PROLOGUE: Setting the scene The year was 2014, and LGBTQ+ is slowly gaining more and more respect. Shannon Chance is slumped against their bed’s headboard. A single tear made its way down their face, just before being swept away by Shannon’s cat, Noelle. Shannon simply stroked Noelle’s fur, barley paying any mind to the feline creature. Shannon enjoyed the company, but they were in a bad mood. A knock on the door shook Shannon. Not waiting for a response, Their dad walked in. “ Go away, Mick.” Shannon retaliated. Sure, most kids call their dad “Dad”, but he didn’t feel like a dad right now. “ Sweetie, can I talk to you?” Mick questioned. “ No.” Shannon grumbled, “ And don’t call me that.” “ Shannon, It’s just a phase.” Their mom chimed in, Appearing at the doorway. “ I don't really get it anyways. ” “ It’s not a phase.” Shannon shot her away. “ It’s my life. But it’s not like you care, Rose.” They’d never called her by her first name. The two had been very close, sharing the mother and child bond, not unlike any other. But now, Shannon's heart was cold and hurt. “...” Rose and Mick shared a glance. They whispered a short conversation, then got up and left. A few minutes later, there was another knock at the door. “ Go away.” Shannon sighed. No answer. They got up and peeked under the door. No people, just a plate and a cup. They nudged the door open just enough to get the dishes through. Just a P.B.& J, and a glass of some sort of soda. I guess this is my dinner? Shannon thought. They shrugged. Good enough for me. They wolfed the food down, then left the plate and cup outside of her room. Then they climbed onto their bed and laid down. They tossed, turned, and wiggled until they finally fell asleep.
EPILOGUE: What happens next? Three years later, Shannon is in her room, going through all her stuff. There’s a keep pile to the left, and a trash pile to the right. “Oh! My old diary.” Shannon yelped. “ No need to keep that. No more secrets hidden from my family!” They Laughed, tossing it to the right. “ Sh- Shan-non! Shan-non!” Shannon’s two-year-old baby sister giggled. “ Hi, Little Denice. That curly hair sure is growing fast!” Shannon replied, the baby tugging at her ponytail. “ Denice seems happy to see you. Poor thing, She’ll be devastated when you leave for college…” Rose joined in. “ The days went by fast, didn't they? “ “ They sure did mom, They sure did.” Shannon said, shedding a tear. “ Heh.. When I get back for thanksgiving break, Denice will be three whole years old!” They continued, their face now wet with salty tears. “ Well, I guess we should get going.” “ Okay mom.. Oh, god, I wish dad were still living with us..” “ I know baby, I know..” Their mom said, packing up the car. “ But maybe we can facetime him?” These four long hours were the longest ones of their life. Shannon scrolled through her moms phone, Looking at facebook memories, while Denice colored in a car seat in the back. “ I wish Stanford wasn’t so far away. Believe me, I’m proud of you, but eight hours? That’s eight hours less of the last time I get to spend with my daughter. “ Their mom spoke. “ I know, But I can’t pass on a $50,000 Scholarship to my dream school!” Shannon replies. “ I know, and I don’t expect you to. “ “ At least I’ll be with one of my siblings.” “ Yep. Which sibling again?” Shannon’s mom jokes, only having three kids. “ Haha. Very funny. “ Shannon rolled her eyes. The next few hours flew by. Shannon joked and talked with their family, and even facetimed their brother and dad. They stopped for pizza and even an arcade, because Stanford started in two days, and they wouldn’t see Shannon for a while. Then the dreaded moment had finally come. Shannon had gotten settled into their dorm room, and it was time for their family to leave. “ Facetime me once a day?” Shannon’s mom requested “ Twice.”
