Slip Up
"Autumn breakfast is ready," Mom shouted with annoyance.
I don't feel like Autumn anymore. "Alright, one second, Mom. I'm brushing my hair," I quickly yelled in response.
My younger brother, Gus, suddenly came into my room, asking me to help him with his tie. After I finished helping him he said, "Thank you, Aki."
Aki. I like it. I rush down the stairs to the kitchen, hoping that I will have enough time to finish my breakfast before the bus shows up.
"Thank you for being so fast," my mom replied sarcastically before handing me my bag.
I grab a yogurt and an apple as the bus pulls up to the house. "Love you Mom. Love you Gus. See you after school." I say as I run out the door.
I get on the bus and look around to find all of the seats full, except for one seat that has a backpack on it in the very back. As I sat down a tall girl said “Can you give me my bag please in a quiet voice,”
I could tell that she was more on the shy side, so I said “ Sure, but if you would like to sit next to me you can.”
After I said that she quickly sat down next to me and started to scroll on her phone. I asked her for her name, and she told me it was Melissa. “Okay Melissa, I'm Aki,” I responded, “who is your homeroom teacher, mine is Mx. Chen.”
“Wait, I have Mx. Chen as well, today's my first day,” she said happily.
“Well if you need me to show you around I can. I was the last new guy in Mx. Chen's class,” I said sweetly not realizing what I actually said.
“What do you mean guy?” Melissa asked.
“Wait what I said guy!” I said panicking.
“Yeah but it's okay if you want to be referred to as a guy. I don't care what gender you are, in fact I can adapt very easily.” she said very kindly.
“Okay as long as you're okay with it just call me Aki but you can use any pronouns when referring to me.” I said happily, while panicking on the inside.
