~ Maybe Just The Touch Of A Hand - A Mayden FanFic ~

Chapter 6

-=+=- ONE HOUR LATER -=+=-

~ Brayden's POV:

I slumped myself down on the sofa, resting my elbows on my knees. I sat there, listening to the sound of the clock, slowly and repetitively ticking. Apart from that, the room was silent. I stared forward at the polished wooden floorboards, my mind floating away to a distant place. The edges of my mouth slowly turned upwards, forming into a gentle smile. I remembered the way Mitch had stroked my cheek and kissed my neck so passionately. The way he laughed when I whispered something sexual in his ear.

I was pulled out of my daze as my mom walked in, her curly hair falling loosely upon her shoulders. She gave me a light smile, stopping in her tracks when she saw me staring into empty space.

"What're you doing up? Aren't you tired, Bray?" my mom asked, folding her arms. The small crevasses beneath her eyes were black and smokey looking.

"You look tired yourself," I said, observing her pale and drowsy looking face. The room fell silent again for a moment, accompanied by the faint sound of the clock that hangs above our kitchen counter.

"What's up?" my mom stared at me, looking confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Is there something you want to tell me?"

"I don't know,"

"You must know,"

"Maybe,"

"What is it? Come on,"

"I don't know if I want to tell you,"

"Don't be afraid to tell me,"

"It's not exactly an easy thing to say,"

"Give me hints,"

"Give me a minute to think," I said, raising my voice slightly in frustration.

I sighed, resting my head in my hands. If Brooke accepts the fact that I'm gay and still appreciates me as much as she did before I told her, then my mom would surely think the same... I guess. I lifted my head up from my hands.

"Sit down," I said, glancing at my mom.

"Why? Is it a long story? If so, I don't have that much time,"

"Not that long, I think,"

"Why do I have to sit down for it?"

"Just sit, god damn it,"

"Don't give me that tone of voice,"

"Don't complain if the 'story' is too long,"

My mom shuffled over and sat down on the chair opposite me. I could feel a cold sweat running down my spine. I suddenly felt as if I'd put myself on the spot, which I basically did. I looked down at the floor once again, letting out a deep sigh before telling my mom my deepest secret.

"Well, talk to me,"

"Wait,"

"How long do I have to wait, Brayden?!"

"I told you, it's not fucking easy to say,"

"Fine, I'm waiting," my mom sighed.

About a minute had passed and I felt like I was ready to tell her. I swallowed the large lump in my throat and told myself repeatedly in my head that everything would be okay and if my mom truly loves me then she'll accept me no matter what. I tried to believe the things that I told myself, but it didn't seem to help things at all. I felt like a nervous wreck. I opened my mouth, slowly taking in a long breath. I began to speak.

"Ever since around third grade, I felt like I didn't fit in. I felt like I was... Different. I didn't feel like all the other kids, gossiping to each other about which girl and which guy had a crush on who," I said, avoiding eye contact with my mom.

"You never noticed, I'd hide my tears pretty well, but I used to cry every night because I felt like there was something wrong with me. I felt like the kind of different that I am was wrong. I felt like if I told anyone, I'd get judged and beat up for it. Yet, here I am, years later, telling the woman who gave birth to me the thing that made me feel like I didn't fit in," I continued, blinking away the tears.

"When I was around the age of 13, it dawned on me. I understood myself completely, I was born with something that made me feel terrible. I thought it wasn't something to be proud of, even when I understood it," I said, starting to breathe heavily.

I took a break from speaking for a moment, staring down at the floor.

"Tell me, Brayden. What is it that made you feel so terrible?" my mom asked.

"I love Mitch," I mumbled.

"What?"

"I'm gay!" I screamed.

Silence.

~ TO BE CONTINUED ~

I'm actually pretty proud of this chapter, I think. I'm still following the story line that Janice came up with and that I agreed I'd use. I didn't really write more often like I said I would, but I'm guessing nobody really cares. But yeah, this happened and I'm not too sure when I'll continue on with the next chapter. Thanks for reading, you're such a beautiful biznatch ;) - Sage