Twist the problems away

You investigated the heart of the problems. You read for hours and hours, searching for the root.

You found several. Each, you would address in turn.

Ashlyn felt incredibly self-conscious about her body. Ever since puberty, when she outgrew the boys but never the girls, she'd been at a loss of where she fit in. Her flat chest was, especially, a point of anguish. She just didn't feel feminine. People didn't treat her that way. So she was left wondering if she were even a girl at all.

That fed into her other struggles. Her sexuality was all over the place. Ashlyn didn't know what she was. Then there was crippling insecurity about how others viewed her, about whether she would be lovable at all. And then there were doubts like heavy weights tied around her neck about whether she'd ever find happiness at all.

All of this needed to change. And now you had the power.

You cataloged the parts of Ash that you judged most at fault. The thoughts and affirmations she told herself over and over, all muddled with darkness and insecurity. You prioritized and sorted through the width and breadth of the girl you loved, finding the offenders that caused the most pain:

I wish I had boobs. I don't know if I was supposed to be a boy or a girl, was I supposed to be neither? I don't want people to see my body.

Boys are cute, but so are girls, I don't know who to choose - I wish I wasn't bi. I feel insecure whenever I feel hot feelings.

I need to hide or people will hurt me. I feel like Carrie loves me, but I'll never know for sure. Nobody could ever love me but Carrie.

I wasn't meant to be happy. I don't think my life will turn out well. Sometimes I feel so sad I don't know what to do anymore.

Once you knew what you were aiming for, you started changing things. Cutting away the bad, and typing in new affirmations for Ashyln to believe. New truths for her to hold close to her heart. To support them you had to delve deep into who she was, into her memories and experiences, and build the foundation from the bottom up. No effort was too much. you'd do it for her.

I wish I had boobs.
I love not having boobs.

I don't know if I was supposed to be a boy or a girl, was I supposed to be neither?
I was born a girl, and I can be whatever I want to be.

I don't want people to see my body.
It's good and normal that people see my body.

Boys are cute, but so are girls, I don't know who to choose - I wish I wasn't bi.
Girls are so cute, and so are boys! I'm glad that I'm bisexual so I'll never have to choose.

I feel insecure whenever I feel hot feelings.
I feel safe whenever I feel hot feelings.

I need to hide or people will hurt me.
I don't need to hide, no one will hurt me.

I feel like Carrie loves me, but I'll never know for sure.
I know for sure Carrie loves me, I feel it all the time.

Nobody could ever love me but Carrie.
My heart belongs to Carrie.

I wasn't meant to be happy.
I'm so happy right now.

I don't think my life will turn out well.
My life is turning out just how I want it to.

Sometimes I feel so sad I don't know what to do anymore.
Whenever I don't know what to do, Carrie can tell me and I can trust her.

It was past one o'clock by the time you finished helping Ashlyn. You saved her file, and then set the interface to put Ashlyn's healed mind back in her body.