“Why is that important Dustin?” I asked him.

“I thought we dropped this earlier.”

“I just wanted to know. All I want to know is why you were not home.”

I sat there looking down.

“You told me you had to be home and looked scared as we passed your house this morning.” He continued.

“There are just some things happening.” He looked down at me as I spoke softly.

“Like?” Dustin asked me.

“My parents.” I say half angry that he won't leave me alone.

“what about them, you can tell me I won't tell anyone.”

Really reassuring Dustin. I don’t even know why he's still here he knows how I dress and why I'm ignoring so he should have a good idea what happens anyways.

“Look I just have a lot going on. Okay?”

“I just want to help you.”

Dustin sits quietly awaiting a response. I don’t know what to say, maybe if I tell him then he can help me. Though what if he makes it worse or tells other people. Would Dustin tell others? I look over at him sitting next to me.

“Look- I, I um don’t know how to talk about it. Nobody has really every asked. They just whisper or stare. They see the bruises, and the cuts. I know they do. All they do is make fun of me. Why should they not anyways!? You hear them I’m a gay freak. A faggot.”

I close my mouth realizing what I have said. All of what I said. I look over tears forming in my eyes. He looks stunned almost.

“Is that really how you feel? Is that why you always look scared as I approach you or like I might suddenly hit you.?”

“Wait no- I- I'm not scared of you. Don’t think that. All you have been is nice to me. Your one of the people who don’t talk about me. The ones I like. Who keep their real opinion to themselves"

“What do you think my real opinion on you is? Cause I think you are a great person. Who maybe just needs some help. I don’t think your anything you hear the others call you. If you don’t mind me asking, what do your parents do?”

My whole body at this point was shaking. Should I tell him? Maybe he really can help me. I peer over at him. He’s just sitting there. Waiting for me to talk. Not forcing me.

“They um...”

I don’t know how to respond nobody has asked me about this before.

“Hey, don’t push yourself if you don’t want to tell me it's fine.”

I don't know why but after he said this, I felt a sort of comfort from those words.

“When my parents found out I was gay, they um you could say did not take it well. They did not let people over anymore. Let me only leave for school, and you know I must be back home by a certain time. There is always someone waiting for me when I get home to make sure I don’t pull any “funny business”. Locks where added to the kitchen I could eat when they were there. I go back to my room when I'm done.”

I turn to look at him. He opens his mouth but then closes it.

“They sound terrible.” Dustin finally responds.

“Yeah, they are.” I said kind of with a chuckle. “They used to be so nice, but I guess they did not expect their only kid to turn out to be gay.”

We sit in silence for a while before I hear the bell go off.

“well, we better get to class” Dustin says.

“yeah, um talk to you tomorrow?”

“Yes, definitely.”

We then went downstairs and in our separate ways.