The last bell rang, echoing through the halls of Hidden Creek High School. The students that didn’t take buses would be filtering out into the halls by now, chattering among themselves until they descended upon their cars to drive home. Those that didn’t stay after school for various club meetings or team practices, anyway.

Shane waited for his classroom to empty, saying his goodbyes to those that passed, then made his way out into the hall. Students mostly ignored him in favor of talking to their friends or hurrying out of the school, though a few called out or waved. He didn’t blame those that didn’t. Hell, he was exhausted as well from the long day of teaching chemistry and physics, but a renewed pep in his step settled in as he headed to the music room.

He’d always wanted to be a music teacher. The joy that came from seeing someone’s passion for music ignite was invigorating. Unfortunately, most school boards felt that music education was unnecessary nowadays, and he’d been forced to focus on his second love—science—in order to find a job. Even then he’d barely managed to bag this job a few years back.

He couldn’t complain. At least he’d been allowed to start up the choir. It only consisted of a dozen or so students, but all of them were eager to learn. They’d even entered several competitions throughout the years. They hadn’t won very many prizes yet, much to his bosses’ displeasure, but he felt like they were really growing as a group, both in skill and preparation. He had high hopes for the rest of the year.

The music room was a reminder of times past, when music was more included in class schedules. But it was the only room in the school that had decent acoustics, and thus was shared between choir and band practices after school. He pushed his way into the large room, flashing a smile to the students already there—but the smile didn’t last long.

Jesse Vela was sitting in a chair, face splotchy red and wet from tears. A Senior student that he had taught since arriving at Hidden Creek, earlier in the year Jesse had nervously requested that Shane use they and them pronouns and came out as agender. They were a shy kid, for the most part, petite and lean with short dark hair. Standing beside them was Millie Hale, a taller brunette who he knew was a close friend of Jesse, and was currently shaking with anger. A few others were crowding around, looking a mixture of angry and concerned.

Shane immediately went into teacher mode, closing the door behind him. “What’s happened? Is anyone hurt?”

“Some assholes got in our faces,” Millie said through clenched teeth, her arm wrapping protectively around Jesse’s shoulders. “Called us dykes and shit, and said that Jesse needed to make up their mind if they wanted to be a tranny or not. And no, I didn’t do anything back, even if I sure wanted to.”

Jesse grimaced, then sniffed.

Shane’s stomach twisted with disgust. This wasn’t the first time that Jesse had been harassed since coming out. The poor kid was having to deal with people misgendering them, sometimes on purpose, as well as getting teased about their sexuality. He’d done what he could to help them, giving offenders detention and even periods of suspension, but it never seemed to stop it for long.

People were cruel.

That was why he’d never had the balls to admit to anyone he was attracted to men.

“Who was it?” Shane asked, keeping his voice level.

Millie started to recite names, but Jesse cut her off.

“What does it even matter?” Jesse muttered. “Not like it’s going to do anything.”

“Hey, you can’t think like that,” Millie said, frowning down at them. “You’re just letting them win if you do that. And I’m not going to let some jerks ruin what should be a good day.” She lifted her eyes towards Shane, then raised her chin proudly. “Me and Jesse are dating.”

Jesse’s eyes softened as they looked up at Millie, a hand cupping over the girl’s arm.

Shane blinked. It wasn’t exactly unexpected, but the girl’s confidence had certainly caught him off guard.

Shit, these two kids had more strength and courage than he’d ever had. Here they were, proudly showing themselves off to the world. A world that didn’t even fully understand or accept them. Shane had done everything he could to make his students feel welcome and accepted around him, but was that the same as feeling like they had a role model that really understood what they were going through? Could he really look them in the eyes and say it was going to be okay, while he let his own fear rule him?

“Congratulations. I’m really happy for both of you,” he said with sincere warmth. “And Millie is right. You can’t let anyone believe they have the right to mistreat you. You need to report this.”

The students looked towards him. He could see in their eyes that they trusted him—that he made them feel safe.

They deserved a teacher who could be as strong as they were.

“And… There’s something else I want to say…”

Oh shit. What are you doing?

“I’m bisexual.”

The group of teenagers stared at him in stunned silence.

Shane cleared his throat. God, his mouth felt like a barren desert suddenly. “It never was something I was open about. I always kept it a secret. But y’all… you inspire me. I want you to know that I’m always going to have your back. And I know—I’m an old geezer to you, but some things… I get. Whatever you need, I’m here. And intolerance is never going to be allowed in my presence.”

Jesse rose swiftly to their feet, closing the distance between them to fling their arms around Shane’s middle. Tears pricked at his eyes as the teenager clung on, and he wrapped them up in a tight, protective embrace.

“Thanks, Mr. Howard,” they mumbled against his chest, holding back more sniffles. “You’re the best teacher ever.”

“Maybe so, but only because I have the best students ever,” he replied. He patted Jesse on the back gently before letting the teen slip away. He had to wipe away his own tears before he could face the group. The accepting smiles and grins that were offered back to him warmed his heart and made him feel giddy.

The heavy atmosphere of the room had evaporated in an instant. The students came together to offer their support for each other, turning their worries to laughter and love. He laughed along with them, happily suffering through the awkward questions that the now curious teens were shooting at him until he could get them focused on continuing with practice.

He’d never felt so free. It felt like he’d taken the first step into a brand new life, one he’d never expected to have. It was hard enough being a black man in Texas, but one who liked men as well? It’d felt so suffocating of a concept, yet now here he was, feeling like he could take on the world—and more than willing to do so, if it meant these kids being happy as well.

This was just the beginning, and he was never looking back.