A Name

BLT?

Kamdens POV

Last year of junior high starts tomorrow. I can get through this. The chances of Lena actually finding me at the high school is low, so that means less bullying and less feeling different. I'm supposed to be showering. Eliza—my adoptive mother—said we're having guests over for dinner. They have a kid my age, and one around Alex's age too. Both girls. I hope she doesn't try and set me up with her... Eliza thinks I should start trying to date like Alex. It's not that I don't like girls it's just how they say my name I guess? I don't know... I just feel like Kamden doesn't suit me, ya know?

"You've been in the bathroom fifteen minutes Kamden and I don't hear any water running!" Eliza shouts upstairs from the kitchen.

Right. I take in a large breath before releasing it. Once I'm undressed I look at myself in the mirror. I don't like the way I look. I don't think I ever really have. But the thing is it's not my weight. It's something more than that. But it just doesn't make sense. I shake the feeling away turning on the water. I just need to get the shower over with.

I'm even slower getting dressed, not really liking any of the dumb sport tee shirts the other boys my age wear. I just don't care much for sports... I bite the bullet pulling on the clothes. The clothes I only own because this is what everyone else in my grade wears. I give myself one last look over before walking downstairs to join my adoptive family. I sit on the couch next to my sister Alex. She's wearing an oversized hoodie and leggings. They look so comfy.

Eliza walks by messing up my hair slightly, "We need to get you a hair cut young man."

"Can't I grow it out?" My question came out weak and awkward.

"Why would you want to grow it out?" Alex asks looking up from her book she was reading, "Lena already gives you enough grief at school. You don't wanna make it worse, do you?"

"I suppose not..." I trail off looking down at my lap.

"Is that young girl still giving you grief?" Eliza questions arranging the table.

"Well maybe if Kamden had any friends aside from me, she'd leave him alone." Alex said nonchalantly.

"I have friends!" I protest.

"Yeah? Name one. Oh wait, that's right, you can't." Alex easily insults, "Everyday you ask to sit with me and my friends cause you don't have any."

"Kamden, Alex!" Eliza quickly scolds, "the Nals will be here any minute and I want you both on your best behavior."

"Sorry..." We both mumble settling down quickly.

A few minutes later there's a knock on our door and Eliza is quick to answer. An unfamiliar couple enters with two girls. I assume they're the Nals. Eliza guides them to the main room where me and Alex are already seated jumping right into the introductions.

"Kids, these are the Nals, they just moved in across the street." Eliza smiles.

"Hi!" The youngest of the four pipped up, "I'm Nia Nal! My pronouns are she/her, and I'll be going to Midvale junior high!"

Pronouns... what an interesting way to introduce yourself I suppose. In fact, the entire family introduced themselves that way. The girls all said she/her and the father had said he/him. I don't even think I fully understand.

Eliza seemed to pick up on it quickly. Of course she did, she's a scientist after all, "I'm Eliza Danvers, and if I understand correctly I use she/her."

They all smile at the introduction but Nias was definitely the brightest, "Uh... Alex, she/her I guess." Alex then says very uninterested in the conversation.