I got in the BMW and waited, new school, new beginnings, right? I could be anyone! I could be myself or maybe the popular kid ohhhh, or  the smart kid! Even the mysterious quiet kid! What if it’s just like these schools on tv, very few kids and everyone knows each other! I could be the new kid! Aka the main character, I liked the sound of that! Maybe I read too many books… but this was so exciting! I could be Alice in a strange new world, or Ariel in the little mermaid, or my all time favorite tale, the Native American version of Cinderella ‘ochojska’ the rough faced girl. I’d be looking for my prince or rather princess…. You see my parents didn’t quite know it yet, but I was definitely not straight, not that they ever could, know that is. I reckon the moment I turn 18 I’d buy a plane ticket and fly like an eagle, right out of this nest of vultures. You see this isn’t a normal circumstance, my parents aren’t normal parents, they are overbearing, self centered, and most of all hom-i-phob-ic. Like Persfinys or literal Hades! Eeeeeeeee! Pinch me to make sure this isn’t a dream! Owww… I’m totally awake! Okay, It may seem super overdramatic, but mom says in the country I can have freedom for once, and that may seem overdramatic in itself, it really isn’t in my case. After all, living through books is fun and all… but it’s time for a change.

Whenever I even doubt for a second how great it will be, I simply remember my mother’s words! “In the country you can do whatever you want, it’s not like those hillbillies care what you do, as long as you play up your fathers image, do as you please, maybe you can even have a bike”. Well that’s how parents are… at least I think, you see I’ve never really had friends before, most people take one look at my family and group me in with them. My brother is the absolute worst though, homophobia to the max, heh heh what a Malfoy. Well accept Malfoy was simping over Potter the entire time.

And that is when we pulled up to our new home, it was bigger than our old home, dad said it was remodeled just for us. I guess homes aren’t as expensive out here in the country. The moment we got there and I helped unpacking, my mom went to go greet the neighbors, and my brother went to pick out the biggest room. My dad stayed and helped, after a while he just said “you know it’s not very feminine to be strong”. I severely thought about dropping his bag on his toes, his work bag too, five times heavier than mine or my moms. Although I knew I could never, just that moment gave me empowerment.

A few hours later, when I was unpacking in my slightly smaller room, I heard a loud slam on the door. My mother had been back from greeting the neighbors, and by the looks of it, it hadn’t gone great. Normally I’d ask my mom about it, but she started the conversation this time. “Why don’t you meet the neighbors ‘child’.” She said it so sarcastically it hurt, looks like the neighbor's child is nonbinary I thought to myself. I’d make sure not to misgender them. “Of course mother, anything for you” I said. She scowled at me, clearly mad at me for being excited. Nothing remarkable happened in the two hour period it took me to get halfway through The instruction manual just to start setting up the bed frame. Japanese was definitely not my strongest language.

The neighbor's child had knocked on the door. They clearly weren’t happy to be here, but they came bearing cookies, so I couldn’t complain. I greeted them with a genuine smile and enthusiasm “Hello! I’m River, nice to meet you…” “Kai, and don’t fake a smile like your mom, not only is it rude, but not realistic.” “But I’m not faking it, what are your pronouns by the way?” They looked at me like I had just proclaimed that My Little Pony should be pg 13, you can thank my mom for that one by the way. “They/them… why don’t I come in?” My mother said that letting yourself in is rude, but like I cared what my mother said. Tehee I was being such a rebel! “Of course!” I basically yelled, wanting to be squealing for joy. But my joy couldn’t have been ruined as suddenly as when my mom walked through the door. “Hello? Mrs- I mean ‘fellow human being’ Kai.” “Oh , I was just letting them- er her go!” “We need to have a talk, Naomi…”