After a week, I was beginning to get used to staying in the Cohen house. Okay, so I technically wasn't in the house but it was still good, but I was still eating in there. I was basically doing everything except sleeping in there. I wondered if they had talked about that at all. Of course, I basically had my own room in the pool house and I never had to worry about anyone hogging the shower. I wouldn't mind staying in the pool house because I wouldn't have to move all of my clothes from there to inside the house.
I was currently playing video games with Rose. I wasn't sure if she did much else to be honest. I was wearing a white tee and miniskirt and she was wearing a yellow tee that said "Catch Pokémon, not feelings' and a pair of black leggings. One thing that I had gotten from my phone was a game called Pokémon Go, and I was trying to get her into it because it was an excuse to go outside.
She had just beat me again when Sandy and Kirsten walked into the room. They were both dressed up, but they were also both working adults.
"Who died?" Rose asked. That wasn't funny.
"Rose, we need to talk to Rhiannon alone." Sandy declared.
"Okay, but if this is about the rug…" She started. I didn't think it had to do with the rug.
"What's this about a rug?" Kirsten inquired. Yeah, it wasn't about the rug.
"You know what, never mind." Rose declared before she hastily exited the room. At that point, the two adults took a seat on the couch.
"What's going on?" I asked. I was a little nervous. There weren't going to tell me I had to leave, were they?
"We just talked to Child Services and we told them that we want you to stay with us." Sandy replied. "Now we can do this however you want. We can do a full-fledged adoption, or we can not. We would still retain legal responsibility for you even if you don't want the adoption."
I had to think for a moment. Adoption was a big step, but maybe I was ready for it. I would have to change my name, but I already needed to change my first name. I couldn't legally be known as Ryan even though I was like 10 months away from getting a driver's license.
"I want you to adopt me." I declared. I realized that I would probably have to sign some papers for that and they probably didn't want to go back, so I could wait for that.
"Welcome to the family." Sandy said before he gave me a hug and then Rose also gave me a hug. "Rose, you can come in now."
They walked away and Rose came back into the room.
"You knew about this, didn't you?" I asked. I was surprised that she was able to keep it from me.
"I didn't want to jinx anything." She responded with a smile. "But you're a Cohen now. We're almost sisters."
"Well I do need to stay out of trouble." I declared. "That's why if I'm about to do something stupid, I give you the right to drag me away."
Kirsten then took us to the pool house. Now that I knew I was staying, I could redecorate and make it my room.
"You'll bedding and more towels. How's the bed, Rhiannon, is it comfortable?" She asked before Rose flopped on it. She was lucky I didn't have a problem with people in my bed.
"It's comfortable." The brunette answered.
"Thanks, Rhiannon." I quipped. I was trying to put a design for the room in my head.
"We really want you to have privacy, but this is a pool house." Kirsten explained. "It needs some warmth. "You'll need chairs, a desk, and a bookshelf.
"Plus a flatscreen, turntables and a minibar." Rose joked. The only one of those that I needed was a TV.
"And we need to clean all of this out so you can have room for your stuff." Kirsten added. I looked at her. "Right, you don't have any stuff, so we'll have to get you some stuff. You'll probably need more shoes and some other things."
"I can do that." I confirmed.
"And you'll need a white dress for cotillion." She replied.
"What?" I asked. I didn't know what that was.
It seemed like nobody spoke until we got to this place.
"It's the annual debutante ball. It's Newport's biggest party." Kirsten explained after we got out of the car.
"Until whatever happens next week," Rose quipped.
"It's the day where Newport's most accomplished young women make their debut into society." Kirsten added. I hadn't accomplished anything.
"How does that apply to me?" I questioned.
"Or just any excuse to get wasted and throw up over everything." Rose replied.
"Hey, I was a deb." Kirsten remarked, glaring at her daughter. "I made my debut at this very country club."
"The year was…" Rose started before Kirsten cut her off.
"Hey, watch it." Kirsten warned her off.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" I asked.
"You have to go. It's a family tradition," Kirsten explained.
"Hello, dear." A red-haired woman greeted her before they kissed each other's cheeks. I didn't understand that part and I was sure that I never would.
"Hi, Peggy." Kirsten replied. "How's the planning going?"
"It'll be fine." Peggy replied. "The fitting rooms are back here."
"Come on, you two. It'll be fun." Kirsten said as she pulled us to the back. Usually when someone says that, it's not fun.
"Pick whatever you want." A woman instructed me as she led me to the racks. "We have Gucci, Armani, Versace is over there."
I was way out of my depth. I had no idea where to start.
"I'm picking up for Marissa Cooper." A voice interrupted. I looked to see Kaitlin next to her.
"Hey." I greeted the two of them.
"Hey." Marissa reciprocated. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm a deb, I guess." I replied. "And I'm gonna be adopted by the Cohens."
"Well I'm assuming you have no idea what you're doing and you'll need some help." Kaitlin replied. Was it really that obvious?
"Hey, Coop. Hey Mini-Coop." Summer greeted us as she and…I think he name was Holly appeared. "These gloves are giving me serious sausage arms."
"What are you doing here? I thought you were going back to Chino." Holly replied. Was that on a rumor mill or something? She looked angry. I decided that I should leave.
"So, Kaitlin, you wanted to help me find a dress…" I said before I grabbed her arm.
"Is everything alright?" Kirsten interrupted.
"I'm going outside." Holly stated before she walked away.
"Marissa, I was going to call you." Kirsten stated. "Since you're lead deb, I wanted to tell you that we have two more debs."
Rose looked a little nervous. I couldn't help but wonder how the people of Newport would react to a transgender deb. Of course, she wouldn't be the only one, but I wasn't planning on telling anyone.
"So, you'll be at rehearsal?" Summer asked.
"Yes." Rose replied. It looked like she was talking to me.
"See you there." Summer purred. She then looked at Marissa and Kaitlin. "We should get going."
"I'd prefer to ride with them," Kaitlin replied before looking at Kaitlin. "If that's okay with you of course."
"Sure." Kirsten replied before Marissa and Summer left.
"Cotillion rocks." Rose said before Kaitlin took me to get a dress.
"Do you know what kind of dress you want to get?" She questioned.
"I have no idea." I admitted. "What kind of dress are you getting?"
"Oh, I'm not a deb." She retorted. "My mom said she doesn't want me to steal Marissa's thunder. She also said I'm not old enough."
"Is there an age limit or something?" I inquired. "I'm the same age as you."
"There's not a limit." She told me.
"So, despite not being a deb, you know what I should get?" I asked.
"That's the benefit of years of Newport parties. Try this one on." She said as she handed me a white gown. There wasn't a lot to it. It was strapless and it looked okay. I went to the stalls to try it on.
Later, Rose and I walked into the house with Kirsten. Sandy was in the kitchen with some wine.
"What are you doing home?" His wife asked.
"Can you girls give us some alone time?" He replied.
"If this is about the vase…" Rose started.
"What vase?" Sandy asked. She had to start ruining things. Rose then said nothing and dragged me out of the room.
I then realized that I should go to the mall to get stuff. Maybe I would be better off going to Best Buy. I still didn't know everything I wanted to put in my room.
"So, I'm not sure if I should go to cotillion." Rose told me.
"Why wouldn't you go?" I challenged.
"Because people know that the Cohens have a son and not a daughter." She pointed out.
"You don't seem like someone who cares about what other people think of you." I remarked.
"Well, I'm not sure if I want to come out to the whole town." She argued.
"Your mom really wants us to go and Summer is going to be there and you'll have a chance to talk to her." I countered. I hoped her obsession with Summer would help shift the tide.
I then headed next door because I needed someone to help me pick out some stuff for my room. I knocked on the door. It was answered by Marissa, who was wearing her dress.
"You're at my house." She commented.
"Yeah, I was looking for Kaitlin." I stated.
"Well, I was just trying this on. Can you zip me up?" She questioned. I wondered why she didn't try it on earlier. She turned around and I saw her perfect bare back. I quickly zipped it up because I was starting to stare. I needed to find Kaitlin.
"Thanks." She replied. "So, you're looking for Kaitlin?"
"Who's looking for me?" Kaitlin interrupted as she came to the door. "Rhiannon."
"Hi. I need to get some shoes and electronics and I was hoping you would come with me." I replied.
"Sure." She declared. It was nice having a friend that I could do things with. "So, do you play Pokémon Go?"
"I'm Level 38." She replied. "What about you?"
"I just started playing." I answered. "I'm Level 10."
"Well what team are you?" She questioned. I just chose it based on the one that I liked the most.
"I'm Valor." She replied. "And so is Rose."
"I'll have to take you two raiding with me sometime." She remarked.
That evening, Rose and I went to rehearsal together.
"So what do we do at this rehearsal?" I asked.
"Just stupid cotillion stuff." Rose answered. "You know bowing, curtsying…"
"D…dancing." I remarked when I walked into the room and saw people moving. "You didn't say there would be dancing."
"That's because I'd be here alone if I had." She remarked.
"I c…can't dance." I stammered.
'I can't dance either, but you let your partner lead you. It's one of the benefits of being a deb." She said.
I wondered if I could convince a guy to do that. However, as soon as I walked over to Marissa, I realized that wouldn't be happening.
"So, we kind of have more debs than white nights." She explained.
"How many more?" Rose asked.
"Just two, but I found someone for you, Rose. He's very sweet." Marissa explained. She then came back and took me to my partner.
"So, I guess it's me and you." Summer told me.
"What are we supposed to do?" I questioned. I couldn't help but wonder if Summer had asked Marissa for that.
"We're supposed to dance." She declared. "Do you know how to waltz?"
"No." I replied. "Before you ask, I don't know anything except for the moonwalk."
"I thought people from low income neighborhoods love dancing." She said.
"I think you've seen too many movies." I stated.
"This is a reason that I wanted to be with you." She remarked. "Look, I help out at my dad's office. I saw you there. I'm here to tell you that I support you and I'm not going to tell anyone. I wouldn't even tell Marissa and she's my best friend. Now put your hand on my shoulder."
I did as she told me.
"So did you really steal a car?" She asked.
"My brother did. I was with him." I answered.
Three hours later, my feet as I walked out with Rose.
"Three hours of dancing." I huffed.
"I feel like I could go three more. So, what was dancing with Summer like?" She replied. Before I could say anything, Marissa came out.
"So how did you two feel about that?" She asked. She then turned to face Rose. "How was dancing with Zach? He didn't say anything, did he?"
"No, and he's cool. He likes comics too." Rose explained. At that point, Holly came over.
"I'm obligated to invite every deb and white night over for a cookout." She declared. I could tell that she didn't seem to want to.
"You didn't do it last year." Rose remarked.
"Yeah, I did." Holly replied with a smile. That was just cold. I didn't understand why people were so mean to Rose, especially before they knew she was transgender.
"Why do I get the feeling that she's planning on killing me?" I asked. I didn't tell Marissa about what happened the last time I was at her house, because just because she was hanging out with Luke didn't mean that she was doing anything with him. I had no proof.
"No, she'll be fine." Marissa said. "You should come."
"Yeah, I'm not going." I replied after Marissa left.
"I don't want to go alone." Rose pointed out.
"Summer will be there." I told her.
"Yeah, I'm still going, but I don't want to go alone. I'm still on the fence about cotillion though." She said. "Listen we're sisters down. Sisters do things for each other. You do this for and somewhere along the line, I'll repay you. I don't know when, but it will be epic."
We went to the party and once again there were bikinis everywhere. At least there were no visible drugs this time. There was also the smell of ribs. I liked ribs, but I didn't think I liked Holly.
"Give me ten minutes to find Summer." She said after we walked inside. At that point, Holly came over to me.
"I see you're making yourself at home." She said icily. She definitely didn't like me. "Can I get you a burger or maybe some ribs."
"Holly, be nice." Marissa said.
"I am being nice. I'm being a good hostess." Holly argued. "I don't see however why this Chino pipsqueak is even here."
I really needed to find Rose so we could leave.
"I'm gonna go." I declared. I could tell I wasn't wanted.
"No, Rhiannon, you don't have to go." Marissa replied.
"She can leave if she wants to." Holly pointed out. I couldn't believe that I agreed with her. She then grabbed me and guided me to the door.
"You're acting like you want to fight, but I'm not going to fight you." I told her.
"What if I do this?" Holly asked before she kicked me in the gut. I hunched over and Marissa scolded her. I then noticed Rose and the two of us left quickly.
"So, I never thought someone else other than me would be getting beaten up so much." She remarked. I glared at her. "Sorry, but you are a Cohen know. Don't worry about the mean girls."
"Maybe that's why you should go to cotillion." I replied.
"It's not the girls I'm worried about." She said. I would have to figure out a way to deal way with Holly.
The next night, I was in my dress and the gloves that came with it. I went to go check on Rose. I found her in her room in normal clothes reading a comic.
"Why aren't you dressed?" I questioned.
"I've weighed the pros and cons and decided that I don't want to go." She replied. "Tell Zach that I'm sorry."
"You think I want to go when Holly's going to be there?" I challenged.
"Holly's family is going to be there. She's not going to do anything." She said before she went back to her comic. At that point, Kirsten came in.
"Why, aren't you dressed yet?" She questioned.
"I'm not going." Rose repeated.
"Your father doesn't want to go, you don't want to go, does anyone in house want to go?" Kirsten seethed.
"I want to go." I pointed out.
The two of us went out to the car. I was glad that I didn't have one of those dresses that didn't fit in the car.
"You know I didn't get a chance to tell you how beautiful you look." Kirsten remarked. "Don't let anyone ever tell you that you weren't meant to be a girl."
"I'm still not like those other girls and not just because my biological sex." I pointed out. "I don't fit in and everyone knows it."
"I felt the same way at my cotillion." She said. I looked at her. "So I did have the money and the status, but it still didn't feel right. I didn't feel like I belonged."
When we got to cotillion, the first person that I saw was Kaitlin. She was wearing a gorgeous navy dress and I couldn't help but be in awe. Her matching earrings are also looked really good. I wished that I had some but my ears weren't pierced.
"I see that the prettiest deb has arrived." She declared. I blushed. I couldn't believe that she thought that I was pretty. I then remembered that I needed to find Zach.
I found him in the corner. He was very tall. I was glad that I was wearing heels because he probably had at least a foot on me.
"Hi, Zach." I greeted him.
"Aren't you that girl from Chino?" He asked.
"Yes, but right now I'm here on behalf of Rose. She said that she's not coming and she's sorry. Have you seen Summer?" I asked.
"I have not." He answered. That was odd. I thought she would have been there already. Holly was giving me the evil eye but she probably do anything else.
It was around fifteen minutes before the lineup started and I still couldn't find Summer. I decided that it would be best if I went with Zach. It looked like the show would have to go on without Rose and Summer. Or so I thought.
It was about five minutes before start time that the two of them showed us…together. What had I missed? Had Summer been to the house after I left. I didn't know that she even knew where we lived.
"You're here." I declared.
"Yeah, Summer convinced me to come." Rose explained. "My dad brought us here."
"Why were you at our house?" I asked Summer.
"My dad couldn't take me, so I walked over to Coop's and found that they already left, so I decided to see if anyone was still at your house and I told Rose to suck it up and it was better to make her debut as a girl in style vs. being outed at a terrible time." Summer explained.
At that point, Rose got with Zach. Summer and I were last.
"Rhiannon Atwood, daughter of Sanford and Kirsten Cohen and Summer Roberts, daughter of Neil and Gloria Roberts." The announcer declared. We hadn't had time to change my name yet with all of the cotillion drama.
The dancing went okay. It didn't feel like people were staring at Summer and I. Of course not long after the dance started, there was a distraction.
"You're a thief. You're a fucking thief!" Some guy shouted as he pushed Kaitlin and Marissa's dad onto the dancefloor. The whole room gasped in awe. He then started to strangle him.
Sandy went over to help, but the man punched him. He had gone to far. I went over and punched him. I could throw a good punch despite my small size. That allowed Luke and Zach to subdue him. I looked over to Kaitlin and both she and Marissa looked crushed at what they had just witnessed. Also, what had their father done?
Not long after, the cops showed up. I went over to Sandy and Kirsten.
"I hope I didn't mess anything up." I declared. I was pretty sure that what I did was illegal.
"You didn't do anything wrong." Sandy told me. "You have the right to defend yourself and others from a violent attacker, but if you want to just leave and not talk to the police, you can do that too."
I went outside and found Kaitlin was crying on a bench.
"Can you not say anything about my dad or ask me if I'm okay?" She requested.
"Well, what should I say to you?" I questioned. I wasn't the best at comforting.
"I don't know. Just say something to get my mind off of what just happened in there." She replied.
I then thought of something. It was pretty big, but I knew that I could trust her.
"I'm transgender." I told her.
"Wow, that was not what I was expecting." She replied. "Thanks for telling me, but I never would have guessed that. I just thought you were a late bloomer and hadn't been through puberty yet. I'm glad that you trusted me to tell me your most personal secret. Do you think you can walk me home?"
"Sure." I replied as we left.
Well, Rhiannon told Kaitlin and Summer already knew. Holly is played by Haley Lu Richardson and Zach is played by Cody Kearsley. Please don't forget to review.