Earlier That Afternoon

Everyone was out of the house, so Jasmine had taken the rare opportunity to vegetate in front of the television. She made herself a BLT sandwich and a mug of hot chocolate and was settled to watch Boy's Don't Cry, which she had borrowed from the library for research purposes, when there was a knock at the door.

'Ignore it.' She maintained her position and turned up the volume.

KNOCK KNOCK

Creeping up to the window she peeped out to see who was disturbing her peace.

'Oh God. She ducked out of sight extremely quickly as she saw Bart McQueen on the doorstep. What does he want?'

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Jas. Jas are you there? I need to ask a favour."

She could hardly continue to ignore him. After all he could hear the television and if he happened to pass the window he would see it was on. But on the other hand she knew if she let him in she was very unlikely to get rid of him quickly. They had literally met two weeks ago as they had started in the same class at the local high school at the same time and she was fairly certain he fancied her, but she definitely didn't feel the same way. It's not that she couldn't see he was attractive, in fact compared to several of the other boys that had fancied her previously he was a sex God, the problem she had was more personal.

Jasmine had always felt different. Although she was built like a Barbie doll she preferred to wear scruffy jeans and sweatshirts, much to her mother's displeasure. But it wasn't all about the clothes. She loved sports, being dirty and the general rough and tumble her male friends usually got themselves into. In fact she often felt more like them than any of the girls she knew.

Then puberty hit and that's when she was convinced of her difference. Jasmine realized her obsession was not about dating a boy, but about being one. She became very isolated and self conscious about her body as she became more interested in male genitalia, the look and the feel intrigued and excited her, not that anyone paid much attention, as she was on the periphery of her parent's superstar status.

When she turned fifteen, she started talking to other people online who were experiencing similar feelings and she found out about the possibility of hormone treatments she could use to change her gender. But she wanted to be completely prepared before exploring the options further, the only problem being Bart had literally cannonballed into her life.

KNOCK KNOCK

"Jasmine!"

He was certainly persistent if nothing else.

She didn't want to lead him on, but she didn't know him well enough to try and explain the truth. She hadn't told anyone this particular secret, although there were times she was convinced Seth her twin brother knew.

"Jasmine."

She decided she had to open the door.

"Bart. Sorry I was in the bathroom. Come in."

"It's okay. I just wanted to ask if I could borrow your notes from Chem yesterday."

"Why? What happened to yours?"

"I kinda didn't make any."

He smiled sheepishly. So much for being a rogue she thought.

"Fine. Come in."

She turned off the film sharply, as he sat down on the sofa. Not that it mattered as he picked up the dvd case from the coffee table.

"What's this you're watching?"

"A film we're discussing in English."

She blurted almost hysterically. It was the excuse she had planned for her parents just in case they asked questions.

"But we're doing Shakespeare in English."

He muttered confusedly as he scanned the back of the case.

"Next term we're not. She covered reasonably convincingly. Here you go. She stuffed the Chem notes in his lap and eased the case from his grip. You'd better get going if you still have your essay to write. Mine took me all weekend."

"Well that's the next part of my favour. I was wondering if you can help me."

"Help you. It's due tomorrow."

"Exactly. And I don't know where to begin."

She did her best to ignore his puppy dog eyes.

"Fine. Let me get my text book."

Two hours later, having written a pretty decent essay Jasmine and Bart had collapsed on the sofa beer and crisps in hand.

"So can we watch your film then?"

On the way to tipsy Jasmine surprisingly agreed.

"If you want. I'm not sure it's your kind of thing."

"I pretty much watch anything."

As the credits rolled Bart snaked his arms around Jasmine's shoulder and she deliberately scooted out of his way.

"Do you want another beer?"

She practically darted out of the room.

"No. Wait."

He grabbed her hand and pulled her onto his lap. Ignoring her obvious discomfort and mistaking it for nervousness he clashed their lips together and pushed his tongue into her mouth. It took several seconds for Jasmine to come to her senses but she did.

"Get off. What are you doing?"

More out of shock than anger she slapped him round the face and leapt of the sofa.

"I…I was ju…It was just..."

"Get out!"

Standing up she pointed to the door.

"I'm sorry Jas."

"Just get out."

In his haste to put as much distance between them as possible Bart didn't even notice her dad, Carl Costello stood by the window steam literally coming out of his ears as he had witnessed the whole scene.

Slamming the front door Jasmine sank to the floor, tears pouring down her face as she buried her head in her hands. Her head was in tatters. What was she going to do? How could she explain?

"Jas. Honey. We're back."

She sprinted across the room and jumped onto the sofa, as her parents walked into the front room.

"I'm here dad. She hitched a smile onto her face. Do you want a hand with the bags?"

"That would be great love. I think your mum bought the whole of Tescos."

Her dad seemed oblivious to the fact her whole world had just ended.

"Only the essentials darling."

Heidi smacked him playfully as she marched into the kitchen empty handed.

"Give your dad a hand love and then come and help me with the tea. I can't peel potatoes with these nails."