Reality overload Chapter 13: JUST LISTEN TO ME!!!

Read chapter 13 of Reality overload by Namizou on NovelPedia.

The housing office was buzzing, phones ringing, printers whirring, stressed freshmen hovering like lost ducklings. Charlie marched us straight to the counter. I clutched my packet like it was a shield. "Hi, um—there's been a mistake. My ID says—" The clerk didn't even look up. "Name?" "Kris Hart." She typed. Paused. Tilted her head. "Oh. You're the one assigned to Maple Hall. Third floor. Female wing." My stomach twisted. "Right, that's the problem. I'm not—" She cut me off with a polite, practiced smile. "If you're concerned about safety or privacy, don't worry. Maple Hall is very welcoming." "No, I mean— I'm not supposed to be in the female wing." Charlie folded her arms, amused. "Tell her why, Kris." I shot her a look. "Because I'm— I'm male." The clerk blinked at me slowly. Then she smiled the way adults smile at toddlers who insist they're dinosaurs. "Of course you are." "No, really!" I said, louder than intended. "I checked the male box! I filled everything out correctly!" She turned her monitor toward me. There it was. Plain as day if way was a weird alternate reality. NAME: Kris Hart GENDER: FEMALE DORM ASSIGNMENT: Maple Hall In bold, Inescapable letters. Complete with a picture of me. Like the universe itself had decided to gaslight me. Charlie whistled. "Wow. They really committed." "I DIDN'T DO THAT!" I snapped. The clerk nodded sympathetically. "Sometimes students get confused during registration." "I wasn't confused!" I really had put male in the check box. "Mm‑hmm." "I'm serious!" She typed something calmly. "Well, according to the system, you're female. According to your student ID, you're female. According to your dorm assignment, you're female. So unless you have legal documentation to the contrary..." "I DO!" I slapped my driver's license onto the counter. Finally something that can't be dismissed. Irrefutable proof that I was a guy! My face smug now she can't deny it!!! She glanced at it. Then at me. Then back at the license. "...This picture looks nothing like you." My jaw dropped. "WHAT?!" Charlie leaned in, squinting. "Actually... yeah, Kris. You kinda don't look like that anymore." I stared at her, stupefied. "Whose side are you on anyway sis!?!?" She shrugged. "The side of reality." The clerk slid my license back. "If you'd like to update your legal documents to match your current presentation, we can.." I cut her off. "I'M NOT— THIS ISN'T— I'M A GUY!" A couple students in line turned to stare. Charlie patted my shoulder. "Easy, champ. You're scaring the freshmen." I wanted to sink into the floor. The clerk printed a form and handed it to me. "Fill this out if you want to request a gender correction. Processing time is typically five to seven business days. After term start "WAIT... five to seven days after term starts!!! WHY...!?!" Charlie took the form before I could combust. Dragging me away. "We'll fill it out. Thank you." The clerk smiled. "Welcome to campus, ladies." I made a noise that could only be described as emotional static. Charlie steered me away before I could argue myself into a stroke. Towards maple hall, and my social death. Maple Hall's lobby was a sensory overload. Bright banners hung from the ceiling. WELCOME MAPLE HALL RESIDENTS! In glittery pink letters that sparkled way to much. A table of free snacks sat near the entrance, already half raided by hungry freshmen. Parents saying their good byes, as girls in pastel hoodies, and oversized shirts dragged suitcases across the polished tile. Laughing, chatting, and forming friend groups way to fast. Charlie strode in like she owned the place. Dragging me along like someone being marched to the gallows. The RA at the front desk looked up. She was tall, athletic, and had a ponytail so sharp it could cut glass. She wore a Maple Hall STAFF shirt and the calm,unshakeable expression of someone who had already dealt with three crises before noon. She smiled warmly. "Hi! Checking in?" Charlie nudged me forward. "Yeah. He—" "I'm not supposed to