Oneshots

School Picture Day

The day I dread the most and have dreaded the most since fourth grade. One day a year for four years, full of nausea, anxiety, and dysphoria. I'm supposed to wear a button up and with my hair tied back, so that I "look less like a tomboy and more of a boy." My mother isn't too happy about the length of my hair and how I always wear "girl clothes." She threatens to shave my hair off sometimes, usually when she's mad. I usually hide in my room to avoid hurtful and dysphoric comments like "you'll never be a real girl." or "you'll never have a girl's body." even "you'll always be a son to me." And other things that make me nauseous and want to cry. Anyway, my dad isn't too fond of my hair or clothing either. I've started stealing some of my sister's perfume and old dresses she doesn't wear anymore from the attic, which are way too big for me, but it's fine. My voice hasn't dropped yet, thankfully, and I've tried to train myself to talk in a more feminine manner. Back to the point

My dad came home a few hours later after I had gotten out of school. I was in my room, doing my homework, when my dad called me.
"You and I are going to get your hair trimmed." My dad explained. "Just to cut off the dead ends."
Hair cuts a lot of the time still make me anxious
As we arrived, I had noticed my dad said the word "shave" at some point, but I tried not to think to much of it.
"Right this way, ma'am." The barber said.
My dad cleared his throat. "Actually, he's a boy." He "corrected."
The barber sat me down and plugged in an electric razor. I became very anxious
"No worries, just gonna trim the edges."
I relaxed.
A few hours after we got home, my dad called me into the living room.
"I've had it up to here with you thinking that you're a girl. Mary, hold his arms."
Before I knew what was happening, all my hair had been shaven off, and I sat on the floor, hysterical. Picture day was tomorrow, and there would be no way for me to pass.
When I arrived at school, it felt as if all eyes were on me. My friends came up to me, concerned as to why I had looked so distraught.
"My dad shaved off all of my hair, so now I look even more like a boy."
"I'm so sorry, Daisy, your father has no right to do these kinds of things, you should be able to express yourself." My best friend, Skylar, replied. "Maybe I could help." They turned to our other friends, clearly discussing something. "Come over after school, my place."
The whole day, I waited for it to be over. When the final bell rang, I yanked my bag from my chair, ran through the door, and sprinted to Skylar's house.
"Hey Daisy, just come upstairs." Skyler greeted, gently guiding me towards their room. They opened the door, and a bunch of my friends were there. They had dressed, makeup, and different styled wigs. I was brought to tears.
"This? All for me?"
Skylar nodded.
After I had decided the wig, dress, and look I wanted, I went home, smiling like an idiot.
On picture day, Skylar brought the wig, dress, and did my makeup. I changed and immediately fell in love with my reflection. It was ecstasy.
Turns out picture day wouldn't be so bad after all