“I know why you’re laughing,” he said, his voice soft but steady, echoing through the silent auditorium. “But I hope after tonight, you’ll understand.”
His hands trembled slightly as he gripped the microphone stand, but his eyes were resolute. “For the longest time, I’ve hidden a part of myself because I was scared. I was scared of being different, of being mocked, of being rejected by those I care about,” he admitted, his voice growing stronger with each word.
The laughter and whispers had vanished, replaced by an expectant hush.
