The Boy Next Door

Counterfeit Emotions Only Run Skin Deep

Coran hated leaving everything until last hour. Perhaps that's why he had reunited everyone in a classroom at Altea High with not enough heat at nine in the morning on a Saturday.

Talk about horrifying.

"So we have the basic colors down. Would someone mind repeating them to me?" Asked Coran while fumbling with his glasses. Shay raised a hand.

"Yes?"

"The basic colors are going to be royal blue with gold or silver. We haven't exactly gone over which one we should choose, though. We must take a vote to see if we should use gold or silver."

Pidge sighed. "We've been arguing about colors for almost two hours already. Why don't we just mix up the two? You know, some gold on the eastern part of the Castle of Lions and silver on the south part?"

"A pattern," said Rax while frowning. "Wouldn't that throw the whole theme of two colors off?"

Plaxum shook her head. "It would, but since when is this school traditional? You've got to think outside the box, Rax."

Florona nodded. "Yeah, I agree with Plax here. Altea High is known for breaking a lot of traditions, and there's always something wacky that goes on every year at prom."

"What are you suggesting exactly?" Asked Rax with a suspicious look. Pidge snorted.

"Imagine if we just put tons of colors up for LGBTQ rep. That would be some hell of a prom," she said while grinning slightly. Upon seeing Florona and Plaxum light up, her grin quickly fell.

"You guys don't actually want to-"

"It's genius!"

"I am one hundred percent on board with that!"

Rax gasped, looking at them in shock. "You guys want to dress up the Castle of Lions with a bunch of different colors that don't even match with one another?"

Plaxum shook her head. "It's not about the colors, Rax, it's about the representation!"

Shay smiled. "I, for one, think it is an amazing idea. Principal Coran, what do you think about the plan?"

Coran hummed, placing a finger on his chin. "You know, that would show that Altea High is a very accepting place and not only that, but also supportive. Although, I don't know if it's appropriate for everyone."

Plaxum pouted. "Please? We have a lot of students who I know would love to have LGBTQ colors as the prom colors. If Altea High is an accepting place, why not put up those colors? We'd be giving into the homophobes wishes by saying 'no'," she said angrily.

"Altea High is a place where people who are LGBTQ and people who are not interact in peace. If there is a homophobe, then they can just not go to prom, problem solved. Prom is for everyone, not just them. This is a great idea, and I'm not going to vote for any other idea," she finished angrily while crossing her arms.

Pidge blinked, eyes wide. "Woah. I did not know you were so passionate about the LGBTQ community and representation, Plaxum."

Florona raised a brow. "Neither did I. Since when are you so involved?"

Plaxum crossed her arms. "I've talked a lot with people who have told me that they feel like they sometimes don't belong here because they feel like there's no representation. If we were to theme prom, the biggest party event for our seniors, with LGBTQ colors, then that is sure to make them feel like they belong here."

Shay smiled. "Yes, it would! Prom is about reuniting people together so they can have a good time. If there is one person who does not feel like they belong, then they will not have a good time. I am fully on board with this idea," she said while grinning at Coran.