Chapter 2

"Lynn! Are you going to the LGBTQ+ activism event today?"

A classmate enthusiastically taps me on the shoulder and announces the above. I feel my face flush in a lack of speech, and my hands go to my mouth almost instinctively as I whisper to myself "oh no". The classmate looks at me weirdly and walks away.

Never mind, she probably didn't mean it anyway.

I scour the school for more information, and arrive at the area across the street from our school at 4:00 pm sharp that afternoon. All around me, people around me are milling about in all directions. It's cold, the weather in December, and I feel lonely surrounded by these masses of people I've never even seen before. So instead of focusing on my surroundings, I try to locate a volunteer to ask how I can help.

"An ally?" she asks me.

I shake my head no. I do support LGBTQ+ activism with all my heart, but being part of the community, I would hardly count as an ally. 

"Do you wanna give a speech then? You know, to talk about what you've gone through and all that..."

My heart quivers on the word "speech", but before I have time to make my decision, sharp ringing from the microphone cuts through my words.

"Sorry for the noise," the girl standing on the stage apologizes with a serious expression. She has short, dark hair, full lips, saucy eyes and a confidence I wish I could master.

"So, I'm here to advocate for LGBTQ+ activism. How many of you know what it means to be part of this community? Please give me a show of hands."

I would not have outed myself in front of so many people, but captured by the girl's beauty, my hand goes up involuntarily.

For the rest of the speech, my eyes remain transfixed upon the girl. I've learned that her name is Laure, but I still didn't know that much about her. Her speech was short, and she ended it with, "Just remember, love who you want to love, not who you should love. Be happy, be free, be loved." She waves a rainbow flag in the air and the simple gesture almost makes my heart skip a beat. 

"You okay?" The volunteer I asked earlier is still next to me, eyes full of queries.

"Ah, ummm yeah!" I manage.

She raises an eyebrow, and, mimicking me, says "yeah!"

I close my eyes and heave a sigh, wishing I had never found her in the first place. But then, on the other hand, perhaps she knew some information about Laure...

"Umm do you know anything about, like, the girl who just gave the speech?"

"Oh yeah! Sure. She's been tough about all that activism. I heard she had a girlfriend once. Very smart too, speaks five languages. She's from Shanghai I hear? She's very cold though, wouldn't try to get to know her better. Why all the fuss over her though?"

My pulse quickens and I don't know what to say. I want to thank her for all the information; I want to know more information.

Never mind, she's probably a lot older than me.

Never mind, if I were really to date her, it would out me horribly and I would have to face even more torturous comments than I do now.

Never mind, she would never fall in love with someone like me anyway.

I thank the woman quietly and free myself from the oppressing crowds.

That night, I curl up in bed. The sheets cover me, but I am still shivering from a cold I cannot get rid of. Falling asleep, I dream of Laure. She looks just as she had this morning. I wished I could get a closer look at her, but she puts on her mask after finishing the speech and walks away. Morning comes too soon, and no dream can ever rescue me from the impending doom daylight has in store for me.

Reviews

[Marrissa cardello]

What happens next? I need to know! This story is fantastic, the characters are well described and the scenario plays out beautifully. I look forward to the next chapter!

[GhostGirl]

Thank you so much!!! This review really made my day :)