POV- Andie
I go home around noon, alone. Which isn't anything new, I NORMALLY go home alone, but I guess now I kind of wish I could be bringing someone with me.
I'm minding my own business, working on a painting that I swear I've been procrastinating for MILLENNIUMS now, when my phone rings. It's Avery.
"Hey Avery!"
Silence on the other line.
"Avery?"
Silence. Then her voice.
"Hey, Andie."
I know this tone of voice. I'm in trouble. My heart starts trying to force itself out of my chest.
Thump....Thump....Thump....
"Hey girl. What's up?"
Silence. She's thinking. I feel backed into a corner.
Thump...Thump...Thump...
"How long have we known each other, Andie?"
"Um- I don't know- like, a little more than a year?"
"Right, yeah. And have I been there for you?"
"Always."
"And I've supported you through anything?"
"Yes."
"And we're an open book to each other. We don't hide anything, do we?"
"I guess not. I don't know, everyone has their things."
"Yeah, yeah, I get that." She stays quiet for a bit.
"So..." I stumble. "Is everything okay?"
MORE SILENCE!
Thump..Thump..Thump..
"Why didn't you tell me, Andie? Why?" She sounds hurt. And scared. And angry.
Thump.Thump.Thump.
"Why didn't I tell you what?"
"That you're transgender!"
I'm transgender? So this is legit now? I don't know what I'm doing! I try to rationalize this.
"Listen, Avery, I'm still trying to figure this out--"
"Clearly, you're not!" She retaliates. "If you're able to tell Aspen, who is basically a stranger to you, that you are, then you must be confident in it."
ThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThuMP
My heart escapes, laying on the floor in front of me.
Aspen told her. She must have thought Avery already knew. I try to defend Aspen.
"She's not a stranger!"
"I thought last night was the first time you guys met?"
"No, no. It wasn't." I feel a breakdown coming on.
"How'd you know her before?"
I tell her everything.
YOU ARE READING
fem.
Teen Fiction"Why is everyone so desperate to fit a category?" "You're just mad because you have no idea who you are."
