Too Pretty to be a boy.

Twelve-year-old Carl stood near the bustling airport terminal, gripping the handle of his brand-new suitcase. The strap of his sleek backpack dug into his shoulder as he took a deep breath, watching travelers rush past him. He had made his decision. After years of enduring the taunts and jeers of his two older half-brothers, he couldn't take it anymore. Their constant bullying had finally pushed him over the edge.

But deep down, Carl knew it wasn't just that. There was something else pulling him away from his dad's house, a feeling he couldn't quite name. It lingered at the edge of his thoughts, undeniable yet difficult to face. No matter how hard he tried to ignore it, the truth was there, nudging him toward this moment-his journey back to his mom.

Come closer-let's see where Carl's story takes him from here.