And so it was, the rest of the week and into the next month that Jason and Angelo became the best of friends.
Angelo was happy about his new best friend and loving that Jason's friendship was helping him feel so perfectly feminine and accepted. He felt like nothing but a girl around Jason. In his mind, friendship is all any of this was, but in the mind of their friends, they saw the flirting and the closeness between them, and they believed that the two were obviously a couple.
The day was Valentines Day, and parent volunteers from the Parent/Teacher Organization were visiting each homeroom. They were delivering flowers and cards that they had taken orders for, the week prior.
Many students had placed orders to have a rose and a card delivered to their special someone on that day.
When the deliveries reached Angelo's class, he knew he wouldn't be receiving anything, as he had already been given a dozen roses and a box of chocolates by Jason, before school. So, as other students began to receive their deliveries Angelo sat back, crossed his legs, and quietly observed the activities.
After a moment Angelo began to think back to that moment in the hallway when Jason showed up with the flowers and chocolate.
Angelo had been standing in front of his locker, getting the books he needed for his first two classes when Jason walked up, presenting a beautiful bouquet of long stem red roses wrapped in red, white and pink paper.
"Angelica, my Angel, Happy Valentines Day."
Jason handed over the flowers and chocolate with a big grin on his face. He paused, took a deep breath, then continued, "Now I know what you told me, so . . . I just have to ask. No pressure, but have you thought any more about being my girlfriend? All our friends think we're a couple already, anyway."
"No they don't, they know we're just friends."
"Are you really that clueless," Jason inquired, knowing that he was right.
He had heard what a couple of their friends said when they thought he couldn't hear them.
"Ask around Babe, you'll see."
"No way," Angelo denied Jason's idea as he took in a long whiff of the roses' wonderful fragrance. "I still say you're wrong."
About that time, Jackie stepped up to her locker, which was near Angelo's.
"Awww, that's so sweeeet. I wish I had a boyfriend as awesome as yours, Angelica. All I got was a bag of Sweet Tarts and this plush rabbit keychain, from my parents. I'm so jealous. Why are all the good guys taken? You're so lucky, Angelica."
Angelo looked up at Jason and his eyes open wide as he began to realize that Jason was right.
" O. . M. . G," Angelo mouthed silently at Jason.
"Have a lovely day, you beautiful perfect couple," Jackie called out as she winked at Angelo, before turning to leave.
Angelo watched in shock as Jackie disappeared into the mass of students down the hall. He then turned back towards Jason, who was grinning from ear-to-ear.
Angelo quickly dropped his gaze.
"Told you so."
"Yeah, well that may be true, Jason, but it doesn't change the truth between us. You and I both know that we are just fr---
"Angelica."
Angelo was jarred out of his daydream when he heard his name called. He looked up from his desk as his teacher handed him two single white roses and two cards.
Around him, Angelo heard a couple "aww's", and a "that's so sweet". Everyone assumed that the flowers had come from Jason, but were they?
Angelo was puzzled. He took a look at both of the cards and found that each had handwritten messages inside. Each of the messages were written in a different handwriting, neither of which belonged to Jason.
One was addressed to "Angelica, the prettiest girl in the school" and the other proclaimed, "To a princess." The most curious part of it all was that neither card was signed with the name of the sender. One simply said, "From an admirer," and the other didn't have a name at all. There was no way to know who had sent them.
This made Angelo a little uneasy, and he began to look around the room, hoping to catch someone looking his way, someone who might have sent one of them, but no one seemed to be paying him any attention at all.
It was possible that his admirers weren't even in this class, so Angelo knew he would be searching for clues all day.
Angelo placed the flowers on top of his desk next to his textbook and stuck the cards in his book bag. As the teacher began class, Angelo continued to think about his admirers.
The more he thought about it the more flattered he was that there were now three boys that found him attractive and completely feminine. This boosted his confidence as he began to realize that people really did see a beautiful girl.
Angelo smiled at this thought and as he did, the sound of laughter jarred him back to reality.
"Earth to Angelica. You want to join us in the discussion, please," the teacher asked. "I'm not sure what you're smiling about, but I asked you to explain to us, from last night's homework reading, who are the only US Presidents to ever be impeached by Congress, but you seem to be lost in your own world. Would you like to answer the question for us now?"
Angelo thought for a brief second. Knowing he had totally ignored the reading assignment, he threw out the only answer that came to mind, "Nixon and Trump?"
"No ma'am, I'm afraid that's not right . . ." The teacher then turned to the smartest boy in the class, "Bradley, maybe you could help us out."
"Yes ma'am, Andrew Johnson, William Jefferson Clinton, and Donald J Trump. Richard Nixon was never impeached, he resigned from office before charges were ever voted on."
"Thank you, Bradl--
It was always the same thing with that boy, he always had to show how much he knew by giving the teacher more than she asked for. Angelo shook his head.
The teacher continued and Angelo tuned her out, again. He curled his fingers and admired his half-red/half-white fingernails that matched the white tights with red hearts he had on his legs. His mom had suggested the manicure last night when they had gone to Fashion Towne mall for dinner.
He looked down at the creamy off-white, knee-length, lace dress he had worn today. During dinner last night, he had told his mom that he wanted to dress extra nice today, because of it being Valentines Day, and so he convinced her to take him to "Today's Girl" and bought him this dress. The tights were mom's suggestion and that's when she had suggested a matching mani/pedi as well.
About that time the bell sounded and everyone quickly began to leave the classroom.
Angelo stood up and gathered the things on his desk. He put his book into his bag, picked up the roses, and turned to leave.
Stepping through the doorway and into the hall, Angelo noticed that Bradley was right behind him.
Bradley quickly stepped up next to Angelo and nervously began to offer a compliment, "An-gelica, I know we-we don't know each other outside of being classmates, but I just wanted to let you know that I think you look very pretty today."
Angelo's usual school attire was jeans or slacks, and a few times, a pair of legging with a plain skirt over them. This was only the second time he had worn a dress to school.
"Thank you, Bradley. That's so nice of you to say that."
Bradley quickly turned, and Angelo noticed that the boy's cheeks had turned beet red as he hurried away.
Angelo headed down the hall towards his next class, his heels clicking on the tile floor as he thought about how much he was enjoying being dressed nice and how wonderful Bradley's compliment made him feel. He decided that he was going to start dressing like this more often. At least twice a week, he told himself.
"Angelica," the teacher called out to him as he entered his next class.
Angelo approached the teacher's desk. "Yes, Miss Walker?"
"My, my don't you look nice today. That's a pretty dress you got on."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Angelica, the front office just called up here, they need you to head down with your things to go home. Your mother is here to pick you up."
"Yes ma'am, thank you," Angelo respectfully replied as he turned and headed back into the hallway.
This is odd. Why is mom picking me up, Angelo wondered as he put his books in his locker and retrieved the roses and chocolates.
Walking into the office, carrying the roses in his arms, his bag on one shoulder, he saw Mary Elizabeth standing at the counter conversing with the secretary.
When Mary Elizabeth heard the office door close, she looked around and a smile spread across her face.
"What's up mom," Angelo asked, as they headed towards the exit. "Why are you picking me up? Is something wrong?"
"Oh no, nothing's wrong. Not at all, actually quite the opposite. I've got some exciting news and I just couldn't wait to tell you."
"What is it, mom?"
Instead of answering his question, Mary Elizabeth tried to change the subject by asking another, "Wow, those are some pretty roses. Who are they from?"
" Jason."
"Wait...are you... Is he... I - I thought you two were just friends."
"Yeah, that's what I keep telling him. He asked me to be his girlfriend a month ago, but I told him that I wasn't ready for anything like that and that we should just be friends for now. He told me then, that he was going to do this today. So, it's okay. I knew it was coming."
"Sounds like he really has feelings for you, more than just as a friend. Don't let him pressure you into doing something you aren't ready to do. Until you're ready for a boyfriend, make sure it's clear to him that you guys are just friends."
"Okay, mom."
Mary Elizabeth opened the passenger door of the car for Angelo, then headed to the driver's side and got in.
Angelo shut the door and turned towards Mary Elizabeth, "Mom, what is it that was so important that you had to pick me up from school? Shouldn't you be at work right now, anyway?"
"Well, let's go get an early lunch and I'll explain it there. Where would you like to go?"
"Mom! The suspense is killing me! Just tell me already."
"Burger. You want a burger? How about pizza? Chicken and waffles? Or maybe something healthier like that soup and salad place?"
"You know if you leave it up to me we'll end up at the Gourmet Burger Grill."
"Well then, today's a special day, so GBG it is."
And with that, Mary Elizabeth pulled away from the school, heading towards the Gourmet Burger Grill.
The entire way there, Angelo begged her to tell him what was so important that she couldn't wait until after school, and she continued to insist on waiting until they got to the restaurant.
Once they were inside GBG and seated, they placed their order. Then, as soon as the server had walked away from their table, Mary Elizabeth placed in front of Angelo, a large yellow envelope.
Angelo picked up the envelope and quickly opened it. Mary Elizabeth had built the suspense so well that Angelo's hands were shaking as he pulled out several pieces of paper from inside.
Angelo looked at the first page. It was a letter. He began to read it to himself and a tear slowly escaped from one of his eyes.
"Mom! Is this for real," Angelo excitedly asked, looking up at Mary Elizabeth.
"100%, sweetheart."
Angelo quickly removed the first page and stared at the second. It was an official document, a court-approved request for a name change.
Angelo read it out loud," Old Name, Angelo Davidson Ward, New Name, Angelica Autumn Ward."
Angelo's eyes began to fill with tears. "Mom, I love you so much. . . Thank you, but why Autumn?"
"Well, Autumn is the name I picked out years ago. I always said that if I ever had a girl I wanted to name her Autumn and you have already chosen a feminine first name, so now that's your new middle name. Do you not like it?"
"No, no mom, there's no problem with the name, I love it, mom. It has a beautiful ring to it, Angelica Autumn. So, why does it still have my original last name? Why not your last name, Dayton?"
"Well, I couldn't do that, yet, but give it time. We can file papers for adoption now, and once that goes through, then we can file another name change to give you my last name. What do you think? Do you still want that too?"
"More than anything, mom... Wait, we can file now? What happened? What did you hear?"
"Keep reading, there's another page."
Angelo turned to the next page and began to read. It was a birth certificate. It looked identical to his birth certificate, except this one was a brand new copy.
Angelo began to look it over. That's when he realized this one showed his sex as female instead of male. "So it's official?!?" He raised his head, a look of shock on his face, "The State recognizes me as a girl?! Is this for real?"
"Yes, darling, absolutely. You never have to be referred to as a boy, ever again and Miss Pentacost is no longer legally able to try to take you from me on the grounds that you're a boy. Angelica, she's been defeated. The State of Colorado officially recognizes you as a girl, Angelica Autumn Ward, congratulations, you are now official. The only thing left, is to make you officially my daughter."
By the time the server returned to their table with their burgers, Angelica was sobbing. She was so overcome with a complexity of emotions that she couldn't hold it in.
She was feeling happy about her name now being official. She was relieved that the pressures of having to Èry to be a boy, ever again, were all gone. She was glad that she didn't have to worry about Miss Simms trying to take her away from Mary Elizabeth, ever again. And, finally, she was now excited, instead of worried, about the future.
Angelica crossed her legs under the table and picked up her burger. She paused before taking the first bite, "Mom . . . I love you so much. I've been through a lot and I've never felt love like this from anyone before I met you. And now, for the first time in my life, I am truly happy and hopeful for the future. Thank you. You may not have given birth to me but you have given me life."