After seemingly everyone went to sleep in the house, one of the doors opened and a teen figure tucked his head out of it. He looked around nervously, then noticing he was finally alone, he hurried through the salon as fast as he could, praying no one shall notice him. He opened the front door and looked behind his back several times, worrying he was followed by someone. He had that impression in the last three days or so, and he could not get rid of that uncomfortable feeling. As he was finally outside on the street, he brushed some messy dark hair out of his forehead, and started walking forward toward the corner of the street, where suddenly someone jumped in front of him.
He was scared by the sudden movement, fearing it was a robber, and he started trembling in fear. Stepping back, and putting his hand in his pocket, he was waiting anxiously for the happenings.
- Where are you going? – He heard a familiar voice in front of himself, and opening his eyes he subconsciously closed from fear, he noticed his younger brother standing in front of him, showing his full height.
Noel was a bit of frightening with his pale face and thin and tall form, standing motionlessly on the street corner, pointing at Flo. The older boy wiped his forehead of relief and shook his head in dismay.
- You should go back to bed, Noel.
- And so should you. – The younger one retorted. – What are you doing every night? Tell me.
- It is not your business. And… and it is… so I'd say you don't understand it anyway.
- No, I don't understand why you visit a girl every night. What is your plan with her?
- So you know. – Flo sighed.
- I do. – Noel nodded knowingly. – I noticed. I have very sharp eyes.
- Then slice bread with them! – Flo yelled at Noel with irritation, but he regretted it right away and apologized.
- I understand you are angry I noticed your secret. – Noel put his hand on Flo's shoulder with a supporting touch of a brother. – The only problem is I am not the only one who noticed.
- Does Papa know as well? – Flo inhaled sharply of being scared.
- He does. You'd better go back home and stop it. He is angry with you lately and I don't want you to get in trouble.
- I can't stop it now. – Flo looked around in despair. – I… I can't. But… Noel, do you tell everything to Papa I tell you?
- No. – The younger brother shook his head. – But you should.
- I have to… once… soon.
- You do have to. – Noel reassured. – But tonight, I guess you would better walk back to your room and sleep. You know that Papa will ask you about the History lesson about the Greeks and you have to study as you did not even start it. Flo, you can't ignore everything else other than this girl.
- How can you be so serious compared to your age?
- Someone has to be in this family other than Mahtab, when you are a complete bon vivant, and the others are either young or girls.
- Why do you say girls are bad? – Flo snorted, agreeably turning back to walk back into their house.
- They are not bad, only girls. – Noel shrugged. – I just can't understand what you love about them so much. They are so boring, they can't talk of anything else than dresses, fashion, plays, and sometimes music.
- You would be interested in a girl who loves science?
- Maybe. – Noel shrugged again. – But listen: you shall tell Papa soon what your other secret is, because if you don't, I will find out, and will tell it!
- If you dare to tell my secrets, I will tell him you keep explosive things in the cellar.
- He knows about it. – Noel laughed out. – You are terrible in blackmailing. – He pointed at Flo, then narrowed his light blue eyes. – And now go back to your room, and sleep, then study.
- Will you help me to study?
- Maybe.
The "Maybe" of course meant yes with Noel's sarcastic style, but he would never openly offer help or admit he wanted the best to his brother, and would do anything for him.
The next day Erik was noticeably much more content with Flo's History knowledge, and was a bit of relieved his son finally regained common sense. He was slightly worried though, about the girl Flo was visiting in secret, but Noel did not say anything about them meeting anymore, so maybe the small Don Juan gave up courting? He could only hope so. Who imagined raising children won't be the worst at their infancy with many dirty diapers and crying all night long, and the fact he would gladly change a lovesick teen for a crying and messy baby at that point? As children are growing up there are worse and worse scenarios going on than some mess he had to clean up after them. Many times this mess they were into nowadays could not be cleaned. He was constantly worrying over the love issues of his older children and was thankful Noel wasn't yet interested in girls, only science and illusions. He had enough problems with two teen boys in love, and did not need the third one getting into that sweet but sad feeling anytime soon, and he seriously hoped he won't be around by the time Greg wanted to court anyone.
Unlike Flo, who wasn't afraid of courting Lily at nights, Mahtab was too shy and scared to admit his feelings and introduce his real self to Bonnie at daylights as well. He tried to do so, many times as they were either working on his portrait, or they were walking with Bonnie in a quiet park. He wasn't sure, but maybe he could see some unknown feelings in the girl's eyes as she was watching him, and she acted as she wanted to ask something, or say something, but she never spoke in the end. He wished to start talking as well, numerous times, but he rather did not say anything. He was afraid of rejection and the horror he will cause the girl with his confession. Yet he felt day by day that he could not go on like that, keeping Bonnie in a web of lies. He wanted to clear up the issue, and finally in an afternoon sitting of his portrait he closed his eyes and took an enormous step to finally start a new chapter in their relationship – who knows, maybe the final chapter, but he had to cross the line. He remembered what his father said a few weeks earlier: "It goes as it goes, whatever happens."
- Bonnie… - He started, as the beautiful and lovable companion was mixing colors on her palette.
- Yes? – She looked up with interest.
- I need to talk to you, as you are my dearest friend, and I wish to tell you the truth about myself.
- The truth? – She leaned closer worriedly. – What do you mean, Mahtab?
- Have you ever felt…- He started slowly, - that you constantly have to wear a mask for people to accept you?
There was a bit of silence and Bonnie opened her mouth in surprise. Mahtab did not know what had happened, maybe the girl already started to get disgusted about his confession…?
- How did you know that I often feel like that? – She asked softly.
- I did not know… - Mahtab smiled in relief. – But at least you know what I feel.
- So you feel so too? Why? – She stood up from her seat and walked closer to sit next to her friend. She felt like being closer to him might help.
- Because I have secrets no one but my family knows about me, and I have to admit I was dishonest with you as well, up until this point. But now I wish to tell the truth about myself if you can accept it.
- Tell me everything about yourself! – She patted Mahtab's gloved hand reassuringly and it felt so good he was talking more freely right away.
- At first… I have already mentioned my name was Persian.
- Yes.
- But… I haven't mentioned you what Europeans don't know about the name Mahtab. It is... it isn't a male name. – Mahtab turned his face away slightly, not to see horror on Bonnie's face upon hearing such a news.
- Are you a girl? – Bonnie asked, but her voice did not reflect sadness or disappointment. Strangely, it sounded like excitement.
- I was born as a female. – Mahtab continued. – But from a very young age I feel like… I am trapped in the wrong body. I feel like I am a boy, and I have always been. This is why I try my best to be like a boy, and live like one, even changing my body as much as I can, to make up for… the mistake of nature.
- So your mustache isn't real?
- No. – Mahtab shook his head.
- I knew you weren't like other boys. – Bonnie smiled gladly. – So this is why!
- Are you not disgusted about how I feel? – Mahtab inquired cautiously, not really understanding what was going on.
- Not at all, Mahtab. – Bonnie shook her head understandingly. – Because I have to tell you I feel something similar. Just as you said, it is so shameful I can't tell it to anyone… because people would…
- Call you disgusting…
- Yes. – She nodded. – Because… do you remember… what I told Florian? I can never imagine to get married… as I have to admit, Mahtab, I do not like boys. Or to be clear, not on a romantic way, like all girls should. I… I always… was sure I was attracted to girls.
For a short period of time none of them spoke even a word, they were trying to work things up in their minds and examine the reactions of the other. As Bonnie did not notice disgust about her confession, she continued:
- I always wanted to have someone… someone like you… who understands… and… oh you don't know how relieved I am you are not an ordinary boy…
- I am calmer you say so, because I love you… I love you more than someone would love a friend.
- I am sure I feel the same way, but I was confused about my feelings. Thinking you were a boy like your brother and knowing I liked you more… I was confused maybe I felt otherwise… but I am now relieved I did not change and my feelings are just the same.
- So if there wasn't any more bothering circumstances… maybe you would be in a love relationship with me?
- Bothering circumstances? – Bonnie asked with worry. – What do you mean, dear?
- Being a girl isn't my deepest secret and maybe it will be much harder to handle. Oh… Bonnie… you know… my mustache isn't the only feature on my face which isn't real. I am literally… wearing a mask.
- Why?
- Because of a birth defect. – Mahtab said softly, closing his eyes. – I am… ugly.
- You can't be. A birth defect is nothing you can do about. I am sure it is not that bad. May I see your face?
- I would show you if I was a hundred percent sure it won't cause you horror, but…
- Please trust me. I wish to know you. Now that you trusted me enough to tell me your deepest secrets, I am honored, and am sure I won't betray your trust by getting disgusted of your real face. Please show me.
- Please… if you find it scary… try not to faint.
Mahtab slowly removed his human mask, showing his real face to Bonnie. He was staring at her, and though Bonnie got slightly surprised as she hadn't seen such a deformity yet, she did not scream or called him ugly. The first sentence that left Bonnie's lips, wasn't "Oh my God what an ugly face!" or "Monster" but the sweetest and most caring sentence he ever heard from someone who wasn't biologically related to him:
- Does it hurt you don't have a nose, my poor dear?
- Oh… no, it doesn't. – He stuttered nervously. – Aren't you scared?
- Of what? My lover?
Mahtab could not reply right away. He was too touched to say a thing, and looking at Bonnie, he found her much more beautiful in a blink of an eye. Acceptence makes everything more beautiful.
