Nathan smiled at his phone as it buzzed. Almost fifteen texts from Warren after he had gone back home. Most of them were theoretical "nerd questions" as Nathan called them. One read If you're travelling at the speed of light in a car, and you turn on the headlights, does anything get illuminated? He sent back a quick, thoughtless reply and set his phone down.
"Who was that?" His dad asked.
"No one." Nathan looked down at his hands. "Victoria." He tried to remain emotionless. He'd be dead if Sean ever found out who he was. "Don't you have, like, a meeting or something to be at right now?"
"Not for another hour."
"Well, I'm going out. Vic and I have plans." Nathan stood up and put his phone in his pocket.
"Son," Sean said. He almost sounded angry, that made Nathan wince. "I know you're dating a guy. You're not allowed to see that Warren fuck again." Nathan stood dead in his tracks. His back was turned to his father. "And if you're going to see him now, I can promise you'll regret it."
"We're not dating, dad." His breathing quickened and he started to shake. Calm down, he thought to himself. He'll never believe you if you're this nervous. "He's just a kid from school. A friend, I guess. He helps me with my science homework."
"I've seen the texts, Nathan."
"So I'm not allowed to text anyone besides Vic and the rest of the Vortex Club?"
"You are, just not guys who are clearly into you." Sean started to walk toward Nathan. He tensed up, sensing he was about to be hit. "I won't let a gay son of mine ruin the Prescott name. There's a press conference next week. The newspaper is going to take our picture. Bring a girl." Sean began to walk away.
Nathan stood silent for a minute. He started towards the door and grabbed the handle. "I'm 18. You don't get to say what I can and can't do. You don't control me anymore." He twisted the knob. "I'm not straight dad." He felt tears growing in his eyes. He knew nothing good could come of this, but it was too late now. Nathan dug his nails into his palm, yelling at himself in his mind. "Warren is my boyfriend and-"
"That's enough!" Sean started marching back towards Nathan. "You are a Prescott. You have a reputation to hold up." He grabbed Nathan's shirt collar. "I won't let you drag my name through the mud because you want to fuck another guy." Sean's other hand grabbed Nathan by the hair and twisted. "You're not a fucking faggot."
"Yes." He said, pushing his dad's hands off of him. Fighting back for the first time in his life. "I am. I'm gay dad. Warren is my fucking boyfriend. You can't, and you won't, change that. I'm going over to his house later and you can't do shit. I swear to fuck, dad, if you try to get between me and him I'll go to the press and tell them everything about you."
"No one will believe a little, good-for-nothing, piece of shit like you."
"But they will believe my shrink. He can stand up for me, he actually gives a shit. He knows everything that's wrong with my fucking brain and who caused it!" Nathan was screaming at this point.
Sean just stood in front of Nathan. "Get the fuck out of my house."
Nathan walked outside and slammed the door. He was proud, he had never gotten the last word in before- but he was also terrified to return home. He had just come out to his dad and told him off. Two extreme negatives in Sean's eyes.
Nathan exhaled heavily. He pulled out his phone to text both Warren and Victoria, asking if they could hang out for a while.