Over the next few weeks...

Troy's Point of View:

Ryan and I have been dating a lot so far in the past few weeks. Every date we've been on seems like we only did it yesterday. I really care about him and I know that he really cares about me. I'm not so sure right now but, I think I'm in love with Ryan Evans. I'm just scared. Scared he might not feel the same way or he might break up with me because he's not ready for a full commitment yet. Sometimes, I don't understand these feelings. But when I'm with him, I don't feel lost. I feel like everything thing I ever did wrong in life seem to just fade away; leaving me whole and happy. Should I tell him I love him?

"Troy?" Ryan's voice shot my mind back into reality. We were heading home after another terrific date. Ryan was driving this time since my dad was repairing my car.

"You alright babe? You seem kind of quiet tonight. Anything you want to talk about?" Ryan asked me politely. I couldn't help but answer.

"Yeah. There is something I've been meaning to tell you. I'm just not sure if you feel the same way though." I turned my head to face the window, watching the trees and landscapes going by.

Ryan replied kindly. "You never know until you say it." I turned back to face him, a sweet smile on his face as turned back to the road.

"Well, I know that we've been going out for a while now and I was just wondering." I swallowed hard, feeling a huge lump at the back of my throat.

Why does Ryan make everything seem harder than they really are? I held my breath before finally saying it out loud.

"I love you." I quickly spat the words out; unaware if he understood any of it.

"What? You were mumbling. Can you repeat that?" Ryan stated looking confused.

"I - love - you." I said with emphasis on the word 'love.' Ryan suddenly stepped on the break and put the car in park. It was late at night so he knew there weren't going to be any cars driving out soon. He turned to face me; a surprise look on his soft, delicate features.

"Really? You love me?" Ryan asked, his facial expression the same.

"Yes, I love you Ryan Alexander Evans. I love you, more than anyone else I ever had feelings first. I couldn't see myself in the future without you in it. I love you." I practically shouted my heart out as my feelings started to pour out of me. Maybe I was a little too harsh but I couldn't help it.

I love him.

"Is that all?" Ryan put the car back into drive as we continued to drive back to my place.

"Yeah, I wasn't sure if I was ready to say those words until I felt it. And I feel it now, a lot." I stared down towards my hands, watching the lines that ran through my palms and fingers.

"Really? Because I was wondering the same thing." I looked up to see him. "I love you too Troy Hunter Bolton." I couldn't help but smile and giggle. I felt a like a little school girl.

The guys would kill me if they knew I was crooning over Ryan like some kind of schoolgirl.

A few minutes late, we were in the driveway of my place. Ryan and I exited the car as we held hands and walked up to my front porch. I felt a bit awkward as we continued to stare at each other. We were used to this routine already so I just went along with it.

"I had a really nice time Troy. I can't wait for our next date." I pulled Ryan into a close embrace; I could smell his hair, which had an aroma of various fruits. I could feel his breath on my clothes.

"Me either." He pulled away from my arms as he leaned his chin on my shoulder. His breaths sent chills down my spine. I felt him lift up as he whispered into my ear.

"I love you Troy." He said as he lightly nipped my ear.

"I love you too." I whispered back. We pulled away. I whined internally at this.

I never realized that I was so needy.

"I'll call you later alright?" Ryan gave me one last peck before he walked back to his car as I walked into my home.

I walked into the living room to find my parents both sitting there. My dad was reading the newspaper and my mom was busy typing something at the computer desk. She knew I was there because she looked away from the screen and took off her reading glasses.

"Troy? Oh you're back a little early aren't you?" She smiled at me.

"Um, yeah. Ryan and I decided to come home early." I responded.

"You know, that Evans kid is a queer right?" My dad said, his eyes still concentrating on the paper in front of him.

"Yeah, but he's actually a pretty cool guy when you look past the rumors and stuff." I laughed nervously as I said this.

My dad folded and threw his paper on the small table as he looked up to face me.

"This drama boy better not be interfering with you in any way. Because if this is Darbus' sick idea of fooling around with my players, I'm going to kil-" My dad sounding angry. I intervened.

"No, dad. Darbus isn't planning anything. Ryan and I are just good friends. That's all." I felt a bead of sweat forming on my brow.

"You know, you have been spending a lot of time with that kid. Are you sure he's not trying to, you know, convert you?" My dad stood up from his seat and stared at me with an angry glare. I fought back my instincts.

"He's not trying to convert me dad. I already decided what I am." At that moment, my heart froze. My brain started to fill with fear as I realized what I just said.

My dad walked over to me, his eyes fixed upon me.

"And what side is that Troy?" His voice filled with anger and frustration.

I averted my eyes away from him and fixed them on my mother who was now standing up as well. Her face covered with concern.

"Troy? Is there something you want to tell us?" My mom said, her voice sounding as if she were about to cry.

I looked back at my dad who's lip was twitching. A sign of anger being bottled up inside.

"Mom - Dad." I gulped. "I'm - gay." I said.

Nothing could've stopped the inevitable.

SMACK.

I fell to the floor as I looked up to my dad, his fists were balled in anger. My mom was cowering behind him, her face in mere shock. My face was burning.

"No son of mine is going to be a faggot." He lifted his foot and kicked me full force in the stomach. I doubled over as I moaned in agony. I managed to let one word slip out.

"Dad..." I heard the sound of footsteps and the front door opening. I heard my father's last few words.

"I have no son." The door slammed with a loud shut as my mother came to my aide. Her voice filled with concern and worry. She lifted my head up as she spoke.

"Troy, please tell me it isn't true." I choked back an answer as I could taste blood inside my mouth. My mother helped me up on my feet as she helped to my room.

She laid me on the bed gently as she pulled the covers on me. She touched my cheek where my dad had hit me and I cringed at the feeling of it. Her eyes were filled with tears that she fought back during the time. She moved the hair out of my eyes and gave me a small kiss on the forehead as she held me close to her chest.

"I'm so sorry. I should've done something. I'm a coward." I could her heart beating. She continued to talk through short breaths and whimpers.

"I'll tell you what. Why don't you stay with a friend for a little bit until I can figure something out with your father. Would you like that?" I wanted to scream and shout. She obviously didn't support me and neither will my dad. The same dad who hugged me when we won the state championships, the same father who did everything he can to get me on the basketball team. The same dad who I once looked up to as a hero. And now, everything was falling apart, just because they couldn't deal with the fact that I was gay.

I looked up at my mom and with as much effort as I could, I gave her a small nod. She had a small smile as she planted another kiss on my forehead and started to pack some clothes into one of my duffle bags. I felt my eyelids grow heavy as the last thing I could think of was none other than the boy who will always love me no matter what happens.

Ryan Alexander Evans...

And then darkness...

A/N: I think this chapter will be implanted on your memories.