I feel like I'm in prison.

I'm obviously grounded for life, but it's not my fault. How I was supposed to know the truth about the school I was being sent to?

However, I know damn well the real reason why I'm in so much trouble. It's because of Jules. If Jules hadn't said "Emersyn's my girlfriend," this would never have happened, would it?

But...in my mom's eyes, me dating Jules would've been a heterosexual relationship. So what got her so mad? The fact that Jules used my preferred name? That Jules was non-binary?

Whatever the reason, Mom was the direct cause of my partner breaking up with me and me getting pulled out of the only safe space I've ever known.

Then, suddenly and with no warning, my phone started to vibrate.

Emma, it's Jules. I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry.

I can't speak for a few seconds, I can't think. No, Jules wasn't totally in the wrong, but they didn't help the situation that much.

Sorry isn't gonna cut it.

I know that, but I wanna make it up to you somehow. Please. Please just listen to me.

Fine.

I smile a little bit as I set my phone down, waiting for the buzz of Jules texting me back.

Thanks. Anyway, Myles, Laurie, and I got this idea yesterday in class. Well, Laurie and Myles. Myles and Laurie both got pulled out, a lot of kids did. I didn't. I'm one of the lucky ones.

Myles got pulled out too?

I wasn't the only one?

Then it hit me. Abe. I wonder how Abe's doing in the wake of this whole thing. He was terrified in the days leading up to Open House, and now that it ended the way it ended...I'm scared for him.

Hold up, before you continue with this idea of yours, do you know what happened to Abe?

Jules is typing...

I'm terrified for the answer. My heart is pounding, my hands are shaking...Abe doesn't deserve this. I'm praying he's okay.

Jules?

He's losing money, and fast. With so many kids being pulled out of TAH, he has to pay back people's tuitions, and money was already tight for him. Please Emma, we need you back. I need you back. Abe needs you back.
In a way, you were the only thing holding us together.

I what?

I didn't realize that I made such an impact on people...I'm used to people pushing me down and belittling me. I'm not used to this.

I have to help my friends.

Oh my God. I feel terrible. I know my mom is never gonna let me go back there, there's nothing I can do. Jules, I'm sorry. I love you, but I'm sorry.

Well...there is something you can do...

What?

Yeah! Laurie and Myles are going to your old Catholic school, Springfield, if I'm not mistaken. And they're planning on giving the bigoted, close-minded, homophobic administration at this place a piece of their minds. And we were wondering if you would want to join us.

Oh. My. God. HELL YEAH!

YES! We'll pick you up at your house. Be on your front porch at 5!

I feel fresh tears forming in my eyes. I can't believe this. For five years, I've wanted to stand up to Springfield, but couldn't. I never had the chance, I never gained the courage to do such a thing.

And now my friends found the courage and the voice for me.

And I could never repay them for that.