The tranquil path stretched ahead, undisturbed by any other presence, as I scanned my surroundings, yearning for solace. My mind begged for peace, a brief respite from the tumultuous events of recent days. Lost in contemplation, I found myself daydreaming, oblivious to my immediate environment until a sudden pair of hands jolted me, and I startled in surprise. "Hey, man!" Joe's voice burst with excitement. Confounded by his abrupt appearance – the path having been seemingly devoid of other souls – I couldn't help but ask, "Where did you come from all of a sudden? You practically scared me out of my skin."
"I've been trailing you the entire time. Wasn't I stealthy? Made sure not to make a peep," Joe retorted, his tone carrying a playful edge. Irritated by his antics, I let out a disapproving frown, replying curtly, "Just knock it off, okay?"
Joe's curiosity led him to ask whether I was still feeling low. In response, I shared that I typically confided in my mum about my problems, but I couldn't bring myself to discuss the events that unfolded after school the previous night. My eyes widened as the inadvertent revelation of my secret, one shared only with Callum, slipped from my lips. "What do you mean after school? Weren't you at the park with us right after classes ended? Or were you?" Joe's puzzled expression accompanied his inquiry.
Struggling to find the right words, I remained silent, uncertain about how to proceed. Revealing to Joe, or anyone for that matter, the possibility of my bisexuality or homosexuality felt like an overwhelming step. Nonetheless, summoning my courage, I disclosed that I had met Callum before joining them at the park and that we had shared a kiss. Nervously squinting, I hoped Joe's reaction wouldn't be negative. To my astonishment, he stood before me with a smile that suggested greater acceptance than I had anticipated. "I remember suggesting you explore and understand your true self. So, are you identifying as gay or bisexual now?" Joe's query hung in the air.
Experiencing a rush of relief at Joe's positive response, I realised that my anxieties about sharing this news with my friends had been blown out of proportion. The prospect of opening up to Becky and our group now seemed even more appealing, and I even began to anticipate confiding in Alex. However, when it came to discussing this with my mother, my anxiety remained steadfast. As her only son, I couldn't shake the fear of how she might react to the revelation of my attraction to boys or the fact that I had kissed Callum.
"Why can't you talk about this with your mum?" Joe's question snapped me back to reality.
In a more sombre tone, I answered, "I'm afraid of disappointing her or straining our relationship."
"Tom, your mum loves you unconditionally. She'll understand. She's your mum, after all. By the way, you keep mentioning this Callum guy. When do I get to meet him? We're best mates, aren't we?" Joe's excitement was palpable.
"Perhaps you're right. I know I can always rely on you for support. Okay, I'll check with Callum and see if he's open to meeting you. Just promise not to embarrass me too much," I said, managing a faint grin.
Joe's playful smirk made an appearance. "Well, I can't make any guarantees there. Best friends are meant to embarrass each other, aren't they? Nah, I'm just messing with you. Let's get to our first lesson. Or am I?"
His characteristic teasing left me both amused and slightly exasperated. "You're quite the comedian."
As we headed to class, I couldn't help but feel grateful for having Joe as a friend, someone who could inject humour into even the most nerve-wracking situations.
Joe and I made our way to the first lesson of the day, a sense of contentment settling over me, pushing aside the minor currents of my recent depression. Today felt different, a day where I could breathe freely and let my true self shine. The prospect of revealing my deepest secret to everyone else, just as I had to Joe, didn't appear as daunting now. Hopefully, they would be as understanding as Joe.
YOU ARE READING
The Shadows and The Sunlight
Romance"The Shadows and Sunlight" is a young adult novel that follows the journey of a teenage boy named Tom as he navigates through his complex emotions and relationships. Tom lives with his mum and has a close relationship with her. Becky and Joe become...
