AL- Break Free.

Sneaked For Pride

  School hours passed in a blur,  and I found myself sitting in Math class. I looked on as Mr. Hughes took the class through some equations, what so ever.
My mind drifted away from class , into deep ponder.

Mom always said "when life hits, it does so hard but what matters is you come back and hit it real bad."
I always thought of it as silly, and now that I realised how life's knocked me off course....

I flipped to the back page of my notebook to take a glimpse of dad's picture.  It was an old  [obviously ] picture of him and I after one of my wrestling matches. I could see in his eyes how proud he was of me- he was just too bad at showing it.  I fought back tears, looking into his smoky-grey eyes and tracing fingers down his blonde man bun.

I wonder why he understood my feelings perfectly but mom was his opposite. I sometimes  just concluded that, maybe, just maybe, I could blame it on their different background. But some conservative parents are lgbtq friendly. Sometimes I just wish he was here to say "It's okay if you like a girl. Just be yourself "
I have three great friends who knew who I was and says it all the time.  But it hits different when it comes from someone you cherish  [not that I don't cherish my friends. ]
Sometimes I just need a hug from someone and maybe spend time not judging each other but nibbling on a bar of chocolate.
Not all needs are met and besides, people are caught up in dealing with their own shit.
"The world's really fucked up. ."

"Alexa. ... Earth to, Alexa." I heard Mr. Hughes' screeching voice.
"Would you please give us the answer for question....."

"I wasn't paying attention. And it's Al not Alexa , " I murmured.

"Don't you think the idea of being sass is a bit early..."

I opened my mouth to talk but swallowed my words when I saw how disappointing Steph looked at me.
She was only sixteen, but her smart arse got her to senior year.

Hughes snatched the picture I held, "Get that after detention, it ain't family union "

That was nothing new. Out of every school year, I spend 20% in class; 30% in detention; 30% being suspended and then I split the remaining 20% between picking up fights, getting into trouble and failing my exams.
That sums up to making me a 100% good student- simple calculations.
The bell went off and students automatically got ready to go.

"The bell does not dismiss you. I do."Hughes snorted.

That's so cliché .

I thought but it landed right on my lips and the entire class giggled.
"Two additional days Miss Alexa Enrich."
He walked out but not hearing me mutter " It's Al,Al Enrich."

I walked down the hallway, my headphones set in , listening to Harry Styles' Watermelon sugar.
I ran into Nory immediately I took a sharp curve to enter into detention.
"Heard you got yourself into detention? " she asked.

Heard?.

It came to my recognition that Jeff, Ellie and herself had skipped class and no teacher noticed.

Classic .

"Where did you guys go?" I asked.
"It's June,honey," Ellie said.
"And time to be proud, " Jeff added.
"There's a parade and we couldn't miss it," Nory said, giving me a sneak peak of the transgender flag she bought.
"Oh so you went to parade? Good for you," I muttered ,a tinge of jealousy filled me up. Knowing well that I might not - as a teenager and niece of the most popular preacher and homophobic advocate - attend a single parade to get a feel of belonging.

"It's still popping and we came back to get you," Nory mused.

"You I can't. I have detention and besides Stella will go crazy when she finds out."

"She won't find out. You get dirty...with some paints. It'll be hard for anyone to recognise you," Jeff explained.

It's just a parade. You've done worst things. A little fun won't hurt. ....unless it screamed trouble.

I pondered for a while.
"Let's do this," I said.

"Yaaas queen, " Jeff whispered.

"But I have to do something first. "

                🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅
I was overwhelmed by the huge number of people outside. It was breathtaking, to see people embrace who they are and spread positivity without any hate - except for protesters who screamed their lungs out "You will go to hell, God hates you  " and the likes. It was good.
   
   I'm sure dad will be proud of me. I remember the words he said to me before we lost contact : I love you no matter what. .

I laughed. "The old man must be a Calumn Scott fan"

Texts from Mr.Hughes pinged into my phone.
"Oh...oh.." I gasped.
"What's wrong," Ellie spoke on top of her voice because the music was too loud.

"It's Mr.Hughes."

"Why is he texting you.? Is it because you sneaked out of detention? "Jeff teased.

"She was never there though, " Nory joined in the conversation. She handed us a can of soda each.
"What tea did I miss. "

"He's texting me because I replaced my aunt's number with my fake one and I went through his stuff looking for my dad's picture. I care less. "

It was getting dark and we didn't realise it because we took some time to hit the mall. Stella had been binge calling me so I put my phone off. Knowing I was already in trouble, I took my time to have fun.

"See you tomorrow at school, " Jeff sat in his car.
"Are you sure you don't us to go explain to your aunt what happened? " Ellie inquired. Her dark eyes sympathising with me.

"What am I? Twelve? " I scoffed. "I'll be alright. It's not like they're gonna kick me out. "

They could. I remember Stella telling me that  she'd send me to my grandma in Newyork if I misbehaved this school year . Hope it was just a threat.

Since I did not have my own car, Nory offered to drive me home. Just to know I was on the safe side and not get murdered.
We walked hand in hand over to her car. The sight of two girls making out caught my attention, not because it turned me on [which for a fact did], but because the looks of the supposedly "bottom " froze me in my steps.

"Why you acting like you just saw Harley make out with the joker, ' smirked Nory.
I ignored her joke whatsoever , and joined her in the front seat.

The car burnt down the road and my thoughts arose.

I've definitely seen that face before ,if I'm not mistaking.

Then it stuck me, like lightening. Of course, how could I forget that perfect face. If she's the one, the maybe ,just maybe my life would be much easier.

It sure would. So much easier.

             Writer's Note
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