Greenelan~The Journey

~Emma~

Yesterday was...well yesterday was horrible. But, I have hope that the PTA will let up. I get ready for school and go downstairs.

"Good Morning Emma." my Nana says.

"Good Morning!" I say with a large smile.

"You seem awfully cheerful this morning considering what's going on." my Nana says.

"I have hope that something good will happen." I say.

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I get to school and everything seems normal...I'm not complaining, but I would've thought that everyone would be coming for my head.

Okay, so that zero tolerance thing was really enforced. I go to class and sit down and take notes as usual. The bell rings and I walk to my locker to grab some books. I open my locker and in there are two teddy bears in a scissoring position. Ugh, I knew it was too good to be true.

"Do you like the bears?" I hear someone say. I turn around and see Shelby and Kaylee come around the corner.

"Seriously?" I say.

"Just think of it as a thank you gift." Kaylee says sarcastically.

"Thanks for canceling prom." Shelby says sarcastically.

"I didn't cancel prom. Your parents did." I say calmly.

I see Alyssa come around the corner. "C'mon guys lay off her."

"Are you on her side or something?" Kaylee asks.

"No." Alyssa hesitates. "I'm just not in third grade."

Aw, look at her trying to stand up for me. It's cute.

"This isn't over." Shelby says as her and Kaylee turn the corner.

I walk to my next class and suddenly Mr. Hawkins stops me.

"I just talked to the state attorney and they said this is a big deal." Mr. Hawkins says.

"Woah...really?" I ask.

I'm just glad that I can help." Mr. Hawkins says.

"Let's just hope the PTA meeting goes well."

"It's gonna be rough, but just relax." Mr. Hawkins says.

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I walk into the PTA meeting and I can feel all of the parents angry eyes on me. I sit down in a chair near where Mr. Hawkins is standing. I literally feel like I'm on trial for a crime I didn't commit. I look up and I see Alyssa, who has a serious but sad look on her face.

"Okay, let's get this meeting started." Mr. Hawkins says. "How is everyone doing tonight?"

The parents grumble under their breaths.

"Okay then." Mr Hawkins says quietly. "I'm just going to get straight into it. I talked to the state attorney and they asked that we hold an inclusive prom.

The parents start yelling. They sound really angry.

Mrs. Greene bangs her gavel a couple
of times to get their attention.

"So, you're saying that we're being forced to have a prom?" Mrs. Greene asked.

"No, the state attorney asked that we hold an inclusive prom." Mr. Hawkins says. "They want us to do what best reflects Americas values."

"Well, this isn't America this is Indiana."
Mrs. Greene says. Alyssa looks at her Mom in disbelief.

"Um...this is America...?" Mr. Hawkins says. "I know this may be confusing and you might have questions."

A parent in the crowd raises her hand and Mr. Hawkins goes over to her and turns the mic toward her.

"My child will not be forced to go to a homosexual prom." she says.

"It's not a homosexual prom. It's an inclusive prom-

"With homosexuals." Mrs. Greene says while cutting Mr. Hawkins off.

"Look, your children don't have to go if they don't want to." Mr. Hawkins says. "But, the prom is in the hands of the student council. Let's hear what they have to say, Alyssa?"

Alyssa looks shocked. I don't think she thought she would have to speak on this. I didn't think she would have to either.

"Um, well we want prom to go on." Alyssa starts. I look at her and motion her to keep talking. "It's supposed to be a celebration for everyone and-

Mrs. Greene cuts her off. "I'm sorry, but no. Sweetie this isn't about you. It's about government taking away our right to choose!"

"This is not what this is about... Emma what is this about?" Mr. Hawkins asks.

"I just want to go to prom like any other kid." I say.

"But you can't...and that's why the court is involved." Mr. Hawkins says. "I just want to know what you find so frightening about gay people-

All of sudden a group of people burst into the meeting. "Stop! Stop! Stop this! What you are doing is wrong!" A chubby man says. "Where's Emma? EMMA?!"

"I'm Emma?" I say as I raise my hand.

"Emma, my name is Barry and I want to tell you that you aren't alone. I'm as gay as a bucket of wigs. A BUCKET OF THEM!" He says. "We are here from New York and tomorrow there will be a rally with choreography!"

The parents start yelling. The people who just burst into the gym start yelling. It's literally a mad house.

"Excuse me. Excuse me. EXCUSE ME!" Mrs. Greene yells. Well that definitely caught everyones attention.

"Who are you people?" Mrs. Greene asks.

"We are liberals from Broadway." A taller man says.

"And we are here to open your minds . The 5 of us are- wait where's DeeDee?" A woman asks.

All of a sudden the lights turn off and music starts playing. Out of nowhere, another woman appears. Is she gonna sing?

"I want to tell the people of...whatever this town's called." The lady sings. "I know what's going on here and frankly I'm appalled. I read 3 quarters of a news story and knew I had to come. And unless I am doing the miracle worker...I won't play blind deaf and dumb."

Oh. My. Gosh. This is crazy. This is crazy. This is crazy. What is happening right now? She really had a whole number prepared for this? What does she mean it's NOT about her? It's CLEARLY about her.

I sit and watch in awe as this woman literally dances and sings around the auditorium. I can't lie the song is pretty catchy. I need to talk to Alyssa after this. Face to face. I know she's probably freaking out.

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a/n: hehe the broadway starts have arrivedddd if there's anything you want to see in this story in particular please please let me know in the comments...also thank you so so much for 626 reads❤️