Standard disclaimer.
Well, we're still working on Dustin's family. But don't worry, we'll get to Shane's reaction soon! And things'll start steaming up again too. I need some steam with my angst!
Chapter 6: Worst Case Scenario
And I'm glad everyone is sitting. Jessie's attention turns from me to our parents. Mom's mouth is hanging open, but nothing's coming out. Pure state of shock. And dad is just staring at me. When I catch his eyes, he looks down and shoves his chair back, standing.
"You did not just tell us that you have a… a…"
"A boyfriend," I supply softly.
My dad is openly glaring and I can't stand it. I lower my head, watching my hands wrestle each other.
"How can this be happening?" I hear my mom ask.
Her voice almost sounded panicky. I can't tell what's running through Jessie's head, my mom's in disbelief, and my dad's downright angry.
Yup, I'm glad Hunter isn't here to see this. Not that I couldn't use some support right now.
I'm forced to look up when I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder. I look to see Jessie watching me. Her eyes only show love and concern, the exact opposite of my dad's. Thank goodness for older sisters.
I vaguely hear my father asking my mother if this was his fault, and she's asking if it's her fault.
"It's no one's fault!" I tell them, a bit loudly too. "You act like it's such a bad thing."
"It is!" my father yells.
I wince when he says that. And it wasn't because of the volume. This is the worst case scenario coming true.
"It isn't, daddy," Jessie says, her voice softer than normal. "You always told us to listen to our hearts and be true to ourselves. So Dustin's heart is for another guy."
"It isn't natural, honey," mom replies.
And if it were possible, I'd sink lower into my seat. But if I did, I'd be sitting on the floor. Damn.
"Maybe it's a phase. Experimenting, or something," dad says with a sigh.
At least he's sitting. I figure, by now, the food is chilly. I think it's from the ice my father's giving me, not like mom's helping either. Jessie's hand is back on my shoulder, squeezing.
"It isn't a phase," I tell them, biting my bottom lip.
"And how long have you been gay?" mom asks.
"For a while. But he's my first boyfriend."
"And who is he?" enters my dad.
And before I can stop myself, I answer, "Hunter."
It's think THEN speak. One day I'll figure that out before the fact, not after.
"Well, it's obvious you can no longer see him," dad tells me.
"What?" I exclaim.
"He's been a bad influence…" dad began explaining, but I didn't want to hear it.
"I was gay before I even met him, dad. And he's the best thing that's happened to me in a long time. And no, this isn't a phase."
Not that I wanted to add more fuel to the inferno, but I almost threw in a comment about he was the best thing the came out of the whole Lothor attacking the school and kidnapping practically everyone incident. But my brain refused to let my mouth utter that. Maybe I'm getting a hang on this thinking before speaking thing after all.
My elbows are now on the table, my fingers massaging my temples. I just realized that my head's pounding, and it feels like this has been going on for a while.
"Dustin, you can't keep seeing him," dad repeats.
I jump from my chair and glare defiantly at him. "I can and I will. You might not be able to understand it…hell, I don't either! But I love Hunter and he loves me."
"Dustin…" he warns, but I'm already out of the room.
I slam the door so hard I thought it was going to break. Flopping on my bed, I see the strip of pictures. I can vaguely hear yelling, it sounds like its between Jessie and dad. A few tears slide down my face, but I make no move to wipe them away. I hear stomping up the stairs, and I shudder when the stomping stops at my door. But when it's thrown open, I'm met with two arms full of Jessie.
"He's just being evil, Dustin. Don't you listen to him," she orders.
She pulls away and I can tell she's been crying. And she starts again, which sends me crying… we end up a blubbering mess on the floor.
"I'm going away for a little while, Jessie."