Mik flopped onto their bed, still buzzing from the day's events. Their presentation had gone better than they'd ever imagined. For those few minutes, standing in front of the class, they'd felt truly seen - not as a girl or a boy, but as a person with ideas worth hearing.

A knock at the door interrupted their reverie. "Mik? Can I come in?" It was Shae's voice.

"Sure," Mik called, sitting up.

Shae entered, her braids swinging as she moved. She sat on the edge of Mik's bed, her warm eyes twinkling. "So, I hear someone rocked their presentation today."

Mik couldn't help but grin. "You heard already?"

"Are you kidding? Your mom called me the minute you got home. She was practically bursting with pride." Shae's expression softened. "And how are you feeling? About everything?"

Mik knew Shae wasn't just asking about the presentation. They sighed, picking at a loose thread on their bedspread. "I don't know. Good, I guess? But also...scared."

Shae nodded understandingly. "Have you thought more about telling them?"

Mik had come out to Shae a few weeks ago, stumbling over words until Shae had simply hugged them and said, "I'm honored you trust me with this." Her unwavering support had been a lifeline.

"I want to," Mik admitted. "But with everything going on with Alex, and Dad's business struggles... it never seems like the right time."

Shae placed a gentle hand on Mik's shoulder. "There's never a perfect time for big changes, kiddo. But you don't have to carry this alone. Whatever happens, I've got your back."

Dinner that night was a subdued affair. Alex picked at his food, his face pale. Mik's parents exchanged worried glances when they thought the kids weren't looking.

"So, Mik," their dad said, clearly trying to lighten the mood, "tell us more about your presentation. Your mom says you had the whole class captivated."

As Mik recounted their speech, they felt a flicker of the confidence they'd experienced earlier. For a moment, they considered blurting out their truth right then and there. But then Alex coughed, a rattling sound that made everyone wince, and the moment passed.

Later that night, Mik logged onto their favorite online forum: "Cosmic Connections - Where Sky Watchers Unite." They smiled at the familiar usernames, feeling a sense of belonging they often struggled to find in their daily life.

StarGazer101: Guess who gave a killer presentation on the possibility of alien life today?

The responses were immediate and enthusiastic.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

NebulaNerd: Way to go, Star! Wish I could've seen it! GalacticPioneer: That's our Star, spreading the cosmic gospel!

As Mik was about to log off, a new message notification popped up. It was from a user they'd seen around but never interacted with directly: CelestialObserver.

CelestialObserver: Hey there, StarGazer. Heard about your presentation. I'd love to hear more about your thoughts on extraterrestrial life. Got time to chat?

Something about the message made Mik's heart race. They found themselves typing back immediately, launching into an animated discussion about the Drake Equation and exoplanets. CelestialObserver's knowledge seemed vast, their questions thought-provoking in a way that pushed Mik to articulate ideas they'd only half-formed.

It was late when Mik finally signed off, their mind whirling with new possibilities. As they drifted off to sleep, their last thought was of vast, star-filled skies.

In their dreams, Mik floated through a cosmos of swirling colors. Nebulae twisted into impossible shapes, forming faces and figures of every conceivable type. Some had multiple arms, others tentacles, some were made of light or mist. Yet all moved in a harmonious dance, their differences celebrated rather than feared.

Mik saw themselves in this dance, their form shifting fluidly, sometimes more feminine, sometimes more masculine, often somewhere in between or beyond. And it felt right, natural. In this dream world, there were no boxes, no labels, just the freedom to be.

As Mik explored this wondrous realm, they felt a presence. Turning, they saw a being of shimmering starlight. Its form was indistinct, but its eyes held a universe of understanding. It spoke without words, its message resonating in Mik's very being: "You are as you are meant to be. Your truth is a gift to the universe."

Mik woke with tears in their eyes and a sense of certainty in their heart. They knew what they had to do.

At breakfast, Mik's hands shook as they helped set the table. Their mom was at the stove, flipping pancakes. Their dad sat reading the news on his tablet, his brow furrowed. Alex slouched in his chair, looking tired but managing a small smile when Mik caught his eye.

"Um," Mik started, their voice quavering. "Can I... can I talk to you all about something?"

Their parents looked up, concern immediately etching their features.

"Of course, honey," their mom said, turning off the stove. "What is it?"

Mik took a deep breath, Shae's words echoing in their mind: 'You don't have to carry this alone.' They thought of their dream, of the acceptance they'd felt in that cosmic dance.

"I'm... I'm not a girl," Mik said, the words tumbling out. "Or a boy. I'm... I think the term is non-binary. And I'd like to use they/them pronouns."

For a moment, there was silence. Mik's heart pounded so loudly they were sure everyone could hear it.

Then Alex spoke up. "Cool," he said simply. "Can you pass the syrup?"

Mik let out a breathless laugh, passing the syrup with shaking hands. They looked at their parents, anxiety twisting in their stomach.

Their dad spoke first, his voice gentle. "Thank you for telling us, Mik. I... I can't say I understand everything about this, but I want to. We love you, no matter what."

Their mom nodded, tears in her eyes. "Oh, sweetheart," she said, pulling Mik into a hug. "We're here for you. Always."

As Mik melted into the embrace, they felt a weight lift from their shoulders. There would be challenges ahead, they knew. Explanations to give, adjustments to make. But in this moment, surrounded by their family's love, Mik felt a glimmer of the acceptance they'd experienced in their dream.

And somewhere, in the back of their mind, they couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger than themselves.