Openly Thyself

Avery had always known who he was. A rambunctious little boy who wanted nothing more than to live out his days playing video games and playing with friends. Despite the fact he was born and socialized Female. He’d grown up in a rural area where nearly everyone was ignorant and close minded. Where it was common for anyone LGBT to be told to pray it away. Comments of it being a phase as well. Along with a plethora of other comments that were made by people who didn’t practice what they preached. He didn’t feel safe sharing his thoughts with anyone. Not even his mother. A woman who would’ve loved him for who he is had he told her. She’d have been one of his few advocates. Her untimely death changed everything. 

Michael remarried eight years after Constantine's death. To Avery’s behest. To his blatant disdain. He’d made his thoughts known at the surprise wedding while at a yearly party thrown by close friends of Michael that Avery called Aunt and Uncle. It was everyone else knowing BUT Avery that angered him even more. Everyone was shocked at how much of a surprise it was. That Michael had lied about Avery knowing. Avery made a point of saying the only good thing that was going to come out of it was new adventures for him. A new beginning in life. 

“I’m sorry about everything” Aunt Piper said
“I am too. I don’t know why he’d lie. To everyone” Avery replied
“I don’t either” Uncle Wyatt said
“It’s a new adventure for me. I’ll adjust” Avery sighed
“You’re mother would be proud of you” Aunt Piper chimed in
“Yeah, I know. She’d kill him though” Avery said
“I have no doubt she would” Oakley said
“I’ll make new friends, roam around, find my own way, make a life for myself” Avery smiled
“You’ll be fine. I have no doubt about that. It’s a new chapter in your life” Aunt Piper smiled

Three years passed by in what felt like no time at all. He’d adjusted to life in South Florida. He’d found his own way. The odd jobs he worked kept him afloat. Barely. He found himself as time went on. He’d come out as a Trans man. His dad wasn’t too accepting. He still saw Avery as his daughter. It caused tension between them. His stepmother wouldn’t have any conversation about it in her house. It was “unnatural” in her eyes. Avery limited contact with both of them as time went on. His Paternal Aunt, both Uncles, as well as grandmother loved him for the person he was becoming. They’d known, in their own way, that being Female wasn’t something Avery was ever comfortable with. He began living his life his way. The simple life he’d built for himself became his safe haven. The friends he made helped him through everything. They even helped him get a studio of his own in Miami Beach. A two minute walk to the beach. So he could finally have his own space. 

A year went by before Avery’s life changed again. Michael had enough of Sherri’ Narcissism. The last straw being the death of a relative in Constantine's family and not being able to go to the funeral. Sherri threatened to kick him out if he went. So Avery went alone. Michael told her he was done three weeks later. He’d packed everything up to move back to Central Florida. Avery hadn’t wanted to leave. He’d made a decent life for himself. He’d become  Dishwasher at one of the many Restaurants in Miami Beach. Avery left knowing he'd be back in Miami Beach by the end of the year. 

“I’m so proud of you” Eli smiled
“Thanks. I hate this. I know what’s going to happen after I move back” Avery sighed
“Yeah, you’ll probably get everything you got growing up. You’re a different person than back then. You’ve grown” Julian chimed in
“Yeah, I am. I have no interest in mingling with the majority of the people back home anyway.  I don’t even want to leave. I worry about him though. He’s not getting any younger. I also want people to see just how much happier I am” Avery answered 
“Live your life your way despite others” Julian smiled

Things declined for Avery after that. The town he’d grown up in did nothing but take a toll on his Mental Health. Visits to Miami Beach felt like torture. He wanted nothing more than to move back. He didn’t care if he was homeless. He just wanted to live in Miami Beach once more. He’d become openly closeted. He told a dozen people about his transition. People who let him know they were going to love him for who he is. The man that he’d become. A young man his mother would be proud of. He left for good after a confrontation with Michael. Avery shamed him for not accepting him. For not even listening to him. That Constantine would be ashamed of him. That she’d likely divorce him for not accepting him as his son. He went no contact after that. He was on the first train to Miami Beach after that. 

Eight years had passed since he’d left Miami Beach. He was happy to finally be able to move back down. He didn’t care he was going to be homeless. He didn’t care he had less than four thousand dollars to his name. It seemed like a lot of money to most. To Avery it wasn’t much at all. He hoped it’d get him through the next three months. He’d applied everywhere. A part time job as a Dishwasher came two weeks after his arrival to Miami Beach. He bounced around Hostels until he had enough saved for a studio. He came out as Trans in that time. He’d been far happier in the short time since he moved. back to Miami Beach. He looked at the brighter future that lay ahead.