TW: accidental deadnaming, transphobia

"Arthur!" My mom's voice pulled me from my half-sleep. I grunted and rolled over, smushing my pillow over my ears.  I heard her loud footsteps coming up the stairs, and quickly sat up, not wanting to face her wrath this early in the morning. 

"Agatha made you breakfast before she left this morning. Make sure you write her a thank-you note."

I nodded and dragged myself out of my bed. I went through my morning routine: get dressed, eat food, brush my teeth, pack my bag, and get on the bus.

It's simple yet efficient. 

When the bus pulled into the school lot, I waited for everyone else to get off before finally exiting. I gripped my schedule tightly and followed the stream of students while also looking for the right classroom.

Room 432. This was it. I walked in and scanned the class, searching for an empty table. It was in the corner and shadows crept over it every time the light shifted outside. 

Perfect.

I tugged my backpack off my shoulder and sat down. The desk was cold underneath my fingers and I pulled down the sleeve of my hoodie. The seats eventually filled up. All except the ones at my table. 

The teacher, whose name was Mr. Grenner, tapped a pen on his desk impatiently. He gave a stiff, almost creepy smile, and pulled out his attendance sheet. I swallowed hard. He read off names, and as he went down the list, I anxiously pulled at my sleeves. 

"Andrea Mennalhelth?" My blood went cold. Hesitantly, I raised a hand. "Um, it's Arthur, actually," I said quietly. 

Mr. Grenner blinked.

Then blinked again. 

He glanced at the attendance sheet. "Are you her brother?" I sucked in a breath. "No sir, I go by Arthur." "But you are Andrea?" I wanted to cry. To scream 

'No! I'm not Andrea!' But I forced myself to nod anyway. I could hear the whispers going around the classroom.  I could feel the glares burning into the side of my head.  My breathing quickened and my leg bounced. 

I needed to get out.