Tug of War 70.2

The meeting with Turner wasn't exactly perfect, though. When Timothy mentioned the songs he wrote himself, the producer didn't seem all that interested, saying that if they signed a contract, he would call a team of professional songwriters to work with them.

"Don't get me wrong, Ms. Foster" he started explaining. "I listened to the song you sang in the contest, and also the excerpts from other songs you posted on the internet. They are cute songs, sure, but that's not the style I have in mind for you. Considering your history and everything, I believe you need a more disruptive and provocative image. You trust my judgment, right?"

Timothy couldn't say he was happy to hear that. It seemed that instead of a folk and vintage rock singer, Mark Turner wanted him to be a pop princess, singing stuff similar to Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande.

The feminized guy was thinking about all this as he went back home that late afternoon. He knew that it was common for artists and bands to be forced to record songs they didn't necessarily like early in their careers. However, could he really do what Turner was expecting from him? Could he go up on stage wearing a skimpy outfit and perform a sexy choreography? He told the man he needed a few days to think about it. And he, indeed, needed to think... a lot.

It wasn't just about the artistic vision of the project, though. As Timothy knew all too well, that decision would seal his fate. If he took up Mark Turner's offer, he would most likely be stuck as Tiffany forever; there would be no way back.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice the people in front of his house. He only realized that something unusual was going on when he heard a shrill voice crying out, "Look, Mom! It's her, Tiffany Foster! Gosh, I'm sure it's her!"

Then, before the feminized guy could fully understand the situation, he felt someone hugging him tightly around the abdomen – so tightly that he was breathless for a moment.

"Sophie, where are your manners, young lady? You're going to scare her like that!"

"I'm sorry, Mom! Oh my gosh, it's just that I'm so, so happy to meet you, Tiff! I can call you Tiff, right?"

Just then Timothy had a chance to look into the pair of deep blue eyes that were facing him intently. The owner of the eyes was a cute red-haired girl who couldn't have been more than eleven or twelve years old, and had a round face full of freckles. Behind her, there was a couple in their thirties, smiling uneasily.

"Please, excuse our daughter, Ms. Foster" the woman started saying. "It's just that Sophie was so excited about meeting you, right, sweetie? I'm Angela Cooper, by the way, and this is Derek, my husband. We were passing through the state and Sophie insisted that we stop here so she could have a chance to meet you. We just couldn't deny it to her... You're our little girl's biggest idol, Ms. Foster."

"Me?" Timothy was confused and surprised. "But why?" he asked, noticing that Sophie was now crying profusely.

"Well... Sophie is a girl like you, if it's not something offensive to say... I'm trying my best to learn about all this, you know. In any case, she started living as a female not long ago."

"Really?!" Timothy got wide-eyed. It was hard to believe that such a pretty and feminine little girl used to be a boy. But then, with a sinking feeling in the stomach, he thought that this must be the very same reaction people had when meeting him for the first time.

"Oh, Tiff, I love you so much!" Sophie declared, sobbing. "You are, like, so beautiful and perfect! I want to be just like you when I grow up!"

"You're so sweet, aren't you, dear?" Timothy smiled, hugging the girl back. "But you know what? Gosh, you totally are so much prettier than me!"

"Oh no, there is no one prettier than you in the world!" Sophie stated, although she looked flattered. "Gosh, I wanted to meet you, like, so bad, and you totally are even cooler than I thought! It's so hard to be... you know... like us... so many people laughed at me... but following you... seeing your posts... you gave me the strength to keep going on."

Such a declaration hit Timothy pretty hard, like a punch in the stomach. He couldn't understand how people could be cruel to that adorable girl simply for her being who she was. That was so unfair and sick. Of course Tiffany had read countless stories like that online, with people saying how inspiring and important the trans community she was, but seeing someone like Sophie face to face took it to another level, and made everything – maybe for the first time – feel real.

"Listen to me, Sophie, honey" Timothy started, bending down to be at the girl's eye level. "I want you to promise me that you'll never let people put you down for you being yourself. You aren't doing anything wrong, okay? Gosh, they totally are the bad guys here! Don't let people who hate you tell you how to live your life. And be happy, sweetie... this is the most important thing. Be happy, and remember that there are people who love and respect you, and accept you for who you are."

And as he was saying all that, something clicked in Timothy's mind... something he had never realized before. When the Coopers left, he picked up his phone and called someone, "Hey... Are you home? I need to talk to you. Yes, it totally has to be now."

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Hey guys!

I'm already working on a new short story. I'll post it soon! :)