January 31, 2002
Blayne Phillips unlocked his car door. He really had stayed too late at school, but he had wanted to get his art project done with. He had a meeting with the head of the Art department at Columbia during Easter vacation from Winslow High. He had received a full paid art scholarship. His friends and family were thrilled for him. The hairs on Blayne's neck stood on end as he put his portfolio into the backseat of the car his father just bought him.
"Hey fag." Robert Lucci, one of Winslow High's best football players, walked up to Blayne with a few of his cronies.
"H-Hi Rob." Blayne bit his lip looking at him.
"What are you doing here do late? Ass fucking Gruber?" Rob laughed. Blayne frowned. He hated when people got on his back for being gay.
"I had an art project to do." He said softly.
"What's with fags and art?" Rob's friend, Steve, asked.
"What's with footballers and their asshole attitudes?" Blayne smiled triumphly. Robert narrowed his eyes.
"At east we're not queer." He said. Blayne shrugged.
"Oh I don't know. All those men, in tight pants, and sweaty practices... Oh let's not forget the long showers together. If you ask me that sounds a little gay.' Blayne retorted. Robert pushed Blayne into his car.
"You little fudge packer!" He spat kneeing Blayne in his groin. He groaned loudly collapsing to the ground.
"Fuck." Blayne groaned clutching his package. Steve kicked him in the lungs.
"Fag." He hissed. Robert bent down to him, grabbing a fist full Blayne's hair.
"I hope you liked sucking cock, you flamer, because you'll never get it again." Robert violently pounded Blayne's head into the ground until blood started to pool around them. Steve cackled with delight.
"Come on man! We need to get out of here." Robert stood up, wiping his hands.
"Come on."
* * *
As the bell that signified the start of first period rang, Marilyn Suder called her students to attention.
"Please have a seat. I need to talk with you." She said sitting on her desk. Marilyn sighed softly. "I wanted to talk to you about Blayne Phillips. As you know, he was attacked and murdered last night. I assure you, that the safety in this school is just as safe as it's always been." A few students laughed, "Blayne was a very talented student. He was a loving and caring person and because of is sexual orientation he was killed." She looked around at her students, "That wasn't fair to him and that isn't fair to the other gay students on this campus, so in honor of Blayne, I am forming a new club, The Gay/Straight alliance."
"Ms. Suder, is that possible?" Emily Blake asked, "Don't you have to run it by the board first?"
"Just like Mr. Senate's Suicide club?" Marilyn frowned, "This is a club for homosexuals to come to and feel safe. They may be themselves and not be looked down upon. Straight people who will be allies and support systems for these gay students are also welcome. We will meet in the music room after school everyday until we can book another room. Any questions?" No one raised his or her hands, "very good. Now take out your folders."
* * *
Marla glanced at Danny and Ronnie who were giggling at the table.
"What's so funny?" Se asked.
"Oh Nothing." Ronnie smothered her laughter. Marla narrowed her eyes.
"You two are dating aren't you?" She asked. Danny looked up.
"What? No…Not really." He said, "Just…seeing a lot of each other."
"I see." Marla said sitting down, "So, what do you think about Marilyn starting this gay straight allies club thing?"
"I think its good." Ronnie smiled.
"Yeah. Those people need a safe haven." Danny said.
"Those people?" Marla cocked her eyebrow,
"Homosexuals." He said slowly. Ronnie shrugged.
"It's about time we did something. It just sucks that it was too late for Blayne." She said running her hand through her hair. "I should get to class."
"Yeah. See ya." Danny smiled.
"Aren't you going to kiss your boyfriend?" Marla smiled.
"He isn't my boyfriend." Ronnie laughed leaving. Marla looked at Danny.
"What? She's telling the truth."
"Sure, she is." Marla smiled
* * *
Marla smiled at the students that sat in the chairs she had set up.
"I know because this is the first meeting, it'll be a little awkward, but please note this is a safety zone. What ever you say here stays here so be as candid as you want. Let's introduce ourselves and say something about you. Why don't you go first?"
"Okay." A brunette smiled, "I'm Parris and I'm a Jounier and I like girls a lot." She grinned broadly.
"Um…I'm Sandra. I'm a senior and I'm a straight supporter." She said nervously.
"I'm Jeremy. Ah…My mom is a TA here and I'm bisexual." He said.
"I'm Derek and I'm as gay as apple pie." He grinned. The next five students introduced themselves as well.
"Very good." Marilyn grinned, "Tonight I just wanted to talk to you about what happened to Blayne."
"That was absolutely disgusting." Parris said, "I don't care what people say, it was because he was gay. Haven't we learned anything from Matthew Shepherd or Brandon Teena?"
"Apparently, not." Derek said.
"If you ask me, they should question a few of those jocks." Martin said, "They're always on my case for liking guys and girls."
"Do you think anything could be done?" Marilyn asked.
"No," Jeremy said, "Once an ass always an ass. We can' change people unfortunately. They're going to do what they see fit and there are a lot of ignorant people in this world who just doesn't understand us. The could give two shits if we were alive or dead."
"Jeremy is right." Sandra said, "I told my friends I was coming to this and they could only ask why. They didn't understand that sexual orientation doesn't define a person and all that crap."
"Do you think society will ever change?" Marilyn asked.
"No." They all said.
"They just will come to tolerate us and ignore us." Jeremy said.
"Is this really how you all feel?" Marilyn asked.
"Not everyone is bad, Ms. Suder, There are still a few kindred spirits out there." Parris said softly. Marilyn sighed. She was now glad she formed this club,
* * *
"You sure you want to drive me?" Jeremy asked.
"Sure. Why not?" Derek smiled, "You shouldn't walk alone home anyway." Jeremy smiled slightly.
"It's really cool that Ms. Suder formed that club." Jeremy said, "We need a place where we can be ourselves."
"Yeah." Derek said unlocking the car, "Listen, Jer, if you're not busy tomorrow night…I um, I would like to take you out to eat." Jeremy smiled slightly.
"Tomorrow night. Sure…That sounds nice." He said.
"Oh! Isn't this cute." Steve and Robert walked up to the boys, "Couldn't get asked about by any girls, Peters?"
"I won't respond to that." Jeremy said looking at Derek. Robert got between them.
"How was Fag club?" Robert asked, "Steve and I were meaning to stop by and have a look. Queers on display."
"Let's get in the car, Jeremy." Derek said worriedly.
"You're not going anywhere. Well, you'll be going to the same place as Blayne. Gay Hell."
"Will you be there?" Jeremy asked as Robert punched him. Steven grabbed Derek and brought him to the ground.
Danny knocked on Ronnie's classroom door. She smiled when she saw him.
"I thought you went home." She smiled. He shook his head walking in.
"I was waiting for you." Danny said.
"Why?"
"Because I wanted to ask you something." Danny said fixing his collar.
"Ask me what?" Ronnie cocked her eyebrow.
"I was thinking about what Marla said and stuff." He said nervously, "And I was wondering if you would like to be my girlfriend." Ronnie stared at the nervous man.
"I um….Danny, we both just got out of serious relationships." She said.
"I'm not asking you to marry me, Ronnie, I would just like to be your boyfriend." He said, "We spend enough time together lately. Why not make it official?" Ronnie smiled softly and nodded.
"Good logic, Hansen." She said.
"Is that a yes?" He asked.
"It's a yes." Ronnie chuckled as commotion from outside the window caught their attention. Danny looked out the window.
"Fuck." He cursed and ran off. Ronnie looked out the window to see Derek and Jeremy getting the tar beaten out of them.
"Christ."
"Fucking Fag!" Robert kicked Jeremy hard in the ribs.
"Oh god." Jeremy coughed. Robert went into for another kick when Danny ran into him bringing him to the ground.
"Don't touch him!" Danny yelled. Ronnie dashed to the parking lot with her cell phone dialing the police.
"Shit! Mr. Hansen." Robert yelled. Steven ran off. Ronnie leaned down to Jeremy.
"Are you okay?" Ronnie asked.
"C-Can't breath." He sobbed.
"It's okay. An ambulance is on its way." She said.
"D-Derek?" Jeremy asked. Ronnie looked over at the other boy. He was lying in his own blood.
"Just focus on yourself, Jeremy." She said softly. Danny held Roger's hands behind his back.
"You kicked them didn't you?" Danny hissed, "You killed Blayne!!"
"He fucking deserved it!!!!!!" He yelled Ronnie sighed softly, tending to Jeremy. This got to out of hand, but if Danny hadn't seen them Jeremy would be dead too. Soon, the ambulance came and loaded Jeremy into the back. Ronnie got in with him.
* * *
Meredith and Scott ran down the hallway almost running into Ronnie.
"Where's Jeremy??? What happened!?" Meredith cried.
"He was attacked."
"ATTACKED!?" Meredith yelled.
"He and a friend were attacked for being gay." Ronnie said softly, "His friend didn't make it. Jeremy was extremely lucky Mr. Hansen was there. He has a cracked rib and a sprained wrist. He received some stitches. He's mostly shaken up."
"Go in there Meredith." Scott urged her into the room. Meredith walked into Jeremy's room. His body was battered and bruised.
"Oh Jeremy." She said taking his hand, "I did this to you!!" Jeremy opened his eyes, "This is all my fault Jeremy."
"You didn't make people…. ignorant." He mumbled. "And you didn't make me gay."
"Yes, I did Jeremy." Meredith said stroking hi hair, "Events like these remind me that I am a horrible mother."
"If you were a horrible mother, you wouldn't be right here holding my hand." Jeremy said looking at her. Meredith smiled softly
Danny closed the door giving the privacy.
"Robert and Steven admitted to the killings." He said slipping his arm around Ronnie's waist.
"Good." She sighed, "I can't believe something like that happened on Winslow grounds."
"What is this world coming to?"
"I don't know, Danny, I just don't know."