A new outfit, a new outlook, and the same old problems.

You are riding in the 'Struggle Cubbles SUV', the new nickname for Vanessa's wheels when you suggested 'Rave Van' was maybe too cringey. You are wearing your semen stained shirt and jeans from yesterday, what Vanessa insists will be the last boi clothes you ever wear again. As usual, she is hiding her beauty under baggy black clothes, so you don't know where she gets off telling you that you can't keep playing 'dress up' as a boring boi when there's a sexy slut inside you dying to get out. You suspect she is right, after all, Elliot's reputation as lonely loser and cowardly cocksucker can't get any worse. Maybe you will have a better go of things as Ella.

"Oh God! The mall?! Vanessa! All my biggest bullies are going to be here today. I don't want them to see me like this." You pout as Vanessa pulls into the parking lot.Ironically, you are more embarrased of the spurt splattered skin you've yet to fully shed than the possibility of being recognized in your new outfits. There is something liberating about the promise of transformation that allows you to hold out hope that your bullies might not be as cruel to you as a gurl.

"Relax. They are almost as afraid of me as you are of them. I won't let anyone bully my gurlfriend." Vanessa beams a sunny smile your way and then before you go thinking she's a softy, she yanks your head back so she can bite your bottom lip before giving you an almost angry kiss. "Cept me of course." She gives you a worrying wink and leads you to the front entrance.

"Hey! It's Elliot! The little cocksucker found a friend. Hey, do you two suck blood together? Or just cock?" Word of your bathroom blowbang must have propelled Jared to the dizzying heights up the social ladder to just slightly higher than ignored and despised because he and his band geek brethren feel confident standing in public without fear of getting wedgied. He even has the stones to step up to Vanessa, something you would never dare do. And with good reason...

She glides up to him silently, her eyes flashing furiously under her hood, her teeth shining like an unsheathed blade as she grabs his groin and squeezes his sack until he sobs. "No. She sucks my cock. And I don't suck blood...I paint with it." Vanessa lets go of Jared's junk and catches his nose as he crumples to the floor with her knee, sending a jet of bright red blood all over her black leather pants. She turns to the remaining gaggle of geeks and asks, "Anyone else want to insult my gurlfriend? I'd love to paint a mural all over these boring beige walls."

Suddenly, everyone remembers they have a pressing engagement to not get murdered by the mistress of the darque, and the band nerds run off in all directions. You are the only one close enough to see Vanessa's sunny smile appear in the shadows of her hoodie, like a secret gift shared just with you. You're feeling pretty sunny yourself after seeing her stand up for you like that. You will always have bullies to deal with, but with your imposing enchantress by your side, you feel confident to face any of them.

Perhaps it's that spring in your step that keeps any other kids from calling you out as they pass you in the mall. That, or Vanessa's bloody black pants giving them a preview of what a taunting comment could cost them. You hang on her arm like a lovestruck teeny bopper, which you suppose you are, sort of. You love showing off your goth gurlfriend, and you are actually starting to look forward to her showing you off.

Vanessa stops in front of a directory and pulls you close, so your head is nuzzling hers and partially covered by her hood. You feel safe there, even though you are surrounded by strangers and enemies. Vanessa takes your hands in hers and says, "Look. I'm not great with the mushy stuff, but today is important. Not everyone gets a chance to reinvent themselves. I want you to pick out a whole new wardrobe today. One that reflects the real you. I want what's underneath your clothes enough that I don't care what you wear, as long as you like them. Do you want to be a punk princess? A slutty sexpot? A gurl next door? You tell me who you are, and I'll by her the clothes."