The gift

Classes go on as usual and we reach seventh hour. I'm sitting bored and alone, looking at the clock, waiting second by second for the minute hand to move one space, making the bell go off, sounding the end of the school day. I want to meet up with Laureen, ask her so many questions about her dream last night. Like, was it also in that house near the cliff? Did she also see Mom? or did she see her mom instead? Does she know why my mom didn't like me coming out of the closet?

Then something hits me. I walked in the closet to explore, then when I came out, Mom said, "You gay bitch." So does that mean she knows I'm lesbian? Or is it that she's homophobic? Well, I know she's traditional. Maybe it means I'm scared of her reaction. But, I'm at an age where I'm ready to come out, right? Well, I do know that when the moment comes I really won't. So I guess not, but maybe I'm ready to come out to my friends when the time is right. They're part of the community, they'll understand.

The bell finally rings while I'm thinking and I get up and leave. I grab my backpack and head straight to my locker. It's near Laureen's since we're in the same grade. I hope she's free today. She might work, but I'm hoping we can hang out. Then I'll get to talk to her, and get to know her better. I still wonder if she's lesbian or not. She could be bisexual or pansexual, and I don't mind that. But I'm hoping she's ok with dating girls, because I don't like admitting it, but I like her. I like Laureen.

I'm rummaging through my locker and close it. I look around for Laureen, and I see her. She's talking to Alexis, and I pop up next to them. They don't seem to mind me there, and they saw me coming.

"Hey, Grace," Laureen cheerfully notices me, "we were just talking about doing something for Mark if you want in on it."

"Of course I want in on it," I join gladly, "Mark's my friend too and they've seemed really down lately. What was your guy's idea?"

"We were thinking of getting them a dress and wig, to show our support, unlike their parents." Alexis suggests, "Their favorite color is blue, and they like shorter skirts with spaghetti straps. I saw this light blue dress that has a looser skirt and a darker blue ribbon just below the chest. I was thinking Mark would like it."

"I was also thinking of getting them some nice black heels," Laureen also suggests, "I think they would rock the look."

"Those are great ideas," I agree, "we should go with that. Maybe I can get a cheap, diamond necklace to go with. What do you think?"

"That would be a great outfit," Laureen approves, "they would love it."

"Yeah," Alexis agrees, "the necklace would give it a nice touch. We were also thinking of getting flowers and letting them visit Sam. They've been dying to see her. But I'm not sure if Shane blames them or not. I know they both blame Evelyn, and she is at fault."

"Yeah," I agree with her last statement, "I hope Evelyn's in jail."

"Guys," Laureen gets our attention, alerting us, "They're coming this way!"

"Who?" Alexis asks, kind of clueless.

"Mark," Laureen answers, "and he is looking worse."