Gender Clinic Part 3 (Early Access)

Gender  Clinic Part 3

Fred stands in the corridor, his mind awash with thoughts and unasked questions—things he could have should have said to Kayla but didn’t. He can almost imagine going back to her home, feeding her cats, and slipping quietly into her life.

He’s left the room with the warmest feeling in his heart. Like the euphoric feeling he felt when first sharing his dysphoria with Lea. A feeling of weight lifted from his shoulders.

"You're smiling," Elliot says, scribbling on his clipboard as he glances up. "That's a good sign."

“She’s nice,” Fred quickly replies as his smile widens. “I think that’s important to me. If she’s taking my life, I wanna make sure she’s going to get on with my family and friends and stuff.”

Elliot nods and lifts the next page on his clipboard, and studies it carefully. He then tilts his gaze around the paper with a curious look. “The age difference?”

“Is she really twenty-nine?”

“Yes.”

Fred blushes. “She didn’t look it.”

“I know, right?” Elliot chuckles. “She’s my age, and I’m a little jealous.” He gestures down the hall. “Anyway—before we gush too much about Kayla’s natural beauty, want to go meet Riley?”

“I do,” Fred replies, bouncing on his feet with his hands together. “What’s she like?”

“She’s something, that’s for sure.” Elliot steps in the direction to lead the way. “Let’s go meet her. She’s been waiting long enough.”

Following Elliot through the building, it’s clear that the clinic is very busy. Fred passes two individuals hugging, looking so pleased. He assumes that they’ve just traded lives. He can’t wait to feel that euphoria for himself.

“Hey, Elliot,” Fred speaks as they walk at a steady pace. “Those two we just passed. Have they just traded?”

“They certainly looked happy, didn’t they?”

“So, they have?”

“I don’t know. I’m not their forward case worker, so my knowledge of their situation is limited.”

Curious, Fred walks faster to match Elliot's pace. He looks up in Elliot’s direction. “What’s a forward case worker?”

“To ensure maximum comfort within the transition period, you will be assigned a case worker. Think of it as like a mediator.” Elliot looks down with a soft smile. “It’s normal that when you transition into your new life, there might be complications. It’s our job to ensure it’s a smooth process between the two people involved.”

“Oh, I see.” Fred bites his bottom lip. “Has there ever been like…issues?”

“Did you read our pamphlet?”

“Yes.”

Elliot stops abruptly at another door. He stands with his clipboard under one arm and with a wide smile on his face. “Well, then. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m sure it answered all your questions on the after-process.”

Fred’s question isn’t answered. “But what if—”

“Let me introduce you to Riley,” Elliot interrupts, opening the door to reveal a late teenage to early twenties woman with soft red hair and freckles. She sits at the table with a face like thunder.

The tension is palpable the moment Fred steps into the room. Riley’s dark, baggy clothes stand in stark contrast to Kayla’s bright, breezy presence. Even Riley’s messy hair, hastily thrown into a loose ponytail, suggests someone who couldn’t care less about appearances.

“Finally,” Riley huffs, clearly displeased, glaring at Fred as she steps into the room. “Seriously? This is my match?”

Fred instantly feels awkward in her presence, like her eyes are all over him. He crosses his arms tightly, unsure how to stand or what to do with himself.

“Elliot,” Riley grumbles, pointing directly at Fred’s face. “I told you I wanted to match with someone over six feet tall. If I’m doing this whole trade thing, I don’t want to be short anymore.”

“Well,” Elliots awkwardly claps his hands together and pulls a face. “Riley,” he points at Fred. “This is Fred. “Fred, this is Riley.” Elliot pulls out a chair. “Fred, why don’t you sit, and you two can start getting to know each other.”

Before Fred can even sit, Riley leans across the table, eyes dropping to his crotch. “So, what are you packing down there? I could get past the height thing if you’re making up for it elsewhere…

“Riley,” Elliot quickly speaks up. “T-that’s not proper.”

“Why isn’t it!?” Riley leans back in her chair and stares into the corner of the room. “I wanna know everything about the boy I’m about to become.” A fleeting glance in Fred’s direction follows. “I’m sure Fred wants to know how big my tits are, so…..”

She clutches at her chest and her bra underneath the baggy t-shirt she’s wearing. “They’re C cups, so there.”

“Riley!” Elliot scolds her for the second time. “I told you we don’t discuss physical attributes until the second meeting.”

“This guy,” Riley points across the table at Fred but glares at Elliot, who sits across from them. “Wants to be a girl, right? I’m sure they are desperate to know exactly what my ‘attributes are,’ so I’m just being honest, okay!”

Riley smirks in Fred’s direction. “I’m not a virgin, so you don’t have to worry about your first time hurting.” She then chuckles to herself. “You look like you might be, though. So that’s fun for me if we do trade!”

Embarrassment flashes across Fred’s face. There was a time when he almost went all the way with Lea, but he couldn’t do it.

"I..." He's tongue-tied for a moment.

"Yup," Riley says with smug satisfaction. "Virgin."

Sensing she's upset Fred, she quickly backpedals, muttering, "N-Not that it's a b-bad thing! I-I... I’d actually prefer my new body to be a virgin!"

“Okay, okay…”Elliott interrupts, gently placing his clipboard on the table. He rubs his eyes and then lets out a long breath before composing himself. “How about,” he gives Riley a sharp, quick look. “We let Fred talk for a moment?”

Elliot softly smiles in Fred’s direction and gestures for him to speak. Although Riley is silent and waits, her body language suggests she’s forcing herself to do so.

“W-well, I’m….,” Fred’s voice cracks. “I-I’m Tweenty-one years old. I’m about to start—”

Riley frowns. “I know all this,” she snaps, folding her arms tightly. “I’ve read your file so many times, doofus. I want to know the real stuff from the inside out. Do you have a girlfriend? Are you smart? Can you command respect in a room full of men? What can you deadlift?”

Fred’s widens as he tries to remember all her questions. “Erm…., No. Kinda. Not really, and I have no idea.”

“Well, let me ask you this,” Riley says with a roll of her eyes. “Do you like being a boy?”

“I-I…” Fred shifts nervously in his seat. “Sometimes….?” He answers awkwardly.

“Well,” Riley leans back in her chair, frowning deeply. “I hate being a girl. All this pressure to be pretty and delicate.” She groans, throwing her hands in the air in mock exasperation. “So, you’re welcome to my body. That’s if I can have yours.”

Now, Riley…” Elliot interjects with a shake of his head. “We talked about how this works. I really need you to try your best to share everything you can with Fred.” He rubs his face again, weary. “It’s great that you’ve decided Fred’s life is good enough for you, but remember—it’s not just your decision.”

Riley grows increasingly frustrated. She slaps the tabletop and glares at Elliot. “What’s there to talk about already?” she snaps, slapping the table again for emphasis. “We’ve matched in your system,” she adds, voice dripping with sarcasm. “We’re the same age. Virtually the same height and build.” She gestures down at herself. “Fred wants to own a vagina. I want to have a penis. What’s left to discuss!?”

Silence fills the room as Elliot leans back in his chair and looks up at the ceiling. After a few more awkward breaths, Elliot picks up his clipboard and stands.

“I think we should take a break for now,” he suggests, tucking in his chair. “Erm…” He glances at Riley. “Best if you wait here for a moment so I can talk to Fred.”

Elliot steps toward the door and opens it. “Fred, do you mind stepping outside with me? I’ll…” He slips his clipboard under his arm. “I’ll show you the canteen. It’s nearly lunchtime, after all,” he adds with a forced smile.

“Sure, okay,” Fred stands, politely tucking in his chair. He then stops and smiles at Riley, who’s glaring out the small window in the room. “Nice to meet you, Riley.”

“is it?” she huffs rudely.

Turning away, Fred leaves the room with Elliot, and both of them let out a quiet sigh of relief. Fred’s heart is still racing from how brash her questions were. She’s nothing like Kayla—who was the epitome of grace.

“So,” Elliot grins, rubbing his stomach. “Shall we get some lunch? The canteen here does a mean salmon and cream cheese bagel.”

Just as they are about to walk together, the door to the interview room they’ve just come out of swings open. Riley stands in the doorway with puffy red eyes and an expression like she’s got more to say.

“W-wait,” she says, a hint of desperation in her voice. She looks directly at Fred—not with the same stern expression, but with genuine honesty. “F-Fred, can I speak with you for a moment?” She throws Elliot a quick smile. “Privately, if that’s okay.”

“Riley….,” Elliot dismissively shakes his head.

Undeterred, Riley grabs Fred’s arm and starts to pull him inside the room. “This won’t take long. Please!”

Fred doesn’t fight. He’s curious as to what she wants to say.

“Fine,” Elliot sighs. “you’ve got two minutes.”

“Thanks,” Riley grins, yanking Fred inside the room.

As he steps back inside, she closes the door softly and then stands in front of him with her hands behind her back. She bashfully looks down at the floor, and her cheeks glow red. It’s a complete shift in attitude.

“I’m real sorry,” she says, kicking at the floor with one foot. “I…,” she glances at Fred with misty eyes. “I know I just came across real strong there, didn’t I?”

Fred opens his mouth to reply, but Riley cuts him off with a shake of her head. “P-Please, let me speak.”

She kicks the floor once again. “All my life, people have expected me to be cute, pretty, delicate and all crap. Because I’m this girl that you see before you, I’ve had to be loud, brash, and assertive to make myself seen. Sometimes I can’t help myself, and when I get real frustrated, Y’know..?”

Riley wipes at her eyes with one hand. “People say I come across as a bit of a bitch, but it’s because I’m so tired of being something I know I’m not.” She meets Fred’s gaze. “I hope you can understand how I feel. I’m sure you’d rather be delicate than—”

She trails off into a soft smile. “You’d probably fit in better with my friends. They’re always talking about makeup, boys, and outfits.” She tucks a strand of hair behind one ear. “Sorry if I came across badly just now. I just—”

Their eyes meet, and Fred’s heart skips a beat.

“I’d be honored if you chose to become me,” she says, her voice low and sincere as her fingers brush his hand. “And even more honored if you trusted me enough to live as you. This isn’t just a swap to me, Fred… it’s a chance to finally feel whole.”

“I know,” Fred replies with a quiet smile, realizing he’s learned more about Riley in these few sentences than in the entire official meeting. “I understand. I’m keen, too.” He looks into her eyes. “But we do need to make sure we get this right.”

Surprising even himself, Fred places a comforting hand on Riley’s shoulder.

Riley looks away, her cheeks flushing. “There’s one last thing you should know. I’m—”

Fred gives her a warm smile, already turning to leave. “Riley,” he says, opening the door, “I think I really do need something to eat. My mind’s racing right now. Shall we talk more after lunch?”

“Sure.”

As the door clicks shut, Riley stares at it, a sinking feeling settling in her chest. She feels like she’s ruined everything, but she keeps speaking anyway, to no one but herself.

“I’m… pregnant,” she says, barely audible, as if saying it out loud might make it more real — or ruin everything.