A/N: This chapter has a fuck ton of swearing.

(Nick's POV)

My hand immediately shot to my cheek and I slapped Ahk's hand away. I had the damn thing covered! How the hell did he-

My thoughts came to a halt when I felt dampness on my face. I tore my hand away to see makeup smudged on the fingertips.

The rain. That's what it must've been! It probably washed the foundation off when I was racing inside. It's probably why everyone was staring at me.

That last thought made me queasy, and I took some deep breaths to calm myself. Everyone had seen it. I could feel the entire museum judging me, right down to the lions.

Ahk placed his hand on my back in an attempt to console me. He probably recognized this was difficult to deal with, whatever he believed happened. I tugged at my hair in anxiety, and more clumps fell to the floor.

Ahk moved his hand to remain on my clenched fists. "Nick, please calm down." I looked at him and saw that his eyes were full of genuine care.

He's right, Nick. Don't stress him out more by flipping out.

Obediently, I stopped pulling on my hair and simply stared at my black and blue vans in silence.

After 15 minutes, I burst the silence and turned to face Ahkmenrah. "Please don't tell my Dad!" I begged in one quick breath.

He went bug eyed at this. "Nick if someone is hurting you, I cannot let it continue."

"Ahk, please! He'll freak out!" I pleaded, throwing him the biggest puppy dog eyes. "If he finds out why-"

"Hold on. Tell me what happened first." Ahkmenrah interrupted, holding up a finger to shush me. "Who did this to you?"

I stood up and sighed. "Some junior from my school. His name is Tyler." I started pacing back and forth, hands on my hips. "He's been doing this for nearly a year now. The douchebag never told me why, but I figured it out on my own."

Ahk sat up. "Why? Did you make him mad or anything like that?" He seemed curious, but alarmed.

I stopped short, my back facing away from the Pharaoh. Maybe I should tell him now. Maybe not.

You need to open up about these things, Nick.

Who even knew if it was true, though? Shit, I wasn't even sure myself.

"Nick?" Ahkmenrah asked, breaking me out of my thinkings.

C'mon Nick, just tell him.

I rolled my eyes at myself and turned to face Ahk. "You can't say anything, okay?"

"Nick, I already told you-"

"No, not about this!" I pointed at my injured eye. "I mean, you can't tell anyone about why he is doing it. I don't want people knowing."

Yet.

Ahk nodded, clearly realizing what I meant. "Your private life is yours."

"Thanks." I responded, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I felt my palms become sweaty, and I swallowed hard. Why was I so fucking nervous? It really wasn't a big deal.

I managed to stabilize myself, and looked straight at Ahkmenrah.

Here we go.

"Ahk... I'm gay." I confessed, waiting patiently for his reaction.

Ahkmenrah had a blank expression. He didn't seem fazed at all. "What's wrong with being gay?"

I certainly wasn't anticipating this response. "Nothing! I just..." I paused, trying to figure out how to place it. "Everyone hates me for it..." I faced away from him, a wave of shame washing over me.

I could feel Ahk's gaze burning into my head. "Everyone thinks I'm a fucking queer. My Dad doesn't even know and frankly, I'm terrified of him finding out the truth."

I continued on. "I've heard people say 'The Truth Will Set You Free'. What a load of bullshit. The truth just ties you down like a prisoner, until you're on the floor, bleeding and crying for some help. The 'truth' is only satisfactory when it's a fucking society norm."

The Pharaoh just stared at me in shock. His mouth hung open, not bearing the slightest idea of what to say to something like that.

I glared at Ahkmenrah from the corner of my eye. "Don't act surprised. Everyone knew I wouldn't be that adorable little brat forever. We all lose our fucking innocence at some point."

"Nick... I really think you should speak to someone." Ahk advised. "Look at yourself. You've lost hope in everyone. Even us."

My head snapped in his direction. "That's not even close to the truth." I glared at him once more.

"How many months?"

"What?"

"How many months was it that you barely spoke to anyone? Even me?" Ahkmenrah gave me a severe look.

The silence was profound, even suffocating for the next 20 minutes.

"Five and a half."

"What?" Ahk spoke, confused.

"I didn't speak to any of you for five and a half months." I said, answering his question from before.

Another silence fell over us.

"Are you going to tell him?"

"Tell who?" I questioned Ahkmenrah.

"Your Dad."

"I'm not." I said loud and clear. "Not yet."

Ahk stood up promptly. "You can't sustain this from him forever, Nick."

"I won't. I promise." I told him, fidgeting with my nails once more. I smiled at Ahk.

I truly was scared of what my Dad would say. I just want to feel like I belong for once.

"I just want to be ready."

A/N: You guys get a special chapter since I got a detention today!