Justin Sudds is hosting the official Grease after-party at his famous dad’s apartment. Everyone is pumped. Who wouldn’t want to party in James Bond’s apartment? It all sounds amazing, but I’ll be at dinner with my parents putting on my second performance of the night as their daughter. “I can’t,” I say.

She looks confused. “You can’t go to your show’s closing party?”

“I have other plans. Family things.”

“Oh,” she says, looking disappointed. “Well, I’ll be there.”

“I’ll try to make it,” I lie. I want to be there more than anything, but this dinner has my future in the balance. It’s mandatory attendance.

“I hope so.” She hugs me and I don’t want to let go. “I’ll see you around,” she says, then turns away and heads toward the subway. I watch her walk away, hoping she’ll turn around. Before crossing the street, she does. And smiles. That’s a very good sign.

I make my way through the crowd and find Elijah holding a bouquet of flowers. “I want you to meet my parents,” he says. I follow him over and say hello. His dad’s in a nice suit and his mom is wearing a dress. They are as stylish as Elijah.

“You’re so talented,” his dad says with a kind smile.

“Well, your son is very talented, too.”

“Don’t we know it,” his mom says, giving Elijah a hug. His dad joins in, and I stand there. It’s clear they love their son unconditionally, and it makes me jealous. I wish my parents were accepting. Elijah’s parents say goodbye to us and hug him again.

“Who’s that?” I ask Elijah, pointing to the large group of people gathered across the street.

“That’s the protest for the trans character in Conversion,” he says.

There are about fifty people chanting, with posters reading TRANS RIGHTS and HIRE TRANS ACTORS and REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

Anna joins us, carrying an armful of flowers. “Look at that protest, August. There were so many more people earlier. I’m proud of them.” She raises her arms above her head and yells, “I STAND WITH YOU!”

I look at the protesters across the street and feel guilty. I should be over there. I should be on the front lines fighting for my transgender community. Elijah puts his hand on my shoulder. “If they fire Caesar, maybe they’ll need a replacement?”

My heart speeds up. I can’t think about it. Even if there was a remote possibility of that happening, my parents wouldn’t allow it.

“Augustus,” Anna says. “You were fantastic tonight. I cried. No joke. I’ve never cried during Grease.”

“Thanks,” I say, getting shy.

Elijah dramatically clears his throat.

Anna smiles at him. “Elijah, you’re the king of Rydell High.”

“But did I bring it?” he asks.

“Oh, it was brought,” Anna says.