On their way back home from school, Mai and Violet  walk on the same sidewalk passing by Starbucks and Taco Bell, which was just a block away from their houses. In front of them were these two girls holding hands. Out of nowhere, a young kid from across the street yells, “ew are you guys a couple? Girls are only supposed to like boys. That’s what my dad told me.” His friend adds, “yea my parents said those people are weird and are a disgrace to society.” 

Girls are only supposed to like boys! 

you guys are weird and are a disgrace to society!

Hey! Who are you to assume we are dating? 

and even if we are dating, that's none of your business! Girls can date other girls if they want to!

After this happens, Mai and Violet see the two girls continue to hold hands and be on their way, ignoring the rude boys and their comments.

Mai was so shocked by what just happened. In the years that Violet has known Mai, she has never seen her so angry.

Mai are you okay? You look super mad right now.

 Yea I’m okay, that was just so rude why would they say that to them?

Mai and Violet continue walking home.

Mai and Violet always hung out after school at Violet's house and  watched SpongeBob together. But when Mai was alone, she liked to paint.

Mai only expressed her opinions through her art. Being a quiet girl, she never liked to talk about her feelings with anyone – not even her parents. After school, Mr. and Mrs. Sun would always ask her how she was doing, and she would always reply, “I’m good,” even though she often felt sad and lonely.

I'm good.

How are you sweetie? How was school?

Mai could paint all day and night. But after she finished her paintings, she often drifted away in her own imagination – sometimes seeing herself standing at the top of a mountain and feeling free. Other times, she imagined how her parents might react when she tells them that she likes girls. 

How could you Mai?

Oh honey, you are probably just confused.

“Will they still love me even if I like girls,” Mai thinks to herself. “Why am I like this? Why can’t I just be normal?”

Romeo &

Juliet

While Mai often thinks about the day she will come out to her parents, what she wants most is to tell Violet, her best friend, first.

The next day, Violet and Mai walk to school together. In class, their teachers tell them to pull out their books titled Romeo and Juliet. While the class discusses the book, Mai starts to think about how she is an outcast and might be the only girl at school who likes other girls. She thinks back to the day when she witnessed two boys verbally harassing two girls for holding hands in public. Mai begins to panic. 

Romeo &

Juliet

Wait Mai! Where are you going?

I . . . I have to go

Mai immediately runs to the bathroom crying. She looks at herself in the mirror and despises what she sees. She hates everything from her face to her outfit to her body. Out of nowhere, Violet barges into the bathroom and sees her best friend sobbing.

What's wrong Mai? 

Violet . . . I like girls. I think my parents are going to disown me if they find out.

Mai builds up the courage and finally tells Violet her secret - a secret that she has not only been hiding from her but from everyone else her entire life.

But because Violet couldn't help Mai with her struggles due to her lack of knowledge on the subject, she told her that Mr. Pete, the school counselor who many students said was helpful, may be able to help. At first, Mai was scared to talk about her struggles with a random stranger, but later that week, she decided to give it a try. 

You are perfect the way you are Mai! You are still my best friend and you are worthy of love. Trust me, your parents will still love you, you are their child!

Mai cries herself to sleep that night and thought about how all she wanted was to feel supported and loved regardless of who she likes. She feels like nobody understands her. She just wants to be part of a community that accepts her for who she is.

On Friday afternoon, Mai nervously opens the door into Mr. Pete’s office. He invites her in and tells her to take a seat. He asked her a few questions about her social life at school and her life at home. Mai then got into why she was really there to talk to him. 

I like girls but I am scared to tell my parents or anyone else at school besides my best friend Violet because I don't want to get bullied for it.

Mr. Pete, however, didn't know how to help Mai and told her that the town isn't very accepting of people who are different, and that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people could fall under that category.

I don't want to expose my true self because people will bully me and I will have no friends.

I am very sorry that you are going through such a hard time Mai. Do not worry though, your parents will always love you no matter what okay? 

 Mai immediately calls Violet to tell her that Mr. Pete was nice but not very helpful because she felt like he couldn't understand her struggles. 

Calling . . .

Violet

Because Mai lives in Colby, a very conservative town that lacks resources for the queer youth, she wasn’t shocked that she didn’t get the help she wanted and needed. But Violet wouldn’t let that stop Mai. In the spurt of the moment, she came up with a brilliant idea.

Do you remember the two girls holding hands in front of Taco Bell the other day? Well I actually saw them in the hallway today and found out they go to the same school as us! Mai you should totally reach out to them!

Mai became hopeful and decided to to search for the two girls all around campus. She eventually finds them at the outdoor basketball court and introduces herself.

Hi, my name is Mai! What are your guys' names?

I am Jess

and I am Becky

Mai starts telling them about how unsupported and lonely she feels by the lack of queer support and community in this town. 

Girl tell me about it! Becky and I actually just joined this LGBTQ support group that is super close by and is just over in the next town. You should come join us!

You guys are so cool for being open with your relationship and not caring about what others think. I always feel anxious to be myself around people and am scared they will laugh at me.