I sat in class, waiting for homeroom to start. It was obvious the class was surprised to see me after what happened yesterday, but also glad. I really couldn’t believe the kind of luck I had for classmates. Mr. Ram entered the classroom shortly thereafter, clearing his throat.
“Okay, due to the… incident yesterday, not all of you have gotten physicals. Luckily we already got a replacement nurse, came with recommendations. So, if you didn’t get one, go get it now.” He pointed to the door, me and a couple of the girls stood up and made our way to the nurse’s office, where Mx. Eyes was already standing, waiting for us.
“I said I observe the physicals. You don’t have to worry about this nurse, Ms. Ptakochka.” Mx. Eyes smiled at me and knocked on the door. The woman who opened it somehow didn’t look a day past 25, if she wasn’t that young. “Here’s the girls who didn’t get processed because that hag was handsy.”
“Oh! Thank you sweetie. Alright girls, come on in, you can call me Nurse Frogchair.” She smiled and let us into the office, closing the door once we were all in. “Same thing as yesterday, except with no bigotry, girls. Undress down to underwear, one by one behind the curtain.” The Nurse made her way behind it as my group did what she asked. One by one the other girls went in, until it was my turn. The moment I stepped behind the curtain, I found myself in the nurse’s warm embrace.
“Oh Andrea you poor girl, I’m so sorry for what my predecessor did.” I was surprised at first, but quickly returned the hug. The Nurse let go of me shortly thereafter. “I’m sorry for surprising you with that, I just figured you could use one. Please, step on the scale.” I did as she asked, stepping on the scale. She slid down the height measuring bit on it to touch my head, and wrote it down. “Huh, I didn’t really want to say anything but wow you’re tall for your age.”
“Yeah, I’m… worried it clocks me easily.” I stepped off the scale and rubbed my shoulder.
“Honey you have pink gryphon limbs and a long purple sideshave. If people think you’re not queer, they’re the ones in need of surgery, to remove their heads from their asses. Although I don’t really advertise I’m pan myself, I guess. Alright, need to do your three sizes next.” She took out a measuring tape and walked over to me. “T pose for me.” I snorted at the nurse’s request, but raised my hands as she rolled her eyes. She was quick with her checks and wrote them down. “Huh. You started hormones yet?”
“Yeah.”
“How long?”
“Two months yesterday.” Nurse Frogchair raised her eyebrows and whistled.
“Dang Andrea, you’re catching up to the girls in class swiftly if that’s the case. Alright, blood pressure and that’ll be about all we need to do.” Nurse Frogchair patted on the seat near the desk, and I sat down, as she measured my blood pressure and ushered me out afterwards. I got dressed, waited for the other girls to finish and started making my way to class.
Despite how yesterday went, day 2 proceeded how you’d expect a regular high school day to go. Subjects you’d expect at any school, plus one focused on hero legislation. What was quite unexpected was when during the last period, our class got a visitor.
“Alright Students, I don’t quite remember this hero, but she claims to have been a student here and decided to come check in on the first years. Say hi to Purple Lioness.” The history teacher gestured towards the door, as the aforementioned heroine made her way inside. I was definitely starstruck. Purple Lioness was an idol of mine. She had the same hairstyle as me, and a similar powerset as well.
“Of course you wouldn’t remember me teach, I was a different person back then. Hiya kids, I’m Purple Lioness. I doubt any of you know me.” Her gaze fell on me, and I blushed looking down at my desk, trying not to make eye contact. “Or maybe not. Hey teach, what’s the name of the gal sporting the same ‘do as me?” I could see the class giving the teacher a stink eye, anticipating what was coming.
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“A-according to roll call, that student is listed as a Ryan Ptakochka.” The teacher gulped and the class kept staring daggers. Lioness got a knowing look on her face and walked over to my desk, placing her hands on it and trying to look me in the eye.
“Well that doesn’t sound right to my ear. What is your name, little gryphon?” She bent over trying to get a better angle on my face, but I kept shyly looking away.
“I-It’s Andrea.” I stammered out, still extremely starstruck.
“Pretty name for a pretty girl. Gotta say, you’re also pretty damn gutsy. Wish I had your courage when I was your age.” She smiled at me, and I finally properly took a look at her. Her somewhat broader shoulders, her height, her hands, the life in her eyes, the knowing look. I always admired her ever since she showed up on the scene, and now it finally clicked why.
“Y-you’re like me…” I whispered, and she patted my head and slid me a card.
“Let me know when your internships start, little gryphon. Or if you need someone with experience to talk to.” She straightened up and made her way over to the front of the class. “Alright kids, I’m glad to see a lot of potential, and I’m also really glad to see solidarity from y’all. The world definitely needs heroes like you, that throw a stink eye at the government when it’s hurting people with legislation. Stand up for eachother. Don’t just let things happen. Well, hope to see ya later, kids. Oh, teach, is Mx. Eyes still in the same office? Want to thank them for how they helped me out at school.” The teacher nodded to answer Lioness, and she made her way out of class right as the bell rang.
“Wow. The sports fest is usually where heroes scout us. Congrats Andrea, you’re literally the only first year I heard of this happening to.” James caught me as I was making my way outside to comment on the situation. I kept fiddling with the business card from Lioness, making sure it was real.
“Yeah it’s uhm, it’s unbelievable. Second day of school and an idol of mine scouts me like… what the fuck?????” I swung my arms around exageratelly in mock surprise.
“I doubt she picked you just because of the hair.” James pointed out, and I stashed away the card and played with my ribbon.
“I think she saw herself in me, and well, wanted to make sure that I would get picked by someone.” James raised his eyebrow at my reply, but then shrugged.
“I’m taking the tram home, what about you?”
“Oh I’m just gonna do a couple leaps, takes me 20 minutes like that. See ya James.” And with that, I took my first leap towards home.
The next day, instead of Mr. Ram walking into the class for roll call in homeroom, Mx. Eyes made their way in. “Students. Today’s a day you all were probably very excited for. You’re getting your costumes and we’re doing a very specific exercise today.” Mx. Eyes gestured for the custodians waiting outside to bring the suitcases in. I could see the name on mine was scratched out with a knife, and instead had a bit of tape with Andrea written on it. I look towards Mx. Eyes, who winked at me and I smiled at them. “Use the locker rooms to change and then meet outside Facility 4. Oh, and Andrea? Get your stuff out of Jessica’s locker, I set up yours in the girls’ room now, use it.” Mx. Eyes exited the class and I smiled from ear to ear.
I placed my hand on the scanner for the locker labelled Andrea Ptakochka, and it opened. I beamed at the fact for just a second, before my face was assaulted with a bunch of fabric. I moved the gym clothes from my face and saw Jessica sticking her tongue out at me. I returned the gesture, stored the clothes and got out my hero suit. I breathed a sigh of relief as I laid eyes on it, before some tears welled up in my eyes. “They didn’t change the design to make it masculine, or to make it fit a boy. No, they did exactly as I asked. At least one part of the system is good.” I undressed and started putting the garment on. And soon I stood in the locker room, in something that explicitly expressed my identity.
“Andrea, did you… base your costume on Sailor Moon?” Cynthia asked, wearing something resembling a harlequin costume. I struck the same pose I had struck during the exercises. One hand on hip, the other doing a V over my eye.
“You know it. Sailor Gryphon has a good ring to it. And is there anything more explicitly feminine than a Sailor Scout?” The other girls giggled, not in a mean way though. Amy spoke up afterwards.
“Oh gosh Andrea sorry about that, you just keep proving how much of a girl you are in such cute ways.” I stuck my tongue out at Amy while blushing a bit.
“Oh my god our little miss birdcat bleps.” Jessica patted my head, and we all started to make our way to facility 4.