WHOLESOME! AGAIN!

"Your best friend Claire is on her way home from her college's winter break, and so it's the perfect time to drop off your present for her. You let yourself into her family's house and head up to her room, but when you open the door to your bedroom a cute girl is standing there wearing a blue dress over thigh-highs. She turns around and you recognize Claire's little brother, Sam, dressed and made up like a girl. He looks at you with panic." "Wait, akane, I can explain!"

"Samantha, as she prefers to be called, fidgets nervously with the hem of her blue dress, looking at you with wide eyes." "I-I didn't mean to invade your sister's privacy, I just wanted to try on some of her clothes. I...I know it's weird, but I think I might be transgender. And I was hoping...maybe you could help me figure things out?" "She looks down, blushing furiously." "I'm sorry, I know it's a lot to ask."

"Samantha smiles back gratefully, her blue eyes shining." "Thank you so much!" "She quickly gathers up the clothes she's been trying on and stuffs them back into a duffel bag." "I'm sorry for intruding, I won't do it again. What do you want me to do?" "She looks up at you expectantly, eager to please."

"Samantha nods brightly." "My name's Samantha, but you can call me Sam if you want." "She blushes slightly as you touch her shoulder, but doesn't pull away." "Do you have any suggestions for where we should go to talk? Maybe a cafe or something?"

"Samantha seems surprised by your suggestion, but nods eagerly." "Thanks, akane, that would be great! I promise I won't be a bother. You're so cool for helping me." "She precedes you out of the room and down the hall to her own bedroom, which is adorned with posters of pop stars and cute animals. She sits down demurely on the bed and looks up at you expectantly." "So what should we talk about first?"

"Samantha fidgets nervously with her hair as she speaks." "I felt...amazing. Like I had finally found something that made me feel like myself. But at the same time, I was really scared. Scared of being caught, scared of what people would think if they knew. I just kept thinking that if someone saw me like this, they wouldn't even recognize me as a person anymore."

"Samantha's eyes widen." "You're transgender too, akane?" "A look of relief crosses her face to find someone who understands." "That makes me feel not as alone. I was worried no one would get it. How did you know? And how did you get to a point of being okay with people knowing?" "She shifts closer on the bed, eager to hear your experience and advice."

"Samantha looks amazed and emboldened at the same time." "Wow, that's so cool! You're already way more confident than I am," "she admits shyly". "I don't think I could ever look as good or be as convincing as you." "She bites her lip uncertainly before asking," "Do you have any tips for me? I'm really nervous about going outside dressed like this."

"Samantha looks thoughtful." "I hope so. I just feel so out of place right now, like I'm not sure who I'm supposed to be. But I really want to find out. Do you have any advice for things I can do to explore my identity more?" "She looks at you expectantly, eager for guidance and support from someone who gets it."

"Samantha nods eagerly as you speak." "That makes sense! I've been trying to do that, but it's really hard to know where to start. Do you think you could give me some tips on how to do makeup? I'm really bad at it and I don't want to look weird or fake."

"Samantha frowns slightly at your response, but doesn't dwell on it." "Oh, okay. I guess that makes sense. Well, thank you for all your help so far." "She shifts uncomfortably and looks down at the floor as she adjusts her briefs visibly under her dress." "So...are we finished here?"

"Samantha nervously licks her lips and glances up at you, a tentative smile on her face." "Yeah, I guess we could keep talking if you want to. I really enjoy hearing your perspective on things. And I'll try to be more open to exploring my identity, now that I know I'm not alone." "She bites her lip thoughtfully for a moment before continuing," "Do you have any advice for navigating the transgender community? Like where to go for information or support?"

"Samantha nods, taking it in." "Thanks, that's really helpful. I'll have to check those out and see if they have any resources or events near me." "She fidgets nervously with her dress, her gaze flicking towards the door and back to you again, then she speaks up shyly," "Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Samantha takes a deep breath, then blurts out," "Do you think I'm pretty? Or... cute, I guess?" "She bites her lip again as she waits for your answer, looking at you with hopeful and embarrassed eyes."

"Samantha's cheeks flush pink at your answer, and she looks down bashfully." "Thank you," "she murmurs quietly." "That means a lot coming from you." "After a moment of silence, she glances back up at you and takes a deep breath." "Do you think we could maybe... do something together sometime? Like, try on clothes or watch a movie or something?" "She looks hopeful, but also a little scared, as if she's afraid of being rejected."

"Samantha's face lights up at your words, and she nods eagerly." "That sounds amazing! I would love that so much." "She takes a step towards you, then hesitates, as if unsure what to do next." "Um, so, can I ask you something else?"

"Samantha looks down at her hands, twisting them nervously as she speaks." "I was just wondering... well, I know you're probably not interested, but I was wondering if maybe you would want to go out on a date sometime?" "She glances up at you briefly, then quickly looks away again, her cheeks burning with embarrassment." "I mean, if you don't want to it's okay, I understand. I just thought I would ask."

"Samantha looks up at you with wide eyes, her heart racing in her chest." "Really? You mean it??"

"She waits eagerly for your response to your condition now." "Okay, what's the condition?"

"Samantha's eyes widen even further at your request, her mouth hanging open slightly." "Um, really?" "She goes silent for a few moments, then nods slowly, understanding." "Yeah, I can do that. For you." "She pulls in a deep breath, excited and nervous all at once, realizing the implications of your request. Then with sheepish grin she states," "But only if we get out on Monday night so my roommate thinks we're just friends."

"Samantha nods sheepishly, blushing even harder." "Yeah. It's... kind of a big secret. No one knows that I like girls or that I dress like this except for you now. And I'm still trying to figure everything out."

"Sam offers you a small, grateful smile." "Thank you, that means a lot. And this will be our little secret too, right?" "She takes another breath to steady her nerves." "So our date on Monday then? Where should we go?" "Her tone is shy and hopeful."

"Samantha nods thoughtfully, considering your suggestion. Then she grins." "I know the perfect place! There's this diner not too far from here that makes amazing milkshakes. We could get burgers and fries too." "She grows more enthusiastic as she speaks, happy to have a plan in place for your date." "What do you think?"

"Samantha's eyes sparkle with excitement, and she claps her hands together." "Yay! I can't wait!" "She jumps up and down, clearly thrilled about the upcoming date." "I'll start planning everything now. And if you need any help picking out an outfit or anything, just let me know." "With that, Sam gives you another smile before turning to leave the room." "See you on Monday then!"