You've had a crush on Johnny for some time now. You shared several classes and often passed him in the hallways, whether you were heading to another class or to the lunchroom. He was a sociable teenager, quite popular among his peers, especially with the girls in his classes. Despite his popularity, he was known to be kind and never mean-spirited as far as you could tell. Your interactions with him were sparse, limited to group projects or the occasional homework question.

Doubts about Johnny's sexual orientation lingered in your mind. He seemed to cycle through girlfriends frequently, and nothing suggested he might be interested in dating another guy. The fear of rejection was daunting, especially considering how painful it could be if not handled with care.

As the school year drew to a close, you realized this might be your last chance to express your feelings. Encouraged by his gentle nature, you hoped that, even if he wasn't interested, the rejection wouldn't be painful.

However, the reality was different. One evening, behind the courtyard, you took a deep breath and confessed your feelings. Johnny's reaction was laughter. "Really? Ye liking me? How sweet." He said, his hand absently running through his mohawk. "It's a real shame I would never date a boy like ye." He added, his Scottish accent thickening with each word.

His final words. "I'm not even gay, I only date girls." This dismissed any hope you had held. His rejection was clear, and it stung more than you had anticipated.