It Started with a Secret

Chapter 1 - I don't speak bullshit

To be honest, I thought I was being sent to conversion therapy until they told me I was to attend Holy Guardian Academy. I'm surprised by this, all the other queers in my town were sent to conversion therapy and never seen again.

Most of the rumors say they escaped those hell holes and are currently living life thriving in the LGBT+ community.

However, I know not all of those rumors are true. Half of the kids ended up killing themselves. I don't blame them, I don't have the strength to make it through that kind of torture either, as much as I like to believe I do. It's time we face the reality of suicide rates in LGBT+ teens, anyway.

The entire car ride to my personal hell I am forcing back my tears and swallowing my feelings, but the lump in my throat doesn't go away.

Holy Guardian Academy is just outside Arcton, it's a 25 minute drive from my house. The duration of this time is spent sitting with my family in uncomfortable silence until we slowly pull up to the looming building.

"Okay Harley, Pastor Tom is waiting for you right outside the main hall. He's going to help you adjust to the school and show you around the campus. Classes have only been going on for about a month, you'll adapt just fine I'm sure," my mother explains, a pained expression on her face. I don't understand why, she's the one forcing me to leave after all.

I look to my dad, who is blankly staring over the steering wheel at nothing.

Of course now he has nothing to say. I roll my eyes with a heavy sigh, climb out of the car and slam the door as my mother tries to get her last words out, but she's too late. I swing open the truck and angrily grab my things, heaving my bags over my shoulder.

A tall man makes his way down the many steps which connects to the large doors of the old building. As he gets closer I pick up on more of his features, like his pale, wrinkled forehead and dark, neat comb over that is dotted with grey hairs.

"Hi there, I'm pastor Tom. Are you Harley Adams?" He greets with a warm voice, yet a chilling undertone. Still, I refuse to let adults intimidate me.

I nod my head silently, looking him dead in the eyes. They were icy blue, matching the unfavorable tone in his fake voice.

I already know exactly what he wants to do with me. He wants me to change who I am. I wish him good luck with that, no one can change me.

"We can give your bags to some of the custodial staff, they'll deposit them in your dormitory for you," he offers, lifting his head higher as if he could sense my lack of intimidation and respect for him. "Follow me please, we'll make our way around the campus."

I follow Pastor Tom around, always a few steps behind him. The school is huge, with extraordinary stained glass windows, intricate brickwork and expansive courtyards. Pastor Tom goes on and on about the school's history and how they have proudly guided many young adult's lives to the glory of God.

He stops near a large, brightly colored banner that is stuck to the tan and cream bricks, looking odd and out of place.

"This is a sign some students put up a few years ago, right after our last big protest. Unfortunately we haven't been able to have another one due to..." Pastor Tom begins to lecture right before I tune out his monotone voice.

The sign is an intense yellow with bold, black letters reading 'homosexuality is SIN!'

"Wow, very creative," I mutter sarcastically under my breath.

"Did you say something?" Pasto Tom asks, one eyebrow raised skeptically.

"No," I respond with a big and mocking smile. It's the most I have said to him so far.

I eye the bright and taunting sign, thinking about how Pastor Tom said the students had done this. I always liked to have faith in my generation, knowing that we were generally more accepting and open to the LGBT+ community.

But that ends now, I know I'm not safe here at this school.

It's bad enough any adult figure here is automatically going to hate me after finding out why my parents sent me here, I don't need all of my peers mocking me as well.

This is one big ass secret you got here, Harley.

I follow Pastor Tom around the corner as we step into a large room filled with noisy students and overpriced food.

The cafeteria, my least favorite place.

It quiets down almost immediately as Pastor Tom clears his throat, I'm now realizing how much power he has here.

Hundreds of eyes are fixated on me, I gulp and stand up straighter, with my shoulders back and head held high.

"Hello everyone, today we have a new student joining us. Why don't you introduce yourself?" Pastor Tom instructs in the eerily quiet room.

"I'm Harley Adams, I'm from Arcton," I say with ease and confidence. If Pastor Tom thinks he can intimidate me, he's wrong.

"Harley is in 10th grade and I expect some other sophomores to help her adjust," he continues, raising one eyebrow again. He looks really stupid when he does that.

I turn to face the crowd again, my attention now drawn to someone sitting on one of the tables, a pretentious look on his face. From across the room I can see his eyes travel up and down my body. I suddenly wish I wasn't wearing ripped up skinny jeans and a crop top on my first day.

That's stupid Harley, don't let this creep control you and how you express yourself.

"C'mon over here babe, I'll show you around," The idiot mocks with a wink. "I know you can't resist, no one can," a buzz is created in the crowd of students. If only he knew who he was messing with.

"Sorry, I can't understand you 'cause I don't speak bullshit," the crowd suddenly silences while the snob looks like he's been slapped in the face.

"What'd you say to me?" He slowly asks as he stands up.

"I said you're a-" I start before Pastor Tom interrupts me. Why does everyone do that?

"Harley, Jaxon, I suggest you stop now, or it's detention with me," he says dryly. I assume this kind of outburst isn't anything new to him.

I clench my jaw tightly to hold back my temper as I watch Jaxon's face twist with rage, also fighting back the words running through his mind.

"Welcome to HGA, Harley," Jaxon says slowly, a sly smile spreading across his face.

This year is gonna be interesting.