“Emilia!” Said my mother, i was just heading off to school, “yes mother?” She looked worried, “please tell me.. what is this” i stared as she pulled papers out her purse.. “..!?” I snatched the papers.. and look at them closely.. my mom starts to look mad, “why are you drawing gore?!” I look around for an excuse.. something finally comes to mind..”..I was just drawing some movie scenes. From the horror movie we watched!” my mom looks at me making sure I’m not lying, “fine then.. you win.” She tosses me my lunch and I dash out the door,

walking slowly I think to myself..”why does it feel so weird.. my brain..” I am often called a pick me girl.. for hanging out with boys and dressing like them.. but I’m different.. Pull my hair back and put it in my hoodie, finally I arrive at school.. faces looking at me.. I cross my arms to make it appear I have no ******, as I walk into class the teacher looks at me.. “Emilia your late again! Do not cross your arms at me! And take that hood off I can’t see your face!” I ignore her and take off my hood, as I walk to my desk and sit down my friend, Lucas a 14 year old boy, says to me..”hey em? You doin alright?” I look over at Lucas.. “Lucas.. what’s it like being a dude?” I put my hair into a ponytail and put my head down, he looks at me and laughs “it’s like being any other gender! Anyway why did you ask?” I look at him and mumble “I’m different..” Lucas seems confused “huh what do you mean your different?” I hold my own hand..”I do everything like a male.. I talk like one.. think like one.. dress like one..I completely act like one!” Lucas giggles, “you have never been on the internet have you! Your either A a tomboy or B transgender” my eyes lighten as he says those words, “yes! That might be it!” I accidentally yell...the whole class looks at me..including the teacher.. “Emilia.” Says the teacher in a stubborn tone. “C-could you please call me-“ I try to talk but the teacher interrupts. “NO! I am not calling you a silly nickname! Go to the principals! How dare you interrupt my speech!” Holding back tears I run out the classroom, and slam open the principal office doors, “this is your third time this week.. Emilia, I know your going through a hard time but you should actually try to be good in school..” i glance up at him..”I know! But.. could you call me em..?” The principal gives a confused look “why?” I stutter and try to talk..”it’s less of a girls name..” the principals eyes widen “huh? What are you not a girl?” I look down and begin to cry, “on the outside yes,, but on the inside.. no” the principal stares in shock, “we are the same em! My original name was Alex.. it is now Ethan!” I stare confused but still trying to hide my chest, “I could give you a haircut! And something to hide.. you know..” the principal hands me a chest binder and sends me to the bathroom. I put it on walk back, “remember only 8 hours a day!” The Principal begins to cut my hair, he hands me a mirror and I stare in shock, “THANK YOU!”