Chapter 24

“They accepted me, and I worked hard to keep my average grade and stay at the academy.” I pause.

“I couldn’t keep living with my parents,” I admit after telling him. “So the tattoo is like a celebration—my way of marking the transition. But the truth is, I didn’t fit in at Starlight either. We wore uniforms during school hours, though we had lots of freedom on weekends and holidays. Clothes and boys were everything there, and I was interested in neither. Instead, I hid in ugly clothes, never dated, and lied about having a skin condition so I didn’t have to wear makeup.”

“And your parents? Didn’t they realize what was happening?”

“They had enough with my brother,” I say. “I think they were a little relieved I left home. My brother is finally on the mend, and they don’t have to feel guilty for giving him all their attent