A Good Enough Reason Read Free Page B

different?”
    “Isn’t there something more interesting? No offense to the poor bunnies, but I don’t want to research that. Besides, could you really argue for animal testing?”
    Ellis shook his head. “How about this one? Should the school be responsible for after-hours dances such as prom or other formals? This is our last year. It would make sense to choose it.”
    “And that’s why everyone and their mother will choose it.”
    “Okay, what about Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations ?”
    “Boring.”
    Ellis huffed and slid the list toward Dale. “Why don’t you look for one, then?”
    Dale grinned and grabbed the paper. Ellis watched as he leaned back in his chair and looked at their options. Ellis was curious about what kind of topic Dale would want to do. The fact that he didn’t want a traditional one was nice. At least their project would be different.
    “Ah, this one!”
    Dale slammed the list on Ellis’s desk and pressed the tip of his index finger on it.
    Ellis leaned in to read: Same-sex couples should be treated the same as other couples in regards to discounts for dance tickets, meals, corsage, and any other “couple” perks.
    Ellis blushed. He’d thought Dale would be nice to work with, but he’d obviously been wrong. “When you’re done making fun of me, we need to choose a real topic.”
    “What?” Dale looked startled. “I’m not making fun of you.”
    “Why did you choose that particular topic, then?”
    “Because no one else will, and yeah, because you’re gay. I thought it would be a good idea to have your personal point of view on it.”
    “Why do you think I’m gay?” Ellis had never come out, neither at school nor to his parents. The only ones who knew for sure were Anna, her boyfriend Rick, and Ellis’s best friend Matt. Ellis knew his parents suspected, but they were waiting for him to tell them.
    Dale tilted his head to the side. “Why, you’re not?”
    “Why do you think I am?”
    “Apart from the fact that I heard you have a crush on Mr. Shea?”
    Ellis blushed. “I don’t! That was all Anna, I swear!”
    “Look, I don’t care who you have a crush on. I don’t have a problem with you either way, but if you are gay, then this topic makes sense.”
    “Why would a straight guy care?”
    “Because I think everyone should be able to be who they are. One of my cousins is gay, and I know how much it hurt him not to be able to go to prom with his boyfriend. I don’t think it’s fair. But we can choose something else if you don’t like this one.”
    Dale made to take the list again, but Ellis held on to it. “No, it’s fine. I just thought you were making fun of me.”
    “So you are gay?” Dale asked with a smile that told Ellis he wasn’t disgusted or angry at the idea.
    “I, well. Yeah, I guess I am.”
    Dale cocked a brow. “You guess?”
    “Well, I never actually, you know. But yeah, I’m, I—”
    “You know you prefer guys even if you’ve never actually done anything with one.”
    Ellis looked around the classroom, but everyone was concentrating on their own list, not paying attention to Ellis and Dale. Ellis hoped Dale wouldn’t use what he was saying against him, but it felt so damn good to tell someone. “Who said I’ve never done anything?” Ellis blurted out before he could stop himself. He snapped his mouth shut and hurriedly changed topic. “Who’s going to argue against it? From what you said, you’re in favor.”
    Dale shrugged. “Whoever you want. I don’t mind doing it.”
    “Okay. Can I think about it?” Ellis knew he’d basically out himself if they did choose that topic. He wasn’t stupid—he knew most of the school thought he was gay, but no one knew for sure. This would change things, though, and he didn’t know if it would end up being a good or a bad thing. He just had to decide if he had the guts to do it.
    “Sure. Why don’t we meet in the library tomorrow? Do you