46: Wendy

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Winter break. A whole two weeks to worry about nothing but tourneytub.

Well, almost nothing...

Wendy's sitting in the seat right by Artie in his wheelchair on the Jackalopes' bus. They're finally on their way to Barnum for the playoffs. A whole week of games leading up to the final, every one of them held in Ithaca Court. Wendy can hardly contain her excitement.

But she has something else she has to do first.

Something vitally important.

Possibly more important than anything.

After all this time, she is resolved. It may not be right for everyone, she knows that, but here? Now?

It's right for her.

Wendy turns her bravery up to eleven on the dial.

She shifts to get a good look at Artie.

"I think I'm ready to tell them." She whispers simply.

"Now!? You mean right now?" Artie's eyes grow wide. It's obvious he wasn't quite expecting this so soon.

"This is my team, Artie. They're supposed to have my back."

"But what if they don't?" He's clearly fretting for her, "What about Gee?" Artie motions his head in the direction of Genesis in front of them, fiddling with her cross necklace, as always, and gazing out the window.

Wendy understands Gee may appear pure and innocent, but she's seen up close how quickly those claws can come out.

"I just- I'm ready to move past living with this fear all the time. I want to be free. I just gotta do this, OK? For me. Not to prove anything to anyone, but for me." Wendy says finally.

"Alright. I support you." Artie says. The lines on his face are a complicated network of barely suppressed distress, but Wendy knows he means what he says.

She takes a deep breath in.

Only this time she's not unleashing a humor.

She's unleashing herself.

"Hey everyone," her voice carries clear across the bus and every hushed conversation comes to an abrupt halt. Every eye turns to regard her. Good. But also bad because now she's shaking a little and her words start faltering and her palms are sweaty and- "I, uh. I just wanted to- I wanted to make a request- No. I wanted to let you all know. I don't want to be called Peter anymore. I want to be called Wendy. Cuz that's my name now. Maybe not legally yet, but soon. I'm a- I'm a girl."

The bus suddenly seems way too small.

But instead of frowning silence, Wendy peers around and sees various nods and reassuring smiles.

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