Rain:773: Terrible Excuse

Synopsis

Author Notes

Ridiculously early post to hopefully dissuade any further Chapter A spoilers from floating around.

The dialogue in the first two panels of the second page here is pulled from the bonus chapter of Volume 1. The other flashback panels following it however, are new. Rain's explanation was never shown in the book. Instead, there was a cut away to her explaining to Fara that she just told Allison the truth (that "it just kinda came out"), all the while, Rain had an impressive hand print on her left cheek. So book buyers knew that Allison knew - and that she reacted badly when told - but this is the first time anyone's hearing exactly what was said and are learning how Allison felt about the whole thing directly. This means everybody should be on the same page now (although there are a few other little secrets exclusive to the bonus chapter, you all know the most important thing now). As I've said before, nothing essential to the plot will remain exclusive to the bonus chapters.

So, while I obviously can't stop anyone, I would really, really appreciate it if people didn't spoil the bonus chapters. Just trust that there's a method to my madness. ;P

And although this is the first time non-book buyers are learning this in canon, I've actually hinted at this before in at least one particular page blurb. There's really no one else it could've been.

Transcript

Rain? Oh, how pretty!
And oh my goodness, look at you! I can hardly believe you're the same person. It hasn't even been a full year since I last saw you. And now you're-
So, this is just you everyday now, right?
Yeah. Ever since late last August, this is the only way I present myself anymore.
It's still technically a work in progress, but I will be taking some big steps forward with my transition soon.
Wow. That's so great.
I'm... I'm really happy for you.
I guess it wasn't just a terrible excuse to get out of dating me after all.
Did you think I'd make something like this up?
I didn't know what to think. I'd never encountered this sort of thing before you.
For a while, I just thought I dreamt the whole thing.

Flashback to early 2012:

Did you ever like me back, Ryan?
All those years, I didn't know how to show my affection for you, so I wasn't sure if you weren't getting or you just didn't care.
But I need to know which it was.
I've always liked you.
You DID? But then... why!?
It's... complicated.
What does that mean?
It means... It means I'm really a girl on the inside. And I'm moving so I can be one on the outside too! So... I... I don't know if I can actually be with a girl.
I think about that day a lot.
Sorry I hit you back then. I really thought you were making fun of me.
It's okay. In fairness, I wasn't entirely right and probably could've worded that better. I've learned a lot since then.
You got me good though. My face was sore for a long time.
This is out of the blue, but can I do your makeup?

Trivia

  • The dialogue in the first two panels of the second page differs slightly from the version in Chapter A, though the meaning is not substantially different. The book differs as follows:
    • Allison's initial question omits the name "Ryan" in panel 1.
    • The last sentence omits the word "know", likely a typo.

Links and References