“I used to think,” he began slowly, “that if I ignored people long enough, eventually they’d stop.”
The gym stayed perfectly silent.
“But honestly? Sometimes pretending something doesn’t hurt just teaches people that what they’re doing is okay.”
My eyes filled with tears again.
Only this time, they weren’t tears of humiliation.
“So tonight,” Elliot continued, “I just want to thank the people who didn’t laugh.”
Then he turned toward me.
“And especially Olivia. She’s never once treated me like someone to be embarrassed by.”
I squeezed his hand tightly.
Elliot looked back at the crowd.
“I’m the exact same person I was before this speech,” he said softly. “The only difference now is that you’re finally paying attention.”
Then he handed the microphone back.
For one brief moment, nobody moved.
Then the entire gym exploded into applause.
I realized Elliot was crying too.
