The three days went by a lot longer than I wanted it to and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to start school. I’m glad that I won’t be missing much since the school year is about to start, but I don’t know what to expect and I’m hoping to find something to distract myself with. Maybe I should try out for basketball or football. I played football the first two years of high school so that shouldn’t be so bad if I try playing again and that could help make the year go by faster; it’ll also help me with my college resume. The nights were restless due to insomnia, but I was already dealing with it for weeks before the move. I have to remind myself to buy some melatonin or I will have difficulty getting up for school if this continues.

My aunt and I went over to the school to turn in some forms that needed my signatures and were informed that next week I had to go to the library to take a photo of my student identification card. I walked out with the paper listing my classes and a guide map that I could barely read. I hate that I have to use this paper to find my way around for the week and I didn’t like that the ladies in the office were exchanging looks with each other once my aunt introduced herself to them when we arrived. I know what they could be thinking and I tried not to express my annoyance as I waited for everything to be filed.

“Ready for tomorrow?” Aunt Jocelyn asked.

“No,” I answered bluntly. “And why don’t they have a pool on campus? Doesn’t it get a hundred degrees here during summer? I would think they’ll offer swimming classes for physical education.”

“They’re too poor. I remember back in high school, if you wanted to be in the swim team you’ll have to go to the park and no one in this town likes going to the public pools there.” Aunt Jocelyn explained as she unlocked her car and stepped inside. “Hey, let’s go buy some Chinese food. I’m craving some Thai milk tea and orange chicken at this spot by the house.”

“That’s fine,” I said, sitting back and lowering the window. 

I looked over the school, seeing it so plain with its brown painting and only having two buildings. My high school had four buildings, two baseball fields, two tennis courts, a football field with a running track, and a pool. This doesn’t compare to what they have here which is barely anything and now I don't want to think too much of what I had before. I’m not sure how time passed, but it was finally my first day and I grabbed my jacket deciding to walk while the Jeep was still at the mechanic. Aunt Jocelyn wasn’t too worried about letting me go alone and offered to pick me up after school, but I declined. I looked at my schedule and stopped by any restaurant or store where I could get some coffee. My morning class went by so fast that people barely looked at me and it was better to spend my day that way until my third class had me introduce myself.

“Hi, my name is Jacob, but people usually call me Jake. I moved here from Los Angeles,” I introduced myself. I didn't want to give any more information than I wanted, and nobody seemed to care when I spoke.

I looked at everyone in the classroom; they looked like they didn’t care or didn’t find my words too exciting. The teacher, Ms. Gonzalez, allowed me to sit down towards the back at the visible empty desk and that’s when some of the students began to whisper among each other. The lesson continued and I pulled out my notebook wanting to be distracted by studying. This class period feels much longer than the others and I’m already counting down the time for lunch.

“So, is it sunny and hot in Los Angeles?” One of the kids asked once class was finally over and suddenly they find me interesting. 

They were gathering around my desk and I'm not sure if I wanted to talk to them. “Not really. I mean, it is, but it’s hotter here.” I answered.

“Why did you move here?” Someone asked. “I would rather stay there. Living by Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Disneyland.”

“Dude, haven’t you heard that they have a lot of homeless people there now? I wouldn’t want to go there,” Another student commented.

“Shut up. There’s homeless people here too.” They replied and turned back to me. “What do you even do out there?”

I clenched my jaw as I reached for my backpack and shrugged my shoulders. "It gets boring so there's not much to do,” I replied, trying to find a way around everyone. “I’ll see you guys later.”

I could hear a few of the girls groan as I stepped out and tried to get through the day without feeling bombarded. I had a packet of homework for chemistry to be turned in within two weeks, and over fifty pages to read both English and History, and found out that I had a week to decide if I wanted to try out for football. On day two of starting a new school, I stopped by a mini-market in the morning to buy myself those canned energy drinks and some snacks then tiredly went through my class wishing I could go back to bed. I sent a message to my girlfriend, wanting to know how she was doing, and remembered that I hadn’t talked to her since I moved. We've been together for almost two years and I hope this move doesn’t affect us.

“Good morning Jake.” A few girls huddled together to stop me in the halls and I still couldn’t remember their faces or names.

“Morning,” I said, smiling kindly, and noticed that they wanted my attention.

I can hear them giggle as I continue walking into the classroom and tried to find my seat. I sat on my chair when I noticed a girl walked in with a white floral dress, black tights, and combat boots, that were more stylish compared to the girls that approached me. Some of the girls were eyeing her with a slight hint of disgust and I wondered if there was something wrong because they made it seem like this person was the outcast in the room. It was causing a disturbance in the room, but the teacher walked in right after and that brought everyone into silence. The teacher was calling out names for attendance and I don’t remember seeing her yesterday since there was this different type of aura compared to yesterday. The teacher began to take row calls and I tried to remember some names like Ruby, Daniel, and Keith, but I'm not too sure if I know their faces.

“Alexander?” The teacher called out and was looking down at her clipboard. “Alexander?”

“Ms. Gonzalez, you know it’s Millie and I’ve been going by that name for years.” She said.

I was confused for a second after hearing her voice, or his, and the teacher gave out a tiring, heavy, sigh that made me wonder how often this happens.

“You know I go by the paper; if you’re not going to make an official change on your name then I will continue to call out Alexander,” She told him and looked over at him. "Do you have an absent slip from the office?"

“But Ms. Gonzalez, you’ve known me for the past three years that I’ve been attending this class freshman year, and surprisingly it never changes whether you’re my homeroom teacher or in your English class,” He said loudly, knowing that he was getting everyone’s attention and stood up to hand in a small yellow paper. “When I’m dressed like this it's Millie and when I’m not it’s still Millie. Also, it’s just Alex, not Alexander if you still refuse to call me by that name.”

The teacher let out another sigh, already tired of the conversation, and didn’t respond as she continued on the roll call. A few students were giggling as they were listening and a few others were distracting themselves with their phones, tired of hearing the debate. I’ve seen this type of discussion before, but it never was an issue like this and I guess there’s more prejudice in this city. Considering the environment I grew up in, it disturbed me the way people were reacting to his request and I doubt that he would change anyone's mind.

“Why can’t you keep your name as Alex? It’s both gender-neutral.” Someone called out once attendance was finished. “You’re always making it complicated for everyone to remember.”

“Um, excuse me, is it not my decision on how I prefer to be adressed?” Alex, no, Millie said as he turned towards the group chattering amongst each other. “Just because I was Alex yesterday doesn’t mean I want to be called Alex today. It’s been years since I’ve asked everyone to call me the name I chose for myself and no one ever says it. I don’t want to be called Alexander.”

I thought about this for a second before the teacher let out her third sigh. “I’m just going to continue our lessons,” She said, obviously giving up. 

“Hey, Alex, how about you raise that dress? Let’s see what you are: a boy or girl.” A boy said, and a few people laughed.

Millie rolled his eyes and sat up straighter to face them. “Don’t be stupid. It’s not like I cut off my dick every time I wear a dress. But if you're saying it that way, are you finally announcing yourself as gay and trying to have a look?”

“That’s it. I want a two-page paper for today's reading,” Ms. Gonzalez told the class and picked her marker to write on the whiteboard. “Except Jacob. He shouldn’t get wrapped up in this. Alexander, detention after school.”

The whole class groaned and sighed while Millie ignored everyone who was glaring at him. 

“Don’t blame me for this,” He mumbled.

I didn’t say anything as the teacher started putting the lesson on the board and began instructing the class ignoring the whole event. I’m guessing this is a normal day for them? It’s so new that I have never dealt with a situation like this before, so I tried not to give a reaction to the whole thing. For the rest of the class period, everyone calmed down, I’m guessing not to gain another homework assignment, and I noticed that Millie seemed upset. I guess having to deal with a class that bullies you for your sexuality or orientation can be difficult and also make them feel degraded. The bell rang, and I started putting my notebook in my bag when I saw that white floral dress standing beside me.

“Jake.” My name was called in a quiet voice.

“Yeah?” I said, glancing up from my chair and saw Millie trying to give me a small smile.

“I’m sorry,” He told me.

“For what?” I asked.

“You know what… For putting you in the middle of all that. You're new here, but sometimes I talk out loud without a filter and people here don’t get it. It’s been five years and they just don’t understand… Our city isn’t friendly towards the LGBTQIA community,” He said, lowering his head and still obviously upset. Upset that people here don’t care about him.

I inhaled as I stood up and reached out to pat his head then paused remembering that it was a guy that I was doing this to so I lowered my hand. “Don’t worry about it. I lived in Los Angeles, so this isn’t a big deal for me.” I said as I put my backpack over my shoulder and faced him. “If you want to be Millie, then that’s cool, or if you want to be Alex, that’s fine as well. It’s sad that they treat you that way. I didn’t like the way the teacher reacted as well.”

Millie looked a little stunned by my response. There was silence after my words and I noticed people were staring at us. This isn’t good. I was about to step away when Millie reached out to grab my arm and I looked back noticing that he was close to tears.

“Thanks...” He said in a small voice and slowly let go of my arm. “Not a lot of people say that to me… I’m glad you can understand.”

I paused for a second before turning to face him completely and I tried to figure out what to say. “It’s fine. Honestly, I’m new here so I know it’s not my place to judge people, but it looks like they don’t treat you well. If you need help when they’re harassing you then you can tell me.” I wonder if I’ll regret offering this sort of protection. I’m not even sure if I’m in the right place to be saying these things to him, but I couldn’t stop the words coming out of my mouth and I hate that I feel some sort of guilt towards him. No, maybe not guilt, but protection? I'm not sure what it is.

Millie didn’t say anything for a long second then shook her head “Thanks, but it’s fine. I’ve dealt with them for years so it’s not a big deal anymore.”

I wasn’t too sure if I believed him, but I nodded. “Alright. Just be careful.”

He stepped aside to let me through and was about to start making my way to my next class, but I wasn’t too sure about leaving him like that. I made my way back to the door and stopped as I sighed heavily, knowing that I might regret this. I couldn’t get why I wanted to turn back, I don’t know this person. This wasn’t something that I usually do. I had my own group of friends, but even then I kept to myself or was always with my girlfriend, Stephanie. Maybe it is guilt. Millie was still standing by my desk and I waited until he walked over to the door then stopped when he saw me.

“Are you free this weekend?” I asked.

Millie looked up after hearing my question and was confused. “Yes, I’m free.” 

“Give me your number,” I said as I pulled out my phone and opened a new contact list. “I hope it’s not weird to ask 'cause I just don’t know, but what are your pronouns?”

He smiled widely and took out his phone. “It’s not offensive and thanks for asking. No one has bothered asking. They/them, but I don’t mind he/him if it’s too hard to say it.” Millie explained and watched me put my number in their phone. “Does that mean I can message you?”

“Sure. Just don’t spam me. I already get enough of that from my girlfriends,” I said as I put my phone away and glanced at them. “Okay. I really should go. I'm still trying to figure my way around.”

“Bye. I guess you can text me if you get lost,” They teasted and watched me leave.