Elena woke up with a newfound vigor, feeling a sense of clarity and purpose that had been elusive before. The dreamscape conversation with Athena had solidified her resolve. She understood now that her journey was about more than just surviving; it was about thriving, mastering her powers, and making a difference.
It was about saving people, people that she had to admit she kind of cared about.
She also knew if she didn't do anything her friends would die. And while she wanted nothing more than to go back to her family and live the rest of the days with them, she also knew she'd never be able to look her family in the eyes if she let people die to do it. So she threw on her sports bra, and a comfortable set of pants, eager to start her training.
Descending the stairs, she found Zara and Darian already waiting, chatting excitedly about the training ahead. Zara's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and Darian's determined expression showed he was ready to push his limits. Liora, on the other hand, looked less enthusiastic, her arms crossed as she leaned against the counter. Adrian was slumped over the table, fast asleep, a soft snore escaping his lips.
Between the Bar and the kitchen, Gareth and Agatha were busy getting the tavern ready for the day. The aroma of freshly brewed caffeine filled the air and Elena started to feel more awake from just smelling it. "Good morning, everyone," she greeted, her energy palpable. Gareth looked up and smiled, handing her a mug of tea. "Morning, Elena. Ready for some breakfast? We'll get started on it while you all work out."
"Absolutely," she replied, taking a sip of the warm coffee. "Alright everyone, let's get to it."
The group moved outside to the open training area. They started with stretching, an essential part of their routine. Zara and Darian were focused, their movements precise and controlled. Zara’s flexibility was impressive, and Darian’s strength was evident in the way he held his poses. Elena felt a surge of pride and a hint of jealousy watching them, knowing they were all in this together. Elena thought to herself "Damn, I wish I could have done that starting off"
Liora and Adrian, however, were a different story. Liora’s stretches were half-hearted, and she frequently sighed in exasperation. Adrian was even worse, groaning with each movement, his muscles clearly protesting. "This is torture," Adrian muttered, attempting to touch his toes and failing miserably.
Elena noticed Adrian’s struggle and moved over to help. "Here, let me give you a hand," she said, putting her hands on his back and gently pressing. Slowly she pushed his back down, mirroring something Darian had done for her in her first few days of training. Inch by inch she coaxed his back to move his hands closer and closer towards his toes. "Just breathe and relax into the stretch."
Adrian grumbled but complied, managing to touch his toes with Elena's assistance. "Why are we going to have to do this every morning?" he whined, the tension in his muscles evident.
Elena rubbed his back soothingly, trying to ease his discomfort. "Because it makes us stronger," she replied. "Trust me, it gets easier. And if you’re really in pain later, I can offer something to help you relax."
Adrian sighed, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Thanks, Elena. I’ll hold you to that."
After stretching, they moved on to more intense exercises. Zara and Darian attacked the training with gusto, their dedication shining through. They pushed each other, attempting to outdo the other by adding on more weights or completing the various exercises faster. Zara’s speed and agility were equally matched by Darian’s strength and endurance.
Liora and Adrian, meanwhile, struggled to keep up. Liora’s movements were sluggish, and she frequently paused to catch her breath. But she pushed on, determined not to be the worst of the group. Adrian on the other hand didn’t care if he was first or last. His complaints grew louder with each exercise. "Why do we have to do this every morning?" he whined, attempting a push-up and collapsing halfway through. “Can’t we make this a one and done kind of thing?”
"No” Elena gently chided. “And we’re doing this because it makes us stronger." This was the third time Elena repeated herself. "Trust me, it gets easier."
Finally, they moved on to morning yoga. Zara and Darian transitioned smoothly into the poses, their focus unwavering. Elena joined them, finding her center and letting the calm of the yoga practice wash over her. Liora and Adrian, however, were far from serene. Liora’s poses were wobbly, and she kept glancing around, clearly uncomfortable. Adrian was the worst, his balance non-existent and his grumbling incessant.
"This is pointless," Adrian complained, falling out of a tree pose for the third time. "I’m not built for this kind of stuff."
Elena suppressed a smile, remembering her own initial resistance to yoga. She went to Adrian and physically helped him get into the pose. She could tell he wanted to be anywhere but there. She helped him obtain the position again and hovered near him, ready to steady him if he faltered.
A memory of Marcus standing about where Elena was at that very moment came to mind. She remembered her own muscles trembling as she held the warrior pose, her legs burning and her arms beginning to shake. She remembered feeling the sweat drip down her forehead and remember herself being surprised the sweat wasn’t salty. ‘Just a little break’ she had told herself, ‘just for a second’. And in that moment, Marcus’s voice cut through her fatigue.
“Don’t you dare quit now, Elena” Marcus had said, his voice firm but not unkind. He stood where Elena was standing now, his arms crossed, his presence a steadying force. “You’ve come this far, and you can push a little further. You think this is tough? Wait until you’re in the field, and there’s no one to save you if you falter.”
She remembered breathing heavily as she looked at him, muscles shaking from exertion as he looked down. She remembered expecting a look of pity from Marcus, but instead only saw belief. “You’ve got more in you than you think” he had said, his voice steady. “Don’t let a little discomfort stop you. You’re stronger than that. Now Hold. That. Pose.” Minutes later that felt extended out to the scale of hours he had told her”Good, now remember that feeling. That’s what strength is. Not the absence of pain, but the ability to endure it.”
His words had stirred something inside her, a stubbornness that refused to let her give up. Even now, his words still stood in her. ‘He’s right. I can do this. I will do this. Now I just gotta think of the super awesome thing to say to Adrian”
"Adrian. I know this is tough. And it feels like you’ve got nothing left to give. But you can do this.” Her voice was calm and reassuring. “You have pushed through worse in class, and I know you’ve got more in you. You’re stronger than you think, and you’re not alone in this. So take a deep breath, dig a little deeper and keep going. You'll thank yourself later.”
‘Hopefully he buys it. At least I hope the line about you pushed through worse in class is true.’ she thought to herself. Adrian looked up at her, his face marred with pain from the exercises, as a few drops of sweat fell into his eyes. He nodded and then went back to it.
Next was a quick run over an obstacle course. Elena stood at the edge of the training area, surveying the course she’d set up-a series of obstacles, walls and narrow platforms designed to mimic a weird urban environment. She turned to the group, her eyes gleaming with excitement. This was something that she saw some other students doing at the academy and she likened it mostly to parkour.
“Alright everyone, we’re going to try something new. Back where I’m from we call it parkour,” Elena began, pacing in front of them. “It’s all about moving through obstacles with speed and efficiency. Think of it as a way to get from A to B in the quickest, most fluid way possible. You’ll need to jump, climb, vault-whatever it takes to keep moving. It’s more about agility and flow than brute strength.”
Zara’s eyes lit up as Elena explained, and Elena noticed the familiar confidence in her stance. When it was time to begin, Zara took off, moving through the course with ease. She vaulted over barriers, climbed walls with a grace that made it look effortless. By the time she reached the end, she was barely out of breath. ”Piece of cake. What’s next?”
Elena who had been hoping everyone was as clueless as she was in how to do it looked at Zara with wide eyes. “Uh…wow. You’ve…done this before. Haven’t you?” she asked. She vaulted herself over a wall and stumbled through a vault barely clearing the obstacle. She got through, and by the end only had tripped up half a dozen times.
Zara grinned and nodded. “Yep. A little. I’ve been practicing on my own for a while.”
Darian who was not one to be left behind, was already improving with each attempt. He started off a bit stiff, but after watching Zara and following her lead, he quickly adapted. His movements became smoother with each run. “This is kind of fun once you get the hang of it,” he said as he wiped sweat from his brow.
When it was Adrian’s turn, he was clearly struggling. He tripped over a low wall, and landed ungracefully on the other side. Elena winced as he went to vault another fence and landed on his groin. He let out a sharp pained sound, and once he finished, he plopped on the ground. “I think I’ll stick to magic,” he muttered, dusting his front off.
Liora didn’t do much better. When she finished she landed right next to him. She had tried to copy a few of the moves some of the others had done, and for one reason or another they hadn’t worked out for her.
Seeing the struggles everyone aside form Darian was having, Zara stepped in, her tone playful, but with the sharp edge of a drill instructor. “Alright, listen up rookies,” she said with a smirk. “First rule of street running. Stop looking like you’re about to faceplant every time you jump. Trust me, the ground isn’t your friend, and as much as it wants to give you a kiss, you need to tell it no.”
Adrian rolled his eyes. “Easy for you to say. You’re like custom made for this.”
Zara raised an eyebrow. “Damn right I am. And you could be too-if you stop thinking so much. Street running is like flirting with a bad date. You’ve gotta keep the energy up, stay light on your feet and like any be ready to get away when things are about to go poorly. If you keep second guessing everything, it’s going to get worse. And the more you hesitate, the worse it’s going to get.”
She turned to Adrian. “Adrian, stop threatening this like a chess match. You’re overthinking every move. Street running is about instinct, not strategy. Let your body take over and trust yourself. And for the love of all the holy gods stop trying to catch the ground every time you jump. It’s not your friend. It’s just where you land if you mess up.
Next she turned to Liora. “Liora, you’re a genius but this isn’t about finding the perfect move in advance. You need to be in the moment. Feel the obstacles, don’t analyze them. You use wind, right? Stop trying to control it. Let the movement carry you.”
Liora’s lips twitched into a small smile. “I’ll try to loosen up. No guarantees through.”
“I mean I don’t need a guarantee. You’re the one that’s going to end up face first in some vendor if you don’t.”
She turned to Darian next. He’d been doing well, but Zara could see where he was still holding back. “Darian, you’ve been getting the hang of it, but I think you’re too focused on doing it ‘Right’. Just don’t worry about technique”
Finally, Zara turned to Elena. She crossed her arms and smirked, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm. “Alright twinkletoes, we need to have a chat.”
Elena looked up at Zara and raised an eyebrow. “Really? I thought I did pretty well.”
“Yes really,” Zara shot back, her grin widening. “Look, I know you’ve got that graceful dancer sway going on, but this is supposed to be you moving from one end to the other. You move like a dream, but every time you hit an obstacle, it’s like your brain slams on the brakes. You’re second guessing yourself so much, I half expect you to start apologizing to the walls for being in your way.”
Elena rubbed the back of her neck and laughed, though she knew Zara had a point. “Yeah, I’m guess I’m not exactly charging through the course.”
Zara snorted and her smirk widened. “That’s putting it mildly. Look, I’m not saying you have to wrestle the obstacles into submission. You’ve got the fluidity and grace. Use it. Stop hesitating like every jump might be your last. You’re not going to break. I promise. Besides, you’ve got a little something extra that the rest of us don’t.”
Elena tilted her head, confused “What do you mean?”
Zara walked over to Elena and thumped her tail. “This right here. You’ve got an extra limb, and you’re not even using it. IT can help you balance, stabilize your landings, even give you an extra push. Be the cool sexy starfish we all know you can be.”
Elena glanced at her own tail, which she’d mostly kept out of the way or forgot about and nodded slowly. “I hadn’t really thought about it like that.”
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“Well, start thinking about it,” Zara said, her tone half playful, half serious. “You’re already halfway there with how you move. Just stop doubting yourself. You’re not going to fall apart if you mess up. And if you do fall, at least you'll land on your feet… or tail.”
Elena chuckled, feeling a bit more confident. “Alright, I’ll give it a shot. No more second guessing.”
“That’s the spirit,” Zara said, giving her a light tap on the shoulder. “Now go show them who’s boss. And so help me, if you make me come over there I’ll drag you through it myself.
After their morning training session, the five of them made their way back to the inn, sweaty and in dire need of a shower. Gareth and Agatha, ever the gracious hosts, had prepared two bathrooms for them to use: one for the girls and one for the boys. The girls quickly claimed the closer, large bathroom, while the boys trudged off to the other.
As the warm water cascaded over her, Elena let out a contented sigh. The aches and soreness from the intense training began to melt away. She glanced over at Zara and Liora, who were also enjoying the refreshing shower.
Elena turned to Zara, curiosity in her eyes. "Zara, what do you think about the training so far? I know it’s a bit intense, but after the first week with the drill instructor Marcus, I ended up loving it. Well, tolerating it. It took a few more weeks before I would use the word love."
Zara smiled, appreciating Elena’s interest. "I think it’s fantastic. You really push us to go that extra step. And I’m glad you’re letting me take over the street running. As I see it, I’m not really pushing my limits and getting stronger every day then I'm stagnating. Or worse. Plus, it'll be great to have a structured routine."
Elena nodded and then turned to Liora, who was applying the shampoo to her hair. "What about you, Liora? How are you finding the training?"
Liora sighed, rolling her eyes slightly. "I have aches in muscles I didn't realize the body had, I'm sore all over and I'm covered in dirt and dust. I felt my heart rise far too often for me to be comfortable and the fact that I'll have to wake up three hours earlier every day are all combining to give me the conclusion that I'm not a fan. But... I guess it does have some benefits. My flexibility and stamina must be improving. Plus I'll be glad to have a toned body when I'm older. I just..." The soap from her shampoo covered her face and she washed it off. "Sorry, I just wish Adrian would complain a little less. That boy can whine, gripe and groan more than any girl I know."
Zara grinned mischievously and leaned against the tiled wall. "Speaking of the boys, Liora… do you hang around him for any particular reasons? Hoping he can give you a longstaff?" She teased, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.
Liora’s eyes widened, as she simultaneously spluttered and nearly gagged, "What? No! He’s just... annoying, that’s all. Besides, he’s like a brother at this point and that’d be disgusting.”
Elena laughed, enjoying the light-hearted banter. "I have to admit, he does complain a lot. But I think he’s just trying to adjust. God knows I complained when I first started. But after the third week, you just kind of get used to it. And if he doesn’t, well I’ll just have to increase the floggings until morale improves."
Liora looked at Elena and raised an eyebrow. “Third? What happened to after the first week you ended up tolerating it?”
Elena shrugged and quickly shoved her head into the stream of water. She spoke up a little louder than was necessary “What’s that? I can’t hear you!”
Zara chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yeah, he’s a bit of a whiner, but he’s got potential. Maybe he just needs a little more motivation? Maybe we could do a Shirts vs Skins workout day."
Liors looked at Zara. “You wanna see Adrian with his shirt off?”
Zara shook her head. “Nah, he’s the one who needs motivation.” Liora chuckled.
Zara turned to Elena with a curious smile. "Elena, I have to ask… aside from street running, does having a tail make it harder to train? Like, do you have to be extra careful not to whack anyone with it?"
Elara gave her a curious look before her eyes lit up. "Oh, good question!" She chuckled, considering the question. "Honestly, I hadn’t really thought about it much. It’s just a part of me, so I’ve learned to move with it naturally. But now that you mention it, I suppose I do have to be a bit more aware of my surroundings."
Zara’s eyes sparkled with amusement. "Have you ever accidentally knocked something over with it?"
Elena laughed. "More times than I can count. I’ve broken a few things because I forgot about it."
Liora joined in, her tone more thoughtful. "Elena, you were a boy back home. Right?"
Elena corrected her. "I mean I guess. I was in my late 30s. I passed manhood a few decades back."
"Can I ask you a question about guys?"
"Go ahead”
"Since you used to be a guy, I was hoping you could give me some insight. Why do boys sometimes act so distant or aloof when they actually like someone? It’s so confusing. I watched that boy pine over you for a month and yet he barely had a tin to spare for you lately."
Elena paused, considering the question as the hot water cascaded over her shoulders. ""You know, it's funny. When I was a man, I never realized how much we actually communicated with each other. We might not talk about our feelings directly, but we have our own ways of showing support. Like, if a friend was going through a tough time, we'd invite him out for a drink or to watch a game. It wasn't about talking it out, but just being there. Now, as a woman, I see how that might come across as distant or aloof to someone who doesn't understand that dynamic."
Liora nodded and Elena continued. “But guys are great at communicating with other guys. I might not want to tell a girl about a tough time I’m going through, because sometimes that girl can be cruel and use it against me. But my boys? I can tell them about a tough time I’m going through and they’ll listen. They might be terrible at giving advice, but they’ll still listen."
Elena paused for a moment as she pondered how hypocritical she was being, but chose to ignore how the insight applied to herself. A stray thought came to mind "I really hope Agatha doesn't listen in on the showers because she’d be standing there giving me the biggest raised eyebrow."
Liora nodded, a look of frustration and understanding dawning on her face. "That doesn’t make sense. Like at all. But… Thanks, Elena. I’m glad at least you’re so open to talking. And it’s really helpful to get a different perspective."
Zara piped up. "Speaking of which, do you notice things as a girl that you didn't as a guy?"
Elena turned to Zara and Liora, a thoughtful expression on her face. "You know, there’s been a lot I’ve had to adjust to since becoming Elena. One of the biggest differences is how people treat me. Back on Earth, I never had to deal with things like being underestimated or overly scrutinized because of my appearance. It’s like I’m navigating a whole new social dynamic."
Zara nodded, her curiosity piqued. "What else have you noticed? It must be such a huge change."
Elena chuckled softly. "It really is. For instance, the way clothes fit and feel is completely different. Dresses, skirts, even jeans—they all sit differently, and I had to get used to that. And don’t even get me started on bras." Both of the other girls instantly started nodding and murmuring in agreement. "It was a whole new world of discomfort at first. Then there's the way people look at you. It's not just about appearance; it's like they expect certain behaviors or reactions from me that they didn't before."
Liora laughed, nodding in agreement. "I can imagine! What about things you haven’t noticed but others have pointed out?"
Elena paused, thinking. "Well, Agatha pointed out that I have a habit of fiddling with my hair when I'm nervous. I never did that before. And apparently, I'm very expressive with my face and hands when I talk. It's funny because I never consciously decided to change those things; they just happened. Sometimes, I catch myself doing things that feel so natural now but would have felt completely alien before."
Liora grinned, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, of course there's also the dancing."
Elena's brow furrowed. "Dancing? What dancing? I don't dance."
Zara snorted, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, Twinkletoes, you are so adorably clueless. I hate to break it to you, but you've been putting on quite the show. It's like watching a siren trying to seduce... well, everyone."
"What? No, that's ridiculous. I've never been much of a dancer," Elena protested, her cheeks starting to flush.
Liora chimed in, her tone gentle but playful. "Oh, it happens alright. And it's actually quite... impressive. You get this dreamy look on your face, and then..."
"Allow me to demonstrate," Zara interrupted, stepping back with a wicked grin. "I call it: The Unconscious Seductress.'"
Zara then put her hands behind her head, swaying her hips in an exaggerated motion. Every time her hips hit the apex of her swing, she’d give them an extra little thrust as if they were joints popping into place. Then she bent forward slightly, placing her hands on her knees and arching her back, before giving a little shake of her rear. From the front it also make her bosom sway alluringly. Elena had flashbacks to her wife dancing that way.
Liora, blushing but giggling, joined in. "And don't forget this part!" She mimicked running her hands through her hair, biting her lip in an overly dramatic fashion. As soon as she did it Elena could easily see her wife standing exactly like that and giving her that same look. Occasionally Danielle would look off to the side, apparently lost in thought. Her teeth lightly grazed her lower lip. And just for a moment, she looked like she was contemplating something. And then she’d turn to look at Elena, a smile gracing her face. Elena remembered it was almost an unconscious gesture, not meant to entice. But there was something undeniably alluring in the way she did it.
Elena watched, her jaw dropping lower with each move. She refused to accept reality, instead choosing to substitute her own. "I... that's not... there's no way I look like that!"
"Oh, but you do," Zara grinned, still swaying. "Maybe not quite this exaggerated, but girl, you've got some moves that could make a statue blush."
Liora nodded, trying to keep a straight face. "It's true. The other day, I saw you stretching, and I swear, half the tavern stopped breathing." Elena’s eyes went wide and her expression deadpan.
"Oh yeah! I thought Adrian was going to faint," Zara added with a laugh. "Poor boy couldn't string two words together for an hour afterward. Although I suppose he wouldn’t have hit his face."
Elena covered her face with her hands, peeking through her fingers. "Dear God, please tell me you're joking."
Liora patted her shoulder sympathetically. "If it helps, it's actually quite impressive how naturally it comes to you."
Zara nodded, finally stopping her dance. "Yeah, for someone who's only had this body for a short time, you've got the seduction thing down pat. It's actually kind of hot."
Liora's smile widened, but she nodded in agreement. "I hate to admit it, but Zara's right. It is... rather alluring."
It was impossible to tell if Elena's cheeks flushed with color because of the embarrassment or the heat of the shower. "Zara, Liora. Please do me a favor. If you're going to be my friend you need to stop me when you see me doing that. Like ever. Like ever ever. Especially in front of the guys."
Zara raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sass. "And deprive the world of such a spectacle? That would be a crime, Twinkletoes."
Liora offered a different suggestion. "How about we just... let you know discreetly when it's happening? That way, you can decide whether to stop or... use it to your advantage."
Zara looked shocked as if merely suggesting it was an affront to everything good.
Elena opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again, shaking her head in disbelief. She tried once more to form words, but all that came out was a series of incoherent sounds. Finally, she just leaned her forehead against the cool tile of the shower, letting out a long, exasperated sigh.
Zara's eyes lit up with sudden inspiration. "You know what? I think it's time we make it official. From this day forward, your team nickname shall be... Twinkletoes!"
Elena's head snapped up, her eyes wide with alarm. "What? No, absolutely not. We are not making that a thing. Can't I have a cool nickname? Like... Shadow Striker or Vampyre?"
Liora burst into giggles. "Oh Elena, those are terrible. Twinkletoes is perfect for you."
Zara nodded, a smug grin on her face. "Sorry, Twinkletoes, but you don't get to choose your own nickname. That's not how it works. The team decides, and the team has spoken."
"But the team is just you two!" Elena protested, her cheeks flushing.
"Exactly," Zara said, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "We're a very efficient decision-making body. All in favor of Twinkletoes, say 'aye'!"
"Aye!" Liora and Zara chorused in unison, their voices echoing off the shower walls.
Elena groaned, covering her face with her hands. "This is so embarrassing. You can't be serious."
Zara put her arm around Elena's shoulders. "Oh, but we are. Embrace it, Twinkletoes. It's fun, it's unique, and it's totally you. Plus, it'll strike fear into the hearts of our enemies. They'll be so confused, they won't know what hit them!"
Liora nodded, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Besides, it's kind of fitting, don't you think? With your newfound dancing skills and all."
Elena sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips despite her embarrassment. "I guess I don't have a choice, do I?"
"Nope!" Zara grinned triumphantly. "Welcome to the team, Twinkletoes. Your fancy footwork and accidental seduction skills will serve us well."
As the three of them burst into laughter, Elena couldn't help but feel a warm sense of belonging, even if it came with a nickname she'd never have chosen for herself.
Zara beamed, giving Elena a light-hearted hug. "That’s the spirit, Twinkletoes. We’re all in this together, and we’ve got your back. Now, how about we finish up here and go get some breakfast? All this talk has made me hungry!"
Elena laughed, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "Sounds like a plan. As much as I saw Darian working out this morning, I get the feeling that he hasn't missed many meals."
Liora laughed as she turned and faced away from the shower. The heat of the water cascaded off her back, steaming. It was her last moments to soak in the heat before the water shut off. Elena turned to her and noticed the faint outlines of scales on Liora's skin beginning to glow softly. She furrowed her brow in curiosity and leaned in closer. "Uh, Liora, are you supposed to be glowing?" she asked, pointing to the shimmering patterns on Liora's arms.
Liora glanced down at her arms and chuckled softly. "Oh, that. It happens sometimes because of my heritage. You know I'm part dragon, and the scales glow when I'm particularly happy or relaxed. It’ll pass in a little while. It's just a…reminder of where I come from."
Elena and Zara exchanged fascinated looks. "That’s amazing," Zara said, reaching out to gently touch one of the glowing scales. "I’ve never seen anything like it." She pressed in and it just felt like normal skin. She stopped pressing and like skin it just left a small white pressure mark that quickly disappeared. "Must be pretty cool, having that kind of connection to your dragon side."
Liora smiled warmly, her scales gradually dimming. "It is pretty special, but it can also be a bit isolating. That’s why I wanted to thank both of you. Being on a team with all boys for so long, I missed out on girl time. Having these moments with you two means a lot to me. Even if something happens and we never get a chance to fully team up for the long run. Thank you. I'll remember this for a long time." The sincerity in her voice left no room for teasing.
Zara quickly went over and gave her a heartfelt hug. She held her arm out for Elena, who obliged. The hug continued for nearly a full minute as the girls all just enjoyed the company of friends. Elena felt one of the girls gently rub her back as a warmth spread in her chest. Her heart sang and she felt a sense of belonging that she hadn’t expected to find. She smiled, leaning her head on Liora's, genuinely happy to have found such wonderful friends. "We’re all in this together, and I’m so glad we have each other."
And for the first time, the idea of being one of the girls didn’t bother her. Instead it made her glad to be a girl.