speechless

This was a surprise you had not anticipated and you have no idea what to say. The feeling was evidently mutual leading to an awkward silence. If this had happened just a week ago then you'd have been even more baffled but having already met Samantha you were at least familiar with the concept. Still, it was one thing to meet someone who was once a boy you had never met before and another thing to try and reconcile this 'Jasmine' in front of you with your long memories of your best friend James.

After a long moment Cerve interrupts your bafflement stalemate with a very pointed question.

"Alex, Jasmine was very brave to show you this side of her, don't you want to reassure her?"

"Uh, yeah, hey dud- er, I mean... Uh.. Jasmine, it's uh cool- I mean Samantha is also-"

Shit was that supposed to be a secret? James or Jasmine isn't being helpful, seemingly as incapable of navigating this conversation as you are. At least you her(?) face isn't showing any signs of offense. You take a breath and try again.

"Hey, It's alright with me if you want to be Jasmine" you sound the name out, getting used to it "I don't mind."

"Du- dude is ok..."

"Huh?"

"You can say dude, it's gender neutral, you can call girls dude..."

"Oh right.."

You're at another deadlock, unsure what to say next.