"My presentation is on the LGBT community." She wrung her hands together as she spoke. Her voice was powerful and clear, but it was still evident she was nervous.

With the small clicker in hand, Victoria moved to her first slide. "Homosexuality is something that has known to exist all the way back in the ninety-seventh century BCE. From that time and onward, those in the community have dealt with many problems from others."

She clicked to the next slide, which had a very familiar face on it from everyone's English class. "It is rumored that William Shakespeare is a bisexual due to many poems he had dedicated to a Mr. W.H. and alluded to a man in romantic terms in these sonnets. The phrases 'Fair Lord' and 'Fair Youth' are used the most to address the man he speaks to in these poems dedicated to W.H."

She continued on through a few more slides. One explained about Oscar Wilde and his affair with Lord Alfred Douglas. Another talked about more recent celebrities like Zachary Quinto and Miley Cyrus, showing how people like them had more acceptance but still discriminated against. Some even on minor stars like the contender on America's popular model reality show, Isis.

"Although these people have it easier than a regular citizen here in the USA or in other places of the world. One news documentation talked about two women who fled from the Middle East to be together." She clicked the button and a photo of two women in niqaabs appeared, both of them holding each other's hand tight in the snapshot from their interview. "If they stayed in their home country, they would've been killed due to how strict Muslims are in the state."

When the next slide came up, it showed a few fight photos and then protest groups in others. "In recent years, our country has become more liberal with the 44th president. Fights and protests for equal marriage have risen and it has been passed, but sadly there are still people against those who are not heterosexual."

Victoria clicked the button, coming to the last slide. The background from earlier was back, but this time it was entirely of the pink and orange themed rainbow. There were photos on it of her and her parents, and then a recent photo of her and Valentine cuddling together on the couch, the photo sneakily taken by her mother.

"Now... The way LGBT rights incorporates into my life..." Her voice began to crack, but she cleared her throat with a slight cough. "The way it's in my life is that I've found I'm a lesbian, and a lucky one at that. Many people are kicked out and disowned by their parents, but mine have supported me and my girlfriend since I came out to them."

She knew the time limit was almost up and began to wrap up her presentation. "With my journey and of the ones others are going through, this is a part of society still fighting for acceptance. In the end, we want peace and to be treated like any other person should deserve."

After a few moments of silence Victoria clicked the button one more time, ending the PowerPoint. Claps filled the room, these being louder than any of the other presentations so far. Looking from face to face, she could see that many actually seemed to be smiling. A huge surge of relief went through her body, making Victoria feel a bit weak in the knees where she stood.

"Thank you, Tori. You did a good job," her teacher looked up from the grading sheet and smiled. "You can come over here and take your drive back." He then pulled out a new grading sheet, reading the name at the top. "Loren, you're up."

Victoria took her flash drive and went back to her seat, passing Korbin once again. Thankfully, he didn't trip her again, but there was something else on his mind.

The blond turned his head slightly to watch Victoria sit down at her desk, returning a high five to Elaine. From her girly appearance, he never thought of the girl being a lesbian. But even then, he knew he could stir up even more fun.

"Anyways," he whispered to himself. "Homos do go to hell. I better start showing her what it's like..."

=====

"I'm proud of you," Valentine spoke with a mouthful of popcorn.

Victoria shifted under the blanket and rested her head against Valentine's chest. "It was still nerve-wracking. I'm just glad so many of my classmates actually support me."

"Did you meet anyone else who's bi or a lez like us?" Valentine went in for another handful of popcorn and shoved it into her mouth.

"No, just a lot of compliments on my bravery and then people saying they believe in equality and want us to be happy."

"That's still good to hear." Valentine smiled down at Victoria resting against her. "At least we know there are more people out there that care."

Victoria picked up a long strand of Valentine's hair and curled it around her finger as she shifted her head between her girlfriend's breasts. "It's still going to be a long way."

Just then a knock came at the entrance to the living room. A middle aged woman stood in the archway with two mugs on a plate. "How's everything going girls?"

"It's going good, Mrs. Cummings," Valentine commented. "I like the homemade popcorn!"

Victoria's mother smiled, showing many more wrinkles on her face as she did so. "It's better than what comes in the bag!" She then moved into the room and in front of the tv that was playing Law & Order and placed the tray on the coffee table. "Here's some hot cocoa for you two. It's going to get pretty cold tonight."

Victoria sat upright and took the large blanket with her, leaving Valentine with noting to keep her body warm except her t-shirt and sweats. They both snatched up the hot mugs and leaned back into the couch, Valentine sneaking the blanket a bit on her.

"Thank you, mom," Victoria spoke before taking a sip.

Her mother rubbed her head, messing up her bangs and long hair. "You're welcome." After a moment of her leaving the room, she called back at the two. "Remember, no funny business!"

Cheeks flared a dark pink on Victoria's face. "Dear lord..." Her head rested on the rim of the mug. "She can be so embarrassing..."

"Oh cheer up! You only know she's messing with you. Maybe also being a bit protective too..." Valentine pursed her lips and looked up at the ceiling in thought. "Anyways, she does know I'm not religious, so I bet she's just scared of us doing anything before marriage."

"Even though you agreed to my terms, she still doesn't trust you?"

Valentine shook her head. "It doesn't seem it."

Silence then filled the space as the two finished their hot cocoa together. Both of them began to lean against one another as they relaxed and turned off the cable television, going straight to Netflix.

Valentine made a blunt comment, "No chill with this session."

Laughter came from both of them as they selected a horror movie and readjusted on the couch together. This time with Victoria on the bottom and Valentine resting on top. It was their solution for the height and weight difference.

"It will be more like Netflix and scream," Victoria commented. A giggle came from Valentine, giving Victoria the hint at what she just said. "I didn't mean like that!"

=====

"Alright, see you." The two boys gave each other a kiss goodbye before splitting apart. Lunch was over and it was time for fourth period.

Before the brunet could get away, Victoria was hot on his heels. "Jason, wait up!"

He turned around for a moment before getting his arm tackled by his smaller classmate. "Hey, what's up?"

"Not much." Victoria's voice was no more than a whisper, and her paranoid look to her back made Jason look down in worry.

He gave her a hug around the shoulders as they walked, also taking a glance behind him. "Is it Korbin again?"

"More like his whole gang... They were harassing me and Val after you and Zane left."

A scoff came from Jason as he pushed her forward a bit. "I'm getting really tired of that asshole. When will he stop with the bullying?"

"I don't–"

"Well, well, it looks like the homos are trying to look normal." The voice belonged to a friend of Korbin's, Brendon to be exact.

"But..." Another spoke and eyed how Jason's arm was still slightly wrapping across Victoria's back. From making an exaggeration in looking at Victoria and then Jason, he picked his next words carefully. "You aren't 'normal' still, considering yin and yang isn't cool here in America."

Both Victoria's and Jason's eyes narrowed as they darted off. A swear coming from Jason as they evaded their harassers.

Once the two made sure to get lost in the crowd and away from the two bullies, Jason slowed, Victoria with him. He took a look back just in case but found that the boys had not pursued them.

With a deep breath, Jason spoke to Victoria, "That asswipe needs to shut his damn mouth. I'm tired of them harassing Zane and I. And to make that comment... I..." He shook his head.

"It's not okay for him to attack you because of your skin tone. It's just as bad as him and the others harassing you for being gay." Victoria looked her friend in the eyes. "We're in this together. Plus, all of us friends have your back." She gave a small fist bump to Jason's shoulder and smiled.

Jason gave a small smile. "Thanks, Tori. Although we should hurry to our classes."

Victoria nodded before going her own way and Jason taking his own.