I had a little time off, so I decided to go ahead and write the next chapter. You guys get two updates in one day. Enjoy!

The day before

Emily P.O.V.

"Mom", I yelled into the kitchen.

She popped her head out, "What do you want for dinner?"

I laughed, "I was just out with Ben."

My mom looked at the clock, "Oh, why are you back so early?"

"Actually, I didn't eat, but I could use something now", I said, quickly trying to change the subject.

My palms were sweating, and anything I wanted to say left my brain. On the way home, I practiced what I'd say to my mom a thousand times. But now as I look at her, those practices weren't enough.

"I need to tell you something", I said, trying to work up the courage to say what I needed to say.

She looked over at me, obviously giving me her undivided attention. I grabbed a cup from the cabinet and filled it up with water. I took a sip, but it didn't help my dry throat.

"Em, are you okay", she questioned, walking over and placing her hand on my forehead.

My mom has always worried about me. She would rush up to the school when I complained of a sore throat. She just always cared more than anyone, but she is my mother.

I swallowed hard, "I'm fine. I just have to tell you something, and I don't know how you are going to react."

She looked at me, "Please don't tell me you are pregnant."

Even when my life felt like it was about to fall apart, that made me laugh.

"No", I said, still laughing.

She rolled her eyes, "Then what's going on?"

Once again, I am left with no idea what to say. I felt like the walls were coming in around me, and I couldn't find a way to push them back.

"I don't like Ben", I said quickly.

Start slowly, that was my approach. Ripping the band aid off would have been so much easier, but I didn't want to startle my mom. I wanted to be cautious of her feelings as well.

My mom nodded, "You are young, can't be expected to like the same person forever at this time."

Next step, tell her I like someone else.

"But I do like someone else", I said, my heart was pounding at this point.

She stopped cooking, "Do I know him?"

I nod, not yet correcting her.

"Who is it", she questioned, pouring herself a glass of water.

This was it, I had to tell her I like Maya, but it wouldn't come out immediately. I stood there like an idiot, contemplating if it was too soon to tell her everything. But if I ever wanted to be with Maya, I had to tell my mom. I had to officially take that band aid off.

"It's Maya", I felt myself stop breathing for a second.

The house felt like it caved in, my mom didn't say anything. She just stood by the sink. My words hung in the air, and I wanted to take them back. I thought I'd feel ten times better after I told her the truth, but I felt worse. She wouldn't look at me, and I didn't know what to do. I cleared my voice twice, but she still didn't move. I wanted to leave, go find Hanna and do something. Better yet, I wanted to see Maya. I wanted to make sure being true to myself and to my mom was worth it.

"You're kidding, right", my mom finally said.

This was my chance to laugh it off as a joke and let things go back to normal, but I couldn't.

"No, mom, I like Maya", I emphasized Maya's name this time.

I expected her to scream or yell, something to make the quietness of the room disappear, but she didn't. She walked into her room and didn't come out when I knocked.

I don't know what I expected, but I expected more than what I got. Regardless of my preferences, I'm still her daughter.

My first reaction was to text Maya, but I didn't want her to know, yet.

I open the door when Hanna texted me she was outside. For the first time, I let the tears fall, and I couldn't stop them. The pain I felt when my mom couldn't face me, finally surfaced.

"She really didn't say anything", Hanna questioned, her arm around my shoulder.

I let out a nervous laugh, "She said nothing, and I don't even know what that means."

Hanna tapped her foot on the ground nervously, "Maybe that's a good thing. It gives her a second to think before saying something she might regret."

The night continued like this, Hanna comforted me the best she could, and I appreciated it. The drive back to my house felt like hours, and I didn't know what to expect when I got back inside. My mom would normally call or text me if it got too late, but she didn't contact me tonight. It was already one in the morning.

I said bye to Hanna, and I opened my front door. The lights were all off, expect for the small lamp by the couch. My mom sat on the couch reading a book, she didn't look up when I walked in. When I said 'hey', she didn't answer. I sat in the chair across from her, hopping that sooner or later she would say something to me.

"It isn't normal", she said, not looking up from her book.

I felt my blood boil, but I didn't let it overflow. My mom is old school and just doesn't understand.

She finally looked up, "Did you not hear me? It isn't normal."

Once again, my anger was boiling.

"How isn't it normal", I asked, trying to calm myself.

She looked at me, "You know why it isn't. Men and women go together, that's it."

"Don't do that. You have friends who are gay", I said, getting madder every second.

She rolled her eyes, "Doesn't mean I find their lifestyle appropriate or normal. I won't have my daughter living like that."

The anger finally boiled over, and I knew if I didn't get out of there I was going to explode.

"You aren't gay, Emily, this is another goofy phase", she said nonchalantly.

I stand, "A phase, mom? This isn't a phase."

"Sit down", my mom said sternly.

I don't move, "So you can talk to me like something is wrong with me?"

"Something is wrong with you", she said.

I couldn't hold my anger in any longer, "No, nothing is wrong with me. I lost the most important person in my life, because I was too scared to talk to you about how I feel. You proved my point, that you aren't willing to see past what you feel is normal. I need you, I need you to understand. You are mom, and I don't want to lose you. But you either accept me or you don't."

It doesn't take her long to respond.

"I don't accept your decision", she said standing up.

As quick as the conversation started, it was over. My mom made her decision, and I made mine.

I don't know if any of you guys had this type of experience with your own parents, but I had a pretty close one. Coming out isn't always easy, and not everyone is going to accept you. Just remember to accept yourself.