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Ashley's back!
And it only took forever... Sorry about my update schedule, real-life worries have kinda pushed things around a little and resulted in me not having enough time or energy to write as fast as I used to, and with juggling six stories... Well, I don't want to go months between chapters, but that's what seems to be the norm nowadays. :-(
Also, I'm not 100% happy with this one. Writing children's dialogue is HARD when you're 35+1 and don't have any kids of your own. And 'holiday' chapters always suck too, Ashley's a story about a schoolgirl but not one word of this chapter is set in school. So... Yeah. But the next phase of the story is set up- the triangle between Ash, Harriet and Mia... And it should be a good one. :-) Ashley's fourteen now, she's getting to THAT age.
A list of upcoming chapters can, as always, be found here. Jacinta 7 is next, which will naturally be a 'on holiday from university' chapter as apparently I'm incapable of learning my lessons. Oh well. :-)
Debs xxxx
Slow but sure!
Great part to this wonderful story. It seems like Andy is starting to come around and see that Ashley is his daughter. Great move by Ashley to get Bryony to do Jedi training.
Plus you knew the was going to be a good part. It's at Disneyland Paris! You can never have too much Disney!
Slow but sure!
Great part to this wonderful story. It seems like Andy is starting to come around and see that Ashley is his daughter. Great move by Ashley to get Bryony to do Jedi training.
Plus you knew the was going to be a good part. It's at Disneyland Paris! You can never have too much Disney!
It was good to see...
Ashley's father stand up for her when Mark acted like an utter idiot after finding out Ashley was transgender.
There is hope for Andy to eventually learn to accept and love Ashley as she is; that process started when he stood up to defend her.
Disneyland Paris sounds like fun. I've never been to Europe, perhaps I'll get there eventually.
Interesting
Almost parallels Nicole Maines' experience in one regard: father publically defending his daughter (before the state Legislature and in Disneyland Paris) before he had truly accepted her (in "Becoming Nicole", it is specifically noted that Wayne had a tough time even saying her name at that point). Well done to both fathers - curious to see what is to come.
Hmmm...
is there something up with Bryony? she was acting... odd there, is there something running in the family?
You did great!
You did a great job on this chapter Debbie. I think showing Ashley in a environment outside of school and her friends, is a nice change of pace. And yes writing kids dialogue is difficult at times, but you do it very well.
I had to go back and reread Chapter 9, as I forgot Ashley told George, she was a lesbian, when she told Mark, she was interested only in girls.
I was surprised that you had Cassie, step up to the plate, and stand up to that Mark kid, the way she did. I thought that was very mature of her, for someone so young. And what's up with Bryony? She seems to be starting to dislike her dad. Maybe this will be the "thing" that will finally make him fully accept Ashley as a girl?
As far as the triangle with Mia, Ashely, and Harriet, yeah, I can see that ending badly for one of them.
Anyways keep up the good work, and I look forward to future chapters. I really like your stories.
my smooth, hairless skin.
That makes me wonder - has Ian grown chest hair over his boobs/cleavage yet?
Wonderful Interlinked Series
Debs,
You apologize for getting behind on your chapter schedule, but each installment is worth waiting for. Besides, sometimes I get behind in the reading. There is so much depth and character development in your stories that they are not something I just skim through. Your ability to keep intertwining the lives of multiple characters is amazing. Always looking forward to more.
Come out! What's the holdup!
Every time Ashley lets a chance to come out to his parents, I was saying, "Come on, kid, tell them!"
Then I remember how hard it was to come out to my parents, and I realize that Ashley has a lot more guts than I ever did.
Wonderful story! Keep it up!
Jamie
Connections
Andy was miserable while at Disneyland Paris because of his limited upbringing. Boys are only interested in boy things and girls are only interested in girl things. And neither one is to like what the other likes. Thank his parents for that limited education.
Because of how he was raised Ashley was his only connection to the boy world. But when he transitioned that connection was lost, and it hurt. Hurt so much that he literally broke bonds with Ashley.
Two things are happening that dad can't see. Bryony is one smart girl, who see everything her parents try and hide from her eyes. She sees exactly how Andy is treating Ashley and it's got her angry. Because of Andy's treatment of Ashley he is alienating his next oldest daughter, and it will take a lot of work on his part to fix it. If he ever sees what he's done.
Because of that limited education he is keeping Eddie away from his sisters, fearing he won't be "man" enough when he gets older. Andy is unknowingly teaching Eddie that difference is something to be avoided at all cost. By doing this he is starting Eddie down a road where he could develop an attitude like Mark developed, despite what his parents said. He's also keeping Eddie from learning how to relate to girls, something he needs to learn.
Ashley has made some very good points during the talks she had with her dad. However, she needs to tone down the attitude and smugness she has during many of those talks. Her getting dad going again by using the C-3PO character is how she needs to get through to Andy. His limited education makes him feel left out with the interests of his daughters.
Wonder what new lessons Mark will be assigned?
Others have feelings too.
More Hatred...
“We- we were just talking,” Mark insists. “Ashley’s from London too!”
“I- umm, I should probably get back to my parents…” I mumble as things get increasingly awkward.
“Well- umm…” Mark says as I prepare to head away. “Can- can I get your email address? If, you know, you want to, umm, keep in touch after the holidays?”
“Umm… Okay, I guess!” I giggle as Mark hands me a pen and I write my email address on his hand. “Well, see you, I guess!”
“See you, Ash!” Mark says with a sly grin as he walks away, leaving me with a bemused smile on my face. Sure, I hadn’t come on holiday expecting to make a new friend, but I’m not going to say no- after all, you can never have too many friends, and Mark seems pleasant enough. Sure, he’ll probably not fit in too well with the rest of my ‘excellent eight’, but then again, neither does George. Mark might even end up going out with one of the ‘excellent eight’…
Ummm does he know about Heavenly Talent? And what are his feelings with the Transgender issue?
“Hi Ashley!” Mark says with a goofy grin that yesterday, I found funny, but today I just find creepy.
“Hi…” I say cautiously. “I’m- umm, I’m kinda with my family…”
“Oh, umm, okay,” Mark says, obviously taken aback by my suddenly cool attitude. “Well, umm, my family’s heading toward Discoveryland, can we-“
“That’s where we’re going now!” Cassie squeaks, making me silently curse. “Maybe you can come with us!”
“That’d be great!” Mark laughs as he- followed by his parents and his sister- accompanies my family- or rather, me- to Discoveryland on the opposite side of the park. “So, umm… Did- did you get my email last night?”
“Haven’t checked my email since I’ve been here,” I lie in response.
“Weren’t you on Facebook last night?” Bryony asks, making me silently curse yet again.
“Facebook… Chatting with friends?” Mark asks. “With- with a boyfriend? A cute boyfriend?”
“Just friends,” I say. “I’m- I’m, umm… Only, you know, ‘interested’ in- in girls.”
“Oh,” Mark says, before his eyes go wide. “Oh. Umm, okay. That’s a real- that’s a real pity, you know?”
“Not for me, it isn’t,” I say, and for the first time since Mark showed up again, I feel myself starting to relax.
“Well- umm, do- do you have a girlfriend?” Mark asks.
“Not right now,” I reply, a smug smile creeping across my face. Hopefully he’ll take the hint…
“I, umm… I like your swimsuit,” Mark says, causing me to exchange a look of disbelief with my oldest sister.
“Thanks,” I mumble.
“I’m sure I’ve seen that pattern before,” Mark continues. “Is- is it something special?” Ooh, now HERE’s where we see who you REALLY are, I think to myself.
“Yeah,” I reply. “It’s the colours of the transgender pride flag.” I bite my lip as Mark suddenly stops dead in his tracks and stares at me with a look of utter disbelief on his face.
"The- the trans-" Mark stammers.
"Yeah," I say, folding my arms over my chest.
"Are- are you-" Mark splutters.
"A girl?" I ask. "I'd have thought that was obvious!" I bite my lip out of frustration as Mark's face changes from one of disbelief into one of utter disgust.
"Ew- uh- eugh!" Mark sneers. "You- you sick tranny!"
"DON'T speak to my sister like that!" Cassie suddenly pipes up, startling myself and my entire family. "Ashley is a beautiful girl AND she's a ballerina too!"
"No," Mark sneers. "No- no IT isn't! IT is a freak, and a weirdo, and a-"
"Don't," dad says, shooting a death glare at the young man that stops his rant dead in its tracks. Before Mark can retort, however, his parents storm up to us with a look of pure fury on their faces- and their fury isn't directed toward me.
"Mark Philip Hyson, what the HELL are you doing!?" Mark mother yells, and for a moment, I could swear I saw the boy actually physically shrink in size.
"Buh- muh- but HE's a tranny!" Mark pleads.
"We did NOT raise you to treat other people like this!" Mark's father growls, before turning to my father. "I apologise on behalf of my son. To all of you. We thought he was raised better than this. Obviously we're going to need to teach him SEVERAL lessons when we get home!"
"Apology accepted," dad says, extending his hand. "Andy Moore."
"Dave Hyson," Mark's father says, shaking dad's hand. "You've got a very mature, sensible daughter in Ashley. You should be proud of her." That'll be the day, I think to myself as I roll my eyes.
"...Thanks," dad mumbles.
"As for you," Mr Hyson says to his son. "We are going to have some SERIOUS words when we get back!" My family and I watch as Mark's parents drag the whimpering boy away, leaving us stood in the middle of the park in a VERY awkward silence.
That just... did NOT happen ><. Always always trans haters :/ My God!
"...Thanks," I mumble. "I know that wasn't easy for you."
"The last year and a half hasn't been easy for me," dad sighs. "Though it's obviously been harder for you, I won't deny that. That- that thing just now proves that. Though you know you got off lightly, right?"
"Yes," I say bluntly, moving my cowlick to one side to reveal the scar still above my left eye. "I'm not an idiot, dad. I know I probably shouldn't have led him on. I didn't even realise I WAS, I mean- ugh. Way to ruin a great holiday..."
"Only if you let it ruin the holiday," dad says.
"Like the way you've let me being a girl ruin your holiday?" I retort, grimacing as I expect an angry response- however, dad has no response to my words.
"...Come on," dad mumbles. "Want to get to Discoveryland before dinnertime..." I force a smile on my face and nod in agreement, but as we set off toward the final part of the park that we haven't explored yet, I feel a twinge of guilt.
OMG! is that little turd growing a set of balls???
"Thanks, Ash," dad whispers.
"For what?" I shrug.
"For- well, this," dad says. "I know you don't like Star Wars really. But I appreciate the gesture."
"Who says I don't like it?" I ask. "Just because I'm a girl, it doesn't mean I can't like Star Wars, just like being a boy means you're not allowed to like Frozen, or Cinderella, or that sort of thing."
"Well- yeah, I know, but- ehh. Thanks anyway," dad says with a smile, giving me a fatherly pat on my shoulder as we get ready to eat what will be our final meal at Disneyland.
He is still so stereotypical :(
I should be offended that Mark was disgusted to find out that I was transgendered, but in truth, there's a very real part of me that's flattered that he was ever attracted to me at all. And now both Harriet and Mia seem to have a thing for me too... In the past, I was so obsessed to become a girl that at times I never thought about what it would be like once I'd finally achieved my dreams. And whilst there are a hell of a lot of downs, there are a hell of a lot of ups, too, and being seen as an attractive girl is DEFINITELY an up.
Who knows - I may even end up meeting the girl of my dreams. Hell, there's a chance that I already have...
Even I cannot answer that last question for you now Ashley. You might have.
Sephrena
My music representing me
Unite, Ending 2, Full Mode -
Accel World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N6_EQp4490
Unite, Ending 2, Instrumental Only, Full Mode -
Accel World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwIhOF7QA8I