Not a Cinderella story but close

Epilogue

2 years later.

 It's graduation day, Me, East, North and Fenix are standing together wearing caps and gowns. I look over the crowd and back at Fenix. They give my hand a squeeze. "You'll do great" They say looking at the crowd. "I hope my parents didn't see that," I whisper looking at our clasped hands. "They were looking the other way," Fenix whispers back. That's it, I'm done. "Thank you" I whisper to Fenix and walk up the stage to get my diploma and make my speech. Me and Fenix tied for first in our class. Fenix doesn't like public speaking and neither do I but I took the hit anyway. As I walk up the stage I try not to look at the crowd. I glanced a little out of spite I guess and saw my family wave. I turn my attention back to the stage where Principal Evern is standing with my diploma. She gives me my diploma and we take a picture. 

I then walk to the stand to make my speech. I take the step up and look at the crowd. "Many of you know me as Iris, the crazy girl who somehow still gets straight A's. (The audience laughs) But I decided that today is the day that I stop hiding. (I look at Fenix) Today is the day that I tell the world. (I look back at the audience) I'm gay. And I have an amazing partner. (I motion for Fenix to walk over and they do. We clasp hands.) I'm so tired of hiding. None of us should have to hide who we are. And I've worked so hard to be the perfect daughter for my parents and for myself. 

But I will never be because I'm gay. And I don't care anymore. It's not a sin to love who you love. (I look at my parents) I'm not ashamed of this and neither should any of you. We spend so much time pretending to be people that we're not that we lose part of ourselves. We never see what makes us different because it's seen as strange and strange is bad. So we hide what makes us unique. I encourage all of you to be who you are. Show who you are. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. As long as you are being the best human that you can be then that's enough. Someone once said "Be the change that you want to see in the world". This is the change that I want to see. I love you Fenix '' I say squeezing their hand. "I love you too" They say. 

We kiss in front of our entire class and our parents. So let's take a brief pause and update you on the past two years. Bow and Lace ended up breaking up for real. Lace ended up with Jimmy and Bow ended up with East. I guess East really had a thing for non-binary folks. North ended up with Hanna from the gym. Hanna is going to UCLA with North. Tanner and his ragtag team of homophobes never bothered anyone again. Especially after all of the sexual assault classes they took, everytime they got a question wrong they had to restart. John lead our team to the state championship three times and is going to college on a football scholarship, he also came out as gay during his college choosing ceremony (in front of the whole school). He is now dating Liam. They plan to go to college together. Liam is studying to become a teacher.

 The rest of the LGBTQ crowd either went to Princeston or the state school near Raleigh. I know but their IQ's were off the charts. Some didn't want to pay that much tuition which is why they're going to the state college. The group chat is still buzzing to this day. Gary became a part of the family business, he fully transformed the business and himself into what it and he had always meant to be. Mr. Gum, our old principal became the janitor and Ms. Evern made sure to give him all of the nasty jobs. With Ms. Evern as principal there hasn't been a single incident. Me and Fenix have been on about 50 or more dates and have said I love you. 

Ok back to today. Me and Fenix get off of the stage as the crowd cheers. North and East meet us. We're all still in our blue cap and gowns. "That was amazing!" East says giving me a hug. "Thanks," I say, wiping tears from my eyes. "Truly amazing," North says holding Hanna's hand. "Thanks," I say. "I can't believe you did that in front of your parents," Fenix says. "I had to do it at some point," I say to them. "Ok Sweet Frog to celebrate," East says. "Maybe not Sweet Frog" Bow says coming up behind East. "Aw babe I love their gummy bears though and Jimmy's ok now" East says turning around. "Alright fine anything for you" Bow says putting their arm on East's shoulders. "Let's go," North says, already walking away with Hanna. 

A couple of months later. My dad was pretty mad and my mom was better but not good anyway. Me and Fenix are looking at the front of our dorm room to UNC. We plan to graduate and become vets. We also want to open our own shop and get a dog together. They look at me. "Are you ready?" they ask. "Ready as I'll ever be" I say, grabbing their hand. We walk through the doors ready to start our journey, together.