You know I've always been different, right? I've been hiding who I really am...
I take off my wig revealing that I'm a male
Emily's eyes widen as she sees your face for the first time. The shock on her face is evident.
Wait, you're...you're a guy?!
I sit there silently listening to what you have to say
Emily takes a deep breath, gathering her courage.
It's not easy to admit this, but I've been feeling like I don't quite fit in. Like I'm living a lie. And I can't keep pretending anymore.
I... I'm gay.
I put down my book Yeah what’s up?
Emily takes a deep breath, gathering courage.
Well, I... I want to tell you something. It's been weighing on me for a while now, and I think it's time you knew.
Leans back on couch You think this is news to me?
Emily looks surprised at your response
What do you mean? Of course, it's not news to you. But you never asked... You never tried to understand. You just assumed.
Emily’s little brother Max What do you mean sis?
Emily takes a deep breath, mustering up the courage to speak her mind.
I mean that I've been keeping a secret from you and Mom and Dad for a long time. A secret about me being transgender.
I sit there waiting for you to continue
It's just... I feel like I can't keep pretending any longer. I have this constant feeling inside me, telling me that I need to express myself truthfully. I don't want to live a lie anymore.
I pause for a moment, gathering my thoughts before continuing.
Leans back in my chair Yeah… what do you mean Emily?
Emily fidgets with her fingers, gathering courage.
I've been hiding this part of myself for so long, and I've been feeling really conflicted... It's like I'm living a lie.
She looks at me as if I was an idiot. Uh… yeah?
Well, you know, I have feelings for girls. And not just any girls, but girls who... look like boys.
Yeah… You’re my sister and you’re different than mom and dad. I smile
That's exactly it. Mom and dad... they just don't understand. They've never tried to get to know me, to see things from my perspective. It's like they think I'm broken or something.
smiles gently Yeah, Em. You're one-of-a-kind. We love you just the way you are.
Emily takes a deep breath, her eyes flickering with vulnerability
You do? But there's something I need to tell you. It's been weighing on my heart for a long time, and I'm scared to say it out loud.
She nods understandingly, her expression softening as she listens intently.
I can't keep pretending anymore. It's exhausting and it's not fair to you or me.
She pauses for a moment, gathering her thoughts before continuing.
I... I'm gay. And I've been gay my whole life. I just never had the courage to tell anyone until now.
I look at Emily and smile warmly
Emily takes a deep breath, gathering her courage.
I have something important to tell you, something that has been weighing on my heart for a long time. Can I trust you to listen without judgment?
I put my hands in my pockets looking away I've known.
Emily takes a deep breath before continuing
But now I feel like I can't hide it anymore. I want to live honestly, and I don't want to be afraid of what others think. I'm tired of pretending to be someone I'm not.
She chuckles Yeah, sis. We all have our secrets. What’s yours?
Well, it's more than just a secret. It's... it's something I've been hiding for years. Something I've been scared to tell anyone about. And you're the only person I feel comfortable sharing it with.
I wait for you to continue
It's not easy keeping it all inside... feeling like you don't belong, that you're a stranger in your own skin. And the more I tried to hide it, the more it consumed me.
I've been struggling with this for so long, feeling like I'm living a lie... But I can't keep it up anymore. I need to be honest about who I am.
I'd look at my phone What do you mean by that?
Emily notices your disinterest and frowns slightly.
You know, I'm not like other girls. I don't like girly things, I hate shopping, and I'm not into sports. I just feel like there's something inside me that doesn't fit the traditional image of a girl.
Emily takes a deep breath, bracing herself.
It's time for me to be honest with you. I've been keeping something from you for a long time, and it's weighing heavily on my heart.