Emma and Timothy were on their way to school. Walking in to the school yard, they saw their classmates huddled together.
"What's going on?" Timothy asked, once they reached the group.
"Mr Jones got arrested." Jack said. He smiled at Emma. He had been doing that a lot lately. Emma didn't understand why.
"Arrested for what?" Timothy asked. He knew Mr Jones, and he didn't think he was the type to get arrested.
"Indecent exposure." One of the teenage boys piped up, grinning. "More like for being a fag queen."
Everybody laughed, except Tim and Emma.
Emma frowned. She didn't think it was funny.
Even Jack cracked a smile, until he saw the look on Emma's face. Then he coughed, trying to hide his laugh behind his hand.
One of their classmates walked up to the group. "Emma, could we talk?" Johnny asked.
Emma smiled softly at him. She had an idea what he wanted to talk to her about.
Jack and Timothy watched them walk away. Both wondering what we were talking about.
"Did you hear?" Johnny asked, once they were alone. "About Mister Jones?"
Emma nodded. "I heard he got arrested."
"For being gay."
Emma sighed. "Yes."
"Will you help me, now? If my parents find out, they'll kill me."
"I really don't think they will." Emma said. "They're your parents. You've told me about them, they sound like really nice people. They should accept you for who you are."
"All I know is that I can't stay here." Johnny said. "A place where I'm not wanted."
Emma sighed, thinking about how her parents would respond to her helping him run away. "I understand, I do. And I'm really sorry, but I can't help you." She sighed. "I really wish I could."
The boy nodded, and walked away.
Emma sighed as she watched him leave. She really wished she could help him, but she knew her new parents would never approve of it.
"What were you two talking about?" Jack asked.
Emma startled. She hadn't heard him walk up to her. She frowned, as she walked away. "None of your business."
Jack looked at Timothy, who shrugged. He too, didn't know what she was angry about.