Beetle shot awake, panting. He shook his head, and gulped. “Lines…” he wheezed, falling back. He dozed off, entering the dream world once more. Lines brushed li’s hand across Beetle’s cold face, sniffling, tears welling in li’s eyes. Li began to shake, the cold brutal wind wrapping around lim. Beetle struggled to breath, cold hitting his face like a punch. His face began to turn purple. Lines tried to warm him up but failed. Beetle opened his eyes once more, wheezing out “Find…t-them.” he choked, before falling down, taking his last breath. *** Beetle stepped out of her room, birthday presents covering the table. “Happy 6th birthday, Beetle!” Beetle’s mom, Ladybug said, smiling. “Hi mom! Hi sis! Hi dad!” Beetle exclaimed happily. Beetle’s dad, Scarab walked towards Beetle and hugged her. “I’m so proud of my baby girl!” He said, finally letting go of Beetle. Beetle smiled, running to the table and opening the first present. “I-It’s the doll I wanted!!” She said, putting on a fake smile. Damnit. I was hoping I wouldn’t get this…it’s too…girly. Beetle thought to herself I really just wish I was a boy, my family would like me so much better. Beetle smiled at her family. “Thank you so much!” she said, holding back a tear. She opened the next package, revealing a dress. It was a pretty dress, covered in lovely flowers and leaves. Beetle smiled. “This is lovely, thank you.” She sighed, walking off. I wish I could just get something more masculine, but they wont understand. Beetle opened her computer and began to search ‘what is it called when I’m a girl but want to be a boy?’ then quickly deleted it with a sigh. If they found that in my search history I would be soooo dead. She thought, quickly clicking into incognito mode. That’s better. She completed the search and found out what she was. She sighed, I am so dead. She thought, quickly closing her laptop and putting on her new dress and went out to join her family, they were heading to Lovely Day Waterpark for her birthday. She got into the car and fell asleep on the way to the waterpark. *** Scarab and Ladybug won't stop arguing, Beetle thought, looking out of her room and into the kitchen. “You don’t care about me OR the kids!!!!!” Ladybug screeched, Scarab shaking his head. “You don’t understand, I didn’t want that to happen” Scarab said calmly. “LIAR!” Ladybug screeched, pushing Scarab into the wall behind him, tears in her eyes. “YOU MANIPULATING LIAR” she screeched, pushing Scarab harder, making him begin to bleed. Scarab’s blood covered Ladybug’s hands. She realized what she was doing and let go. “I’m sorry…just…” she began. “Just leave. I never want to see your face or hear your voice again.” She said. Scarab nodded. “I understand dear, but-” he started. “And don’t you dare call me dear again. Ever, Scarab” Ladybug cried, pushing Scarab out the open doorway. Beetle walked out of her room with a sigh, gathering his sister from her room and asking Ladybug to meet them in the living room. “I know it’s a really, really, really bad time but I have something to say.” Beetle said as she sat down on the couch. Ladybug and Butterfly sat in their respective chairs. “What do you want to talk about?” Ladybug said in her calming, motherly voice, acting like she hadn’t just pushed Scarab into the wall so hard he bled. Beetle looked at Butterfly and Ladybug. I’m such a disappointment. She thought. “I’m…not a girl.” Beetle finally blurted out, choking on her words. Ladybug tilted her head. “But I’m looking at you right now. You’re a girl!” She said, confused. Butterfly chuckled lightly to herself. Beetle sighed. “It’s not like that. I know…I was born a girl, raised with girl clothes and girl clothes…but that’s not what I am. I’m…a boy…I know, it sounds ridiculous but I am…” Ladybug looked at Beetle, tears in her eyes. “I…that’s-” she started. “Dissapointing.” Beetle finished. Ladybug nodded, gulping. Beetle’s mouth felt dry, he was on the brink of tears. “You're not my child anymore. But I don’t want you to suffer with Scarab. But you can’t live here anymore.” Ladybug said. Beetle nodded, heading to his room. “I’ll start to pack up. I’ll be gone by morning.” He said. A disgust and a disappointment, how am I not surprised? He thought, mouth still dry.
