What's Normal?

Chapter 7

The next day came and this was the bit Sam was dreading, her mom in the morning and how she'll act when Sam walks downstairs – this is the real test, will her mom have a drink in her hand? Coming out of her room and completing her old routines, she hovers around the landing of upstairs to prepare herself for possibly the worst... No man has come out of her room yet, so far so good... Next stop, downstairs. Walking slowly and cautiously, waiting for the worst, Sam looked down at the main table and there was no sign of her mom – where is she? Sam thought to herself. An aroma of smells came from the kitchen: a mix of fried bacon, puffy pancakes, fried eggs, a bowl of fruit, French toast, and a glass of apple juice, confused as to what is going on, Sam walks into the kitchen - trying her best to act normal – to see her mom plating breakfast, getting the newspaper ready and drinking a glass of water. Sam's smile widens, knowing her mom is taking this seriously made Sam feel some kind of way, almost hopeful.

"Morning dear, how did you sleep?" Claire asked,

"Hey, I'm good thank you, how are you?" Sam replied,

"Good, I'm pretty 'dandy' thank you haha. How did you sleep?" Claire laughed, 

"Ahaha, that's good, I slept alright thank you," Sam replied whilst stuffing her face with breakfast,

"You in a rush?" Claire asked,

"No, well, maybe, I want to see James today," Sam says with sticky maple syrup dripping out the side of her mouth.

Claire looked at Sam giving her, 'the look', the look that all mothers give their daughter when they mention a boy for the first time. San started laughing whilst her mom was waiting for more information on this so-called James. Hesitant to fill her mom in on who he is, Sam excused herself from the table, kissed her mom goodbye, and set off to go for a walk and meet James. Leaving the house, Sam looked at herself in the mirror next to the door and she realised how much of a state she was. Sprinting upstairs, Sam fixes her face with makeup, straightens her hair, puts her glasses on, and left the house. 

On her walk, James appeared out of nowhere with his usual smile. He's so ethereal Sam couldn't help herself but blush. Sam ran and hugged James; he wrapped his little arms around her and squeezed her tight. James didn't want to let go, he loved her, he did love her and she loved him. Their hug soon turned soft, light, and delicate to a soft letting go of each other. As they unwrapped their arms from each other it was very slow and intimate – totally on purpose but totally by accident. 

"Missed me have you Greenie?" James questions but already knowing the answer,

"When don't I?" Sam replied, gazing at his eyes and smiling so much her cheeks started to hurt.

James started laughing and so did Sam, they started walking and talking – still trying to get to know each other. They asked many questions and answered many in return. A wild adventure is what they went on, they walked everywhere – from Sam's house to the school, to the canal, to the ford (a river), to a gorgeous viewpoint at the top of a massive hill. At the top of the hill, James felt off and started acting differently. 

"Is everything okay James?" Sam asked, seeing his significant change in mood,

"Yeah, I feel like I need to tell you something, I haven't told anyone apart from Harry," James answered,

"Yes, what's up?" Sam asked again,

"I'm transgender. I take hormones every day, but I haven't had the operation yet. I haven't told anybody but Harry yet because I've always been afraid of what people could say but I was born in the wrong body and it made me unhappy – I needed this transformation to happen. I needed to tell you because, well... Sam..." James hesitantly said,