The Introduction of Valentine Bright
Valentine Bright raced across the green grass and hid behind a trash can near the bleachers on the edge of the field. He had been hiding from a mob of boys in his class just because it was discovered he was the one who sent a Valentine’s Day note to Josh, a classmate he had a crush on. Valentine had two reasons why he loved February 14th, not only was it his birthday but it was also a day of love. And from as far back as he could remember, his parents made Valentine’s Day his special day. As it was his senior year, and not wanting to have any regrets, Valentine built up enough courage to slip the Valentine’s Day note into Josh’s locker and hoped for the best.
The Hopeful Moment
Feeling the coast was clear, he walked away beaming in anticipation that he may get a response via the anonymous email he had written on the note as a way to contact him if his crush felt the same way. As Josh and his crew hovered around his locker, Valentine looked on from down the hall around the corner. To his horror, as Josh slowly turned the combination lock, pulled it down, and opened his locker door, the note fell to the ground only to be picked up by Josh’s friend Billy. Billy quickly started to read the words out loud, teasingly laughing at Josh about his secret valentine crush. But within minutes, Billy’s face began to turn red as he noticed something distinct about this Valentine’s Day note, which was no longer a secret. Billy recognized the little hearts over all the I’s in the note. He had tormented Valentine for many years over what he called his “Sissy” way of adding little hearts over every I that he wrote. And from the look on Billy’s face, Valentine knew Billy had figured it out. As he gasped, all the boys, including Billy and Josh, looked in his direction and saw Valentine peering from around the corner.
The Chase
Billy screamed out, “There is your Valentine crush…let’s get the little sissy!” As they began their chase, Valentine took off running.
Out of breath and huddled down behind the trash can, tears began to run down Valentine’s cheek as he feared what would happen to him if they had ever caught up to him. He could not understand the look he saw on Josh’s face once realizing who had sent him the note. Valentine knew he was different from boys in his school, but his parents always told him, “Never worry about being different. It only makes you unique,” they always said, encouraging their son to be exactly who he was. Temporarily lost in his thoughts, Valentine did not realize the boys had caught up to him until it was too late.
The Attack
As Billy kicked the trash can out of the way and proceeded to push Valentine to the ground, he felt the first blow to his body as the boys pounced on him and began to beat him. As he curled up in the fetal position, Valentine tried his best to protect himself as much as he could as the pain of each blow seared through his body. With every blow, he became numb—numb to the noise of the names he was being called, numb to the pain as they continued to hit him in rage, numb to his own feelings as he did not understand the hate of others just because of who he was.
The Miracle
All of a sudden, there was a deafening silence that flowed in the air. Soon he heard the sound of feet running away into the distance. As he slowly opened his eyes, feeling the wetness of blood running down the side of his face, he looked up and realized he was covered in colorful rays of light that had shielded him from the continued blows of those who hated him. As he moved his hand around, the rainbow-colored light adjusted to his movements, and he became panicked at what was happening.
The Heavenly Calling
But he soon heard a voice. A voice that came from above. An unfamiliar voice but soothing nonetheless. And as Valentine looked up onto the heavens, he saw what looked like Cupid floating in the clouds. And the voice spoke and said, “Behold, my son…you have been chosen, Valentine Bright, to be the Guardian and Protector of those victimized just because of who they choose to love. To fight against the injustices forced upon my children because of non-understanding and hate. I bestow upon you the gift of the Rainbow and all the powers it possesses. Use these powers for good, my son, as many will look to you in times of need and persecution.”
The Birth of a Hero
As the cloud faded away and the voice was no more, Valentine Bright rose from the ground with a new sense of purpose and determination to show the world that no matter what, LOVE is LOVE!
On that day, through all the hurt and tears, love prevailed, and a Champion of the LGBTQ Community, Rainbow Man, was born!
© AF 2019
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