"I love you Tim."

"I love you too sis."

I signed out and got ready for bed. It made me happy to know that my big brother, my rock and my strength, supported me. It made me happy that my family accepted it. I wasn’t going to introduce them to Jenny just yet. I had to slowly expose them to my new life.

I went to school the next day in a great mood. I was ready to be out and proud in school, and I eventually wanted to make Jenny my girlfriend. But right now, I just wanted to explore this new life which I have been accepted into. I walked into my homeroom class, and spotted my friends.

"I’ve finally done it."

"Done what TK," Alice asked not looking up from her paper.

"I’ve come out of the closet. I told my family last night after y’all left."

"Congrats Tina," Carmen said jumping up and hugging me.

"Yeah Tina, that’s amazing."

"I’m pretty stoked about it. Just do me one favor," I asked and they nodded, "don’t mention it to Jenny. I’m not ready for her to know just yet."

"Why’s that," Shane asked.

"We we’ve been getting along great. And she’s a great girl, but it seems like she wants more. You know?"

"Sexy time?"

"Yes, and though I’m interested in it..I’m just not ready for that yet."

"Say no more TK, we got you," Alice said, just as the teacher walked in.

She talked about the last couple of months, finals and prom. Everyone was excited and I was too, this would be the first time I’d go without a boy. I sat there, day dreaming until everyone started getting up. We were going to the audtitorum for a presentation. As we got to the double doors, I saw the whole senior class was in attendence. Wonder what it could be.

We sat chatting for a while, wondering what was up, until I heard heels clicking on the stage. I look up and it’s Bette. She was accompanied by a couple other men and our art teacher. Princpal Martin was at the podium ready to give a speech.

"Good morning students, and welcome to the last sixty days of your high school career," he started off and everyone cheered, "I brought you all here so that we can shine the spotlight on three students. We were chosen by the California Arts Center and the board trustees of the Art Department of California University to come together for a project. Your fellow art classmates were given an assignment to highlight what it means to be a high school student. It is with great pleasure that I introduce Bette Porter, artist and curator to the California Arts Center."