Acceptance

"Alexis, it doesn't really matter," Mark says, "It's fine, it really is."

"No it's not, this is important," she argues.

"I don't care of she does or not, so it's really fine."

"Mark, dude," she tries sweet talking him, but it gets mixed with the way she talks, so it has no effect. "I just want to make sure she's not one of those people so we can accept her into this friend group."

Hearing those words make my stomach turn. Acceptance. It's not something I lack, but what other people lack towards me. It makes me feel alone.

"Give her break a break Alexis," Laureen intervenes like a knight saving a princess.

"I need to know if she'll accept me," Alexis defends. As I hear these additional words, I ease up a bit. Maybe she's lesbian too.

"Wait, what are you talking about?" Mark is thrown off track. "I thought you were going to mention something else..."

"No I'm not, that's for you to mention," She eases Mark. "I need to know for personal reasons..."

"I'm not going to lie, but I don't exactly get your reasons," Laureen sighs. "But go ahead, ask her if you want."

"Alright, Grace," she directs to me, "I need your opinion on something..."

"Well," I respond, "go ahead, shoot."

"What do you think of the LGBT+ community?"

I was shocked, yet relieved in a bit. Sure, she might hate them, but considering what they were talking about, it's not likely.

"Well, what do you think?" she asks again.

"I think it's a great community where people can be themselves and love who they want to. I believe that no one should be treated any lower for their sexuality."

"Thank you," she responds. "You have no idea how many times I haven't heard that. You're cool, I say you're a perfect member of our friend group."

"Well, that makes me wonder," Laureen chimes, "are you part of that community?"