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Nikki chooses her outfit for her date with Zach with the help of her mom and the cheerleaders!

This was a very fun episode to write, especially after HOMECOMING's dramatic season finale. I love each of these characters, and it's rare to have them all together in one scene.

As a reminder, the final outfit was based on your poll! Oh, and many of you did great guessing which of the outfits went with Lauren, Evie, Mom, and Nikki. Good job! 😊

Can't wait to read your comments!

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Comments

Tim

Love Nikki. Love Nikki's mom. I'm in no hurry to get to the end of this story, but when it does happen, it better be a damned happy ending, for Nikki and her mom.

Jade Diaz

Love how Evie is sponsoring Nikki to embrace herself and experiment to find her groove. We do all know that somewhere deep inside of Nikki is a total baddie waiting to surface. And Mrs. Palmer remains a rock. Nikki's reveal about that deep memory of her mother's pageant dress was touching _and_ a really really clear sign that asshole Daddy Hutchinson's intuiton about Nikki's "feminine aura" might actually be more than a fever dream fantasy.

Gemma

I have been so looking forward to this chapter Emory. Such natural and yet very powerful dialogue exchanges between all characters. I love image 20 and beautiful mother daughter exchange. The subtle way Nikki’s Mum’s wisdom directs Nikki towards acknowledging the reality of dressing in accordance to how she looks at this prestige t time. Followed shortly after in image 26 in which Nikki pays homage to her Mum, affirming and providing complementary feedback on her beauty and honouring her by choosing to wear the ‘pageant’ type dress. Also love the sassy dialogue exchanges between Lauren and Evie. Evie certainly is not backward in telegraphing to Nikki her amorous intent. All of this topped off by your beautiful images and great writing. Even providing greater insights into Nikki’s reflective growth founded within her appreciation for the sacrifices Jill made to help her. Wow, and thank you Emory.

Zoe Storm

Okay now that that's out of the way... I honestly wonder how Lauren would react to being told about Second Dawn.

Gemma

A couple of last wishful thoughts Emory: 1. Nikki’s sexual orientation seats to become more fluid, and 2. Nikki has the capacity to ‘ungay’ Zach

Gemma

Correction on first comments in which I was referring to exchanges between Nikki and her Mum in pages 10 and 16 (not 20 and 26).

Robertlouis

So much going on here, Emory, aided by some brilliant art by yourself. All of a sudden, in the presence of Lauren and Evie, Nikki becomes a weird mix of a shy and awkward little boy - it’s all there in the body language and posture - and he/she is absolutely intimidated by the stronger female bodies of both Lauren and Evie compared to her relatively skinny beanpole gawkiness which becomes more pronounced as the scene develops. The half pleading look on her face when she realises that jeans are a real possibility is both cute and heartbreaking. At least her mother is a real ally, and the more she (her mother) becomes aware of what’s really going on, the more she’s going to help. Lauren will too, although what they can genuinely do against all the sinister forces of Second Dawn, and Hutchison, heaven only knows. Speaking of allies, Zach is more than sympathetic. Yes, he wants to extricate himself from the whole situation, but he also feels a moral responsibility for what has happened to Nikki, despite the shitty treatment that Nick dealt out to him previously.

Wojtek

Thank you Emory for this episode and for the previous poll, in which you managed to confuse me as to who chose each outfit. I think the 50% I achieved is not bad. As for this episode, I like Evie more and more. Evie and Lauren are such an angel and devil 😇😈 to Nikki (if you know what I mean), the question is which is which? I think they will be a great support for her at St. Christopher's along with Sandy of course I think she is supposed to be there too after all. P.S. After reading pdf my favourite page is 23 😍💖 What a cliffhanger at the end, Emory why😯😮?

mdaily

I saw several of what I thought were key evolutions! Nikki is accepting the fact that she needs female allies. The defrosting of the relationship between Lauren and Nikki is huge! A Lauren who genuinely wants to help is a big improvement over a potentially spiteful tormenter. Evie is a great addition to the cast! Her reference to Lauren being bi-curious, and herself being overtly bi, (if not gay) open up all sorts of possibilities between the three of them! Nikki re opening her communication with her mother on this level is heartening. I cannot help but note that her current relationship with her fatheris evolving into that of a protector and a caregiver! Jill, and Mom, are becoming her role models. (does mom have a name?)

Maggie Heels

Wait what??? Nikki wants to show off? Wants to make use of her feminine assets? Wants to be [more] confident in her actual body? No shit... DUM DUM DUM it has BEGUN ❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️ finally... about time... sigh... P.S. Nikki is a lucky girl having such supporting company 🥰😍🥰

Tim

Nikki's mom's name is Mary Palmer

Wes Adams

Lauren and Evie in a nutshell: "Hey, I'm just a curious girl." "Not curious enough." I genuinely laughed out loud. Another great character driven chapter.

Richard Head

If Nikki's mom was like a queen, guess that makes her like a princess, and I suppose that makes Zach her prince charming

Richard Head

I don't know what you have planned, but this brings so much to mind. I can already see the date being too much for Nikki. Maybe she gets harassed in a way that's derogatory but emphasising her femininty, like being cat-called or called a slut. Zach and her leave and end up back home, they talk about the outfit situation, and she shows him the dress she picked out. However it goes, she puts on the dress for him, unaware of just how much of a "girlfriend" she's being, and maybe between her own confused feelings and with the help of some wine from dinner, she goes even further and leans in for a kiss.

ckarya

A question for those who want/see a Nikki/Zach shippeo: Wouldn't the feminization of Nick be inversely proportional to Zach's crush on Nick? I mean, the older Nikki gets, wouldn't Zach's attraction to Nick be less? I just find it hard to understand 'supporting' or 'expecting' a boy who has been kidnapped and blackmailed into undergoing forced feminization to magically have his sexual attraction change 180 degrees. (That he was a sweet, caring, compassionate young man doesn't make him gay.) And that another boy, Zach, who he has confirmed is gay, upon seeing the boy he likes transform into a girl, maintains his sexual attraction, isn't this a bit incongruous? I understand that with the traumatizing changes Nikki is going through she may feel confused at times. But what I don't understand is that a person who is not suffering from any trauma, Zach, would change his sexual orientation. All this to get Emory to listen to me and keep Nikki on the girl team 😊 I've already given up on Jill, Kris, Sandy.... give me some joy Em! 😘 P.S.: Full marks on the choice of dresses! 😎

ckarya

As for the chapter, we see how little by little Nikki is unlearning, to mature... mentally. I mean, she is returning to her first self, the one from childhood, she is realizing that being a person, understanding, caring, loving, empathetic doesn't make her less strong. Therein lies her real struggle, to understand that being more vulnerable, more caring, more empathetic does not make her a weak person, a sissy, but on the contrary it makes her stronger... and that to achieve this she needs friends, allies that alone she will not be able to win the battle. On the other hand, Mom is still the best, she has to be his big rock, the mirror to look at and lean on in his new life as a woman... just like Jill, how deep a dent she has left in his subconscious that little by little is coming to the surface, to his conscious. And she's gained two new friends/allies to her cause, even if they don't yet know the Nick/Nikki reality, which I think when they find out will further strengthen the bonds. Evie is great, she's going to have a blast with Nikki, and Nikki although I'm sure she'll want to kill her at some point, she's going to find out a lot of things with Evie. And Lauren, hehehehe, I'm not partial to her, #TeamLaurikki, I think next to Nikki she's the one who has grown the most in this episode, I love it! PS. I know with this last sentence I contradict with the previous post, but what are we going to do, let me one of the main characters not to change sides... and even more if it's Nikki!!!! I hope with the previous post and with this one you understand the tone of my two comments, I don't want to attack anyone in their endorsements or shippeos, I'm just trying to 'tickle' Emory to make her listen to me hehehe. 😘

Thomas Tolliver

What I got from this: 1. Nikki WILL be a cheerleader at some point. 2. Where the heck is the second outfit Evie picked out!?

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Jade!! I believe in Nikki's badassery! And you're right, her Mom is a constant source of strength for her and has been since she was a kid. As for Hutchinson... well, even a broken clock is right twice a day? 😉 We'll see!

Emory Ahlberg

You're welcome and thank you, Gemma! I had so much fun with the character dynamics and dialogue. I want to make sure the relationships feel as genuine as possible and that the growth in Nikki's character feels organic. AGREED that Jill has influenced her - and I think it's in ways Nikki is only beginning to understand. And I totally love her with her mom. 💖

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Zoe! 💖 I'd guess disgust and horror at what they'd done to her ex-boyfriend... while secretly realizing that ironically this is slowly making Nick / Nikki more like the boy she initially fell in love with... So, yeah, complicated feelings 🤣

Emory Ahlberg

Nikki is certainly processing a lot right now - as is Zach. They're both experiencing huge changes. We'll have to see how far those changes go!

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Robert! I appreciate you noticing the shift in Nikki's body language. It's subtle, but it's true. She's caught between two worlds, and that awkwardness is a natural result. She feels it even more when she's with "other girls." Yeah, Zach is definitely conflicted. Who wouldn't be? He has every reason to resent Nick, but Nikki is a different story altogether. I think he's beginning to feel protective of her.

Jade Diaz

Look, all I'm gonna say about that is that estrogen is a helluva drug.

Jade Diaz

I am still shipping Lauren and Nikki but it's pretty obvious Lauren isn't super into girls romantically (right now!!!!) 😭😭

ckarya

Okay, I can't comment on that. But am I to understand that the testosterone injected into Zach has the same effect?

Emory Ahlberg

Thank YOU Wojtek for your amazing comment and for being so engaged in the story! I sooo agree - Evie and Lauren play off each other well. Honestly, I had so much fun with them. But I like to keep you on your toes about who's the angel and who's the devil at any given time. 😉 Yes, Sandy will definitely be at St. Christopher's, too. We'll see what she's up to in Boston in the next episode. Page 23 is a good choice! I wanted to fit all the characters into the frame - and I really like Nikki's outfit. Sorry about the cliffhanger, hehe - but I often run out of time and hopefully it keeps you interested in the next episode.

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you! Yeah, Nikki's growth in accepting help from female friends is a big step for her. As Nick, she was "trained" to see girls in a very different way - although as Lauren has revealed that wasn't always the case. That's also why there's a bit of a thawing between Lauren and Nikki. Evie might be my favorite new character in a long time lol. Her presence spices things up! I really loved writing the reconnection between Nikki and her mom. It's a big aspect of her journey toward... well, she's not sure yet! But wherever it may lead, mom will be a big part if she hopes to make it through. And yes, as Tim mentioned, her name is Mary. 😊

mdaily

It is not fair to say that Zach is not suffering from any trauma. He is being beaten by his dads' thugs to force him to conform to the role assigned to him. While I agree that this should not change his sexual orientation, he is also being abused.

Emory Ahlberg

Haha, yes, Maggie! It's a big moment for Nikki, realizing that feeling afraid and uncomfortable is also making her feel less like herself. It may still take time for her to come to grips to what has happened, but she's starting to make progress! 😊 Yeah, the little support system Nikki is starting to develop will be vital in the coming months - and years!

Emory Ahlberg

LOL - Thanks, Wes! I'm glad that line gave you a laugh. I really love them all together. They're fun to write for sure.

Emory Ahlberg

Cute way to put it, Richard! Nikki definitely doesn't see herself as a princess just yet, but who knows what the future holds? Zach definitely has some princely qualities - but their story is far from a fairytale. They've both got a lot of growing to do before they can think about happily ever afters. 😊

Emory Ahlberg

Interesting scenario, Richard. Navigating in public is one of the many challenges ahead for her. Potential harassment is a sad reality for women. She has already seen it happen to her mom, and it infuriated her back when she was a kid. Honestly, I wouldn't put it past Nikki to respond with violence! The date with Zach may definably be confusing for the both of them!

Emory Ahlberg

As usual, you bring up good points, CK. As I've mentioned before, I don't believe hormones can change your orientation. BUT when the cloud of bullshit you're surrounded by starts to clear, you might see yourself - and others - differently. Zach's always been attracted to the person Nick was underneath it all. First the bullshit around Nick was the persona of a homophobic jock that made fun of Zach for being gay. Now, slowly, Zach is beginning to see the "old Nick" - but now he's in the body of a young woman. Does Zach love the gender or the person? That's the question he'll need to answer. And Nikki... well, at this point I don't think Nikki is feeling attraction toward anyone. She's too caught up in her own changes and trying to survive. She has blinders on at the moment. And, yes, we have to remember that Zach is also being traumatized by his father. He's also taking hormones (male, also supplied by Second Dawn) and forced to bulk up beyond his natural inclination. His situation is different from Nikki's but no less awful. It's a mess for both of them. It's funny that you've "given up" on Jill! She only had a fun time with one guy. That doesn't make her into men. 😉 And Kris... well, Kris is a whole different ballgame. Chris is still into women exclusively whereas Kris is a bit more fluid. Good job on the dresses!!! 😁

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, CK! I love how you're always engaging with the characters. It makes me so happy as a writer. YES, Nikki is slowly rediscovering parts of herself that she had to hide away for a long time. The "old Nick" before his father started to mold him into something different. Relearning who you are at your core, and what makes you truly strong, is hard! I love her mom, too! She really is the loving reflection that Nikki needs. And, again, it's a return to form for the two of them. Mom thought she may have lost her sweet child forever. Of course, she's horrified by what happen to her son, but what Nick was becoming under his father's influence was also a big worry for her. Now, she sees a chance to guide Nikki to be the person she always could have been - if Nick hadn't been so damaged by his father. Evie and Lauren... I love them both. Evie will probably push Nikki in ways she's never been pushed before, and although Lauren is now confused as to whether Nikki is trans or not, it seems like she now genuinely wants to help her adjust to being a girl. PS: Don't worry about contradicting yourself. We all have contradictory thoughts! 😊

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Thomas! Hehe... Nikki will definitely end up into places she never expected. Maybe cheerleading being one of them. And Evie's second outfit pick will make an appearance in a future episode. And she has a knack for pushing boundaries!

ckarya

Or as Jessica's field hockey teammate on the college team!

ckarya

mdaily & Emory: you're right, but I didn't want to put it for space reasons, so as not to make a very long post. Of course Zach also has a trauma and is having a hard time, but I don't think it is as strong or terrible as Nikki's.... unless Zach is trans and then, yes, his trauma is similar to Nikki's.... something that has been going around in my head for a long time now.🧐

Richard Head

She'd want to respond with violence, before realising she's not an intimidating jock anymore, but rather an attractive young woman. Perhaps she freezes up with this, and prince Zach comes to the rescue. Or alternatively, perhaps before the date her mother warned her of such men following on from their earlier encounter and made her take pepperspray with her. She would want to handle any provocation physically of course, but again the realisation of how feminine she's become makes her resort to the spray. There's really so many directions you could take a thread like this to, I don't know how you keep track of everything and do it so well.

Richard Head

Zach is almost the bigger conundrum. The irony of the situation is that the better he gets on with Nikki, the more feminised she becomes. Feel like eventually his dad will get sick of the lack of progress and, out of his Christian dillusion, call for a wedding - ultimate union between man and woman and all that. Mind you, I wouldn't mind seeing Nikki in a wedding dress, even if she's not happy to be in it.

sketchyqueen

i see you with the taylor quote, also loved this episode! sorry about not reading recently :( had some big negative personal stuff happen that was out of my control (if you wanna know shoot me a message on discord). I’m catching up now tho and i’m excited!

Emory Ahlberg

Gotta throw in the Taylor quotes when I can! Hehe. Sorry I'm just replying to this now, Nina! 💖

sketchyqueen

it’s okie! i gotta catch up on the stories again soon too haha

Firewalker

This is probably my favorite episode so far. Super sweet, and we get so much insight into every character. I love her mom soooooooo much. We're really getting to see under all the machismo just who Nikki really is, just how caring she can be. Evie is a complete mood