THE PRICE OF inHERitance

A week Later

A week had passed since Lizzie had returned, and Elliot was starting to feel a bit more accustomed to his changing body. Though his discomfort lingered, his sister's steady support helped him handle the overwhelming transformations. 

One evening, after an exhausting day of trying on bras and clothes with Lizzie, the two sat on Elliot's bed, reflecting on the events of the past few weeks. Elliot lay on Lizzie's lap, as had become their habit, and Lizzie continued to stroke his hair. The bond between them had grown stronger as they navigated this confusing journey together.

"Thanks for today, Lizzie," Elliot said softly, his voice carrying a mixture of gratitude and fatigue. "I don't think I would've survived this shopping trip without you."

Lizzie smiled warmly. "Hey, no problem. We're in this together, remember? You're doing great, and I'm proud of you for how you've handled everything."

Elliot shifted slightly, letting out a small sigh. "I don't know how to feel about all of this. I mean, look at me. I barely recognize myself anymore. My chest, my hips, even my hair... it's like I'm becoming someone else."

Lizzie's fingers paused briefly as she looked down at him, her heart aching for her little brother. "I know it's hard, Elliot. But just because your body is changing doesn't mean you're losing who you are inside. You're still you—still my little brother. That hasn't changed."

Elliot nodded slowly, though he didn't seem entirely convinced. "It's just... everything feels so different. My body isn't mine anymore. My chest hurts all the time because it's growing, and these bras—" He gestured toward the bra he was wearing, one of the new ones they had purchased earlier. "—they're so tight. I never thought I'd have to worry about stuff like this."

Lizzie sighed sympathetically. "I know. But trust me, you're going to get used to it. Your chest is still developing, and that soreness will eventually go away. As for the bra, we just need to find the right fit. We'll try another size tomorrow if you're still uncomfortable."

Elliot shifted again, grimacing slightly as he adjusted the waistband of his skirt. "And don't get me started on these clothes. Everything feels heavy, like it's weighing me down. The skirt is so weird—it's like I'm always worried it'll fall down or I'll trip over it."

Lizzie chuckled softly. "I get it. Girls' clothes can be a pain sometimes, especially when you're not used to them. But you're doing fine, Elliot. You're adjusting better than most would."

He gave her a half-smile, though his expression still held a tinge of sadness. "It's just... I don't know how much more I can take. The way my body feels, the way people look at me at school—"

Lizzie's face softened with understanding. "What do you mean?"

Elliot hesitated before answering. "Well, the girls have been nice, for the most part. But the boys... they tease me, call me names, and stare at me. And now that my hips have gotten wider, and my... well, everything's changing, they're starting to notice more. They don't say anything to my face, but I see the looks."

Lizzie frowned, feeling protective of her brother. "I'm sorry, Elliot. That sounds awful."

"It's just hard, you know? I don't know what I'm supposed to be anymore. Am I still a boy? Or am I turning into something else?" He looked up at Lizzie with a mix of confusion and fear in his eyes.

Lizzie placed a hand on his cheek, her expression gentle and kind. "You're still you, Elliot. No matter what happens, you're still my brother. I don't care what anyone else says or thinks. You're not alone in this."

Elliot smiled weakly. "Thanks, Lizzie. I really needed to hear that."

The room fell into a comfortable silence for a few moments, with Lizzie continuing to stroke his hair, offering him the reassurance he desperately needed. But there was one more thing on his mind that he hadn't yet mentioned.

"Lizzie..." Elliot began, his voice a little hesitant. "There's something else."

"What is it?" Lizzie asked, her tone gentle.

"My, um... my privates. They're... changing too. I've noticed it's not working the same way it used to. I don't really feel anything anymore, and... well, it's shrinking."

Lizzie's eyes widened slightly, but she kept her expression calm. "I see... How do you feel about that?"

Elliot sighed deeply. "I don't know. It feels weird, like I'm losing another part of myself. But at the same time, I've kind of gotten used to it. With everything else going on, it's just another thing on the list."

Lizzie squeezed his hand gently. "I'm so sorry, Elliot. I wish I could take this burden away from you. But you're not going through this alone. I'm here for you, okay?"

Elliot nodded. "I know. I'm just trying to figure out what's happening to me. The changes aren't stopping, and it's hard to keep up."

Lizzie gave him a reassuring smile. "We'll get through this. One step at a time."

As the evening wore on, Lizzie helped Elliot prepare for bed, making sure he was comfortable and his new bras weren't causing any discomfort. The bond between them had only grown stronger as they faced the challenges together. Though Elliot's journey was far from over, he knew that with Lizzie by his side, he would be able to face whatever came next.

And for the first time in a while, he felt a glimmer of hope.