(TW: mentions of transphobia)

"Hey!" Avery said with a smile, dusting off the crumbs on her leggings. "How are you?"

"I- good?" I said, still in disbelief. "What on Earth are you doing here, how did you-"

"Oh, it's nothing, just one casual code blue later, and I was out of the hospital in no time!"

"I'm sorry, code blue?" I said. "Wow, just real casually slip it in there, huh?"

Avery laughed and said, "Seriously, I'm fine now. And I missed you a bunch. I'm glad we go to the same school now, I'm glad I'm here for good." I smiled sweetly and Avery sat down next to me on the stairs. "Sitting alone, huh? Want some company?"

"Well, I mean it would be nice." Avery laughed and gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "So, how are you liking this place?" I shrugged and said, "To be honest, I actually hate it here. I don't like the kids and the teachers give me weird vibes. The building itself is way too big and overwhelming for my liking too."

"Didn't your dad say that if you didn't like it after a few days, he would look for other options or homeschool you?" Avery asked. I shrugged and said, "Yeah, but I don't want to bother him or make him take time out of his day to look for a new school over something this petty."

"This isn't petty, Kia. Not everyone likes this school, not everyone is gonna fit in here. It's okay, it's big and overwhelming and it's a lot to take in." Avery said.

"Aren't you a new student, too? I don't mean to be rude, but how would you know?" I asked lightheartedly. Avery laughed and said, "Back when I was just an exchange student here, this is the school I went to for a couple of months. It was so overwhelming for me, but I got used to it. But it's okay if you don't, Kia. It's completely okay."

I took a deep breath and said, "It's not just the building that's bothering me...it's my math teacher."

"What?" Avery asked in shock.

"I told her my preferred pronouns in private, after class, and she just laughed at me and said that I wasn't normal..." I said. "I usually never cry, but transphobic comments get so under my skin sometimes that I just...break."

"I need to put her in her place, Keira. She can't just go around treating a student like that!" Avery yelled.

"No. No, Avie, it's fine. Really. I've dealt with it before, I can deal with it again. I promise." I said. Avery sighed and said, "Do you mind if I tell someone? Like a guidance counselor? Come on, Key, I just want to help you."

"No, Avery...I don't want my dad to find out." I said.

Avery was frozen in place for a few minutes. "Does your dad...not know you're trans?" she said.

I shook my head and laughed a little. "No, no, no, he knows. I told him my preferred pronouns and honorifics the day I met him. I just don't want him finding out about the transphobia, I don't want him to feel bad."

Avery sighed, not knowing what to say. "Key, your dad is not gonna feel bad over something like this. Trust me, it's gonna feel ten times better if you tell him what's going on. I promise you. Pinkie promise."

"Pinkie promise." I said, smiling. "Now, come on. The bell's gonna ring in a bit."