I Think I Like You

14

two weeks later
tw: homophobia

KAIS POV
Amelia has been on edge all morning. Her mothers fight is getting here in an hour and then she's taking an Uber and meeting Amelia here. Amelia hasn't said a word all morning. She made it seem like she wanted to come out to her mom, which is great, I'm proud of her, but I'm worried. From what she's told me her mom doesn't seem like she's accept her, and I don't want her to get hurt. The bathroom door opened and Amelia stepped out. She looked nice. She walked over to me and wrapped her arms around my waist. I kissed the top of her head and put my arms around her.
"You alright?" I asked softly.
"Yeah," she nodded.
"Okay," I said. She looked up at me and I pecked her lips.
"Have a good day with your mom," I said.
"I will," she nodded. I could tell she was on edge but I couldn't blame her.

AMELIAS POV
I was sitting at lunch with my mother. It was weird having her here. I almost liked it. Today has been kinda peaceful, but I know it'll come crashing down when I tell her about Kai and I. I know in the back of my mind she won't accept me, but I'm proud of who I am, and my relationship with Kai, and if that's something I have to hide, I don't like that. I want to be myself.
"How's your roommate?" My mom asked.
"They're good," I nodded.
"I hate that you do that," my mom said.
"Do what?" I asked.
"Use those they pronouns on one person, it makes no sense," my mom said.
"Mom Kai is non-binary I'd appreciate it if you accepted that," I said, "if you see them today you need to respect their pronouns."
"Kai is totally changing you, when have you ever acted like this?" She said.
"Kai and I are dating," I said, "we're in a relationship and I care about them and as my mother I'm asking you to respect their gender identity. They identify as non-binary."
"You are not dating Kai don't even start with that ridiculousness," my mom scoffed.
"Yes I am," I looked at her seriously.
"You're not gay," my mother looked at me.
"Yes I am," I defended, "it doesn't matter what I am, Kai and I are in a relationship."
"This conversation never happened," my mother said and got up to use the bathroom. I slouched in my seat and could feel tears start to form. I thought she at least accepted Kai's pronouns. Now she doesn't. She's being so hateful. She came back from the bathroom and smiled at me.
"We should do some sight seeing after this," she said. And just like that she acted like the conversation never happened.
-
"This is a neat little town," my mom said.
"Yeah," I shrugged as we were walking along the downtown area. There were a few shops and a few touristy areas of Baltimore. We went in a few shops and my mom bought some things. I couldn't knock the upset feeling I felt. I should have just hidden it. I wish I didn't say anything. I didn't want to have to hide who I was but now I wish I did.
"Stop moping," my mother said and looked at me.
"I'm not moping," I said.
"Yes you are. You can't possibly be the one upset right now after what you told me," she said, "I didn't raise you like that."
"It doesn't matter how you raise someone you can't control who you like," I said.
"Amelia Frances I did not raise you like this. You and Kai are not in a relationship, end of discussion," she said, "we're not talking about this again."

KAIS POV
The dorm door opened slowly. I had the lights off since I was watching TV on my laptop. Amelia came in quietly and at chuckled.
"I'm not asleep," I said. She didn't say anything and I watched her walk over to her desk. She slowly picked up a book and threw it against the wall. I jumped out of bed and grabbed her.
"Amelia! Hey what's wrong?" I said. She was already crying and I wrapped my arms around her.
"Amelia, honey hey," I said and kissed her head,
"It's okay talk to me."
"Let me throw something else please," she cried into me.
"Amelia I really don't think our neighbors want a mini window into our room," I joked.
"I want to take drugs let me throw something so I don't," she cried. I froze. She's never admitted to wanting to take drugs.
"Just don't make a mess," I said slowly as I let go of her. She pushed her chair over and knocked a few books off her desk. She stopped and looked up at me. Her tear stained face and bloodshot eyes looked at me.
"Wanna clean this up and sit down?" I asked her. She nodded.
"Yeah," she said.
"Okay," I said softly. I cleaned up the small mess and brought her into my bed.
"What you admitted," I said softly, "do you have drugs with you? Should I be worried about a relapse?"
"No," she sniffled, "no I'm sorry I'm just angry and I just, I just panicked and that's what my mind went to, I promise I'm still clean I don't have any drugs, I would never. Not again."
"Okay," I nodded and put my arm around her, "can I ask you a question?"
"Yeah," she said and looked at me, "always."
"Did you tell her?" I said. She nodded.
"Yeah," she said sadly, "let's just say it didn't go well."