Tina stood at the entrance of Crestwood High, her heart racing as she took in the bustling atmosphere surrounding her. The school, a massive brick structure flanked by sprawling lawns, felt both familiar and alien. It was a place she had once known as a parent—one filled with laughter, lockers slamming shut, and the echo of teenage dreams. By some twist of fate, however, today, she was not accompanying her son; instead, she was stepping into her first day as a student...and a girl.
With a deep breath, Tina adjusted the straps of her backpack, which felt unusually light despite the weight of the transformation she had undergone. She glanced at her reflection in a window—long blond hair framing her face, a soft pink hoodie, and jeans that clung enough to give her a shape that felt strange yet somehow comfortable. The braces were still on her teeth, glinting in the morning sun, a reminder of her new identity.
“Okay, Tina, you can do this,” she murmured to herself, forcing a smile. The nerves were palpable, but she knew she had to adjust to this new life if she was ever to help Peter find a date for prom.
As she stepped inside the school, the sights and sounds enveloped her. Teenagers chattered between classes, laughter erupted in bursts, and a group of girls in the corner giggled as they swiped through their phones. Tina felt out of place—like an actor who had lost her script. Memories of her previous life as Thomas flooded her memory. Sure, she knew how to navigate the high school environment, but experiencing it from a girl’s perspective was something entirely different.
“Just blend in,” she whispered to herself, recalling all the wisdom she might have imparted to her son. It was time to become Tina in every sense.
The first class was the usual chaos of settling into a new routine. Sitting next to strangers, she nervously introduced herself to the girls nearby, hoping her smile and enthusiasm would carry her through. To her surprise, the students were warm and welcoming, eager to include her in their conversations about social media, fashion, and, surprisingly, video games.
By lunch, Tina was found at a table surrounded by new friends—Jamie, a bubbly girl who loved theatre, and Sarah, a no-nonsense athlete who captivated everyone with her daring stories. They chatted fluidly, and Tina felt her nerves ease. Still, her thoughts wandered back to Peter.
After the last bell rang, she stepped outside, ready to think about how to prepare for what lay ahead. The air was lighter, the sun warmer, as she navigated the parking lot toward the familiar sight of her car. Just then, she heard a familiar voice calling out to her.
“Tina! Hey, Tina!”
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