Chapter one

Micah sat outside the principal’s office for the fourth time since school started three months ago. She could hear the muffled voices of her mother and the principal arguing inside. Her hands clenched into fists as anger, and anxiety fought inside her.

"I hate this school. I hate these people. I hate myself." She thought, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. Lost in fury, hatred, and teen angst she missed her name being called by her mother.

"Micah, come in please. You need to be here for this." Said her mother firmly.

Micah stood and stomped her way into the office.

"What?" She snapped, contempt dripping through her voice.

"Mr. Oswald" started the principal.

"Miss." Interrupted Micah’s mother.

"What?"

"Micah is a girl. The proper address is miss, not mister."

The principal sighed.

"Martha, Micah has male genitalia, he is a boy biologically. Which brings us back to the reason you're here. Micah must change for gym in the locker room in accordance with his gender."

"Micah has not been a boy since she was 10. She is not comfortable changing in front of boys. Is it the school’s policy to alienate those who are different?"

"No ma'am." Stated the principal, his voice gone to steel.

"Good. I think we're done. Come on Micah, let's go."

Martha started walking to the door but before she left she turned and spoke to the principal again.

"Oh and Mr. Schneider, if you call me in for anything regarding my daughter's gender again you'll be speaking with my lawyer."

Micah held back a smile as she followed her mother out of the office, leaving Mr. Schneider speechless.

In the car Micah spoke.

"Hey Ma, thanks for that stuff. What you said in there about being a girl and all."

"Micah, I wanted a healthy baby when you were born. Your gender never mattered, it will never matter. I love you."

Micah began to cry. In a world where she is constantly being told that she's not a "real girl" or that she's less of a person, her mother always made her feel like she could conquer it all.

At school a few days after the office incident, Micah found a note in her locker. In curly feminine script it read:

"Micah,

I saw you in P.E. yesterday and I was too shy to say hi in front of the other girls. I was going to do it after class but I chickened out. I think you're really cute,

Joan."

The note was signed with hearts. Upon reading it, and rereading it Micah still didn't know how to feel. No one had ever shown any interest in her before. She was cute, but hadn't really transitioned so boys stayed away and most girls treated her like she was invisible.

"Oh god, what do I do?" Thought Micah in a panic. Her heart raced, she felt sick, sweat began to bead across her forehead. Her heart beat grew faster as anxiety took over, she could feel herself hyperventilating. Suddenly a clear thought burst through the panic. 

"Who's Joan?"