He walked out into school and could feel the eyes of hatred piercing his soul. He wanted to run and hide; but he held his ground and kept walking. He had to get to class; he had to survive the day. And then he would be free.

It was the day of the grade twelve graduation. He had opened up about being gay the day before when his boyfriend had proposed to him; but his so-called "friends" all treated the couple like shit afterwards. So now he walked in the halls alone; his fiance in the hospital; suffering from the painful blows from his peers.

He stepped into the classroom and his teacher pulled him aside so he could get ready for his graduation. As they went through the gowns; the teacher looked in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" he asked his student.

"Everyone hates me," he sniffled; trying to get the image of his hurt lover out of his head. "Because I'm not like them."

"Not like them?" The teacher frowned. "How so?"

"They hate me 'cuz I'm gay."

The teacher slowly smiled. "yes; well...you didn't grow up when I did. How do you think I was punished?"

The boy frowned at his teacher. "What?"

The teacher pulled out his student's gown and handed it to him.

"When my family learned that I was getting married to my boyfriend years ago; they kicked me out of the house. They disowned me. They called me names. It hurt so bad; knowing I could never talk to my sister again...but it got better. Because of you. I look at you and I see hope."

The boy was shocked. He never knew his teacher had this side of him and smiled slightly.

"I also wouldn't worry about the others. It's your last day of high school; so enjoy the day."

The boy felt better. He was happy to have someone to talk to. And knew the teacher was right. "Thank you." he said with a soft whisper. The teacher smiled and nodded to the change rooms. "Hurry up. Don't be late."

The boy ran and got changed into his grad gown. The teacher turned and saw the rest of the students were glaring at him.

"Don't hate him for who he is. He is his own person. You have no control over him; so stop trying to." the teacher said in an angry tone. The students all backed off.

And to this day; my fiance always has a smile on his face. :)