By the time that the bell had rung to signal the end of class, Gwen was feeling overwhelmed. Today was probably the first time that shi had ever paid attention in a histor—hirstory—whatever class. Shi had spent the entire lesson scribbling notes in hir notebook, and hir hand was starting to cramp.
Although most of hirstory and the American Revolution had occurred in the same way as in hir world, any subtle differences were drowned out by the replacement of all the men—and all the famous names—with women. It was like shi had to start all over again. Shi still couldn’t get over the fact that it was Marth Dandridge and not George Washington who was the first president of the United States—although, from the way that this world treated bois, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise. No one would have let a boi be in the army, let alone be in charge of one. Hell, shi supposed that they were lucky to be allowed to go to school. No, it would have had to have been a woman, and obviously Marth Dandridge had gone down the route that Washington should have done. Even the Founding Fathers—or should that be Founding Mothers? were different, with names like Abigail Smith, Deb Reed, Beth Schuyler, Sarrah Livingston, Marth Wayles, and Dolley Payne. So much to take in.
Gwen furrowed hir eyebrows as shi left the classroom, hir head spinning with all of this new information. Shi was in such deep thought as shi made hir way down the corridor that shi hadn’t noticed that Jenford had caught up to hir.
“Hey.” The other gurl began placing a hand on hir shoulder. “You okay? You looked as if you were a deer caught in headlights back there.”
“Um, yeah. It’s just a lot to take in, you know?” Jenford nodded as Gwen continued. “In my…old school, I never really paid attention in class. I mean, I know some things like when the war started and such, but everyone knows that. I guess that being in a new place I want to do well, you know, impress my parents and all that.”
Jenford nodded again as they walked through the corridors. “I understand. It can take time adjusting to a new place. I know the feeling. I’m not from around here either, my parents moved in while I was still in elementary school. It can be pretty overwhelming, but I’m sure that you’ll fit in in no time. What’s your next class?”
“Math,” Gwen replied.
Jenford smiled. “Same. You can sit next to me as well. I’ll help you get settled in.” Gwen nodded gently and smiled, knowing that shi had already made a friend.
