Misunderstood

We were told to fear monsters because we fought with them about three thousand years ago. Why should we fear them, though? They're strong, but I read in a book that we're way stronger. Even a small child could wipe the entire monster race out if they wanted to, isn't that sad? I think this is all just a big misunderstanding. We won that war and drove the monsters underground. Wizards or something put up a barrier at the top of Mt. Ebott to keep the monsters inside. I don't think that's fair. The monsters have been underground for a few thousand years and with that barrier, they'll never be able to get out. Don't they deserve freedom and happiness, too?

I sigh, flipping the pen between my fingers with one hand as I push some hair behind my left ear with the other. I stare down at the words I've written in my journal, humming softly to myself. I turn and look out the window. The night shrouds the town in darkness, but the moon bathes light on the ever famous Mt. Ebott, the highest mountain near our little town. I smile softly, "It's said that anyone who climbs to the top of Mt. Ebott are never seen again."

I shake my head, "My class is going on a trip to Mt. Ebott tomorrow morning. Well, less than half of the class are."

I look back at my journal and continue writing, Last night I had a dream about a boy. Well, not entirely. He was a boy, but he was this humanoid goat or dog-like monster. He walked like a person, talked like a person, and even dressed like a person. He smiled at me, he held my hand. He has the kindest eyes I have ever seen.

"Chara!" I hear mom call from downstairs.

I set the journal aside on my bed and get up. Leaving the room, I round the corner and start down the stairs, "Yeah, Mom?"

I turn into the kitchen where she's making dinner. She turns to me, "Did you get your homework done?"

I nod, "Yeah, of course."

She gestures to me and smiles, "That's a cute shirt."

I look down at the yellow tank top with lace frills at the top and bottom and smile, looking back at her. I push stray strands of hair behind my ear, "Yeah, Celia gave it to me."

"It looks nice on you." she replies.

"You think so?" I shake my head, "It doesn't fit right because of my body."

Mom turns from whatever she's making and crosses the kitchen. She hugs me tight, "You're my wonderful, sweet child, Chara. I'll support you no matter who you want to be."

I hug her back, "Thanks, Mom. I wish Dad would see it that way. He keeps insisting I'm a boy just because that's how I was born.."

"Just give him some time." she states.

I shake my head, "He's had most of my life to get used to the idea. He just gets mad when I wear girl clothes or wear that ribbon you got me.."

She pats my back, "Your father is very old fashioned, Chara. He'll come around eventually."

"What if he doesn't?" I sigh, pulling away. I cross my arms, "What if he won't ever accept me?"

"He will, sweetie. You'll always be his child, he'll always love you." she says with a reassuring smile.

I nod slowly, smiling softly in return, "Thanks, Mom."

She hugs me again, "Of course, sweetie."

I hug her back then she moves away, returning to the dinner she is cooking. I lean against the wall, "Do you want some help?"

She shakes her head, "I'm almost done. You can go back upstairs now if you want. Oh, wait, your field trip is tomorrow, isn't it?"

"Yeah, I gotta get to the school early to catch the bus with the class to Mt. Ebott." I reply.

"I.. Don't want you going." she says slowly.

I frown, "What? You already signed the permission slip. You can't just.."

I sigh, "If you don't want me going, I won't go.."

She sighs and shakes her head, "Sorry, just ignore me. Just.. Be careful."

I smile, "I will."

She nods, "Well, you can go back upstairs. I'll call you for dinner."

I nod and go back upstairs. I go to my room and plop down on my bed, gathering my journal as I sit down. I scoot back against the wall and open the journal to the page I was writing on earlier. I chuckle softly and put the journal back down. I get off the bed and grab my backpack. I open it, looking around, "I should pack for the trip."

We'll be there most of the day, so what will I need? I hum softly, dropping the backpack on the bed. I go to the closet, "I should take my sweater, in case it gets cold."

I pull the green pullover with a single yellow stripe and toss it towards the bed. I reach on to the shelf above my hanging clothes and grab my flashlight. I return to the bed and put the sweater and flashlight into the bag. I take my hair down, putting the red ribbon on the dresser. I'll wear it tomorrow, for luck.

"Hm, that should be all I need." I smile, closing the backpack and setting it on the floor by the bed. A moment later Mom calls for me. I go back downstairs and come into the kitchen. The table is set, three plates of spaghetti waiting for us. Dad is sitting at the table, still wearing his business suit. He looks at me and frowns, "What on earth are you wearing, boy?"

I look down, remembering I'm still wearing the tank top. I frown, sitting at the table, "I'm a girl."

"Terrance, leave her alone." Mom sits with us.

Dad scoffs, "Stop encouraging this ridiculous phase of his, Marisha. Chara was born a boy, he's still a boy."

I roll my eyes, glaring, "Well, wish a name like Chara, what did you expect?"

Mom glares at the both of us, "Knock it off, both of you. Let's just have dinner peacefully."

"Stop this nonsense, Chara." Dad groans, "And get a haircut for Christ's sake."

"No, I'm a girl!" I huff, quickly shoving a fork full of spaghetti in my mouth. Dad eats slowly, staring at me and I eat as quickly as I can. Mom just stares at her food, this always happens. I finish eating and put my dishes in the sink.

"See you guys tomorrow after school." I say as I run back upstairs. Once I'm in my room, I change and get in bed. I close my eyes, Tomorrow better be a better day.