“You are probably wondering why I asked to see you here?”

“I am.” And how did you know I was in school already.

“Look, Bette. I don’t want you to think any less of ms Peabody once you have heard what is coming next.”

Oh God. Oh dear God in heaven, help me! Ms Peabody knows I’m gay, has told ms Lerner, who will tell my dad and then I might as well jump right into the toaster.

“Okay.” My voice sounds strange, unfamiliar, as if it isn’t mine.

“There have been some plans about a new… group at this school. An LGBT group, to be exact. There would be meetings on a monthly basis. The purpose is helping people through the process of coming out, answering any questions other students might have, give people who are doubting their sexuality a chance to talk to someone who’s been through all that.
We would also plan to have several activities.”

“This all sounds very good, Ms Lerner, but what do I have to do with it?”

She smiled knowingly. “Ms Peabody, who came to me with this idea, has shown me your essay. I must say that I am very impressed, Bette. Of course we all know you always score amazingly well on most subjects, but there is more to you than meets the eye. Since this group is for students mostly, it seems important to us that a student will be president. Ms Peabody and ms Kennard, the organisers, want to be involved and want to offer all their help, but they want the students to take initiave.”

As soon as she pronounced ms Kennards name, my heart rate increased. I swallowed and my throat was dry.

“I don’t think I can do that.”

Ms Lerner looked surprised. “Why not?”

“I’m sorry, I just… I just can’t. There are so many better people to do that. I’m sure Alice Pieszecki would be delighted to do this, Shane McCutcheon will want to be part of it as well.”

“And you don’t.”

“Yes – but not as president.”

“Altough I respect your decision to refuse, I want you to think about it. Let me know something soon. I have another appointment right now and you have classes to attend. I hope you change your mind.”