Chapter 14: School Clothes
The mall was alive with the buzz of summer shoppers, its cool, air-conditioned halls offering relief from the sweltering heat outside. Yuqi walked confidently alongside her mom and Kelly, her purse slung across her shoulder. The air of excitement around her was undeniable—this was no ordinary shopping trip.

Gone were the days of loose jeans and oversized graphic T-shirts. David had dressed for convenience and comfort, but Yuqi had embraced her reality over the past month. She wanted clothes that felt like her—fitted, stylish, and just a bit daring.

“This is going to be fun,” Kelly said, practically bouncing with excitement.

Yuqi smirked. “Yeah, it actually is.”

Her mom, ever the pragmatic one, led the charge. “Alright, we’ll need to cover everything: pants, skirts, dresses, tops, and accessories. No half-measures today.”

“Got it,” Yuqi replied.

“And don’t forget,” her mom added, glancing at her pointedly, “I’m keeping track of your spending from your account. Just because you have a $30,000 limit doesn’t mean you can blow it all in one day.”

“Noted,” Yuqi said with a small laugh.

The first stop was a store filled with racks of jeans, trousers, and stylish pants. Yuqi gravitated immediately toward the section with fitted styles in bold colors. She picked up a pair of high-waisted purple pants with button details, as well as sleek black skinny jeans.

“These are perfect,” she said, holding them up.

Her mom nodded approvingly. “Good choices. Add some variety—you’ll want a mix of casual and dressy.”

Yuqi grabbed another pair of tailored gray trousers and a pair of stretchy jeggings in a deep plum hue. Kelly appeared next to her with a smirk, holding up a pair of cropped lavender pants.

“Try these,” Kelly said. “They’re cute and different.”

Yuqi hesitated, then added them to her pile. “Alright. Let’s see how they look.”

Next, they moved to the skirts and dresses. Yuqi felt a small thrill as she sifted through the racks, pulling out pleated skirts in soft purples and grays, along with bolder patterns. One particular skirt—a deep plum color with embroidered details along the hem—immediately caught her eye.

“I love this one,” she said, adding it to her growing pile.

Kelly nudged her. “Don’t forget dresses. You’re going to need at least one or two.”

Yuqi found a casual sundress in lavender that felt perfect for warmer days, along with a fitted midi dress in a rich purple shade that hugged her figure just enough without being too revealing. She also grabbed a flowy black dress with flutter sleeves, just in case she needed something a bit more formal.

“Dresses are fun,” she admitted with a small smile.

“Told you!” Kelly said triumphantly.

The following section was filled with racks of tops, from fitted blouses to stylish sweaters. Yuqi avoided anything loose or oversized, instead focusing on pieces that would complement her skirts and pants.

She picked out a lavender blouse with lace detailing, a cropped lilac sweater, and a sleek, fitted black top that felt versatile and chic.

Kelly handed her a white button-up blouse with puff sleeves. “This would look amazing with that plum skirt.”

Yuqi nodded. “You’re probably right.”

Her mom, holding up a soft purple cardigan, added, “Layering pieces are always a good idea. You’ll thank me when it gets cooler.” Yuqi added it to her pile without hesitation.

Yuqi spent nearly an hour trying on outfit after outfit. Each new look brought a mix of reactions:

“The purple pants look amazing,” Kelly said, giving her a thumbs-up.

“That plum skirt is a must-have,” her mom added.

“

Try pairing the black blouse with the jeans,” Kelly suggested, tossing it over the fitting room door.

Yuqi twirled in front of the mirror, admiring how the dresses fit. “This feels… right,” she said softly.

“Because it is right,” Kelly replied with a grin. “You’re killing it.”

Their next stop was a T-shirt shop filled with designs featuring anime characters, bands, and pop culture references. Yuqi scanned the racks, immediately picking out several fitted styles featuring her favorite anime characters.

“This one’s perfect,” she said, holding up a shirt with her favorite protagonist in an epic pose.

“You’re really leaning into this, huh?” Kelly teased, watching as Yuqi grabbed another shirt featuring a chibi version of the same character.

“Hey, I like what I like,” Yuqi replied with a grin.

By the time they left the store, she had five fitted graphic T-shirts in her bag, each one carefully chosen to match her new wardrobe.

As they passed a small kiosk advertising ear piercing, Yuqi slowed to a stop. She stared at the sign, then turned to her mom.

“Can I?” she asked, excitement glimmering in her eyes.

Her mom raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

Yuqi nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I’m ready.”

Minutes later, Yuqi sat in the chair, gripping the armrests as the technician marked her earlobes. The quick pinch of the piercing gun was over in seconds, and when she looked in the mirror, the small, sparkling studs in her ears brought a smile to her face.

“They look great,” her mom said warmly.

Kelly grinned. “They’re perfect for you.”

Yuqi touched her ears gently, feeling a wave of satisfaction. “Thanks.”

By the time they left the mall, Yuqi’s arms were filled with bags, and she felt a deep sense of accomplishment. She had a new wardrobe that genuinely felt like hers.

As they loaded the bags into the trunk, Kelly leaned back in her seat with a smirk. “You’re going to be the best-dressed girl in school. Everyone’s going to notice.”

Yuqi laughed softly, leaning her head against the window. “Good. Let them.”

Her mom glanced at her in the rearview mirror, pride evident in her eyes.

“You’ve come a long way, Yuqi. I’m proud of you.”

Yuqi smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. “Thanks, Mom.”

By the time Yuqi got home, her arms were sore from carrying all the shopping bags, and the trunk of the car was packed with her brand-new wardrobe. As she lugged the bags up to her room, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and bittersweet nostalgia.

Her closet and dresser were still filled with her old clothes—loose jeans, plain hoodies, and graphic T-shirts she used to love as David. But now, those clothes felt like relics of a life that didn’t fit her anymore.

With a sigh, Yuqi dropped the bags onto her bed, glancing at the neat rows of folded shirts and hanging pants in her closet. It was time for a complete overhaul.

Yuqi opened her closet and stared at the rows of clothes she used to wear. Oversized T-shirts with anime characters, baggy jeans, and a stack of hoodies lined the shelves. For years, those pieces had been her go-to outfit, the ones she felt most comfortable in.

But now, as she ran her fingers over the fabric, she felt a pang of detachment. They didn’t feel like her anymore.

With a deep breath, she grabbed the first hoodie off the hanger and tossed it into a pile on the floor.

“Alright,” she muttered to herself. “Let’s do this.”

One by one, Yuqi pulled out every piece of clothing she owned, separating them into two piles:

The Old Clothes: All the jeans, T-shirts, and hoodies she had worn as David. She knew she’d never wear them again—not just because they didn’t fit her new body, but because they didn’t feel like her anymore.

The New Wardrobe: The sleek pants, skirts, dresses, and fitted tops she had just bought at the mall. Each piece felt exciting, like a step into the life she was building for herself.

The first pile grew quickly, taking up most of the floor by the time she finished emptying her closet. Yuqi sat back on her heels, staring at the pile of old clothes.

Kelly poked her head into the room, raising an eyebrow. “Wow. Looks like a tornado hit in here.”

Yuqi rolled her eyes. “Thanks, Kelly. Very helpful.”

Kelly stepped inside, glancing at the old clothes. “You getting rid of all of it?”

“Yeah,” Yuqi said quietly. “I can’t wear any of it anymore. It doesn’t feel like me anymore.”

Kelly nodded, her expression softening. “Makes sense. Want help hanging up the new stuff?”

Yuqi hesitated, then smiled. “Yeah. That’d be great.”

Together, they began unpacking the shopping bags, carefully folding and hanging each piece. The closet transformed before Yuqi’s eyes as the racks filled with skirts in soft purples and grays, fitted jeans, and stylish blouses. The drawers of her dresser became home to her graphic T-shirts, neatly folded in a rainbow of colors.

Kelly held up the lavender sundress with a grin. “This one’s my favorite. You’re going to look amazing in it.”

Yuqi laughed, shaking her head. “You’re obsessed with that dress.”

“Because it’s perfect,” Kelly insisted, hanging it on a velvet hanger.

The room slowly came together, the piles of old clothes replaced by a vibrant, cohesive wardrobe that felt like hers. By the time they finished, the closet looked completely different.

The pile of old clothes sat in the corner of the room, a silent reminder of Yuqi's former self. She stared at it for a moment, her chest tightening slightly.

Kelly nudged her shoulder. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” Yuqi said softly. “It’s just… weird, you know? Letting go of all this.”

Kelly gave her a small smile. “It’s not really letting go. It’s just making room for who you are now.”

Yuqi nodded, her gaze lingering on the pile one last time before grabbing a large trash bag and loading the clothes inside.

“What are you going to do with them?” Kelly asked.

“Donate them, I guess,” Yuqi replied. “Someone else can use them.”

The bittersweet feeling eased when she tied the bag shut. Her old clothes were gone, and her new wardrobe was ready to replace them.

Yuqi stepped back, surveying her room with a sense of accomplishment. The closet was organized, her dresser drawers were filled with stylish outfits, and her shoes lined the bottom shelf neatly.

Kelly flopped onto the bed with a grin. “You’re officially a whole new person. How’s it feel?”

Yuqi leaned against the dresser, smiling faintly. “It feels… good. Like I’m finally figuring it out.”

Kelly raised an eyebrow. “So, what’s next? A makeup kit? More accessories?”

Yuqi laughed. “One thing at a time, Kelly.”