Help, my dad is now my younger sister

Part 1

— And what the hell is this?! — Lily shrieked, her voice echoing through the empty school hallway. The bell had already sent everyone to class, and the last student had just disappeared. She stood across from Jason, her eyes blazing like she'd just been betrayed in the most humiliating and unexpected way. Her long hair bounced slightly as she spun toward him, her whole body tense. The pearl necklace trembled on her neck, and the cuffs of her grey blazer cracked with strain — that's how tightly her fists were clenched.

— You... — she swallowed her anger, trying not to give in to teenage emotions, trying to act like an adult, like the person she was supposed to be — but it was pointless now. — Are you serious? You told that guy I’ve got a crush on Craig?! In front of everyone?! Do you even get what it's gonna be like for me in the cafeteria now, with those gossiping bitches like Rachel and Tina, they're gonna...

Lily suddenly cut herself off, froze — like she'd scared herself with the words that just flew out of her mouth.

Jason, smirking slightly, furrowed his brows and looked at Lily with that big-brother expression, the one that said she was taking life way too seriously.

— I didn’t say “crush.” I just said you liked Craig. Isn’t that true? — he replied quietly, and finished with a wide grin, looking down at her — And you could’ve denied it if you wanted to, but nah, you just turned red, bugged out and looked like you swallowed your tongue.

Something clenched inside Lily, like all her emotions had been crammed into a tight little knot, pushed so deep it was impossible not to feel it. She stayed silent, lips pressed together, and Jason, noticing it, tilted his head slightly, like he was studying a rare bug under a magnifying glass.

— What’s wrong, Li? It was just a joke — he said more gently, but that tone still had that annoying hint of condescension. — Or do you actually like him that much… huh?

— Stop it! — Lily gasped out, and the sound held everything: shame, frustration, helplessness. She stepped back, like every inch closer to Jason made her more exposed. — You don’t understand. You can’t... understand what it’s like!

He raised an eyebrow a little.

— Understand what it’s like? Ha — he smirked, then added: — And can you understand what it’s like — watching your dad turn into a whiny schoolgirl, crying over rumors about some guy?

Lily flinched. Not from the words — from the way he said them. There was something too cruel in his tone, not like a stepbrother talking, but like... a father who was supposed to stick by his son, and instead started arguing with him like he really believed he was Lily, too caught up in the role to remember he wasn’t her at all.

Part 2

— Shhh... you... — she hissed through clenched teeth, eyes shut tight — You know I did it for you. For Mom. For... — and then she stopped, like suddenly realizing how absurd it all sounded. Yeah, it was all part of the plan. The secret tech Karen — Steven’s wife — had invented worked perfectly, and Steven, Jason’s father, was officially gone. “Dead,” at least on paper. After a while, the insurance company, convinced everything checked out, paid the promised settlement — enough to cover all those debts that couldn't be wiped clean just because of a “death.”

But since Karen, Steven’s wife, had “adopted” Lily retroactively, still while being married to Steven, even that money didn’t get deducted from the single mother’s account — quite the opposite. She started receiving state benefits as a struggling mom with two kids. The catch? They had to keep this lie going for at least a year. Then — according to the plan — Karen would do the “reverse” operation, Steven would suddenly “come back to life,” and Lily... they’d turn her into someone else. Who? That part was easier — there were plenty of people fed up with their lives, and they both were sure they’d find someone who’d want to become “Lily,” someone no one would come looking for.

— What, cat got your tongue? — Jason snorted, savoring the taste of what felt like victory — Realized I’m right? That you’re just a pissed-off little girl, not my... father.

The word “father” came out quieter — Jason knew full well he shouldn’t have said that. Not here, not now, not ever. Even a whisper of it could become front-page news by the water cooler in five minutes.

Lily flinched, like the word hit her physically. She stepped closer, lips pressed tight, her voice sharp and controlled:

— You’ve seriously lost your mind... brother? — That last word came with a twist as Lily turned away, flicking a strand of long hair off her shoulder, arms crossed tight over her chest. She stomped her foot — unconsciously, but fully meaning to show just how pissed she was, how far he’d crossed the line. She opened her mouth to say more, but Jason’s loud, rolling laughter cut her off.

— Oh my God, you should’ve seen yourself! — Jason gasped, nearly choking on his own laugh, bouncing with joy. — All like... “How dare you!” — he flung his arm dramatically, mimicking Lily, nearly smacking a locker with his elbow. — Even your little nose crinkled up like some offended princess!

— Shut up. — Lily hissed, her voice wavered — and she heard it. Shit. Too high-pitched. Too sharp.

— Just... shut the fuck up, alright?

Part 3

But Jason wasn’t stopping anymore. He took a deep, theatrical breath and gave a little shake of his head, like he was about to launch into a whole damn monologue.

— You know what’s the funniest part? — he said, stepping in closer. His voice dropped low, almost a whisper. — You don’t just look like Lily anymore. You... you live like her now. Think about how you talk to Mom these days. “Mommy, can I go out with the girls this weekend?” Or that time you two baked cupcakes and giggled like a couple of idiots. You even sit with your legs tucked under you now! I’m just waiting for the day you start doodling hearts in your fucking notebook.

Lily clenched her teeth. He was right. Goddamn it, he was too right. Those evenings with Karen... she thought she was doing it to keep the cover solid. To stay convincing — even when no one was watching. Like it was all some roleplay. But something twisted inside her when he said it. And she remembered — a couple of weeks ago, sitting in the kitchen, exhausted after school, hair tied up in a lazy bun, wearing that old bunny-print pajama covered in flour, she leaned in when Karen playfully stuck a fingerful of frosting under her nose — and giggled. Not a low, manly chuckle, not a sarcastic snort. A real, high-pitched, girly giggle. It had come out so naturally, so easily that Karen froze for a second, looked her right in the eyes, and... there was something in that look. Too soft. Too motherly. And — too understanding.

— You’re such a good little helper, Lily — Karen had said then, smiling, and Lily, without meaning to, had felt something warm stir inside her. Something strange, something that felt like a little thawing deep down. Not on the outside — inside. It was like that feeling from childhood, when she — he — used to hide under a blanket and Mom would bring hot milk with honey. But this wasn’t a memory. It was a feeling of belonging, of being needed. And worst of all — joy. Like she actually wanted to be that helper. Wanted to matter. Wanted to be close to her. To... Mom.

And that fucking Craig. God damn him. Lily would’ve slapped him just to snap herself out of this crap. But the worst part was that whenever she got close to him, her whole body would start shaking from the inside, her lips trembling just a bit, and to hide it, she’d slap on that dumb smile, laugh too loud — even if it was nonsense or not even a joke at all — and whenever they actually talked, all her thoughts would vanish like smoke, leaving her just standing there with that stupid grin, staring at him with that... that fucking look.

Part 4

She hated herself for it — not wanting to admit any of it, yet feeling a kind of betrayal boiling from the inside. A betrayal toward Jason, toward Karen, toward Steven, and everything masculine still left in her. And the worst part — Karen knew. She knew and didn’t say a damn thing. And that made it all so much worse.

Because one day, after an especially exhausting day — spent avoiding Craig’s eyes, clutching her textbook like a shield, flinching every time he said “Hi, Lily” — Karen, like nothing was out of the ordinary, placed two mugs of cocoa on the table, sliced up a banana into tiny rounds, and said:

— You know, the first guy I liked back in school... he never had a clue I wanted to drown in his smile.

Lily froze with her spoon halfway to her mouth. Her hand shook, and a drop of cocoa landed on her light pink T-shirt with the little hearts on it — a gift from Karen, actually. She instinctively dabbed at the stain with a napkin, but her eyes were locked on Karen’s face. Karen was looking at her almost gently, like she knew something.

No. Like she knew everything.

— Mom... — Lily started, but Karen raised a hand, like she wasn’t finished.

— I was in eighth grade — Karen went on, leaning on one elbow — and he was a tenth grader. Tall, always with that dumb haircut, like he just stepped out of the gym. I could say I liked the way he played basketball, but the truth is — I liked how he laughed. He had that kind of voice... that made you feel warm right away.

— What... what are you getting at, Karen? — Lily muttered, flustered, lowering her gaze. In response, Karen only laughed lightly and brushed her hand over Lily’s — just barely, just enough to burn a little, just enough to feel too real.

— Oh, nothing. Just some girl talk — Karen said softly, then tilted her head slightly and narrowed her eyes — I just want you to stop torturing yourself, Lily. Especially over this idea that you’re lying to someone, that you’re... betraying them. And by the way... I’m not “Karen” to you, Lily. I’m your mom.

A lump instantly formed in Lily’s throat. Not from the words — no. From the way she said them. Quiet, almost a whisper, but with a warmth Lily had only ever heard in the voice of her real mother... her wife. Fuck.

Even though they were both pretending — sitting there, just the two of them — that moment hadn’t been pretend at all. Not for Lily, and not for Karen. They had felt it. Both of them. And that moment meant something real. Because every time Karen called her “my girl,” every time she gave her that full, tender, deeply maternal look — Lily would shrink inside.

Because it was... painfully beautiful.

— Maybe you’re right... — Lily finally said, quickly rewinding the memories in her mind, then slowly turned, stepping back from Jason.

Part 5

He stood there silent for a few seconds, like he couldn’t believe what he just heard. Then he snorted. Loudly. Almost angrily.

— Oh yeah? Well, fucking great! — his voice cracked, higher now, strained, almost screechy — just like the same girls he always mocked in the school cafeteria. — Then don’t stand there preaching at me, got it?! Who the hell do you even think you are, telling me what to do?! You’re not my dad. You’re Lily. Just Lily. My stepsister. Younger. That’s all.

He stepped closer — bold, almost stomping — and added through clenched teeth:

— And next time you start whining about your fucking period or how your bra’s chafing — Jason sneered, face twisting — just... make sure I don’t fucking hear it, okay? I don’t need that shit in my head. I already see it every goddamn day. That’s more than enough.

Lily closed her eyes for a second. Took a deep breath. So deep her breasts rose slightly under the jacket, and she felt the fabric of the dress tug across her back again. She couldn’t deny it anymore — everything felt different. Every inch of her body, every strand of hair, the soft weight on her chest that gently moved with her breath. And that voice — not hers, high and clear, but already so familiar. Even the anger in it sounded different — sharper, lighter.

— Fine... — she said quietly, lifting her eyes to him. There was no more rage in her gaze, just exhaustion. And... a strange kind of calm. — Alright, Jay. You’re right. I’m Lily. And if you don’t want me getting involved — I won’t. It’s not my job anymore... teaching you how to act.

He stepped back a little. Caught off guard. He hadn’t expected that. Lily’s voice had no challenge in it, no sarcasm. Just... acceptance.

— You... serious? — he mumbled, stumbling, like he’d lost his place in his own damn game.

— I am — she nodded. — Just... if that’s really how it is, then... — she paused, not wanting to say it, but feeling it force its way out anyway — then you’re a shitty big brother, Jay.

He blinked. Said nothing. Not because he didn’t want to — but because he didn’t know what to say.

Lily took a step back, leaned against a locker, and stared somewhere off to the side — like she was scared to meet his eyes.

Part 6

— You might be laughing — she continued, slow and steady — but I’m your little sister now. Officially. On paper. For real. And you... well, you’re supposed to protect me. Keep your mouth shut when others start whispering. Cover for me when I screw up. Even if you do think I’m crushing on Craig — keep it to yourself, don’t throw it out there in front of half the cafeteria. That’s what brothers do. Older brothers.

He flinched a bit, like her words hit him right in the ribs. Lily looked at him — calm for the first time.

— You know, sometimes you try so damn hard to act all grown-up, like you’re some badass rebel adult... But being grown-up isn’t about laughing when someone’s lost. It’s about knowing when to shut up. Or offering a shoulder — not a fucking shove. I don’t know who taught you how to be a man, but it sure as hell wasn’t me.

He turned his eyes away.

— And if this is the last time we ever talk about this — then listen up, Jason. Being a man isn’t about strength. Or who laughs the loudest. It’s about not humiliating the people you care about. Even if one of them happens to be — a pissed-off little girl. — She allowed herself the slightest crooked smile. — Especially when that girl is the reason you’re living in a house and not in some roach-infested rented dump while your mom fights off the banks.

He said nothing. Then... barely breathed out:

— Da—

But she’d already stepped past him. Gracefully, with that subtle, almost haughty flick of hair off her shoulder, like that little move was the perfect closing line. Her fingers twitched at the cuff. The blouse stretched slightly. Her tits swayed gently, just a little.

She didn’t look back.

— That’s it, Jay. No more “Da.” I’m out. And by the way... the bra really is chafing. So suck it up. You’re the big brother now. Get used to it.

She turned to him for a second, stuck her tongue out — and ran off before he even had a chance to say a word.