Shades of Gray

Chapter 3

Everyone around the table is silent after I admitted my sexuality, but I just couldn't take Harmony flirting with me anymore. The silence is uncomfortable as I push my food around my plate - I have eaten about half of my food. Tears prick the back of my eyes causing me to blink rapidly to prevent the tears from falling.

"I'm sorry for ruining dinner. Nanma, may I be excused, please?" I murmur while looking up at her briefly.

"No, you may not," Nanma firmly replies but softly. "There is nor reason for you to be upset, Gray. You are who you are, and that is beautiful."

"I'm bisexual, so it's not like my family is going to judge you," Ryker's deep voice says snapping my attention to him with wide eyes.

"You are?" I whisper unsure if he is being honest or not since I don't know him.

Don't get me wrong, he is extremely attractive with his dark brown hair with the sides shaved, visibal tattoos from the neck down, light skin tone, bright green eyes, and full pink lips. He is tall, too, around 6'1" which is amazing against my height of 5'8"/

"Yes, so none of us have a problem with your sexuality," Ryker replies with a tiny smile, and a nod of his head.

"Okay," I murmur as my skin flushes bright pink at his intense stare.

"What school do you attend?" Holly asks to break the slight tension that is hanging in the air.

"West Lincoln High School," I whisper as I make brief eye contact with her before dropping my gaze back to my plate.

Holly is very beautiful with her shoulder length dark brown hair, light hazel eyes, pale skin, and if I had to guess, she is around mama's age of 35-years-old.

"We attend West Lincoln High School, too!" Harmony says excitidly, but honestly I only assosiate with Wyatt and Kyler, so I have no clue if they do or not.

The conversation turns to other topics, and off of me which I am thankful for. This only lasts until near the end of dinner when Ryder asks; "Where are your parents?"

My breath hitches at the simple question before I manage to simply say; "Um, they are not in my life. Nonma and Papa have been wonderful enough to take me in, and raise me."

Ryder, Ryker, and Harmony frown at my vague answer while Holly continues to speak with Nanma, but it is none of their buisness where my parents are.

"Why not?" Harmony asks, and it seems as if she is hurt I didn't giver her a full answer, but I could be wrong.

"Harmony, that is none of our concern," Holly repremands her daughter with a frown. "Grayson and Ms. Lucy are allowed their privacy just like everyone is."

Nanma smiles her thanks at Holly before turning her smile to me; "Grayson, you know it is up to you on how you answer about them, and I will abide by your wishes."

Smiling weakly at her as I nod without verbally replying. Nanma, Holly, and Ryder retire to the living room, each with a glass of red wine while I start cleaning the kitchen. I expect Harmony and Ryker to join them instead they start to help me despite protests.

"How is it that I have never noticed you in school?" Ryker asks curiously as we load the dishwasher.

Shrugging my shoulders lightly while replying; "I'm not sure since I have had several classes with you over the years. Your friend Thomas is friends with my two best friends - Wyatt Edwards and Kyler West."

"You are friends with Wyatt and Kyler?" he returns with a quired right eyebrow.

"Yup," I murmur as I place the washing detergent in the dishwasher before closing it, and turning it on. "We have been friends since kindergarten."

"Damn, I'm really sorry that I don't remember you, and that is horrible of me," Ryker mumbles as Harmony agrees.

"Don't worry about it since I try to make myself in the background," I shrug as I pull the two pies from the fridge that I made earlier today - apple and blueberry.

"Why, you seem really cool?" Harmony questions with a pout.

Grabbing the small plates from the cupbord by the sink while saying; "I like to keep to myself, and focus on my studies in order to attend whatever college I want."

When neither of them answer, I step into the living room to find out what pie everyone would like before returning to the kitchen. Slicing into the pies, I take Nanma, Holly, and Ryder their pieces before serving Harmony, Ryker and myself.

Nervously joining everyone else in the living room, I sit on the floor with my back against the wall shared with the kitchen. Watching everyone through my hair as they talk and talk. I notice Ryker and Harmony looking at the family pictures on the wall. There are a few of mama when she was younger before she left home, but most of the pictures of Nanma, Papa, me, and a few with me, Wyatt, and Kyler.

"You were adorable when you were litte, Grayson," Holly remarks with a smile as she looks at the pictures from her spot on the couch. "You still are. Wait, are those pictures of Wyatt and Kyler?"

"Yes, they are Grayson's best friends," Nanma replies with a fond smile. "They have been friends since kindergarten."

"I'm surprised you haven't been to our home before since they have been," Ryder says looking over at me curiously.

"I don't go to other peoples homes unless it is Kyler and Wyatt's," I softly reply, and that is the full truth.

They look at me strangly, but it is the truth as I have no other friends to visit their homes, but Wyatt and Kyler. I am not a "typical" teen at least I do not feel like a "typical" teen. What is typical for a teenager to do, and not do? I honestly have no idea, and I am not sure if I want to know.