All our schooling had been at private girls' schools so, apart from holidays, we haven't really had to learn how to deal with situations when a boy hits on us. Even then, Chelsea and I had pretty much always done everything together. On the occasions that a boy did try it on, a polite 'Sorry I'm not interested, but thank you for asking' usually did the job. Having said that, we remember the occasional muttered 'lesbian' comment as the rejected boys went on their way trying to regain their self-esteem. Little did they realise!
Things changed when we started at RLSM, this was higher education where by the time of our second year everyone, apart from the most brilliant of students was an adult aged 18 or over. We were now dealing with intelligent young men multiple times every day. Fortunately, we were always practising a piece for a test, recital or exam and such a specific objection was usually understood and accepted. We move around campus in groups which we think helps.
In our ad hoc ensembles we meet some nice young men that seemed committed to their course and as they proved themselves, we used to move around the campus with them. Having said all that, there were still occasions when we heard the muttered 'lesbian' comments as the rejected young men went on their way. The risk of being 'outed' was a constant threat because it might provoke harassment, or worse.
Toward the end of our second year Professor Susan calls a secret meeting of the steering committee for the sorority at Mum's house. We look forward to hearing a progress report on how the project is developing. The greeting is just as intimate as before but both Mum & Susan look serious. In the sitting room Susan tells us that the school's computer system has been hacked and the Technology Department are investigating to determine what information has been accessed. To say we are stunned is an understatement!
Susan continues by telling us that, so far, the security of the faculty server hasn't been breached. We explain how we are currently protecting ourselves and Susan congratulates us adding that extra security cameras around campus are planned. Also, a new style of identity badge will be issued to everyone before we leave for recess.
Mum asks if Susan would liaise with members of the gay fraternity to see if any would be willing to befriend members of the lesbian sorority for the purpose of moving around campus as a group to dissuade potential harassment. Such a move might encourage others to come out thereby increasing the number of, and the size of the groups. Susan thinks it a capital idea and will put it to the faculty to send out a briefing memo to all students and staff to demonstrate that RLSM is aware of the harassment and prepared to deal with it. We all like the idea and thank her.
An idea pops into my mind, so I ask how the RLSM would deal with a perpetrator of harassment. Susan congratulates me for question and replies that under the current rules it would be dealt with as a disciplinary matter and an official written warning given, stating that a repetition would result in the student concerned being expelled from the RLSM. She adds that she will add my suggestion to her recommendation to the faculty to be included in the briefing note.
As Susan takes her leave, we literally queue up for an intimate hug and kiss and my hope for a secret bottom caress is granted. In the sitting room we chat about events and think they represent a robust solution. Chelsea says that this briefing note idea with disciplinary threat included, is an ideal opportunity to 'come out' once cooperation between sorority and fraternity is agreed. Hazel, Lily and I endorse Chelsea's idea. Mum beams with delight, picks up the phone. and asks Susan if Chelsea's idea could be included in the briefing note. Mum's smile, nod and thanks say it all.
In the shower we discuss what might happen in the case of harassment, or worse. Neither of us are ignorant of news reports where young women have been sexually assaulted. We've always agreed that it is safer not to resist the demands of the men so that they aren't antagonised and resort to beating us into submission. We're also agreed that in doing so we would be consenting to sex with the assailant(s) and therefore couldn't ever report it to the police and be taken seriously. Secretly, I'm a little aroused and ashamed for being aroused!
After their showers Hazel & Lily raise the same points regarding being assaulted and as we talk things over, they climb into bed with us and snuggle up nice and close. Although it hasn't been said out loud, we all know how easy it would be for a strong man to overpower any one of us, particularly if our drink is spiked. It doesn't bear thinking of how vulnerable we'd be if there were a group of men. We all agree that resistance would be futile and likely to make things much worse, at least when accompanied by some fraternity members, we'd have a chance of getting away to raise the alarm.
