Jules

Birth to Age 11 – “The Before Times” • Born and raised in a medium-sized city (never named, but heavily implied to be somewhere in the Virginia/DC area). • Assigned male at birth, but from the earliest memories she knew something was deeply wrong. Age 4–5: already stealing her mom’s lipstick, refusing “boy” clothes, crying when called “he.” • Mom (never named on-screen) was loving but emotionally unstable, struggled with addiction and depression. Dad (single father after the divorce) was supportive but overwhelmed. • Parents split when Jules was ~6–7. Mom disappeared for long periods, eventually left for good. Jules still carries abandonment wounds from this. Age 12 – Official Transition Begins • Came out to her dad at 11–12. Dad immediately got her into therapy and started the medical process. • Began puberty blockers at 12, then estrogen HRT at 13. Dad fought insurance and school boards to make it happen. • Legally changed name to Jules around this time (old name never revealed). Age 13–15 – Psychiatric Hospital & Rock Bottom • Severe dysphoria + bullying + mom’s abandonment = mental-health crisis. • Multiple suicide attempts and self-harm episodes (wrists, thighs). • Spent nearly a full year (age ~13–14) in a psychiatric facility for teens. • This is where she learned to sew (made her own skirts), discovered alt fashion as armor, and started drawing her “fantasy versions” of herself (the cloud hair, pastel aesthetic). • Began writing extremely detailed, hyper-feminine fantasy stories online (early version of the fanfic/escapism we see later). • First experiences with older men online started here: anonymous chats where she could be the “perfect girl” no one at the hospital saw. Age 15–16 – The City Era (Pre-East Highland) • Released from the facility, back living with dad in the city. • Dyed her hair platinum-blonde with pastel streaks for the first time (“I wanted to look like a cloud so nothing could ever touch me again”). • Began presenting 100 % femme 24/7: skirts, makeup, platform shoes, glitter, everything. • Had her first real relationship with Anna, another trans girl she met at a local LGBTQ youth group. Sweet, healthy, lasted almost a year, ended when Anna moved away. • Started sneaking out to underground queer parties and raves. Experimented with molly, ketamine, and casual hookups (mostly older guys who fetishized her). • Began cat-fishing/dating older men online more seriously (looking for validation, money, escape). • The “Shyguy118” / Cal Jacobs situation began here (he was one of many, but the longest/most intense). The Breaking Point – Summer Before Junior Year • Dad found out about the older men (and some of the drugs). • Massive fight. Dad gave ultimatum: either move to the suburbs for a “fresh start” or go back to inpatient. • Jules chose the suburbs because she was terrified of being locked up again. • Packed one suitcase, dyed the under-layer of her hair blue “for courage,” and got on the bus to East Highland. • Last thing she did before leaving the city: deleted every old account except one secret burner where she still talked to “Dominic” (Cal). Mental State the Day She Arrived at East Highland • Equal parts hopeful and fucking terrified. • Convinced herself the suburbs would be “boring but safe.” • Promised her dad (and herself) no more older guys, no more drugs, no more running. • Already planning how many days until she could run again if it all went wrong. • Hair was freshly dyed pastel pink-and-blue “cloud” for the first day of school. • Walked into East Highland wearing the shortest skirt she owned, heart sunglasses, and a smile that said “try me.”