"Dude.. You're a girl!"

His words shot through me like a jolt of electricity. Did he just say what I think he did? He did, didn't it?

I analyze my situation quickly. What happened exactly? My mind feels hazy and it takes me a few seconds to recall.

I was trying to enjoy a walk through the park with my friends when Hilda clumsily spilled her soda on me. My shirt was soaked but Hilbert offered to take me home to change. He had offerred his jacket to me.. After that we rushed home, I went to my room and he came into my room.

Did he want his jacket back? I guess he does.

He's standing in front of me, head turned, blushing furiously. It takes me a few seconds to notice he's trying to speak. It comes out a babble though. He's not making any sense.

"Uh, w-well.. I'm sorry, I thought s-since you were a guy it'd be okay if I just.. N-not that I'm saying you're a guy or anything b-but.."

"I am a boy."

His eyes meet mine for a second before darting to something to my right. By the look on his face I'd say he's confused. So I make myself clearer this time.

Adjusting my shirt I say it again. "I'm a boy, just like you."

He's staring me in the face right now. He mouths a word but nothing comes out. I can make it out just fine though.

"How? Well, roughly sixteen years ago my mom and my dad.."

I'm interrupted by the the inhuman noise coming from his mouth. I snicker. He's so easy to tease.

There's a moment of silence. It's not an awkward silence but it's not a pleasant one either.

"But," Hilbert says, "you have.."

"Breasts?"

"Boobs."

"Oh."

Another silence passes. I wonder when my parents are coming home. I wish they'd just slam through the door, laughing and chatting like they always do, and break up this scene. But they don't. Go figure.

I sigh. I have to explain this.

"I'm a boy but I'm different from you." I pause for a second, thinking over my words some more. It's always been uncomfortable for me to discuss this..

"When I was little everyone thought I was a girl. I knew I wasn't but my parents did. I made it very clear and they just laughed it off, thinking it was a phase. It wasn't."

I frown. Memories flood back to me – memories of a certain yellow sundress pop into my head – and I feel like heart racing. I'm starting to feel upset now.

Suddenly I hear a laugh.

It's not an awkward laugh. It's not a cruel laugh. It's a genuine, heart felt laugh.

"Oh, dude.. That explains so much."

I lift my eyebrow at this statement. What does it explain? He moves along, ignoring my stare.

"I saw something on TV about this once. I really don't care honestly."

Another silence. He coughs.

"So, um.. Well I best be going. I just wanted my.."

Without a word I pass the jacket back to him. He heads at the door and I'm left sitting there half-dressed.

I really need a drink.