NOT A PHASE - (TNN - SORSCHA)

CHAPTER FOUR - GEORGE

Each morning as Sorscha got ready for school she hoped that her day wouldn't be too bad. Each evening as she walked home alone she fought back tears. Hardly anyone would speak to her and if they did, they called her slurs or asked her disrespectful questions.

Clodagh spoke to her. When they sat together in English the brunette chatted away with her as if they'd known each other for years. She even offered to sit with Sorscha at lunch, but as much as she desperately wanted to Sorscha simply couldn't say yes. The idea that Clodagh would be targeted for her kindness and for being seen with an outcast made her chest hurt. She just couldn't do that to her.

Two horrific, lonely weeks passed by and little by little Sorscha lost any spark that she had left. One Friday lunchtime as she sat by a tree and thought how grateful she was that it was nearly weekend, she was approached by a boy. When she looked up and into his eyes she was surprised to see kindness and warmth behind them. "Hey, I'm George. You're Sorscha, aren't you?" She nodded in response prompting him to ask "do you mind if I sit with you?" For several seconds she was too stunned to speak but eventually she whispered "no, that would be nice."

George collapsed down onto his knees before settling himself comfortably on the grassy ground. "I'm guessing you're wondering why I'm speaking to you, seeing as everyone else is mostly pretending that you don't exist." He wasn't really asking her a question, it was just a statement of fact. Sorscha waited for him to continue, confused. He smiled broadly at her before simply saying "I get it, I do. I've never told anyone, but I know people suspect. I'm gay." Her eyes widened in surprise as she realised just how much courage his confession must have taken.

She smiled back before asking "have you always felt the same? You've always liked boys?" George nodded enthusiastically "always, this is just me. My Dad has made it clear that he wouldn't accept a gay child so for now, I keep it to myself. I've seen how you've been treated and I wanted you to know that you're not alone. We could hang around together if you fancy it?" His smile was so infectious and genuine, for the first time in a while Sorscha didn't feel so lonely. "I'd like that actually. You don't mind being seen with me?" As much as she appreciated his offer, she didn't want to make things difficult for George. "Nah" he replied, continuing "I'm not exactly popular. Mostly people leave me alone, we can be outcasts together."

That weekend Sorscha and George arranged to go down to the river and take a leisurely walk together. They chatted about their lives and how keeping such a huge secret had affected them. George was so positive and hopeful, it started to rub off on Sorscha. He told her how much he loved his Mother and how he wished that he could tell her, but his Father was angry and aggressive, so he didn't want to endanger her. They laughed together as they imagined the lives they could live one day, free from judgement and bigotry.

The next week at school things did improve. Sorscha always looked forward to seeing Clodagh and chatting with her, she was gradually getting to know the brunette. At lunch, she and George would sit together and chat doing anything they could to make the other giggle. He would wait for her at the end of the day and walk her home, despite the fact that it was out of his way. Every time she saw him waiting, Sorscha would insist that he didn't need to walk with her, but he'd dismiss her concerns and tell her needed the walk anyway, patting his stomach and rolling his eyes. He'd beam before saying "big lunch you see. Come on then, I've not got all day."

Her Nanny's words were still ringing in her ears and every night as she tried to sleep, they were all she could think of. Her Dad had tried valiantly to plead Sorschas case with his Mother, but she'd simply told him that she was disgusted with him for supporting Sorschas sin.

Things were still hard, but at least now she had a friend.