The Ugly Duckling

Chapter One: The Transition

Felix opens his eyes and sees the bright, white ceiling staring back at him. His mother's loving gaze greets him when he turns his head to the side. Karen Faulkner is an attractive woman with strawberry blonde hair. Her bright, green eyes shimmer like emeralds in the sunlight. She wears a form-fitting blue dress with a small, swan-shaped pendant inlaid with cubic zirconia hanging from a sterling silver chain around her neck. "How are you feeling, duckling?" she asks. Most boys at Felix's age would find this nickname embarrassing, but Felix only smiles with a shaky thumbs up. Seeing that he is fine, Karen stands up from her chair to go and fetch the doctor.

After some time, Felix returns home with his mother. Greeting them at the door is his father Wyatt. He stands tall with a full head of auburn hair. His well-groomed facial hair ages him. Without it, it is easy to mistake him for a third-year college student. His usually sparkling, blue eyes are dull with uncertainty. It's clear that Felix's father is unsure how to feel, even as he wraps his arms around his new son with a smile on his face. They both know that it will take time for the whole family to adjust.

Before Felix knows it, summer break comes to an end and school is starting again. He crowds into the car with four of his siblings. As they approach the school, he can't help but feel nervous. This will be his first-time attending school as a boy. Sophie, his eldest sister, seems to notice and offers a few words of encouragement. Her words only provide a small amount of comfort, but he gives her props for trying. Sitting in the passenger seat, his second oldest sister, Isabelle, scoffs and tells him not to worry because he was already a freak before the transition. Apparently, no one will notice since, all freaks look the same in everyone's eyes. Despite her haughty attitude, Felix knows that deep deep deeeeeep down, Isabelle cares about him and is trying to comfort him in her own way. At least, that's what he likes to believe.

Time flies and soon the five Faulkner kids reach Bay High School. Felix gets out of the car and nervously enters the towering, brick building. It is easy enough for him to find his first class. He settles down into a seat near the front and waits for the bell to ring. His nervousness starts to subside until his teacher walks in and begins taking attendance. When the instructor reaches his name and calls it out, he responds without missing a beat. However, after he does, he can feel the eyes of the entire class on his back. Felix can feel his face heat up from embarrassment. He doesn't know why. There should be no reason for him to feel this way, but he can't help it. The teacher doesn't seem to notice and continues until she reaches the end of her list. Once she finishes she brings to the class' attention that there is a British exchange student. The name Chase Fortescue soon makes Felix and the rest of the class forget about the ongoing tension. His voice draws everyone's attention as he introduces himself. Not only is his voice music to the ears, but Chase is devilishly handsome. Thick, dirty-blonde locks rest in perfect waves on his head. His pearly white teeth are surprisingly straight for someone of his age and he has the most striking silver eyes. Sometimes, when the light hits them, they look more like a brilliant baby blue. The longer that Felix looks at him, the more perfect Chase appears. As Chase talks, Felix can't seem to tear his eyes away from him. Felix feels his face heat up, not from embarrassment, but for some other unknown reason. Luckily, nothing more happens during that period. After the class, everyone surrounds Chase asking him a variety of questions. Felix is thankful for Chase's arrival, because all his classmates focus on him instead of questioning Felix's life choices. The next couple of classes go by without a hitch. Felix almost forgets his nervousness until it's time for gym class.