My Decision
"YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!"
"Oh my God."
Jason buried his head beneath the shabby hospital blanket in embarrassment. Carla, the nurse who had been looking after him since that morning appeared with a pain killer and a cup of water.
"IfIcouldhavegotyousomethingstrongerIwould. She quipped. Yourmamhasarightpairoflungsonherdon'tshe?"
"Yeah, you could say that. What did she say exactly?"
"You mean you didn't hear her? She didn't seem too impressed with that boyfriend of yours."
"I knew she'd get the wrong end of the stick. This really isn't Bart's fault."
"No? Then explain it to me."
Neither of them had heard his approaching footsteps, which was strange considering he had sprinted the length of the last corridor just incase Heidi had decided to follow him.
"Bart? Are you okay?"
He gave him a look that quite clearly said 'are you serious?' as he tried to catch his breath.
"Here Love, have a seat."
Carla made sure he was comfortable before closing the dividing curtain to give them some privacy from the other patients and nosey nursing staff.
"So…It took Bart a while to regulate his breathing. Whathappened?IthoughtfinallybecomingJasonwaswhatyouwanted."
"It was…Is."
"Is or was?"
"A little of both."
"You're going to have to help me out with that one; because your mum is convinced I said or did something to change your mind. I didn't did I?"
"Yes and no."
"Jase, talk to me properly. No more riddles."
"What do you want me to say? I was wrong, you were all right, I really want to be a girl, because it isn't that simple."
"I know it isn't. But what stopped you having the op?"
"I read your list."
"That was silly, just a bit of fun; it was more for me than you anyway."
"Bart reading that made me realize you love me as a person, not as a gender. You looked through everything I was going through and you saw me as me."
"You're still speaking in riddles."
"It is like you said. All those things on your list it made no difference if I was a girl or a boy, they were what make me special as a person."
"And?"
"I love you Bart because you made me see all the good in me. I wasn't happy as a girl, but that was because I felt rubbish about myself. Becoming a boy isn't going to change how I feel about myself, so it made me think why go through with it?"
"Andyoucouldn'thavethoughtthatthroughbefore? He rolled his eyes skywards in frustration. Whatdoyouwant?"
"I want to go home and celebrate my 18th birthday with my family and my boyfriend. If you'll still have me?"
"OfcourseIwill. He enveloped him in his arms. IloveyouJaso-"
"Jasmine."
"You're sure about that?"
"100%. That is my decision."
"I'll let you tell your mum then. Although I think you will have made her day."
"After everything I have put them through?"
"She only ever wanted you to be happy, but deep down she was grieving the loss of her daughter."
"Yeah well daughter or not I am not wearing those sickly flowery tops she bought me last year. I may be a girl, but I am not girly."
"I don't know. I always thought you looked kinda sexy when you wore skirts and dresses."
"You did?"
She blushed furiously at Bart's forwardness.
"Definitely."
He clasped her hand and squeezed it tightly. As he was contemplating leaning in for the kiss, the dividing curtain was ripped back to reveal a seriously pissed of Heidi and embarrassed Seth hovering in her wake and shooting them apologetic looks.
"Isaidmakeitquick. She glared menacingly at Bart. Youhavebeentwohours."
"Mumthatwasmyfault.Takeaseat. Bart sat on the edge of the bed and offered his chair. ThereissomethingIneedtotellyouandjustsoweareclearthisismydecision."
She flashed Bart a less than subtle wink.
"Okay. What is it?"
"I couldn't go through with the operation because…you were right. I don't want to be Jason I just need to work out my identity as Jasmine and I want you to know I love Bart."
Heidi chose to ignore the last part but wrapped her arms around Jasmine's neck, tears of joy trickled down her face and she mumbled 'Igotmybabyback'. Seth untangled her from their mother's embrace, kissed her on the forehead and whispered into her ear.
"Welcome back Sis."