Shocked To The Core
Aiden stood beside the limo they had arrived in as tears filled his eyes. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard. He couldn’t believe that the principal would ban him from the prom because he was wearing a dress.
But Aiden’s boyfriend Jake would never allow that. The principal would pay the price for what he did. Jake would make sure of it.
Tampa, Florida
Aiden and Jake were born and raised in Tampa. It was the place both of them wanted to call home someday. They liked the liberal culture and the people that surrounded them.
But there has been a shift in recent years. And the city they grew to love was starting to turn against them. If only they knew how far it had actually gone.
Aiden And Jake
Everyone knew Aiden and Jake as the best couple. They had been together for three years, and many of their friends were adamant that they would get married once Aiden finished his last year of high school.
But no one really knew how deep their love ran, especially not Principal Shepard. That was a lesson he’d learn the hard way.
A Special Night
Aiden’s school year was drawing to a close. He was about to graduate, and he was looking forward to that. But the one thing that had been on his mind the entire year was prom.
He was incredibly excited about sharing such a special night with the man in his life, so he had been preparing for months. Little did he know that things would go wrong.
Aiden’s Choice
Aiden wanted this night to be as special as it could. So, his choice of outfit was incredibly important to him.
He thought of everything he could wear and decided to go for something that was a little unconventional. Aiden wanted to wear a bright red dress. Would this lead to his expulsion? Would he miss his special night because of it?
Support Of His Loved Ones
Everyone who knew Aiden agreed with his decision because they knew what the dress stood for. However, people who didn’t know him wouldn’t understand the decision until he told them why he chose to go with a dress.
So what was his reason? Why would people understand once he explained himself? Why would he need to explain himself?
Why A Dress?
In Aiden’s mind, clothes don’t make a person. He believed that anyone should be able to wear what they felt comfortable wearing.
He didn’t think that dresses should be restricted to women, just as suits shouldn’t be restricted to men. Everyone in the world was a free creature who could dress however they wanted. But not everyone saw things in the same way.
The Big Night
So when the big night came, Aiden got into the bright red dress he’d spent months making. It was a perfect fit, just as he thought it would be, and his family was very supportive of his decision.
Everyone told him how good he looked, and that was more than he could’ve hoped for. However, there was one person who didn’t agree.
Feeling Special
Aiden felt special that night. He felt like he looked good. He was comfortable in his own skin and in the choice he had made. And he was delighted to end the year the way he wanted to.
But the night was just beginning, and there was someone who had their heart set on ruining everything Aiden held dear. Would they succeed?
Arriving At The School
The limo Jake hired pulled up at the entrance of the school, and the driver quickly got out so he could open the door for the happy couple.
That was when Aiden saw that Principal Shepard was standing at the door. His arms were folded over his chest, and he was checking out every single outfit that passed through the door.
Just As He Got Out
As soon as Aiden put his foot out of the door, Principal Shepard was standing in front of him. His arms were still folded over his chest, but his eyes were glued to the red dress.
“What’s this?” Principal Shepard asked. “A dress,” Aiden said matter-of-factly. “Why? Is there a problem with it?” The principal looked up, and Aiden’s heart instantly sank.
Furious
Principal Shepard’s fury was clear in his eyes. He clearly had a problem with a man wearing a dress. And Aiden knew he was about to receive a lecture, but he was ready for it. He would just express his opinion, and that would be it.
Unfortunately, the principal wasn’t willing to listen, and that would ultimately lead to his downfall.
Told To Leave
Principal Shepard didn’t even give Aiden a chance to speak. All the man did was push Aiden down and back into his seat.
“If you want to attend this prom, you’re going to go home and change into something a man will wear,” the principal said. “I’m not doing that,” Aiden responded. “Then don’t bother coming back.”
Caught Off Guard
Aiden was stunned into silence. He had no idea the principal would be so stubborn about something that he felt should be normal.
People dressed the way they wanted to all the time. So what made him the exception? Why wasn’t he allowed to be unique? Aiden’s eyes stung with tears, but this was nowhere near the end.
Jake Stepped In
Jake patted Aiden’s arm, and the two of them stepped out of the car. The moment Principal Shepard saw who Aiden’s date was, the color drained from his face.
“I’m Jake Davits,” Jake said, extending a hand toward the principal. “And I do believe the school board would agree with Aiden’s decision, don’t you?” Principal Shepard swallowed the lump in his throat. He had no idea he would be in this much trouble.
His Savior
Jake had long adored the fact that he'd found someone who wasn't afraid to be himself. He'd struggled with his identity for a while, fearing what society would think of him.
Coming from a religious background, he'd always lived his life in fear of being rejected by his family. But that all changed when he mate Aiden.
Shining Brightly
For Jake, Aiden was like the rising sun after a long dark night. He shone brightly, and his light was enough to convince him that he could live just as freely.
He was the one who asked Jake to talk to his family about who he was, to come out to them. There was no need to hide such an integral part of himself from those he loved. Jake had no idea he'd have to return the favor soon enough.
Coming Out
Jake came out to his family. Where he thought they'd shun him, they embraced every aspect of who he was, even saying they were glad he finally came out.
Aiden was there through this momentous breakthrough, and it was then that Jake knew he loved him. He would give his all to prove this to him.
Social Conventions
aw the principal approach the limo, he knew something terrible was about to happen. Principal Shepard had long been known to be rigidly conservative.
He loathed anything that went against social convention and openly shamed people who did not conform to societal norms. Jake got ready for battle as Aiden threw the car door open.
A Disaster Of A Dress
Principal Shepard's eyes glowed with a devilish zeal as he watched the couple inside the car. His gaze was on Aiden's dress, glued to an almost painful extent.
Where someone would see a beautiful gown meant to celebrate a great night, he seemed to categorize it among the most heinous things to exist in human history. There was no way this would end well.
Be In A Suit
He stopped Aiden the moment his stiletto touched the cold tarmac, his jaw ticking and eyes widening by the second.
The exchange between him and Aiden was short, and he commanded Aiden to return home and change his clothes. "You should be in a suit," he said. "Like your friend there." That's when Jake realized something crucial.
He’s Oblivious
The principal, with his sharp eyesight, was so engrossed in Aiden's dress that he didn't realize who Jake was. He didn't even consider that Jake was Aiden's boyfriend.
He only pointed at his suit, demanding that Aiden come with something similar. Seeing this as his golden opportunity to step in, Jake did the unsuspected.
Said On Camera
He pulled out his phone and started recording. He was sure to hold the phone in a way that the principal wouldn't see.
But that wasn't all. He made sure to keep the principal's face in the shot. He knew how Aiden was and that this would get ugly fast. He didn't realize the extent to which the principal would take everything.
A Fighter
Aiden had always been a fierce individual. He never took a beating while seated and would never let anyone put him down. The moment the principal started talking down to him about his dress choice, he got his game face on.
He knew he wasn't hurting anyone with what he wore. He wasn't dressed indecently and wasn't breaking any school rules. But he wouldn't be fighting this battle alone.
A Needed Introduction
Jake led Aiden out of the car, straightening his jacket as he locked eyes with Principal Shepherd. "I'm Jake Davits," he said as a matter of fact, with his chin held high, and his fingers interlocked with Aiden's.
Extending a hand toward the principal, he added, "And I believe the school board would agree with Aiden's decision, don't you?"
Not As Expected
The principal face leached of all color. There was a slight tremble to his lip before he visibly shook himself. There was fear in his eyes, regret for what he'd done. "Mr. Davits," he said.
"I didn't know you ran around with this…" his face deformed into a grotesque mask of wrinkles and odium, "this group. Does your father know?"
He’s Confident
With that question, the principal took a step closer to the couple. It seemed he was getting more brazen by the minute. He knew Jake's dad to be a staunch Catholic.
There was no way he would accept his son as gay. There was no way he would agree to any of this. He would be furious and equally disappointed when Principal Shepherd told him what happened here today.
Bolder Than Ever
With these thoughts in mind, the principal started making fun of Aiden. He told him he looked ugly in the dress. He ridiculed his physique, even going as far as saying that he could see Aiden's chest hair through his dress.
Jake could feel Aiden's fingers quake. He could see the anger and pain bubbling in his eyes. He squeezed his fingers to keep him in place. He had everything under control.
Bad To Worse
Principal Shepherd continued, not knowing he was on camera. He also didn't know that Jake's dad knew Jake was gay. He had no clue that the man had met Aiden on numerous occasions and adored him.
His insults went from teasing to blatant innuendos not meant for a teenager's ears. Jake couldn't help but smile as he continued talking, and even Aiden had to ask him if he was okay.
Bamboozled
"I am," Jake said. "He showed his phone, which had been recording the entire time and live streaming the feed onto TikTok to his 100,000 followers.
The stream had garnered over 500 viewers, two of which were Jake's twin sister and little brother. The principal stepped back. "No," he said with fear in his eyes and quickly turned around. But there was no way he could run away from this.