Prompt: Everybody's got a secret…but what happens when it all comes out?
Characters: Unique and Ryder
Words: 607
Warning: Allusions to sexual abuse
Being Katie is perfect in so many ways.
It's not honest on one hand. But on the other hand, it's a truer picture of herself than the body she's been imprisoned in since birth.
She's finally able to have a relationship with a guy. Something she thought of as unreachable. At best, something she'd have to wait until the distant future for, if she was miraculously able to put together the money she'd need to transition.
Yes, it's selfish.
It is also so, so freeing, connecting with another human soul this way.
Ryder teasingly calls theirs a "textlationship," but it goes deeper than that. Is there flirting? Oh my God, yes. But he is also the person she reaches out to when the night closes around her. When the depth and ache of loneliness threatens to drown her. When everything feels hopeless. His reassurance and support is immediate and unwavering.
As Katie, she had even been able to talk him through a very hurtful phase where he insisted on misgendering her.
It's been like the best dream.
Until tonight.
Ryder's been quiet lately. Moody. But she is just not prepared.
She reads the message again. The dyslexia coupled with the emotion behind it makes it more difficult to decipher than usual.
I need to tell u sumthing. I have never said this befor to any one. I no I havent ben as open with u as u have with Me but You are the closest person to me and I just cant live like this any more I feel like I cant breath. You say u have Secrets. I do to. I dont trust ppl eazily and this is why. When I was 11 my Babysitter touched me. I am prity messed up by it I think. I dont no why Im telling You this. I just need to tell Some one. And I think I can trust You.
Sent by ryder_lynn at 12:48 a.m.
It's as if her chest has been cracked wide as a gaping mouth. Her heart throbs, exposed as it is to a world as cruel as this. Hot tears drop off her face as she opens a new message.
I am so, so sorry that you have had to go through that, Ryder. It makes my heart hurt. I am glad you told me, and I hope that you're safe now.
I have never been through something like that. I cannot imagine your pain. Abuse like what you've told me about is one of my worst fears, and a very real fear for a girl like me.
Your strength and kindness is so inspiring. So just try to breathe, babe. You're amazing.
You can always trust me. I'm here if you need to talk.
Xoxo,
Katie
Sent by katie_xoxo at 1:01 a.m.
She closes her eyes. Prays that, no matter what, Ryder never learns what she's doing. It would hurt him more deeply than she could have ever imagined. Rereading the last lines she sent, she cringes. Because on one hand, he can trust her with this, with anything. She is nothing if not fiercely loyal. But on the other hand, he can't trust her at all.
Her phone chirps with an incoming text, and she automatically changes the settings so it's on vibrate, listening for the telltale squeaky floorboard. The last thing she needs right now is to deal with her father, irritated that she woke her mother by keeping late hours.
Hearing nothing, she turns back to her phone.
1 New Message
From R
She breathes. Opens the text. And her heart twinges guiltily as she reads,
Thank You Katie.