Making A Difference-Short Love Story

Making A Difference

When you become part of a place and feel comfortable, you don’t 

always mind what people say; because you feel you are accepted for 

who you are, and in turn understand the nature of the people you 

mix with.

That’s the way it seemed, the first time he tried out his mother’s 

makeup. He didn’t wear much; a little blusher, some cream. He 

wasn’t really adept at applying it, and in reality it wasn’t 

because he felt he was Gay or wanted people to stare.

It was more of a dare in himself at a time when he needed to try to 

feel different and make an impression.

Two girls along the street turned to stare, as he heard one ask the 

other. “Is it a boy or a girl?”

Entering the pub was hard, but he found a seat near friends, who 

regarded him uneasily.

“What have you come as?” One demanded, too polite to condemn him 

outright.

“I’m the same.” He answered. But he no longer was, he’d achieved 

his aim to make a difference. Everyone saw.

The boys maintained a silence, keeping their distance; only the 

girls thought it a laugh, and crowded round to examine and protect 

him. He felt safe in their company from the savage stares coming 

his way.

“What is it?” They asked. “Are you trying to decide what you are?”

“No.” He smiled. “I know who I am.”

There was a party later and he moved in a crowd, with the girls 

continuing to keep him company, as he danced and sang until he 

became drunk and forgot what he’d done.

It was only as he stood in a group of other young men outside in 

the dark taking a communal piss that one man shouted to the others.

“Watch out – there’s a queer about.”

He was pinned against a wall, with two men he didn’t recognise 

breathing beer fumes into his face.

“Who’s a pretty boy then? Do you want it messed up?”

He was punched several times; it wasn’t dramatic.

He lay on the ground staring up at the stars until a couple of 

girls brought him inside to clean him up.

“You’ll have to decide.” One of them said.

“Decide what?”

She wiped away the blood, kissed him before removing the smudges of 

make-up off that remained.

“In future….” She began, and he listened to the motherly/sisterly 

advice. “Now….”

They went outside where it was a beautiful night, and he sighed at 

the simplicity of life.

“I wasn’t really trying to make a difference.” He told her. “But I 

finally got you to notice me.”

“I saw you.” She smiled. “You didn’t need to go so far.”

He laughed because it was probably true. He kissed her as they 

stumbled back towards the unknown.