Samantha Blacklock
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But I Swear You're Really Pretty, Part 6
🕑 Added 2025-01-14 11:42:41 +0000 UTCFinally, continuing the story. I'm really sorry I've been doing so little. Chapter 7 is already written and should only need a few fixes. Also, sorry for the chapter's title; I just couldn't think of something better for now.
What about you?
"Valerie has almost arrived. She'll be here in a couple of minutes," Elizabeth said as she was doing Lynn's Makeup.
"Is... Is it really okay if she sees me like this?"
"Of course. That's you, after all."
"Sorry, I'm still nervous... I feel a bit weird."
"Do you feel uncomfortable dressed like this?"
"That's not it... I've— I've always wanted to wear pretty clothes, but I'm used to hiding when I do it. No one has seen me like this before you, so I fear I may look weird. I don't know..."
"Hey, if you ask me, you look great. Of course, this is new to you. It's okay to be nervous, but I'm here to help you!"
"Do you..." Avelyn tried to hide her face, as she always did when she felt nervous. "Do you really see me... Do you really think I..."
"Yes, I do," Elizabeth said. "And Val will, too. And since this is her first time seeing you, and you'll be presenting as a girl, you don't have to worry she'll mistake you for a boy."
"So... She'll think I've always been a girl?" Avelyn thought.
Elizabeth moved back and looked at Avelyn from further away. "We're done! Now, just finish your outfit."
"O—Okay."
The doorbell rang just as Avelyn stood up.
"That's Valerie. Take your time, Lynn; I'll speak with her first. You can come out when you're ready."
Avelyn nodded, and Elizabeth left the room, walking towards the front door.
She opened it to find Valerie standing on the exterior corridor of the second floor, where they were. "Hey, V. Please, come in."
"Thank you." Valerie turned around to signal the movers on the first floor to bring the furniture up and entered the apartment. She walked towards the living room and looked around. Then, she looked at Elizabeth. "You cleaned. That's new."
"It wasn't me."
"So, she can't stand the disaster you call home either," Valerie said as she sat on the armchair. "It's almost pleasant to sit here now that it's not filled with trash. I like your new friend already. Where is she, by the way?"
"She's in my room, fixing the last details of her look. I wanted to talk to you first."
"Well then, what is it?"
"I didn't thank you for letting her stay, and—"
"You don't need to," Valerie interrupted. "I've taken the allowance and cost for the furniture from your savings, and she was clearly in need of a place. Just take good care of her, and we're even."
"Yeah, talking about that, I'll need more money from my savings. I know I said I didn't need that much, but now..."
"It's your money. I've been saving it for you since you didn't want your full payments, but it's there. Just tell me how much you need."
"I don't know yet. I want to help Lynn with a few things, get her some clothes and something to pass the time next time I have to leave."
"What about you?" Valerie raised an eyebrow. "Look at you. When are you going to do something for yourself? You wear the same old hoodie every day. The same pair of pants. You have around 3 T-shirts, and they all look the same. You should buy clothes for yourself. If you didn't have to dress appropriately for work, your clothes could have fused with your skin already."
"I just bout this hairpin, see?" Elizabeth pointed with her left index to a two-piece hairpin on her hair, just above her left eye.
Valerie stared at Elizabeth for a few seconds until the two movers carried a large box inside the apartment, making Val look at them. "The room to the right," she told them.
The movers continued, and Valerie turned back to Elizabeth.
"Blacklock, what the fuck?! That's what you call taking care of yourself?"
"I bought this as a—"
"I don't care! You want to help her, I get it, I encourage you to do it, actually, but what about you!? Seriously? You want to buy her a new wardrobe but only bought a hairpin for yourself?!"
"Will you listen to me? I—"
"Will you do something for yourself!?"
Elizabeth clenched her lips. "Well, what should I do!? What else do I need?"
"Give yourself the same value as her, at least. She deserves to be happy, but so do you, and you see yourself in her, don't you!?"
"But she can be happy. Me?" Elizabeth sighed. "Nothing I do will be enough. Believe me, I have a lot more factors weighing in my depression than how I dress or how clean my apartment is."
"I know, but we can't change the past. On the other hand, changing those two things would be a good start."
"It's not enough. It will never be enough. If I could, I'd give Lynn this life. Not the past —I would never make her go through that— just my life from now on, a new start. She could do so much if only she had the freedom she yearns for. She would be happy."
"Blacklock, what the hell are you talking about?"
"I just want to do some good before—"
"Don't you say it!"
The movers walked out of Lynn's room and exited the apartment.
Elizabeth started to balance forward and backward, and her eyes started getting wet. Then, she wiped her tears. "I can't let her see me cry," she said.
"Blacklock," Valerie said in a calmer voice. "I know it's not easy, okay? I know you're in pain, but I need you to try. I allowed Avelyn to stay because she'll be good for you. Yes, you need new friends, and despite how little I know about her yet, I'm sure she'll support you as much as you support her. She needs you. And I need you, too. Don't ever dare to leave us."
"I hate myself," Elizabeth said. "if I were selfish, I would have left long ago."
"But you're not."
"No, I'm not. I should have left before I met you, when I had no one to care about."
"It's too late for that."
"I hate how it's always about how much suffering a suicidal person will bring to those they leave behind, and now how much pain the suicidal person has to withstand if they decide to stay. And yet, I'm unwilling to hurt you two. I must continue because I can't bring myself to hurt you."
"But none of us wants to see you suffer."
"But none of you wants to leave me rest in peace."
"You brought Avelyn into this situation, and I'm glad you did. Don't fail her now."
The movers carried a mattress to Lynn's room.
"I always hated your fake smile, Blacklock," Valerie continued. "I despised how perfect you looked in front of everyone else back in high school, always trying to be a good and reliable classmate, friend, and person. And I still do; I hate that you're always wearing a mask, and I'm sorry that you must do it as part of your job for me now. It'd be nice to see a genuine smile on your face someday."
"Yeah, that'd be nice, but I ran out of those long ago."
"I'm not expecting them to magically re-appear. I hope that you heal and find a new reason to live."
Elizabeth looked at Valerie with tears still in her eyes.
"And to think that you used to hate me."
"Well, now you're my best friend and an invaluable asset for my mission. I must take care of you now."
"What about the sex? Do you enjoy—"
"Don't spoil this moment, Blacklock, for fuck's sake."
"Sorry, Val, I can't help it," Elizabeth laughed as she cleaned her cheeks from the tears that had run over her freckles. "Teasing you is a genuine part of myself."
Valerie shook her head and smiled. "I'm glad you can at least have some fun."
The movers went outside again.
"Anything I can do to help, I will," Valerie continued. "But please, fight for yourself too."
"I'll try. What I tried to tell you is that—"
At that moment, the door of Lizzy's room opened, and Avelyn peeked through it.
Val and Lizzy pretended not to notice and turned in the opposite direction.
"Is there anything else in the truck?" Elizabeth asked as she quickly finished wiping her tears.
"They're bringing the wardrobe now. There's also a desk and a few supplies for Avelyn. I hope that's enough for her to feel at home."
"Oh, I'm sure she'll be pleased. I can't wait for her to—" Elizabeth turned back and pretended to notice Lynn hiding behind the door just now. "Lynn! Are you ready?" she asked with a broad smile.
Avelyn opened the door, and at that moment, the movers walked in carrying a wooden wardrobe, scaring her. She went into Lizzy's room again.
"It's okay! You can come out," Elizabeth said as she approached her room.
"A—Are you sure?" Avelyn asked at a low volume, trying to soften her voice.
"Don't worry about them, okay? Come on, Val is waiting."
Avelyn finally walked out of Lizzy's room. Both girls walked towards Valerie while the movers continued doing their tasks.
"So, this is Val. I know, I know, she's scary, right? But I swear she doesn't bite."
"Elizabeth," Valerie stared at Elizabeth in a way that made it clear she didn't find her joke funny.
"Sorry, sorry. This lady here is Valerie Glass. She's my friend and the owner of this apartment building, so she's the one who will give you the green light to stay here."
"N—Nice to meet you!" Avelyn said in the thinnest voice she could.
"And this is Avelyn, but I like to call her 'Lynn.' She's shy, nervous, and soft as a marshmallow, so please treat her well, V."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Avelyn. Please take a seat, both of you."
Both sat on the sofa.
"So, tell me more about yourself, Avelyn."
"Ah, I— I..."
"She's not great at talking about herself, you know? What if you try asking her questions instead?"
"Good then," Valerie stared at Avelyn for a few seconds. "Elizabeth has already told me a few things about your current situation. I decided to let you stay because I know your parents were physically abusive towards you, and it seems you couldn't seek help without someone from your family intervening. Whatever reason they thought they had to mistreat you was wrong, and you will be safe here. However, I need to know you better and give you some rules since, basically, you're now under my protection. First of all, I'd like to know your full name."
"I... Well, my— My first name..."
"She only needs your last name, Lynn. She already knows your first name; it's Avelyn, remember?"
"Oh, yes! Sorry, it's Stiller. I'm Avelyn Stiller."
"How old are you?"
"I'm turning seventeen next month, on February 19th."
"So, will you finish high school soon?"
"No... I stopped attending months ago."
"What are your plans for the future, then?"
"F—First of all, I want to find a job. I— I know I can't expect much because of my age and education, but I don't want to be useless or a burden, and... I want to earn money to buy my own things. I can't right now, but I'll pay the rent when I get a job. I'll start looking for one immediately."
"Good. As much as we're willing to help you, we're not a charity. I'm glad to hear that you're eager to work and be responsible for yourself. However, you should also return to your education at some point; it is important."
"I'd like to, but... I don't think I will for now."
"She also lacks the proper paperwork," Elizabeth intervened. "Oh, if only there were a way we could give her an ID with her new name..."
"There is," Valerie said. "But she'll have to wait until she turns eighteen. I've done my homework. It turns out that gender and name changes are legal in this country for transgender people. However, you must be over the legal age or have your parents do the paperwork for you. You'll have to be patient in that regard, Avelyn."
"So... You know?" Avelyn looked a bit disappointed.
"About what?"
"Lynn, I'm sorry," Elizabeth said. "I told Valerie you were trans, but only because I had to explain why you needed a place to stay. I also fully trust her; it's not something I'd tell anyone else."
"It's okay!" Avelyn said with an evident fake smile. "If you trust her, then I trust her. I just... thought..."
"It was merely informative, Avelyn. I still think of you as a woman. Elizabeth's not the only one who knows about diversity and gender identity."
"I'm glad. Thank you." Avelyn tried to smile again.
"What will happen when someone who doesn't know I'm trans sees me? Will they see me as a girl, or..." Avelyn thought.
"Val wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't told her, Lynn. You look gorgeous!"
Lynn blushed and slightly turned her face away. Valerie looked at Elizabeth, frowning lightly.
"Avelyn," Valerie called her attention. "Do your parents have any idea of where you could possibly be? What happens if they come looking for you?"
"I don't think so, and I... I don't think they will."
"What happens if they do?"
"I'll have a nice chat with them," Elizabeth said.
"I don't remember asking you, Elizabeth. Avelyn?"
"I... If they come... I— I don't want to get you in trouble, Miss Valerie. Don't tell them I'm here, please. I'll leave and go somewhere else because I'd rather die than go back to them, and if they find out I'm here, I'll take all the blame; I'll tell them I forced you to let me stay. I don't want you or Lizzy getting in trouble because of me."
Valerie nodded. "That's enough for me. You seem to be a good girl."
Avelyn blushed again.
"Now," Valerie stood up. "Let's see your new room."
"Are they done?" Elizabeth asked.
"There's only a couple of boxes left."
The three women walked to the room at the right of the hallway. Behind them, the movers brought two large cardboard boxes and put them on the floor.
"It's everything, Miss," one of the movers told Valerie.
"Very well," Valerie said, taking an envelope from her coat and giving it to him.
"Thank you. Have a nice day," the mover replied before leaving with his workmate.
The bedroom now had a double bed, a desk with a chair, an empty wardrobe, two shelves, a nightstand, and a lamp.
Avelyn stared at her new room while Elizabeth sat on the bed.
"It's soft and comfy. You'll sleep well here."
"There are new blankets and pillows on those boxes," Valerie said. "And a few other items I hope can be of help."
"How— How much is this going to cost me?"
"It will cost you nothing. It's part of the apartment. You may do as you please with this room as long as you don't damage anything. If you want to decorate it, just make sure you don't make permanent changes or damage the paint on the walls."
"Can she paint it a different color? I just can't see this shade of green, any shade of green, as Lynn's favorite color."
"That's not necessary! Miss Valerie, you're already helping me a lot by allowing me to stay here, this room is perfect as it—"
"Go ahead. But you'll have to help her," Valerie said while looking at Elizabeth. "And do it right. Don't spill paint on the floor or furniture."
"Yes!" Elizabeth said excitedly. "What color would you like for your room, Lynn?"
"Miss Valerie, are you sure? I really—
"Avelyn. Please, just call me Valerie. And yes, it's fine. This paint is old anyway."
"You can also hang posters of your favorite band or TV show on the walls. What do you like, Lynn? Oh, we should get you some plushies! And we have a wardrobe to fill with lots of dresses!"
"I also brought this desk," Valerie said. "But I don't know what you'd like to spend time on while you're here, so it's empty. What do you like to do in your free time, Avelyn?"
"I... I like to read, write, and listen to music."
"Great. I'm glad I brought you some books, too."
"You forgot to bring a mirror, V. Lynn needs one to look at her outfits and a smaller one for when she learns to do her makeup."
"A bookshelf would be nice too. What's your favorite genre to read, Avelyn?"
Avelyn's expression changed. Suddenly, she was about to cry.
"What's wrong? Lynn?" Elizabeth asked.
"Why are you two doing all this for me? The only person who ever cared this much for me was my sister, and now she hates me. Please, don't hate me."
"Lynn, no..."
"That won't happen, Avelyn. We don't expect you to act as someone you're not."
"That's right. Your family had a wrong idea of who you should be, but you've allowed us to know the real you. When you are true to yourself, you start meeting the right people."
Avelyn continued crying. Elizabeth stood up and hugged her.
"Everything will be okay, I promise."
The hug ended after a while, and Lynn looked at Lizzy.
"I ruined my makeup again, didn't I?"
Elizabeth smiled. "I'll do your makeup all the times necessary."
A few minutes later, Valerie was ready to leave.
"I'll communicate the details of your contract to Elizabeth, and she'll let you know the conditions for your stay," Valerie continued. "She'll also give you the keys to the apartment. You should have my number in case you need something else."
"Actually," Elizabeth said. "Lynn doesn't have a number right now. Her phone would have already exploded with threatening calls and messages from her parents."
"Then get her one. Elizabeth, please come outside with me. I need to talk to you for a moment. Take care, Avelyn, and welcome to your new home."
"Thank you, Miss— Eh, Thank you, Valerie."
Valerie smiled slightly. Then she went outside with Elizabeth.
"Blacklock, I didn't think I'd have to explain how to handle Avelyn. Don't raise her expectations too much. What happens when she goes outside and someone realizes she's trans?"
"Have you seen her?"
"Yes! And she is pretty, but we can't pretend everything will be perfect because what happens when it isn't? Saying what others want to hear is second nature to you, but don't lose track of everything else just because you want to make her feel better."
"That reminds me that I'll have to do her makeup again. We're going shopping later. Would you like to go with us?"
"I've already spent too much time here. I need to go back to work. Let me know how much money you want, and I'll send it to your account. And I better see you wearing something different tomorrow. Treat yourself too, Blacklock. You used to enjoy dressing well. Oh, and remember, don't raise Avelyn's expectations too much. And don't buy her a ton of clothes. Make a small budget. If she has some money, let her spend it first. Don't spoil her."
"That's a lot of instructions. Are you sure you don't want to come with us? I may, you know, get confused by all that and end up buying her half of the store."
"...It may be a good idea after all."
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Comments
Saga
I didn't think i'd see myself so much in lizzy... I wish her the best
borkiee
oh my God Lynn deserved all the hugs in the world. Also, plushies are a MUST- ESPECIALLY at the foot of the bed.
