By the end of the day, I had moved almost everything over to the other house by the pond. True to my request, Dad and Isa kept Mom away from me the whole day, but I think she kept secluded in her room the whole time anyway. She always was good at sulking like a teenager when she was upset.

I had just one last thing to pack, and it was my clothes. Just a couple suitcases full of jeans and various t-shirts really. A couple fancy button-downs and slacks stuck out from the wardrobe as I neatly arranged them in the bags. I had a good bit of extra space in the second bag by the time everything was packed, and something felt… missing. 

“Lilypad!” I gasped. “Lilypad’s missing…”

I couldn’t believe I forgot to pack any dresses or makeup or jewelry or anything. It almost seemed silly that I forgot something like that. I went into the bathroom and stole some makeup and put it in my bag. I hoped that Mom and Isa wouldn’t be too angry. I didn’t exactly see Mom use any so it was just getting put to better use. From under my bed, I pulled out a dress and set it in the suitcase. Yeah, I kept a dress from Mom’s closet just in case.

“Did he leave yet?!” I heard my mom shout from the living room. I’m guessing she wanted to make sure that if I was gone, I’d be able to hear it even from The Living.

“He’s in his room.”

I heard her marching towards my door and I realized I had three options. Either I stood there and faced her, jumped out the window, or magic’d out of there. The window looked really enticing. Then again, with any luck this would be the last time I’d have to see her. So I beat her to the punch and opened the door to see her face-to-face.

“You’re still here?” she said bitterly.

“I was about to leave,” I said. “I’m just finishing putting my clothes away then I’m out.”

“Hmph. Fine. I’ll see you before you leave then,” she said, storming out unnecessarily. At least she didn’t break the door though. I hoped she’d wait until I was gone before she started breaking things.

I looked back at my bags and gave a small grin as I got an idea. If I was going to leave already and hopefully not come back, I might as well go out in style.

*   *   *   *   *

I walked down the hall, suitcases in hand and messenger bag by my side. My heart was beating so quickly that I could hear it inside my chest. This definitely was a risky move, and wouldn’t be met with any real positivity, but it could be funny to see their reactions anyway. By the time I was walking out, Mom was already arguing.

“He just wants to leave because of me!” Mom said angrily.

“I mean…” Dad said with a shrug. “I’m not going to tell you you’re wrong.”

“I thought everything I said was wrong,” she frowned. “Because you all think I’m a dumbass.”

“Carol, I've never said that.”

“But you think I’m a dumbass.”

“Mom,” groaned Isa, slumping her head back on the couch. “Please. Stop.”

“No!”

“Carol,” Dad said calmly. “Just calm down.”

“I am calm!”

“You’re raising your voice and…”

My dad’s voice trailed off and he gave a blank stare as he looked at me coming down the hall. It was kind of funny actually. Mom’s back was to me and she thought he was speechless about her. No, no, it was about his son swinging his hips down the hall in a dress, makeup, and jewelry. He was understandably confused. Isa bolted her head up and covered her mouth to conceal the wide smile I knew she had.

“What is it?!” Mom shouted, now getting why they were all looking her way.

I think the best reaction was definitely Mom turning around to see me. Her face went through a dozen emotions. From shocked to confused to disbelief to horrified to inevitably going back to anger.

“What the fuck is that?!” she shouted in slight laughter, pointing at me. “Is that my fucking dress?!?”

“Um, yeah, it is,” I nodded.

I was afraid that it was just going to be unnerving silence, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Isa started giggling before bursting into full laughter and falling over on the couch. Either she thought I was hilarious, or that Mom and Dad’s reactions were too precious. Could’ve been both though.

“Appa, what are you…” Dad wasn’t quite sure how to ask.

“You stole my fucking dresses?!” Mom shouted again.

“Well, you weren’t using them,” I shrugged. “And they fit well enough on me.”

“Son,” Dad said, trying to be stern. “You don’t wear clothes like that just to spite your mother like that.”

“What?” I asked furrowing my brow. “I’m not doing this to spite her.”

“Why dress like that then?”

“Because I want to,” I said simply and happily. I was hoping he’d understand.

“No,” he said firmly. “Did someone want you to do this? Someone inspire you to do it? If it’s to attract men, I’ll understand. People don’t just do this for no reason.”

“This isn’t for no reason. I tried dressing like this before and I like it. It makes me feel good and safe and confident! You guys think I need to be more confident in myself, and when I’m like this I can be.”

“So my son’s a drag queen or something now?” Mom spat.

“When I’m like this, I’m not your son,” I said. “I’m Lilypad.”

“You’re what?!” she asked, clenching her fists.

“I’m Lilypad,” I repeated.

“Well, come back when my son is available,” she growled.

“I don’t think he wants to see you again,” I boldly said, turning my head. “And I don’t think I want to either.”

Mom grabbed the closest thing she could, which was a drink coaster, and threw it at me. I raised my hand and it started glowing with magic. From my messenger bag, a sheet of paper flew out and intercepted the object being thrown at me, sending it flying into the wall behind me. The paper had Protect written on it in carvation.

“I’m leaving,” I said. “Bye guys. We can talk again sometime.” I glared at Mom. “Well, maybe some of us can talk again.”

After that, I shot my mom a look and watched white light gather around my feet and I disappeared in a flash of light. I was officially out of that house, and out of my old life.