Reaching Out

"I think it's time I tell them." Ethan sighed with his hand over his neck.

"It's all up to you whether you do or not, I'll always love you no matter what you do." Said Lily smiling at Ethans soft curly locks, her pale face going slightly pink in the process. Lily reached her hand over to grab Ethans, Ethan's face lit up when he saw Stitch on her nails, Lily noticed. Lily grabbed Ethans hands and gave them a gentle squeeze, she could hear his heartbeat thumping, she thought it was like a song. Ethan stood up showing his long legs that were draped in sweatpants and a hoodie, he gave Lily one last smile before running out the door and downstairs.

Mrs Dew was getting dinner ready, and Mr Dew was setting the table when Ethan came downstairs. "Hey mum, where's dad?" Ethan asked a little too excitedly.

"He's in the dining room, why? what's up?" Said Mrs Dew with a concerned look on her face because she knew Ethan would usually go to her before anyone else.

"Nothings wrong, I promise. I just wanted to tell you both something, if that's okay? Or are you busy?" Ethan said with shame in his voice, his lip quivered wondering if he had made the right choice or not.

Mr Dew walked into the room at the perfect time, "Hey Bud, what's going on? I heard you talking to your mother about something." Ethan gave an uneasy smile and swallowed to get rid of the lump in his throat.

"I have known for quite a while now and I think it's about time I tell you..." Ethan stuttered, He could feel his whole body shaking with nerves. Mrs Dew just nodded while staring into his dark brown eyes.

Mr Dew then asked "What is it my boy? Spit it out!"

Ethan put a fake smile on his face trying to hide his fear "I'm gay." As soon as the words had come out of his mouth he wished they would go back in.

"Lily is no longer your friend, you must not speak to her ever again. She can't be seen around such a disgrace like you. Now get out of my house and never come back!" Mr Dew yelled and threw a bag at Ethans feet. A tear slid down Ethans cheek but he wiped it away and pretended it was never there. The door slammed and he knew if he ever went back it would be a lot worse, so he sat on the steps for a while, just thinking about everything, wondering if he was good enough.

When Ethan finally started walking to see if he could find some shelter before it was pitch black, his stomach was aching because he hadn't eaten dinner the night before, nor had a meal that day, he regretted it. He knew something like this would have happened but he didn't listen to his gut. Ethan slid his hands into his hoodie pocket and he felt something. He thought it might have been a receipt of some kind, so he pulled it out. His face lit up, he could feel his cheeks glow red with joy. He had a $20 note, but it felt like he had won the lottery. He went to the dairy but it was already closed so he kept it safe by shoving it in his bag, underneath the socks but above the books.

Once he had found a bench in the park where he could sleep at night. He pulled on his hoodie again, and remembered the $20 he quickly went through his bag to make sure it was still there thankfully it was. He let out a sigh of relief. He knew that he couldn't stay out in the cold for many more days, as it was becoming winter and he didn't have any warm clothes except the ones he was wearing, which were getting sweaty and yuck because he had been running around all day. Then something fell on his nose he held his hand out to make sure it was what he thought it was. He was right it was raining, it started bucketing down.

He laid on the bench for a while trying to get to sleep, but he knew he wouldn't be able to. He knew he was going to be awake for a while, he was drenched and shivering in the cold. He had thoughts flooding through his head, what if I wasn't here? Would it make a difference? What would have happened if I stayed quiet? How do people live like this day in and day out? Mum didn't say anything, do you think she would have accepted me for who I am? Millions of them, he knew if he was gonna stay out like this he wasn't going to last long before his thoughts and feelings got the better of him.