Chapter 3
Jennie was 14 years old when she realized there would always be people who would hate her for simply being herself… And that Lisa would never be one of them
Jennie had never really thought of coming out, happy to hide her sexuality until she had graduated and went off to college somewhere far away, where the people where more open minded than in rural Ohio. Probably New York or maybe Los Angeles. Which is why she was not prepared when she was forced out of the closet. It all started on a trip to Washington. The soccer team had a huge game there that weekend and Jennie had convinced her parents to drive her down there so she could cheer Lisa on. Especially since Lisa’s own parents had refused to go as they were not supportive of her playing soccer, seeing it as a distraction. By the end of the game, Jennie had managed to scream herself hoarse shouting encouragement for Lisa, much to Lisa’s embarrassment.
Afterwards, Lisa had dragged Jennie to a party the team was having to celebrate their victory back at the hotel they were staying in, which just so happened to be the same one where Jennie and her parents were also staying.
The party had been going on for some time now and the other team had even joined them. Jennie was standing in the kitchen with Lisa and some of her teammates, quietly watching them talk about the game. Jennie was not a fan of parties and the loud music and constant chatter was starting to get to her. She had noticed the balcony when they had first entered the suite and decided it was the perfect place to get away for a little while and get some air. She grabbed Lisa’s elbow to get her attention and simply pointed at the balcony door. Lisa immediately turned around to accompany her but Jennie didn’t want to drag her away from the celebration and so told her that she would be back in a few minutes. Lisa started insisting on going with her but was then quickly dragged back into the conversation by one of the other girls and Jennie quickly made her way to the balcony.
The moment she stepped out and the door shut behind her she felt a lot better, the fresh air hitting her face and the loud sound of the music quieting to a more tolerable volume. She closed her eyes and breathed in. “You’re cute” a voice said, making her open her eyes quickly in surprise. She had though that she had been alone. The voice came from a girl who looked a little bit older than her. Jennie recognized her as one of the players on the opposite team. She was holding a red solo cup filled with a weird looking liquid that was clearly some kind of alcoholic beverage. And from the looks of her, it wasn’t her first cup. “Um, thank you?” Jennie said, unsure of how to reply. The girl simply smiled drunkenly at her and took her by the hand, dragging her to the edge. “Look at all the lights, isn’t it beautiful?”, she asked. “I mean, I guess so”. Jennie turned to look at the other girl but was surprised when she suddenly leaned closer and kissed her without any warning. It was Jennie’s first kiss and the only way to describe it would be sloppy, the smell of alcohol invading her senses. It lasted for a few seconds only before the other girl backed away and laughed drunkenly at the surprise that colored Jennie’s face. She chugged down the rest of her drink before throwing her cup on the floor and leaving. Jennie simply stood there trying to understand what had just happened. In her shock she failed to notice the flash of a cell phone coming from the window of the balcony.
Two days later, Jennie was making her way to her locker to get her books for her last class of the day when she noticed all the stares she was getting. The stares were accompanied by hushed whispers and even some pointed glares. She shook it of and kept walking but confusion started growing inside her as the whispers grew louder.
“Did you see the photo?”
“She doesn’t look like one”
“It’s unnatural”
In that moment, Jennie’s locker came into view and confusion turned into understanding in one second, the panic at the sudden realization hitting her like a cold wave. Stuck to her locker was a blown-up picture of two girls kissing in a balcony. She easily recognized herself and the drunk girl at the party. The kiss had lasted about two seconds and she hadn’t even responded but the angle at which the picture was taken made it look like she was a willing participant. The word faggot was written in black marker just below the picture.
Jennie froze on the spot, eyes unable to look elsewhere. She heard laughter behind her and turned around to see Lia, one of Lisa’s friends from the soccer team. Jennie had talked with her several times and they had always gotten along. Two of her friends were standing next to her. “I always knew there was something off about you”, she taunted Jennie, her voice cold and a sneer adorning her face. “I just never expected you to be one of them.” Her voice took on an even harsher tone on the last word, looking like even thinking of queer people disgusted her. “I didn’t… I mean… I’m not…” Jennie stuttered out; her words thick with her accent which only came out when she was nervous.
“What the hell is she saying?”, one of the girls standing next to Lia asked, the three girls laughing cruelly at her remark.
Hearing their laughter brought back unwanted memories of seven-year-old Jennie’s first day of class and of her classmates’ laughter at her broken English. A crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle and Jennie could feel their stares burning into her as the laughter continued. She took a few steps backwards, eyes darting around as she tried to find a way out of the situation. “At least Lisa will finally see you for the waste of space you truly are and ditch you”. Jennie’s posture immediately changed at hearing those words. Anger overtook her as Lia had just mentioned Jennie’s biggest fear. Lisa leaving her.
They had never talked about it so Jennie didn’t know Lisa’s thoughts on the LGBTQ community but considering the small-minded town they came from and the fact that Lisa’s parents were extremely religious, she feared her reaction wouldn’t be positive. Jennie straightened up and glared right at Lia, her comment hitting too close to home. “You’re one to talk. I’d rather be making out with girls than with teachers just so that I can get a passing grade”, she told her, remembering the rumors that had surrounded the other girl at the start of the year about her and their chemistry teacher.
Lia’s fists tightened in anger and in one quick motion she had shoved Jennie against her locker, arm raised to slap her. Jennie was too surprised at the sudden flare of pain that exploded in her back at the harsh shove and only had time to stare at Lia before she saw the hand flying towards her face. Time seemed to slow down as a blur ran towards them, ripping Lia of off Jennie just before the hand connected.
A loud thud was heard as the two bodies hit the floor harshly. Jennie was so surprised at the turn of events that it took her a few seconds to take in the scene in front of her. Lisa was straddling her teammate’s waist as her fists blew at her face, unintelligible threats flying out of her mouth.
Two teachers who had heard the commotion came rushing in. The crowd quickly dispersed, including Lia’s two friends. One of the teachers, Ms. Jessica, managed to pull Lisa of off Lia, dragging her back by the waist. Ms. Irene, the other teacher, helped pull Lia to her feet. Her lip was busted and there was already a bruise blooming on her cheek. Suddenly, without warning she burst into tears
“I don’t know what happened. I was just trying to talk with Jennie and Lisa tackled me out of nowhere. She’s crazy”. She told the teachers. At this, Lia once again tried to get at her, Ms. Jessica tightening his hold on her to keep her from flying at her.
Ms. Irene seemed to be considering the situation when her eyes caught the photo that was still hanging on Jennie’s locker. The homophobic slur written on it. She seemed to connect the points about what had actually happened rather quickly. “Lia, come with me. We’re going to the infirmary’s office. And we’ll be paying a visit to the principal afterwards. Jessica, please take Lisa to the principal’s office. Jennie, I’m sure you have classes to get to.”
Jennie was about to protest but was silenced by the fierce look the teacher shot her. Ms. Jessica let go of Lisa and started walking her to the office but she stopped when she passed Lia to whisper something in her ear. Jennie was too far to make out what was said but it figured it must not have been good by the way Lia paled at her words. She then continued following the teacher down the hallway like nothing had happened. Jennie noticed she hadn’t even turned to look at her once. Lia meanwhile, sulkily followed Ms. Irene in the opposite direction, shooting a glare at Jennie as she walked past.
Jennie was left standing in an empty hallway. With nothing else to do, she took her books out of her locker and made her way to her English class. She entered the classroom and was quickly waved to her seat with a look of annoyance as her teacher was in the middle of a lecture. Jennie made her way to the back of the classroom and sat in her seat, ignoring the hushed whispers and stares that seemed to follow her.
Time seemed to crawl by as Jennie spent the remaining class time looking at the clock. After what seemed to be an eternity, the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the school day. Jennie quickly grabbed her things and rushed to the office.
She approached Ms. Tiffany, the school secretary who immediately knew what she was here for when she saw her. “Sorry Jennie, she’s still in there”, she told her. Jennie knew Ms. Tiffany well from her time volunteering at the office last year for extra school credit. Jennie thanked her and walked over to one of the chairs that stood outside the principal’s office, ready to wait for however long it took for Lisa to come out.
It was barely five minutes later however when the door opened and a furious looking Lisa stormed out. Jennie was taken aback by the look of anger on Lisa’s face, used to her happy, easy-going personality. The angry look quickly evaporated when Lisa noticed Jennie standing there replaced by her usual smug smirk. “How long have you been waiting? You must have really missed me”. Jennie fought back a smile at Lisa’s usual smugness. “What happened in there?” she asked her, still thinking about the dark look on Lisa’s face when she had walked out.
Lisa continued smiling. “They expelled Lia. Thanks to the photo they believed me when I told them what she did.” Jennie was not fooled by her smile. She knew her well enough to know that there was something else she wasn’t telling her. “Lisa”, she said. Lisa’s smile slipped away at the clear warning in Jennie’s voice. “They kicked me off the soccer team”, she told her with a grimace. Jennie immediately felt guilty and looked down, unable to look her best friend in the eyes.
Lisa was quick to notice Jennie blaming herself, however, and took a hold of her chin with her fingers and raised her head so her eyes would meet hers. Jennie was startled at the fierce look Lisa was sporting. “Jennie, you better not be blaming yourself for this. The only person to blame is Lia and she got what was coming for her.” Jennie wanted to believe her but the guilt was still there. “But you love playing soccer.” Lisa simply shrugged at her. “I do. But not as much as I love you firefly.”
Jennie’s heart thumped as it always did when Lisa called her that. She wanted to simply move on but there was one last question on her mind. “You do understand that what they were saying about me is true, right?”.
Lisa looked unbothered by the news. “So?” she asked her before throwing an arm around her shoulders leading her towards the exit. “Now, I don’t know about you but I’m craving some ice cream”.
Jennie had to push back tears, her friend’s quiet acceptance meaning more for her than she could ever explain. She leaned more into the half hug and smiled, the negative emotions the day had evoked vanishing. “Sounds great, but you’re buying.”