"I want to give you all the love you deserve."
___
Hadley Carter has struggled with her sexuality ever since childhood. She keeps her feelings hidden out of fear of judgement and not being accepted by oth...
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"We have to talk to her, Carol."
"I don't know what to say to her."
"That doesn't matter. You can't just—"
I press my ear against my bedroom door, trying to listen in on my parents as they converse in their room across the hall. They speak in hushed tones, making it difficult to overhear what they're saying. I hug my knees to my chest as I sit on the floor, ignoring the tears that stream down my cheeks.
Being a teenage girl, I've felt like my life was ending multiple times over the years. Yet I don't think I've ever felt more like my world was crumbling down around me as I do in this moment. I cry harder as I think back to what I went through over the summer, certain that history will repeat itself. The thought of having Devon ripped away from me the way Sloane had been before leaves my body racking with silent sobs. I want to hate Delaney for all of the damage she has caused me, yet I don't have the energy to. She has taken what feels like everything from me, even my capability to produce rage.
It's now Sunday, which means a full day has passed since my parents found out about my recent relationship with a girl—once again. I haven't left my room since returning from the homecoming dance, too scared to venture anywhere near my mother.
Devon has called and texted to check on me dozens of times, though my responses are always short and vague. I'm processing too much at the moment to be able to give her any comfort she may need, which I regret, yet don't seem to have any control over.
I've received condolences from Kai, Mason, and Clover, each reaching out to reassure me that I have them to lean on and they're sorry for what happened. I have yet to answer them, which I feel guilty about. I just can't seem to come up with anything to say. A simple thank you doesn't feel right . . . those two words don't seem enough to get across how much I appreciate having them in my life.
The sound of footsteps approaching my room snaps me back to my horrid reality. I hurriedly rise to my feet, stumbling as I cross my room and throw myself onto my bed. I wrap my body in the comforter, closing my eyes to pretend I've been asleep. My pillowcase sticks to my cheek, soaked from the tears I haven't been able to stop shedding.
I'm not surprised when the door opens, the sound causing me to flinch. I curl into a ball as my parents intrude on my privacy, wishing they would leave me be. My stomach twists into knots at the thought of being told I will be sent away again. The memories of what I endured over the summer leave me wanting to sob all over again.
"Hadley?" The voice belongs to my father, his tone soft and gentle. I open my eyes a crack, glancing up at my dad as he hovers over my bed. "Can I sit down?"
I hesitate a moment before nodding, sliding over to allow my father to take a seat on the mattress beside me. I notice my mother standing across from us, features pinched and arms crossed over her chest.
