Otto's pov:
I stared down at my phone screen, feeling a surge of anger and anxiety rise in my chest.
Awsten glanced over at me from where he was standing, washing the dishes. I could tell that he was wondering if I was going to accept the call or not.
I let my phone ring once more before swiping my finger across the screen, answering the call.
I motioned to Awsten that I would just be a minute, he nodded and smiled warmly, turning his attention back to the plate he was washing.
I didn't want him to overhear my conversation so I quickly made my way to the bathroom and closed the door behind me.
"Um. Hi. I guess." I said into my phone awkwardly.
"Hello," came the short reply. "We were just calling because-"
"I know why," I said coldly. "I wish you wouldn't have."
"Otto..." I heard my fathers voice trail off, only to be replaced by my moms. "We were just surprised to hear that you're engaged."
I waited for her next words. For her to tell me that she was disappointed in me, for her to tell me that I was going to hell.
"Look," I heard my father clear his throat. "We just think that maybe you're a little confused. I'm sure that Geoff is a, uh, great guy. But, Otto, you can't throw your life away like this."
I winced at the mention of Geoff's name.
"He's right, honey." My mom chimed in. "There's this really pretty girl that's new to our church and I think that the two of you-"
"Stop." I said, trying to sound calm. "I'm not- look I'm not with Geoff anymore, okay? We broke up so you don't have to..."
"Oh! That's wonderful!" I could hear my moms smile over the phone. "I knew that you weren't like that! I mean that you weren't, uh, you know."
I rolled my eyes, "That I'm not gay." I offered, appalled that she couldn't even bring herself to say the word.
We fell into an uncomfortable silence, but after a minute I couldn't take it anymore.
"I am gay." I said casually. "Just so you know. And I met this really nice guy who's super cute and he cooked me pancakes this morning after I woke up at his apartment because he cares about me and offered me a place when I had nowhere to stay. And you know what, I deserve this. I deserve to have a nice boyfr- um- maybe-boyfriend we haven't actually..." I trailed off, but started up again a second later. "I deserve him because he makes me happy. And I'm really sorry that you're such miserable people that you can't see that but that's not my fault."
"Otto..."
I hung up, letting out a breath that I hadn't even realized I was holding.
I felt lighter.
