Señora Alaska sits at her desk grading papers as her students make their way into the classroom. She keeps her eyes on her work but still observes the students as they walk in. The ones who have been in the club for the last three years come in and take their seats. The two students who were in my class during my last period pushed the desks into a circle as soon as the other students leave. Tucker and Chris, two seniors, take their place at the front of the class.
"Alright, Newbies! A lot of you have decided to Spectrum join at the end of the school year, which is fine. As we all know Chris and I are seniors so we'll be leaving. In two weeks we will pick our two new presidents. Let's go around and do introductions to make sure we know everybody. State your name, age, sexuality, preferred pronoun and anything else you want us to know. Anything you don't want to answer, don't! Anything you say, that doesn't have to be reported, will stay in this classroom or else you're out of here. Our president will start."
"Hello. I am Christopher Camp. I am questioning my sexuality, gender, and entire existence. I prefer they/them pronouns but your highness or awesomeness works just as well," they say while flashing their signature grin. " I already told you that this sexy hunk of human graduates in two months. My favorite quote is 'curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back," they finish while looking quite proud of their self.
"Hi, there! I'm Tucker Mylan, vice president of this wonderful club," he exclaims as he jumps up. "I am a transgender boy, er man now I suppose so please use he/him pronouns. I am also a senior and I uh like to draw," he concludes while fiddling with his hands.
Both students turn and look to the student sitting to their left. Her black hair surrounds her brown skin. She shifts in her seat.
"Hi, my name is Jasmine Garrett. I'm bisexual and prefer she/her pronouns. I am a freshman who is interested in being this club's president next school year. So yeah," she concludes quickly before turning to the boy next to her.
"Hey, club. My name is Stevon Whitman and I like he/him pronouns. I am a bi freshman too. I don't really know what to say about myself but you can ask me anything. I promise I'm not shy," he announces with a wink.
The two girls sitting beside him glance at each other as if coming to a non-verbal understanding. The taller one is sitting on the desk that the muscular girl is sitting in. The girl sitting in our school's cheer outfit extends her long, tan leg before delicately crossing it over her other one. She clears her throat before beginning.
"Okay so I don't know what all this club is about, but I do know it is an LGBTQ club. We mainly came here because we finally wanted people to know that we are a couple. We've been dating since seventh grade. Our other lesbian couple came out and people gave them hell. One attempted suicide while the other moved away which is why we remained closeted for so long. This is my girlfriend and I love her," She admits boldly.
We all clap when she is done. She does a pageant queen type wave as the other girl just grins slightly.
"This sexy beefcake right here is Elli Maddox. She is a butch lesbian and prefers her/she pronouns. We are sophomores right now, who both love sports," She explains while gesturing to her girlfriend.
"Sup, gay club. My girl's name is Cecilia Hadding. She is a lipstick lesbian and uses her/she pronouns. She is a cheerleader and the love of my life," She says while raking her fingers through Cecilia's dirty blond waves.
"Oh, I guess it's my turn," A boy thinks aloud. "My name is Jett Monihan. I am gay and use he/him pronouns. I am a freshman. My parents don't know I'm here because they don't approve of me being gay. It's nice to have a club like this available even if I have to sneak to the meetings."
Mrs. Alaska makes her way to the center of the classroom. She stands between the presidents.
"Hola children! My name is Janaliz Alaska. I founded this club three years ago. I also teach Spanish. I am a huge ally so you can come to me about anything. I have to go but I'm glad we got introductions out the way!"
Everyone begins to pack up their bags. Elli and Cecilia link their arms through Jasmine's as they walk out the door. Chris and Tucker discuss the next meeting with Mrs. Alaska. Stevon places his hand on Jett's back. He swings his bag over his shoulder and nods his goodbyes to the presidents before leaving with his friend.
"Look at us, Jettson. We actually joined a club and you are getting more comfortable with admitting you're gay. I'm proud of you buddy, I really am," Stevon starts.
"Gee, say it louder why don't you," he grumbles while looking around the nearly deserted sidewalk.
They arrive at the bus depot only to see their bus turn the corner and out of sight.
"Well shit," Jett snaps while kicking the dirt.
"It's alright bud. I know a shortcut to your house. We can just cut through the forest and we'll be there in a jiffy. Come on!"
Jett wants to protest but Stevon takes off in the opposite direction. He sprints after him, struggling to keep up with his fit friend. They enter the thin row of trees that get denser the farther they go. They both stop at the bottom of the hill to catch their breath.
"You live on the other side of this hill right?" Stevon asks breathlessly.
"I thought you said you knew this shortcut?" Jett tries to yell despite his lack of air.
"I do. Come on let's just slide down the hill," Stevon suggests as he grabs his friend's hand.
They trudge up the hill together. They reach the top and pause to look around. They see their dusty culdesac in front of them at the bottom of the hill. Behind them, miles of dirt roads and fake sidewalks cover as far as they can see. The busted up bus station looks like a piece of metal in the distance. Stevon gets on his side before rolling down the hill while Jett watches disapprovingly.
"I'd rather not get dirty or dizzy. I think I'll just walk down. Plus walking downwards is less tiring than walking upwards," he explains as he starts to come down.
He walks a bit before sliding clumsily. He holds his arms out for balance as he continues. Stevon, who is seeing double, look on with worry. Before he voices his concerns to his friend, Jett loses his footing. He tumbles forward as he rolls full speed to the bottom. He lands on his stomach in a crumpled heap at his Stevon's feet. He rushes to help his friend up.
"Are you okay? Your lip is bleeding!" He exclaims.
Jett winces as he brings his hand to his mouth. Stevon wraps his arm around him, while he guides him to his house.
"You need me to walk you in?" Stevon offers.
"Nah, I'll be fine as soon as I can breathe again. I need to go patch up my lip. I'll see you tomorrow," he says before entering his house.
He says a quick hello to his mother as he ducks upstairs. He goes straight to his bathroom to see a shiner waiting for him right on his eye. He takes a napkin and holds it against his lower lip as he wipes the blood from his mouth. He then wets a cold rag before laying in his bed. He places the impromptu ice pack over his pulsing eye. His stomach is starting to regain feeling. He decides to sleep of his injury. Kicking off his shoes, he rolls over before dozing off almost immediately.
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