Max and Michelle

The Secret

"Of course! What's wrong?"

He starts to cry lightly and I hold him.

"I've never told anyone this before. You can't tell anyone! You have to promise!"

"I promise. You are my best friend and there is nothing you could do to change that!"

"Okay," Max says and he begins. "Me and Michelle... You know how I told you we are cousins right?"

"Mhm."

"Well... I lied," I see tears drip down his cheek. I feel so bad for him. Is his secret that horrible? "We are..." He takes a deep breath in. "We are t-the same... p-p-" He puts his head in his hands and sobs.

I rub his back and give him encouraging words.

"It's okay. Just get it out. I can wait. It's okay."

I wait for a while. I stroke his curly hair and hug him tight. I want him to be as comfortable as possible and know that I care about him.

About five minutes pass until he calms down and only tiny tears are still left on his exhausted face.

"Okay. I'm ready," Max says and takes deep breaths. I let go, but my arm is still around his back. "Me and Michelle are the same person."

"How?" I have so many questions, but I don't want him to feel overwhelmed.

"Do you know what genderfluid means?"

"Yeah. It's where one person can feel like a girl, a boy, both, neither and almost everything in between right?"

"Yes. Yes that's what it means. I am genderfluid. I straighten my hair, do my make-up and put on dresses and girly clothes. I love it, but I haven't told anyone else. I talk more girly. One second," He clears his throat. "Hey Alicia! How are you?" He says in Michelle's voice.

"Oh cool! That- wow. That's amazing."

"Thanks," He says in his normal voice.

"So... What would you prefer your pronouns to be?"

"Whatever I am wearing you can take a guess. If your not sure- for both or neither- just ask to talk to me in private and I will tell you. I would prefer them-they though," he says.

"So would I say around my Mom like 'they are coming over' or 'they would like some orange juice'?"

"Yes that's perfect. Thank you for listening to me. Do you have anymore questions?"

"Yes actually!" They roll their eyes and look at me so tired

"What?"

"What's your favorite song?"