Page 79 of The Black Flamingo

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I weigh up my options in my head.

Maybe I could get a job?Doing what?

I could take a gap year?With what money?

I could ask Uncle B for money?

No, it’s time to be your own man.

I could go to drama school?

You’re not talented enough.

I could do a vocational course?

As if you can do anything practical.

Maybe I could publish a book?

Who would want to read that?

I guess university makes sense.

Yes, university makes sense.

Reasons to Go to University

Moving to a new city,

Brighton, the gay capital of the UK

and meeting gay guys my age.

Making new friends.

A chance to be a new me,

not having to hide

anything from anyone

—what I’m doing

and who I’m doing it with.

Living on campus

and having an en-suite bathroom.

African Caribbean Society.

LGBT Society.

Open mic night. A reason to write.

I’m put in a group with Rowan

for my advanced drama performance.

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