I look at Butch and Felix and know that if things get ugly, there is no way they can handle this many. That idiot Graham is out front and center of the crowd—many of which are on the football team. They don’t look at all friendly. And to think I used to be friends with most of them—even George and Rupe, my former best friends.

Before anyone can make a move, Chrissy and Ginny come up behind us in full cheerleading uniforms. They stand out in front of our group and glare at the football players on the other side.

Ginny says, “OK, for those boys IDIOT enough to do anything stupid, remember that you HAVE or WANT girlfriends… The cheerleaders will NOT have ANYTHING to do with ANYONE that discriminates against ANYONE that is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered. Do I make myself clear?”

There is a lot of grumbling, then mumbling, then quiet as the footballers slink off. That cuts the other crowd in half—at least in terms of bulk. We stand a chance…

At that moment, there is an announcement over the PA, “All students will go to the auditorium IMMEDIATELY for an emergency assembly. Please do so in a quiet and orderly manner.”

Before the shock of the announcement can wear off either side, Ronnie comes up behind our group from her office and says, “Oh, good. I see some of you are already on your way. Come along then.”

We start walking and I slip up beside Ronnie and say, “Just in the nick of time.”

She says grimly, “I just HAPPENED to see the monitor as it switched to this camera’s view. I’m going to have to have a talk with Mrs. Dickenson, who was just watching it all play out.”

We all file into the auditorium; Ronnie last. The teachers are keeping a careful eye out for any sign of violence.

When everyone is seated and Ronnie has called for silence, she starts out by saying into the microphone, “I want to say that I am both as horrified by the recent events in this school as I am proud. There is a group of students who has done everything in their power to support the victim of a heinous crime and I am supremely proud of them. There is another group of students—and administration/faculty—who have been doing quite the opposite. I am horrified by that—and will NOT stand for it!”

There is a lot of mumbling that makes its way through the crowd.

Ronnie calls for silence again and says, “There are a few students who have decided to say some things today—and one in particular, who I HOPE decides to do so before this is over. Penelope…”

Penelope goes up to the microphone and says in a nervous, but steady voice, “Hi, everyone. As you know, I have been the proud head cheerleader since I was voted into that role at the end of last year. This, being my senior year, will be my last—so, it’s time to be completely honest… Paulette…?”

Paulette comes up onto the stage with Penelope and to the microphone. Penelope takes her hand and continues, “To my FRIENDS, I’m actually ‘Penny’. You have to EARN that right to call me that, though. At this point, there is only one person in this school that I allow to call me that—and, up until now, only off school grounds. That is my GIRLFRIEND, Paulette. Yes, I mean girlfriend as in lesbian couple.”

She looks at me and says, “Paige, you have earned that honor now, as well. As have a few others I will let know later.” She looks at Paulette and gives her a kiss, then says, “Paulette, I guess we don’t have to hide it anymore.”

There is stunned silence, then “Ooooos” and “Ewwwwws” in the crown as Paulette kisses Penny back and says, “Nope! I love you, Penny!”

Ronnie takes the microphone back and says, “OK, girls…let’s limit the PDA, OK?” She is grinning ear to ear, though.

After Penny and Paulette get down, there is a small string of others that go to the microphone and make it publicly known that they are lesbian, gay, or bisexual. I am floored when one of those individuals is Terry, who admits that he is ‘bi’. Suddenly, Felix goes from being THE openly gay person in school to being ONE of them...

Ronnie looks at me with a questioning, but encouraging look. I sigh and go to the microphone.

I take a deep breath and say, “I know that most—well, likely ALL of you that knew me before this summer—were surprised when I came back to school as a girl. There are very few here that actually know the truth behind that fact. Yes, I am now a girl—legally. Yes, I am classified as transgendered—legally. No, I did not CHOOSE to be a girl—at least not originally.”

There is a large murmuring in the crowd.

I continue, “You may have heard transgendered people say they were BORN the wrong sex and that they have no choice—any more than any ‘normal’ boy or girl.” I make air quotes around normal.

There is more buzz.

I continue, “That is NOT what I mean when I say I had no choice—although I completely believe those that ARE TG when they say that. What I mean is that, when I woke up from my concussion—it was actually more like a mini-coma—I was TRICKED into attending a camp for the LGBT community. That in and of itself would not have been a problem—but I was deceived into thinking by someone I trusted that there was an ‘entrance exam’ to get into the camp. I was given the answers by that person I trusted and told it was my only option to attend a camp over the summer. The thing is…that ‘exam’ was actually an LGBT spectrum profile—and because I had the answers, I got a ‘perfect score’ for being transgendered.” I again used air quotes.

The buzz gets louder.

I sigh and continue, “I was then further convinced that the camp was a ‘creative’ camp and that I shouldn’t question it, if I was asked to do girly things—that was supposedly just part of it. You have to remember, because of what I was told by that person, I thought that I would be stuck in the hospital ALL summer if I didn’t go along…”

The buzz turns into a roar.

I motion for quiet and continue, “By the time I—and my doctor—figured out that it was all a scheme to turn me into a girl, it was too late. I had already started an irreversible experimental treatment. I had—HAVE—in reality two options. Continue developing as a girl—or stay where I currently am developmentally for the rest of my life. At the time I was originally faced with the decision, I had barely started showing signs of female puberty…”

There are loud shouts of rage.

I let it go on for a bit and then say above the uproar, “I decided to become a girl—and I’m proud of my decision. Yes, I started all of this controversy by coming to school here—but the person that really started it was going to be my stepfather and he did it all in an attempt to take over my family company. So—here I am; the freak that some of you so love to hate!”

All of a sudden there is an eerie quiet—I am not sure if it is shock or shame. Then a voice from the audience, “What happened to your stepfather?”

I shrug and say, “He isn’t—and never will be—my stepfather. He is being punished—that is all I will say about that…”

Ronnie comes and gives me a hug and takes over the microphone.

She says, “OK, now that it is all out in the open, I expect that this red versus green nonsense will CEASE! I don’t care if you want to wear a bracelet in support of whatever. The police have ruled the bracelets out as gang insignia—FOR NOW. If there is ANY sort of violence around this, however, I WILL have the police in here and there WILL be an investigation into a HATE CRIME. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?”

There is dead silence.

She asks again, “DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?”

There is a mumbling of what sounds like acquiescence.

She says, “Good! DISMISSED!”

I wish I could say that was the end of it—unfortunately, I can’t. But more about that later…

Oh, and remember George and Rupe, my best friends before the accident—the ones that sort of replaced Terry, Joey, and Gavin? The ones that I always got a ride with to practice BEFORE Allen came along? The ones in the ‘red’ group about to do…whatever before assembly? After my talk on the stage—they come around to me completely red-faced and want to be friends again. I notice the red bands are gone. I MAY forgive them. (Of course I will—but they will have to stew a bit, first!)

I get home that evening after cheerleading practice—AND an hour of private ballet lessons. Needless to say, I am BEAT! But, the physical activity was good to help relieve the stress. Mummy just drops me off and has to go to some meeting with Momma, Sheila, Mrs. O’Dell, and a bunch of others.

I go inside and am glad to know that Misty has the ‘night off’. I know she is down in the guest house—but she won’t bother me. Of that I am sure—well, PRETTY sure. I lock the doors, just in case.

I run a HOT, bubbly bath and relax in it after dialing Francie and putting her on speakerphone. I let her in on the day’s events—and, of course, she is both appalled and excited at the same time. I get out of the tub when the water gets cold and tell my love good night.

I pamper myself with lotion and am surprised when I get a text message. I recognize the number instantly and feel sick when I see it.

It is ALBERT’S number.

I look at the text and read it with dread, ”Hi, Paige. I know you never want to hear from me again, but I really had nothing to do with my father’s evil ways. Yes, I have been a pain to you as a kid, but isn’t that what kids do? (smiley face) Can we talk? Please? I can call you if you will let me. Your ‘almost’ sister, Alecia.

I wipe the tears from my eyes. I can’t believe the twerp that ratted me out to Momma about all that stupid small stuff wrote this…

I text back, ”Hi, Alecia. Yes, you may call me. You have my number. (smiley face)”

My phone rings almost immediately. I answer, “Hi,…Alecia…is it, now?”

I hear a distinctly different voice on the other end of the phone. One that seems more mature—and much more conflicted. She says, “Yes. My grandparents helped me choose it. Do you like it?”

I say, “It’s a pretty name—but the main thing is that YOU like it. How are you doing?”

She says, “I…I…I don’t know. I’m so confused. Not about who I am…I AM Alecia. I always have been…”

I wait and when she doesn’t continue, I prompt her, “So…?”

I can tell she is crying. She says, “I… Well, my grandparents are SO supportive—even if they don’t know how to really handle this.”

It really hits me at that moment. I just turned fifteen, which makes Alecia thirteen…this has to be REALLY hard for her…

She continues, “There aren’t really any support groups in the little town they…we live in—the closest one is over an hour away. They try… I suppose I’m lucky, though. I’ve heard about that law there—at least in this State there isn’t anything like that—although, I’ve heard they may try to put one in here, too.”

I continue quietly listening.

She keeps talking, “No one at school knows anything about Albert—I was able to just start here as Alecia, which has been great. But, I can’t do any sports—and I have to use the bathroom in the nurse’s office. Everyone thinks it’s just because of a medical condition… My grandparents are the ones that want it that way—they’re just afraid someone will find out and I will get bullied…”

Finally, she gets to the million-dollar question.

She asks, “Paige, how do you handle it? It’s all so overwhelming!”

I sigh. I’m not a counselor—she really needs someone like Mummy…

I say, “Well, I AM a little older, Alecia. That helps. I also have a lot of family and friends that help support me. I didn’t want anyone to know—getting it out has both helped and complicated things. I don’t have THE answer for you, Sweetie. Would you like me to see if maybe Mummy…Angi…can talk to you over the phone? She is good at these things…”

I can hear her sniffle. She says, “Would you? I don’t know that my grandparents can afford another doctor, though. The one I’m going to doesn’t specialize in these things, but he is doing the best he can…”

I fight back more tears. I still can’t believe this is the little monster that tormented me just a few months ago.

I say, “Let me see what I can do, Alecia. OK? And you can call me anytime you need to. Just text me first, OK? Just to make sure I have time at that moment.”

She says, “Thank you, Paige. I really AM sorry for the way I treated you as Albert. I was just REALLY confused then and it just came out that way…”

I say, “It’s OK, Hon. Bye for now, OK?”

I hang up and let the tears flow for a few minutes; all of them for someone that I never thought I would EVER give a damn about.

After Momma and Mummy fill me in on the results of the big legal meeting, I fill them in on my conversation with Alecia.

At first, Momma is reluctant to get involved. Mummy, on the other hand is more willing.

She says, “Dawn—that poor child has nothing to do with her father. She has the opportunity to grow up in a loving environment and flourish—a LOT of people her grandparent’s age struggle with how to deal with these types of issues and it seems they are doing their best to support, Alecia.”

Momma says, “I know, Love. Give me at least a moment to be human and wallow in repulsion…” She giggles at the looks on our faces and continues, “OK. Moment over—so, what do you propose? I don’t think it best to bring her and Misty together in any way—at least not yet…”

Mummy says, “Oh, I absolutely agree—that would only complicate things even more for the poor girl. Let me give her grandparents a call tomorrow and I’ll see what I can do…”

School the next day is strange…almost…’normal’… If there is such a thing, anyway. The ‘greens’ and the ‘reds’ sort of leave each other alone. It is a tenuous truce—that much is clear, though.

The schoolday ALMOST ends on a good note—but, then disaster strikes at the very end…

We are in cheerleading practice and Penny and Ginny are really giving us a workout. Ginny is showing us a complex routine and ends it with a beautiful handstand, followed by a flip. She lands with her left foot in a hidden gopher hole that collapses under her weight. Everyone distinctly hears her ankle snap with a sickening ‘crack’…

We all rush to her as she whimpers in pain. I help Penny support her and we get her into Paulette’s car; then we take her straight to Mummy’s clinic.

Mummy stabilizes the fracture and gives her some medication for the pain while we wait for her parents to arrive. They then take her straight to the larger hospital where she will undergo orthopedic surgery to repair the complex fracture.

Mummy looks at the gathered crowd of the entire cheerleading squad as we sit in the hospital waiting room while Ginny is in surgery. She says, “I’m sorry girls, but I’m afraid that is the end of Ginny’s cheerleading career—at the very least for this year…”

Penny asks, “Will she be OK? I mean…where did that hole COME from?”

Mummy says, “Well, that is something the school is going to have to look into. Obviously, gopher holes on the playing field is not a good thing. As for Ginny, we’ll have to wait for the surgery to be completed, but I think she will be fine. She’ll have a long recovery, though. That is a nasty fracture…”

Two hours later, the surgeon comes out and speaks to Ginny’s parents and Mummy. They come over and tell us the news after that.

Ginny’s Mom says, “She’s going to be fine, girls. The fracture was completely fixable, but she is going to be out of commission for cheerleading for this year.”

Penny asks, “When can we see her?”

The surgeon says, “Why don’t you girls go home for tonight—it’s late and it will be a while before she is out of recovery; she needs her rest for tonight. You can go in and see her tomorrow after school, OK?”

We are all disappointed that we can’t see her, of course, but we ARE happy that she will be OK.

We all go back to school to get the stuff we had just thrown in and abandoned in the locker room to get Ginny taken care of. Penny packs up her things to give to her Mom and she looks at me and says, “Well, Paige. It looks like you’re officially on the squad, now. I wish it were under better circumstances, but welcome to the team!”

I shake my head and say, “Me too. This is awful! I mean, I’m happy to be able to step in, but…poor Ginny…”

Paulette smiles and says, “I’m sure she’ll be on the sidelines with me in no time. There’s no doubt she’ll be a sideline driver—just wait, you’ll see!”

We all laugh at that and a little of the pressure is relieved. She WILL be OK…

We give each other a big group hug and all go home for the night.

I look at the clock. It is a little after ten o’clock—what a day! I sigh as I wash and moisturize my face. Just as I am done, there is a knock on my door and Mummy comes in.

She smiles as she sits on my bed and watches me finish up at my vanity. She says, “Well, THAT was an exciting day. Not the kind of excitement I would normally hope for—but, at least it is something fairly normal for a school. Accidents like this happen…”

I nod my head and say, “Yeah, I guess. I wonder what will happen now—no one is going to trust that field.”

Mummy nods and says, “No. I’m sure Ronnie will handle that, though. What I came to tell you is, before all the excitement, I talked to Alecia’s grandparents.”

I turn around to look straight at her instead of through the vanity mirror.

She says, “As you know—they’re now her legal guardians and really are trying their best to both understand and support Alecia. Being two states over doesn’t help things, but I have agreed to some counseling over the phone—to both them AND Alecia. I have also agreed to work with her doctor to make sure she gets the proper medical support for her transition.”

I nod, wondering where this is going.

She continues, “If you’re still willing, I think it would be great if you can maintain contact with her.”

I nod and say, “Of course. I already told her that.”

Mummy smiles and says, “We may also try and work something out for her to come here over her school break.”

I give her a strange look and ask, “Is that a good idea with Misty, and all…?”

Mummy gives me a sly look and says, “Of course not—she won’t be staying HERE… I thought maybe you wouldn’t mind staying at my old house with us during that time? It would only be for about a week…?”

I smile and say, “Of course I will—I can’t wait to see Albert in a dress! I will have Alecia ready for Pinkdom this summer—no prob!”

Mummy rolls her eyes and says, “Maybe I need to rethink this…”

I giggle and she says, “I want to fully evaluate and assess her so that she gets the best care she can… Please hold off on the ‘Pinkdom’ until I know her score?”

I giggle some more and say in a mock evil tone, “We’ll see…mwa-ha-ha-ha-haaaaa!”

Mummy throws a pillow at me and we both laugh. I hug her good night and am soon sound asleep.