printed on it, and wanted to see how she'd reacted.

"Actually................. That's the gay pride flag."

I nodded, telling her not to worry and that I didn't care. She was relieved and helped me clean up after dinner.

I was nervous about her staying, but she needed it. She didn't seem too curious about anything. I found that a little odd, but I decided to ignore it and just be thankful I didn't have to have any awkward conversations about anything just yet. 

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I went to bed that night, thinking about Leilani. She seemed like a nice girl, and thinking about her.............. Well, it caused an unwanted reaction. 

I've only known her a few hours!

I fell asleep, thinking about her.

Little did I know, she knew more than I thought she did...............