When we were Wallflowers

Chapter 16: My Boy

This chapter is dedicated to @cinnamonbroomsbitch because they were lovely enough to tell me that some random app is plagiarising EwB. I am furious and looking into ways to get it off the app known as Volcano ebooks. But big thank you to cinnamon for bringing this to my attention!!

Also, last chapter I asked what book you wanted next and hardly anyone answered the question. The few who did said they wanted a werewolf au, so if you didn't want that then tough titties. I will try and make it hopefully unique and enjoyable for everyone to read x

"I'm sure it's not as bad as you think." Trisha rested a gentle hand on Brent's forearm. It was a sweet gesture but her words rang hollow as she had not seen his dad when Brent had came out to him last night.

'I need some time to think.' His dad had insisted, but that 'time' was only getting longer. Brent hadn't seen his father after their talk in the car, he had disappeared inside their house and didn't come to dinner; he didn't even watch the football game that was on. His dad's bedroom door had remained locked, only the sound of occasional shuffling proved that anyone was inside. Brent had pondered knocking on the bedroom door but thought better of it. What good would it be to force another confrontation with his dad when the first one had already gone so terribly. His mom found out from his dad and didn't need anytime to think about, she had kissed his forehead and said she looked forward to meeting Finley one day and that his dad would come around soon. His sister didn't really care when she found out, good for you, was all she really said.

It was only his dad. The man he admired most in the world and who's opinion dictated nearly every conscious decision Brent made, was the one who had an issue with his sexuality.

"It's all my fault." Brent's throat was tight and hoarse, his words low and strangled. "If I had just stayed quiet or just been better then none of this would've happened."

Brent plucked at the grass that he and Trisha were sitting on. The sun was slowly beginning to set and the chill of the evening breeze was finding its way closer to Brent.

Trisha shook her head. "Now, that's not true at all! He was always going to find out, Brent, you would never have been able to keep something this big from him. Maybe it's better that you did it now, it's like ripping off the bandaid. He gets to know now, directly from you, rather than from somebody else or by accidentally seeing you and Finley. It's hard right now because you're living through the worst bit, but wouldn't you rather get it done now rather than later?"

"I'd rather not go through it all."

Brent was so selfish. He could've just stuck to the status quo, not try and rock the boat and ruin everything. His dad had been so excited to watch the game with him and now, all because of Brent, his dad had missed the game and had probably spent the night angry or miserable. Out of all the times Brent had actively stuck to being a wallflower, to watching other people do risky things and try new experiences, now was the time he decided to be different?

Doing what everyone else did had served him well. He never stuck out, he never caused fuss, he never upset anyone and his dad was proud of him. What he would do to go back to a simpler time.

"Stop it!" Trisha whacked his arm. Brent feigned hurt, her hits didn't really feel like much to him but she probably wanted to think they did so he flinched and pulled away. "I don't know what it's like to come out to a family member and have it not go well, it must be really hard and I am sorry. BUT! You can't carry on with this self pity party. The world marches on and you've got to put on a brave face and can do attitude when things aren't going to plan. I mean, look at me. My mom's going through chemotherapy as we speak, but you don't see me crying about it. Why? Because that would do anything."