The Identity Crisis

Assembly

The students cram into the gymnasium, filing in through the two doors on either side. I sit shoulder to shoulder with two of my fellow classmates, both being male. I pull my phone from my pocket when I feel it buzz.

Hey, I see you. :) -Becca

My eyes scan the gym. I spot Becca across the room as she waves to me. She smiles over at me, then she looks down at her phone.

How are you? -Becca

Good, how are you?

Fine, thank you. -Becca

Do you want to go get some ice cream after school?

I'm sorry, I can't. I have a huge test to study for in

Religion & Spirituality. -Becca

That's fine. Maybe this weekend?

Sounds great! See you then! Bless you. -Becca

Bless you.

I turn off my phone and look up, just as the room erupts in applause. People stand up in their seats on the bleachers. I push myself up and peer over the heads of those in front of me. Jessica Hardings. She enters the room, waving to the crowd. I feel excitement well up inside me. She approaches the podium in the center of the gym.

"Good morning, and bless you." She gives another wave as the students begin to settle. "Now, I know you all are anxious to get into the presentation, so I won't waste any time. Please welcome my husband. President John R. Hardings." She steps back from the podium as her husband enters. The room explodes in cheers and applause. The President steps up to the podium, grinning at the crowd. As the crowd settles he begins to speak.

"Many of you in this room are surprised The President is here for many reasons. Why Michigan of all places? Why choose this school? Why?" He leans down into the microphone. "Because. Michigan is statistically one of the most unprotected states from homosexuality in the country." The room is silent. "So. That is why I came to reiterate a few things to you all today." More applause. "So, first off I'm sure you all are aware of this great country's past. Our country was in ruin. It was a place where liberal power controlled the minds of the masses. And the rights of homosexuals was a hot-button issue. But luckily, the right was able to overpower the wrong. Homosexuality was criminalized not only in America but in all surrounding countries." My eyes drifted over to my left.

The boy next to me stares down at the President, leaning forward to listen. "Now our society has evolved to see through evil. To rise above and take back our morals and values." I look to my right, the boy on my other side took a breath, biting his lip. "I am reminding all of you. If there is anyone in this room that you suspect is a homosexual, to turn them into the authorities immediately. And I'm giving anyone who is a sinner a chance to confess their sins and give themselves up now."

The President takes a step back from the podium. The room once again is silent. Frozen with fear. Eyes dart around at each other. The President folds his arms. I look to my left, the boy glances over to me, disgust in his eyes. I look to my right, the boy stares forward. A commotion erupts on the other side of the room. Someone stands up on the bleachers. Lukas Ramsey. The people around him back away, some even getting up to avoid his presence.

"I knew it..." the boy to my right mumbles under his breath.

"Me too..." I shake my head. Lukas starts down the stairs of the bleachers. When he reaches the bottom two soldiers burst through the doors of the gymnasium and take him by the arms. The President turns to Lukas.

"Thank you for your confession, son. Bless you." The soldiers start to lead Lukas from the gym. Lukas tears his arm away from one of the officers and slams his shoulder into the other. The officer is knocked off his balance and he stumbles back. Lukas sprints across the gymnasium, students screaming as he reaches the President. He shoves the President aside and leans into the microphone.

"Love knows no bounds. Love is lo-" The officers are on Lukas' shoulders and they drag him off of the podium. They rush him across the room and through the doors. The President readjusts himself and steps up to the podium. Just then a sound echoes through the air, coming from the hallway. A gunshot.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading!