“I’ll need to get a new passport when we get to London”.

Lisa and I were walking around Stephen’s Green in Dublin. It was cold and dry, a pleasant enough day for the time of year.

“Why’s that? Can you not get it while you’re here?”

“No, I would need to get the local police to sign the application. In London I have more options. I’ll start working on it tomorrow; I’ll need to get some other documents first.”

Ending of Book One

Christmas day, it was just Willow and her grandmother who walked to the church, arm in arm with their breath steaming. Willow played to a church full of joyful villagers, singing the carols as she played them. Afterwards, there was a lot of hugging, kissing and love being spread around. Willow was happy that she was fully accepted by the villagers, but more so by her grandmother’s joy at being with her.

CHAPTER 80
We had other issues to think about just then, as Ish was navigating the sudden complications of primary school. There had been the usual sequence of birthday parties throughout his time in what I still thought of as ‘infants’ school’, but now he was in what my memories called ‘junior school' things were changing, as boys did their traditional dance of realising that girls were not only different, but actually distasteful which is not exactly the best process for continuing our species. His size and balance were both a little above the average, the latter no doubt helped by his emerging love of climbing, and that meant he avoided the old school horror of being ‘last pick’ for games, and THE local game for Perth was ‘footy’

The Interview (6)
by
Angharad.

©2025 SammyC

Chapter 12: A New Awakening

I sat quietly beside my mother beneath the soft, silvery glow of the moonlight, cocooned in her warm and reassuring embrace. The serene night air of the Elven kingdom was infused with the sweet scent of blooming night jasmine, whispering softly through the ancient trees and gradually easing the tight knot of tension coiling within me. For a fleeting moment, a sense of peace felt tangible again, like a gentle lullaby wrapping around my troubled heart.

A Walk On the Beach with Mom
Copyright 2025 by Heather Rose Brown

The ocean holds many secrets. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold many answers. At least, not the kinds of answers a gender questioning kid might be looking for. But sometimes, if you're lucky, you can find something on the shores of that ocean more precious than you might have hoped to discover.

Halloween was fast approaching and we still did not have suitable costumes for the three parties we had been invited to. Ginger had tried all the costume rental places in town, several costumes that might work for her but absolutely nothing that would fit me and go along with her costume.

I offered to stay at home this year, Halloween not my favorite holiday, the parties so lame and boring. Unfortunately Ginger did not see it that way.

Fate had a peculiar way of playing with young Alex's life, a 15-year-old boy whose curiosity often led him to the edge of societal norms. Growing up with an older sister, Emily, had its perks. He had always felt a strange fascination with her clothes, especially her school uniform. It was a peculiar attraction that he could never quite put into words, but it was a part of him that he couldn't ignore.

One fateful evening, after his sister had left for college and his parents had gone out to dinner, he found himself alone in the house. He tiptoed into Emily's room, the scent of her lingering in the air. He reached for the hangers, his heart racing, and pulled out her skirt and blazer. He had snuck into her room countless times before to try on her clothes, but tonight was different. He had decided to take it a step further.

With trembling hands, Alex donned the uniform, feeling the fabric caress his skin as he transformed. He applied a bit of her makeup, just enough to accentuate his features, and styled his hair to mimic hers. Looking in the mirror, he saw a reflection that was both thrilling and terrifying. He had become a vision of his sister, yet not quite. It was an image of femininity that he hadn't dared to explore before.

The door slammed open, and Alex's heart stopped as his parents stormed in. Their eyes widened in horror and disbelief, and the silence was shattered by his mother's scream. His father's face was red with rage as he bellowed, "What is the meaning of this?"

Alex stuttered an apology, but the damage was done. His parents couldn't comprehend his actions, and they were ashamed. In their eyes, he had crossed a line that could never be uncrossed. Without another word, his father dragged him out of the house, throwing him onto the cold pavement with nothing but the clothes on his back.

The night was unforgiving, and Alex was lost in a world that had just turned its back on him. He wandered the streets, his mind racing with thoughts of what his future might hold. As dawn began to break, he found refuge in a deserted alley, the harsh reality of his situation setting in. He was cold, hungry, and utterly alone.