Astro’s heart pumped a mile a minute walking into their first day of the sixth grade. Though, their worries weren’t the same as most of the kids hopping off the bus that morning.

They didn’t worry about where they would sit at lunch or if their classes would be too hard. They worried about the possibility of being misgendered, meaning being called by the wrong pronouns. The thing about Astro was that they didn’t feel comfortable being called he or she. They always felt gender fluid meaning somewhere in the middle, which is why they changed their pronouns to they/them.

For a while, the kids in their class had a hard time catching on to the change, but after a few months they all understood and respected their pronouns everytime. They also knew other people who were gender fluid and used other pronouns. Astro’s biggest problem with the response to their identity was with their teachers.

Astro’s teachers would use the wrong pronouns for them over and over and it really hurt Astro’s feelings and made them uncomfortable having to correct their teachers everytime, so eventually they just gave up.

But Astro promised themself that middle school would be different. Before walking into the building, Astro took a deep breath and said to themself that their mom told them everyday before getting on the bus. 

“Don’t assume the negative. Look forward in love and light.”

With that thought fresh in their mind, they gained the confidence to climb the stairs and walked through the giant blue doors into their first day of middle school.

The majority of their first day was great! Everything was smooth sailing as Astro attended their English class, PE class, and History class before lunch. Even at lunch, Astro found a group of kids they knew from elementary to sit with.

The problem began when Astro went to their math class. They walk into the class, find their seat, and wait for the teacher to begin. 

The teacher gets up from her black office chair and addresses the students.

“Hello everyone, my name is Mrs. Jensen. We will begin by taking attendance. Raise your hand when you hear your name.”

“Mr. Terrell Johnson.”                        

                                                                                                    “Here.”

“Ms. Destiny Williams.”    

                                                                                                    “Here.”

“Ms. Astro James.”

                                                                                                    “...”

“Ms. Astro James…”

“Does anyone know where she is?"

Astro’s heart began to beat out of their chest as they panic about how they should respond.

They muster the courage to say,“...I actually go by they/them pronouns.” 

Mrs. Jensen shortly replies,“I’m not sure what that is, so I’ll be calling you by what I see fit.”

Astro saw no point in arguing. They rose from their seat and stormed out of the classroom, holding back their tears.

In the hallway, Astro sees the principal talking to another student. They turn away, sinking to the ground and holding their head in their hands. 

They hear Principal Rice say, “Is everything okay Astro?”

“I don’t know…” Astro whispers.

“Are you sure? You can tell me what’s going on and maybe I can help.”

Slowly, Astro lifts their head up to look at Principal Rice.

“Well…My math teacher was taking attendance and called me she. I told her that my pronouns were they/them and she ignored me and said she would call me whatever she wanted.”

Principal Rice replies, “I’m so sorry Astro. That’s completely unacceptable. Come to my office so we can call your mother and figure this out.”

Astro lifts themself off of the ground and follows Principal Rice to his office.

When they reach the office, Astro sits down in the black armchair in front of the desk as Principal Rice reaches for the phone and begins to dial their mother’s number. 

They sit silently, getting lost in the pictures on the wall while waiting for the phone conversation to end. 

Finally, Astro hears Principal Rice say, “Okay, I’ll see you soon,” before hanging up the phone. 

He turns to look at Astro and confirms, “Your mother will be here in a few minutes to make sure this gets resolved. Don’t worry.”

Astro lets out a sigh of relief as they know their mother will take care of them and the problem they’re having.

After about 20 minutes, Astro’s mom enters the office. They jump up, running to her and melting in her arms.

She says, “Everything’s going to be okay. Remember to think and act with love and light.”

Feeling affirmed, Astro is able to stand up tall, ready to face whatever’s to come. Together, Astro, their mom, and Principal Rice walk down to an office with a large round table, finding Mrs. Jensen sitting at the far end.