Thomas stood at the doorway of his parent's house. Of course they had gone out and bought the flashiest and brightest Christmas decorations. In a small town like WICKED, everyone was prissy and "perfect". His parents had raised Thomas to be the perfect son. But their idea of a perfect son had backfired. At least for them, because Thomas was gay. He was attracted to men. He had tried it with girls but, it didn't feel as good as the time he had a one night stand with a man he met a party. He wasn't drunk as much as the other guy. He was a little tipsy but it felt amazing. Turns out he was less of a man and more of a high school student. Thomas had freaked and told him he was 17 too. He was too embarrassed to tell anyone.

But, that night proved that he was gay. And he was ready to come out to his parents.

The door creaked open. "Thomas? Is that you honey?" He heard his mother's voice. "Yeah Mom. It's me." The door opened the whole way, revealing his mother. Thomas came in and closed the door behind him.

"Thomas!" His little brother Chuck came running towards him at full speed. "Son? Why didn't you tell us you were coming?" He heard his father's loud, deep voice from the living room. "I'm only staying for a couple of days. I have to go back on Thursday to get ready for the next semester." "Hey Thomas. Guess what?" Chuck asked very excited. "I dunno." "I got a girlfriend!" "Aren't you to young to have a girlfriend?" Thomas asked.

"Dude, I'm in high school." He heard his father's footsteps coming into the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around Thomas. "Can't. Breathe." Thomas choked out. His father let him go back in the ground. Thomas let out a deep breathe. "Aww my little Thomas don't they feed you in College?" His mother asked grabbing plates of food from the fridge. "I've been dieting-" His mom interrupted him, "You know dieting isn't very good." "Yeah mom but, I joined the track team." Thomas explained. "Wouldn't you like something manlier?" His father asked.

"I love running. I'm fine with what I have right now." Thomas said. "Okay son but-" His mother cut his dad off by handing Thomas a plate of food. "Thanks mom. You didn't have to."

"Nonsense, you're my son. Now eat and then tell as all about College."

As Thomas ate he thought of how he could come out to his parents.

Well mom, dad I like people that are not females.

No that didn't sound right.

I like sausage not tacos

No th-

Chuck broke him out of his thoughts. "Thomas, you listening?" "What?" "I said, what's going on with you? You talk a lot." "Oh yeah I'm sorry. Just thinking."

His mother sat next to him, "So you going to tell us about The Glade or do we have to wait until next year?" Thomas started talking about all his classes and his new friends. Thomas had gone to a community college for his first two years of college, then he switched to Glade College for his Junior and Senior years.

His best friends, Minho and Brenda had gotten in earlier than Thomas. They left after graduating from WICKED High. They were happy when they found out Thomas was going to be joining them.

"-and I met this girl, Teresa and her friends. They are so cool." Thomas continued forgetting, about why he was with his parents a week before Christmas. When he was supposed to be helping Minho redecorate the room they shared. "Oohh Tommy's got a girlfriend." Chuck said in a sing song voice. "Slim it, shank." Chuck looked confused. "It's Glade slang." "So, Teresa is she your girlfriend?" His father asked, a hint of hope in his voice. "Yeah well dad, mom. I have something important to tell you." "What is it honey?" His mother asked, concern in her voice.

Thomas nervously gulped, "Well I ummm. . ." 'Just say it' he told himself. "I'm gay." His mother dropped the plate she was carrying. It smashed into little pieces. "Mom are you okay?"

"Y-you're not gay. It's just a phase okay, sweetie?" "No mom I'm gay. I've know since last year."

"Son, you should leave," his father whispered. Thomas nodded and grabbed his bag from the living room. His father followed him to the door. "Just give us some time to think about this."

Thomas stood outside not shocked of his parent's reaction.

But, how long will it take them to think about something that was my decision?