It was a cold snowy day in early December, the snow was falling in short flurries as a boy trudged slowly up the street towards his home. That is if it could truly be called a home, after all wasn't a home supposed to be a place where you felt loved and safe, well that certainly couldn't be applied to this place the boy thought. He paused on the door step,key in hand and looked back down the street at the forlorn path left by his footprints in the snow. He took a deep breath to settle his nerves, and let himself in.

“Mom, Dad I'm home,” he called as he closed the door behind him.

“About bloody time, where the hell have you been, you should have been home an hour ago.” His dad shouted back.

The boy sighed to himself on hearing this as he was expecting nothing less, although to be honest he thought that was actually quite restrained compared to normal, he guessed they must have company.

“Sorry Dad” he called back, “I’ll be in my room if you need anything,” he added quickly, knowing that would keep them happy for the time being, and was the likely outcome of any conversation with his dad anyway.

His only response to that was silence, which he had been anticipating. He turned and heading up the stairs, just as he reached the top he met his sister coming the other way. She was clearly heading out somewhere, judging from the way she way dressed. They just smiled at each other as they passed, both of them had learned several years earlier that some things where best left unsaid, especially when there was even the slightest chance they could be over heard.

Upon reaching his bedroom he closed and locked the door behind him, not that this would truly discourage anyone that really wanted to get in. Once that was done he dropped down onto his bed, stretched out and reflected on how his day had been. Surprisingly it hadn't been that bad, the school bullies for whom he was a popular target, had much to his shock more or less left him alone all day. This had him slightly confused, as normally not a day went by where he wasn't picked on by somebody. All because he preferred to sit in the library and read or do his homework rather that play sports. Was it really his fault that he was smaller than all the boys his age, and some of the girls too. At least that was the reason the boys picked on him anyway, why some the girls picked on him he had no idea. He had always thought that the girls that did pick on him,did so because he got on better with girls his age than he did the boys.

This is something that had him confused; he never knew why he got on better with the girls. He also knew that this would never be something he could talk to his parents about, as they would neither understand, nor condone this kind of behaviour. They definitely believed in the whole boys should hang out with boys, and girls with girls thing. This was why a week or so earlier he had tentatively touched upon the subject with his sister, on one or the rare occasions that they were alone in the house. The main reason he had done this was because he knew that now she was 18, she was allowed to use the internet at home, without one or other or their parents standing over her watching.

He had to smile to himself, as he remembered how scared he had been on that rare Wednesday night. It had been the first time in weeks that their parents had gone to visit friends, rather than their friends visiting them. He had nervously approached and finally knocked on his sister’s bedroom door, after what had seemed like an eternity of standing trying to decide, if he actually wanted to do this. When he finally knocked he had stood waiting for her to answer.

“Come in” he heard her say after several minutes.

He poked his head around the door and smiled at her. “Hi Sis, Do you have time to talk,” he had asked her.

“Of course I do,” she had replied with a smile, she had always tried to make the time to help her brother in any way she could. Because she knew it was unfair how their parents treated him. She smiled to herself as she thought that she had a fairly good idea of what this conversation was going to be about.

“So what can I help you with?” she asked

“Well...........Well I was hoping, that I could ask you to help me with something, but you have to promise me to keep it to yourself,” he asked struggling to get the words out.

“When have you known me to not keep a secret?” she replied with a small smile.

“I know I know,” he said, “I just wanted to be sure.”

“Well don't just stand there, come sit down and tell me what's troubling you,” she said wrapping an arm around him as he sat down beside her on the bed. “You know you can talk to me about absolutely anything.” She added as he had been quiet for a few minutes after sitting down.

“I know that Sis,” he replied, “It's just this isn't easy for me you know,” finally after a while he began to talk, explaining to her, just exactly how much he truly hated how everyone seemed to treat him like he didn't matter in even the slightest way. He finished up by saying how much he wished, that he knew why he got on so much better with the girls, rather than the boys. Because after all he was a boy wasn't he, and that wasn't supposed to be what boys did, was it ?. At least that is what his parents had always told him.

At hearing all this, his Sister just sat there staring for a few moments almost not believing what she had just heard. At seeing his sister’s reaction, he instinctively pulled away, expecting her to say or do something to him. On seeing this she instantly pulled him back to her and hugged him tightly.

“I'm so sorry I reacted like that, I didn't mean to scare you, it's just I never realised things were that bad for you,” she said in a gentle voice. “I promise you I will do whatever I can to help make this better for you, and to try to help you understand everything.”

“Thanks Sis,” he said “I had better go back to my room before Mom and Dad get back.” With that he got up and left the room, really hoping that his sister had truly meant what she said.

It was a couple of days after that conversation with his sister, that he had first noticed a slight almost imperceptible change in the way he was being treated at school. OK so the boys were still picking on him at almost every opportunity, but it seemed to him at least that much fewer of the girls were doing so. At least that was how it appeared to him, well all except one girl in particular. That was no real surprise as Nicola picked on just about everybody. If anything she was getting worse, not worse in what was being done to him but more frequently than ever before. There was hardly a time when they passed each other in the corridor between classes, that she didn't say something or push him into somebody or something. The rest of the day carried on pretty much as normal, until lunch time at least.

It was just after he had sat down for lunch, in the same place as always, in the corner as far as possible from everyone else, when things took an unusual turn. Well unusual as far as he was concerned. Sitting there in the corner, content and lost in his own world, James suddenly became aware that he was no longer alone. Glancing up, he found a girl's face smiling back at him.

“Sorry I didn't mean to startle you, but I asked if you mind if I sit here,” she asked.

“Umm sure,” he replied. “But are you sure you want to be seen with me, I'm not exactly the most popular person around here,” he added quickly

“That's OK” she replied with a smile. “Being popular is overrated any way,” she added with a giggle.

“Well I'll have to take your word for that one then,” he responded with an uncharacteristic smile. There is definitely something different about this girl he thought to himself.

“Sorry I'm being rude,” he said as she sat down opposite him. “I haven't even asked you your name yet.”

“No problem,” she replied. “I'm not used to being asked anyway,” she added, “I was kind of an outcast in my old school.”

“I find that hard to believe,” he said. “Especially a good looking girl like you,” he added blushing slightly, hardly able to believe that he had said that.

“Thank you,” she said giving him a big smile. “The name's Laura, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you Laura, my names James,” he added returning the smile.

They spent the rest of the lunch break, just sitting chatting about nothing in particular. This was mainly down to the fact that every time either one of them tried to find out something more, the other would quickly change the subject. Although each had managed to find out the others age, it turned out that she was about to turn 16 compared to his 14 and a half. It was then that the bell rang to signal the end of the lunch break, he stood with a sigh knowing that he would be lucky to talk to this girl again, she was bound to find out what everyone else thought of him. He was sure that she would want nothing more to do with him after that. This was when he got his second surprise of the day.

“Would you mind meeting me at the end of the day, and walking home with me,” She had asked “I really enjoyed talking to you.”

“Umm sure I can, he replied with a nervous smile, he still wasn't entirely sure whether this was somebody trying to play a big joke on him. He was still thinking about this fact as he made his way towards class, that was until he found himself toppling sideways into the wall. He glanced up with a look of shock passing across his face, this soon disappeared when he found himself face to face, or rather face to stomach with Nicola.

“Aww jeeze,” he said despondently. “I should have known it was you,” he added as he picked himself up from the floor.

“Well of course you should have known, who else did you expect it to be,” she replied as a small but evil grin passed across her face. “I bet you think you have just made yourself a friend,” she said the same evil grin passing over her. “Well we will soon see about that,” she added with some venom in her voice, just before she turned and walked away laughing to herself.

Letting out a sigh as he wondered, what had he ever done to her to deserve this, he picked up his bag from where it fell and hurried off to class. As a result of what had happened, he found himself getting into trouble several times though out the afternoon, due to not paying enough attention. This was because he kept replaying the incident, trying to work out if Laura and Nicola had been working together to set him up, or had it been Nicola simply taking advantage of the situation. After being told for what must have been the fifth time to pay attention, he finally gave up trying to work it out.

When the bell finally went to signal the end of the school day, he slowly gathered his belongings, still having not made up his mind whether or not he was going to meet up with Laura as they had agreed. Finally he decided that he should do what he knew was the right thing; he would as he had agreed. As he got closer to the school entrance, he was becoming more and more nervous, it wasn't helping that where she was standing waiting for him was right in front of the doors. He finally made it to where she was.

“Hi Laura,” he said with a nervous smile.

“Hi James,” she replied with a big smile, that showed just how happy she was to see him. “How was the rest of your day?” she asked.

“Not too bad,” he responded. “Well apart from a small issue with Nicola,” he added with a grimace.

“Why what happened?” she asked. “You can trust me you know,” she added after a few moments, when he had remained silent.

Finally after another few moments of silence, during which he decided he may as well tell her, after all it couldn't makes things any worse could it? With his choice made, he went on to explain about Nicola, and the kind of things she said and did to him. Laura listened, with a growing feeling of shock and anger, about how James was being treated. Laura was concentrating so much on what James was saying, that she only just noticed that they had almost walked past her house. She hurriedly threw out an arm to stop James, but pulled her arm back quickly when she saw him flinch away. “Sorry I didn't mean to make you jump,” she said looking concerned that she might have upset him.

“It's OK,” he replied. “It's just something I tend to do out of habit,” he added quickly noticing that she didn't look entirely convinced by his answer.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Honestly it's fine,” he replied. “Besides it's my problem, I will just have to learn to get used to it,” he continued.

“That's where you're wrong,” she said.

“What..........what do you mean I'm wrong?” he asked looking worried.

“Don't panic,” she replied, “all I mean is it is not just your problem anymore it's mine too,” she added with a smile.

“Why is it your problem too?” he asked her.

“Well because like it or not, I think of you as a friend and friends don't let friends, deal with this kind of thing on their own,” she said. “I better get inside before Mom starts wondering where I am,” she added. “I'll see you tomorrow,” she said as she pulled him quickly into a hug, before turning and heading for her front door.

James just stood there for a few moments, a look of complete shock on his face. He finally turned for home, thinking to himself I certainly didn't see that coming.

This is my First attempt at a story for along time, It is about a boys journey to discover why he feels like he does. Please also not I used the language caution, even though it is what I consider only minor usage of bad language.(Better safe than sorry.)

Please comment and let me know what you either like or dislike about.
Any Typo's or bad grammar is my fault, as this part was self edited.
Also hopefully this part is up to the standard of the previous parts.

The following morning James actually found himself looking forward to school. He paused in the middle of gathering his school things, when he realised that it was in fact Laura he was looking forward to seeing, and not school. With this realisation he finished gathering his things, and set out for school after saying goodbye to his Mom and Dad. During the walk to school he found himself wondering why he was looking forward to seeing her as much as he was. His wondering was cut short as he arrived at school, as he found Laura standing outside waiting for him.

“Morning James, how are you today ?” she asked.

“I'm OK, how about you ?” he responded with a shy smile.

“I'm doing good thanks,” she replied with a smile.

With that they made their way into school, having arranged to meet again at lunch, as they had the day before. Several times that morning James yet again found his mind wandering, and being told to pay attention. He was glad when lunch time finally rolled around, he managed to avoid Nicola on the way to his usual seat. He could only hope that he would be so lucky after lunch. After he had been sat for a few minutes, during which time he actually paid attention to what was going on around him, he saw Laura approaching. As she sat down James noticed she looked a little upset about something.

“Are you OK ?” he asked “You look a little upset.”

“I'm OK,” she replied “I just had a little encounter with Nicola,” she added with a hint of irritation in her voice.

“Are you sure ?” he responded.

“Sure,” she answered him, “She won't be trying anything with me again,” she added with a grin.

“Really ?” he asked “ How did you manage that ?” he added eagerly.

“Now now James, I can't go telling you all my secrets yet,” she said “Besides I'm not sure I know you well enough yet, and it's not a conversation for a public place,” she added with a sympathetic smile.

“Oh OK,” he replied in a disappointed voice.

“Don't worry I will tell you,” she said. “Why don't you see if you can come for dinner over the weekend, and I will tell you more then,” she added kindly.

“OK I'll ask but I wouldn't hold my breath over it,” James replied.

At that point the bell rang, his head snapped up a look of shock on his face. He couldn't quite believe that, that seemingly short conversation had apparently taken most of the lunch break. They arranged to meet for the walk home again, then hurried off in the separate directions for class.

During the walk home Laura tried several times, to start a conversation but was unsuccessful, due to James clearly being distracted by something. Finally Laura had, had enough. “Come on James what's wrong, you have barely said anything since we left school,” she said.

“Sorry,” he said, “It's just I've been thinking about how to ask Mom and Dad, about the whole coming round to dinner thing.” he added.

“Well in that case I will forgive you this time,” she said with a smile, “But don't make a habit of it,” she added with a giggle.

She hugged him again as she had the previous day, when they parted and James slowly made his way home. All the while his thoughts were in turmoil about how to ask the question. In the end he just decided to hell with it, I'll just ask straight out and see what happens.

“Anyone home ?” he called as he closed the front door.

“In the kitchen,” he heard his Dad reply.

Taking a deep breath, he headed for the kitchen to ask about dinner at Laura's at some point over the weekend. To his almost complete disbelief, his Dad was fine with the idea.

“Good for you son,” he said. “I'm glad to finally see you making some friends at last,” he added with affection in his voice.

“Thanks Dad,” he said as he turned to head upstairs.

“Just a moment,” his Dad said.

This had James worried momentarily as he thought that maybe his Dad had changed his mind already.

“Yes Dad,” he replied looking a little worried.

“Just remember not to tell your Mom,” he said. “You know as well as I do what she would say and do,” he finished.

“No problem Dad,” James said in response. With that said James left to head to his bedroom to get his homework done, feeling happier than he had in a long time, while he was at home at any rate. With his home work complete, he lay back on his bed to relax. He had only been laying there for a few moments, when there was a knock at his door.

“Come in,” he said expecting it to be one of his parents, he was therefore surprised when he saw his sister put her head around the door. “Hey Sis,” he said with a smile, “What can I do for you ?” he added.

“Hey James,” she greeted him “ You have time to talk ?” she asked him, “I may have some useful information for you,” she added with a smile.

“Really, already ?” he asked looking shocked.

“Yes of course really,” she said, “This seemed really important to you, so I found out as much as I could, as quickly as possible,” she added with another smile.

“Well?,” he asked in response, “What did you find out ?” he added quickly.

“Well from what I found it sounds a lot like gender dysphoria,” she said, “Have you ever heard of it ?” she added.

“No,” was James reply

“Neither had I,” she said, “But here is what I was able to find out about it,” she added handing him some folded sheets of paper. “And remember I'm here if you ever need to talk,” she said.

“I know Sis and thanks for helping me,” he said with a smile.

“Your welcome,” she replied, “I better go before Mom comes to see what we are up to,” she added. With that said she withdrew from the room leaving James alone.

This is my First attempt at a story for along time, It is about a boys journey to discover why he feels like he does. Please also not I used the language caution, even though it is what I consider only minor usage of bad language.(Better safe than sorry.)

Please comment and let me know what you either like or dislike about.

So it was that Saturday afternoon, James made his way towards Laura's home with some trepidation, having arranged it the previous day at school. Part of himself still couldn't believe that he had been allowed to do this, however the other part was really glad he had been allowed. It surprised him but he actually liked the fact he had been able to find a friend, that took him as he was and didn't want him to change just to be their friend. He spent a few minutes trying to calm his nerves, and pull himself together when he reached her home. He finally knocked on the door, he didn't have long to wait until Laura opened the door.

“Hey James,” she said with a big smile on her face, “I'm so glad you could come,” she added as she pulled him into a hug. After what seemed like forever to James she released the hug, and pulled him into the house closing the door behind them as she did so. James expected Laura to pull him into one of the downstairs rooms, to introduce him to her parents. He was therefore surprised when she led him straight upstairs, to what turned out to be her bedroom. As surprised as he had been at being led straight to her room, he was not surprised in the slightest when he realised that for some reason this was exactly how he expected her room to look.

Her room was painted in a soft Lilac color, with a darker purple and silver flowery border running round the room, at waist height, and slightly darker colored Lilac carpet. He also realised that he really liked the way this room looked, not only that but he also felt like he was more relaxed and at ease with himself. Laura stood there watching James look around the room with a smile on her face.

“You like the room then James ?” she asked still smiling, as she was sure she already knew the answer.

“Yes I do,” was James' simple answer. “It's almost exactly what I expected for you,” he added blushing slightly.

“You want something to drink?” she asked him.

“Sure,” he replied. “That would be nice,” he added glad for both the offered drink, and the chance for a moment to himself.

“OK I'll be right back,” she replied. With that she disappeared to get them both a drink.

She reappeared a few minutes later with two glasses of cola in hand. She handed one to James and then sat on the bed, inviting him to do the same. James could hardly keep his hand from shaking, as he took a drink before he sat down on the edge of the bed. Laura could see that he was clearly nervous about being there; for a moment she felt hurt that he felt that way. She realised fairly quickly however, that it wasn't fair for her to feel that way, as she remembered the day they first met. When he had stated that he wasn't used to having friends.

“Won't your Mom mind me being up here?” he asked suddenly.

“No of course not,” she replied. “I wouldn’t have brought you up here if she did,” she added with a gentle smile. As she wondered what made him ask that question. Before she could ask the question, James spoke.

“Sorry for asking then,” he said. “I was just surprised as my Mom would never let me have friends over; guess that's why I lost most of them,” he added with a sigh. As he looked towards the floor, to try to hide the tears forming in his eyes. This wasn't missed by Laura as she laid a hand on his shoulder.

“Hey it's OK,” she said. “You have me now,” she added pulling him into a hug, and holding him as his tears began to flow. They sat like that for nearly ten minutes, before James finally managed to pull himself together.

“I'm sorry about that,” he said still sniffling a little.

“It's alright,” she said. “You should not be ashamed of showing your feelings,” she added

“Really?” he asked not sounding sure of himself. “That's not what my Mom is always telling me,” he added looking confused.

Laura found this comment really upsetting, but she did her best to not let it show, surely his Mom must have some idea what was really going on with her son.

“Anyway enough about my Mom,” he said. “Besides you promised to tell me how you got Nicola to stop picking on you,” he added changing the subject away from himself.

“Oh that was easy,” she said. “All I did was stand up to her,” she finished.

“Really?” he asked.

“Sure,” she answered. She then went on to explain to James how nearly all bullies would leave you alone if you stood up to them.

“Now that I have answered that question for you, would you answer one for me?” she asked.

“I guess that's fair,” he replied. “What's your question?” he asked.

“Why do Nicola and the other pick on you anyway?” she asked him.

James sighed as he thought to himself, of all the questions she could ask, she had to ask that one. He took a deep breath, before he proceeded to explain to her that as far as he knew. He was picked on because he didn't really like sports, and how he appeared to have much more in common with, and get along so much better with the girls than he did the boys.

Laura was nearly in tears as she sat listening to James, as it reminded her more than she cared to remember of how her life had once been. Without a word she pulled him into a tight hug, that was as much for her this time as it was for him. After a few minutes she finally spoke as she released him.

“You have no need to worry now James,” she said. “I am going to be there to help you in any way I can,” she finished.

“Why..............Why would you do that for me?” James asked her.

“That's easy,” she replied. “It's because you remind me exactly of how I was this time last year,” she added with a gentle smile.

“What do you mean you were like me?” James asked her.

“Well I did promise to tell you my secrets,” she said with a giggle. “This is by far the biggest secret I have, and you can't tell anybody,” she added looking more serious now.

“I promise,” he said. “Besides who would I tell, I have no friends apart from you remember,” he added.

“That's a fair point,” she replied. She paused momentarily before she continued, “Well put simply this time last year, I was living as a boy called Liam, I have a condition known as Gender Dysphoria,” she explained while watching him carefully for his reaction.