It’s heavy, but it’s there.

And I’m so grateful to have two people who get me on my team.

They make their way over to me and introduce themselves.

“I really loved your story,” Sofía says. “Reminds me of the bedtime stories my mom used to tell me.”

“But real gay,” Chloe adds, tossing her curly hair. “And I mean that in, like, the best way possible. Period. Just so you know who we are, Sofía is the brains, and I’m the brawn.”

“Which makes you the talent,” Sofía interjects. “I’m a storyboard artist. And Chloe is director extraordinaire, tech genius.”

Chloe does a confident half bow.

“She’ll be the first Black woman to win Best Animated Film Director at the Oscars,” Sofía says.

“First, we have to convince the Academy to create such a category,” Chloe says. “But yes, that’s the plan.” She narrows her eyes as if she’s examining me. Then she turns to Sofía. “They look so scared, such a baby froshie.”

I pause at her unexpected use of they. It feels … nice. Like wearing somebody else’s well-worn hoodie. Comfy and warm and maybe I could steal it and make it mine. But could it ever truly be mine?

“Was that okay?” Chloe asks. “I watched that interview you did with The BuzzWord before class today, and you used they/them pronouns. But I heard Professor McPherson use he/him. I wasn’t sure if I had to have a word with her.”

I love how protective she is over pronouns. “Yeah, no, totally.”

She raises her brow.

I chuckle nervously. “Sorry, I mean, I’ve been using he/him lately. I did use they/them for a while. I’m just … not sure. But you can use either. I like either.” Oh my god, I’m rambling now. “Sorry, I swear I’m not this scattered. I’m beyond excited to work with you both. I just had a really shitty run-in with”—I nod toward Leila—“so I’m kinda out of it.”

“She rubs me the wrong way,” Sofía says.

Chloe tilts her head. “We know her type. The overconfident ones who think they’re changing the world with some grand statement. They’re always the first to burn out. What happened between you? Not-so-friendly competition?”

“Because that happens in this program,” Sofía adds.

“I used to hate Sofía,” Chloe whispers. “Now she’s like my left tit. Without her, I’d be lost.”

“Why the left?” Sofía asks. “And how would you be lost without one boob?”

Chloe shrugs. “I dunno. It’s an analogy or something. Leave me alone.”

That elicits a smile. “Leila and I used to be like you two. Now, not so much.”

We’re all silent for a few seconds.

“Shit happens,” Chloe says. “Now you roll with us.”

Her words make me feel a tiny bit better. There’s something incredibly genuine in her voice, about both of them, that makes me feel like they’ll have my back. And not just for a class project.

“I like that,” I say.

“Good, but we’ll also kick your ass this semester,” Sofía says.