The little girl beamed her first smile.
His heart was pounding out of fear. He took small steps, wanting not to move forward; craving to stop the near future but his mother dragged him into the principal's room.
'I don't understand. He had topped his class in the previous tests. Why can't he study any longer in this school? You can't do this to him.' the fierce mother yelled. She had dammed her tears. Tears of anger or maybe the tears of helplessness.
'He doesn't belong here.' The concerned principle looked away. He was not interested in talking to her.
'I need a  better explanation than that.' She demanded.
'We don't want our other kids to be spoilt.' He wrapped up his files and offered her a seat.
'Four years ago, you appreciated his dance. Two years ago, you conferred on him the best student award. Until last year, he was the most beloved. What happened now?'
'He has changed. He prefers using girl's toilet now. He feels shy to interact with the other boys in the class. Last week, one of his classmates found him wearing lipstick. He walks differently. He talks differently. He doesn't belong here anymore.' He swung his hands in the air giving away all his hopes on one of the best students of the school.
'You are right, Mr Principal. He doesn't belong here. He belongs to a better place where he is respected the way he is...' and she turned away and walked to the door.
'He won't be admitted to any of the schools.' the principal shouted.
She turned back, 'He is not he, he is she.'
The little girl beamed her first smile.
