A Name

The Idea

Kamdens POV

I feel out of place already. I've been in the building for all of two minutes and I can tell this year is going to be the same as any other. I'll be outcasted and alone. I keep my head down as I walk to my locker. I just need to get to first period at least before I run into Lena.

"Well if it isn't loner boy." I hear the familiar Irish tint behind me. I spoke too soon, "Did you have a good summer all by yourself?"

"Hello Lena..." I sigh turning around

"What? Still not gonna bite back?" Lena says with a fake pout causing her little followers—Andrea Rojas and Veronica Sinclair—to start giggling, "You're gonna have to learn to fight back one day loner boy."

"Goodbye Lena."

"Oh, come on. I haven't seen you for months, I need to make up for lost time."

"Kamden! Hey!" Nia calls walking over to me and Lena, "I was hoping to find you."

"Oh... Nia, hey." I say giving the said girl a small wave.

"Did loner boy get a girlfriend over the summer?" Lena said it with a smirk, but something in her tone didn't quite fit.

"No." I say meekly, "She's just an acquaintance..."

"What a shame..." Lena remarked before walking off with her little fans not far behind.

"Who was that?" Nia asks slightly tilting her head.

"That would be Lena Luthor." I sigh as I continue my walk, "She just so happens to be one of my many bully's. But she is the only consistent one."

"Oh..."

"Not to be rude or anything, but I really need to get to class..." I trail off gesturing behind me.

"Right... right of course." Nia nods, "Can I talk to you at lunch though?"

"I guess." I shrug before hurrying off to my class.

***

Sooner than I would've liked, lunch rolled around. I have a feeling Nia is gonna ask if I looked it up. I mean, what would I even say? That's just such a... weird thing to explain. She'll start calling me a freak too. I see Nia waving me over. I can tell she already made some friends.

I awkwardly walk over to the small group and sit across from Nia, "Uh, hi."

"Hey! I'm Winn Schott!" A nerdy looking boy said extending his hand, "Who may you be?"

"Uh... I'm-"

"We're gonna call them K for now." Nia cuts off, "That is unless you'd prefer a different nickname until we figure everything out."

My eyes widened when I realized what she was implying, "How did you even know I looked it up?" My voice was in a harsh whisper.

"You seem like a curious person." She shrugs, "Now, is K alright with you?"

"Um... yeah..."

Nia smiles before turning to another boy indicating she wants him to introduce himself, "Oh. I'm Brainy." He said.

"Brainy...?" I ask slightly confused, "That's an... interesting name..."

"Oh right. You'll hear teachers call me Branden. It's my dead name. But I'm not out so I have to deal with it."

"Dead name?"

"Brainy, you're only confusing them more." Nia lightly scolds, "Brainy uses they/them pronouns. A dead name is basically the name you used before your social transition."

I nod slightly, "So why are you using they/them for me as well as K?"

"Well I know misgendering sucks so I want to do that as little as possible. Same with dead naming."

"Oh..." I nod again at Nias words.

"Winn speaks up this time, "Now that we got introductions out of the way, do you have any names and/or pronouns you wanna try out?"

"I already informed them of your situation, I hope you don't mind." Nia adds with a sheepish smile.

"No it's fine..." I pause, thinking for a moment, "Could uh... could you try she/her?" I ask timidly, "Just maybe. For like a day."

"Of course!" Nia smiles as the other two nod, "Now any names?"

"Uh no... sorry."

"No need to apologize." Brainy assures, "The name was the hardest part for me. Just focus on pronouns for now."

"Yeah... one thing at a time..." I nod slightly before I feel something hitting my head.

I turn back to see what hit me and I see Lena throwing grapes. Of course...

***

Nias POV

After school I met up with Winn and Brainy. I'm glad I'm able to help K out. She just seems super nice! I look around spotting her awkwardly waiting for her ride.

"Do you mind if I invite K to wait with us?" I ask the group.

"Nah. She seems way cool." Winn smiles, "If she ends up being cis I'll totally have a crush on her."

"Stop being a gay disaster." Brainy says lightly hitting his arm.

"K!" I call leaving them to their bickering. I see her head turn slightly to look at us, "Over here!"

She slowly makes her way over to us, "Hey guys." She smiles.

"So how are you feeling the she/her pronouns?" Winn asks with his usual smile.

She shrugs fidgeting with her hands, "I guess they made me feel... normal? Does that even make sense?"

"Perfect sense." I smile, "Do you want us to use them tomorrow too?"

"Could you?"

"Of course!" Brainy smiles as her car pulled up.

"I'll make a group chat with the four of us in it." I smile, "Start thinking of some names."

"Will do. I guess I'll see you all tomorrow?" She asks with a hopeful smile.

"See ya then!" We all smile back.

K waves as she starts walking over to her car. I think we're gonna be a great band of misfits.

***

Ks POV

"Were those friends?" Eliza asks as soon as I close the door, "And one of them was even Nia!"

"Eliza, it's not that big of a deal." I say trying to shrug it off.

"Kamden! You actually made friends! Of course it's a big deal!" I cringe slightly at the name but she doesn't seem to notice.

"But if you make it a big deal, Alex will tease me later..."

"Fine..." Eliza says slightly sad, "Oh, I scheduled a hair appointment for later this week."

"I don't wanna cut my hair." I say sounding more sure that I had the day before, "I wanna grow it out."

Eliza looks at me briefly before turning back to the road, "Okay then... I guess I'll cancel it."

I nod getting out of the car as soon as she parks the car. I run right past Jeremiah and up to mine and Alex's shared room.