Gypsy man

Homeward bound

We take a taxi to Tash's house. Her parents aren't exactly happy that she wants to take a boy to her room.

"He's gay." She says and pulls me past them. Abi confidently follows.

In Natasha's room she makes me sit down at her dresser. I look at my face in the mirror. I hate it.

The girls are giggling in the corner. "okay so we want to give you a make over. Will you let us?" Abi plays with her blonde hair.

"Yes." I let them. First they make me shower with some very fancy body wash and shampoo.

As I shower I hear the girls talk to Tash's parents. "No I did not sleep with Deck last night. Abi, me and Alex slept In Deck's bed and Declan slept in the guest room with the other guys."

When I'm done I step into Tash's room in only a towel.

"Where are my clothes?" Abi hands me fishnet tights and a pair of shorts. My mouth is dry. I reluctantly change into them in front of the girls. It fits perfectly but the shorts are really short.

Tash hands me a feather. The Feather.

"Why was this in your pocket?" "I have no clue." I wrap my hand around it. I wish he was here. Why was I so mean?
"He gave this to me..."

Later, after they put me in a white cropped shirt and painting my nails black, they put eyeliner on my face and style my hair. They give me a black choker. I stare at my completed outfit in the mirror.

I like it. I actually like it. Tash takes a photo to send it to Deck and Danny. They say it suits me.

I wear my own converse. Tash gets her brother to lend me his denim jacket. He sneers as he gives it to me.

I can see what he's thinking. Queer. Fagot. The girls and I take a cab back to Declan's house.

His mom answers the door. "Alexander?" She gasps. "You look so handsome." She straightens my jacket. "Molly. Your son is here." My mother runs to me.

Her arms hold me captive. I shrink into her. She gently taps my shorts. "These are a little short." She says as she kisses my cheek.

"So who is he? The guy from the video?" Mom and I are sitting on the back porch.

"Lulian Tanner. He's 28." I say before she can ask. She remains silent for a moment.

"Is he good to you?" I begin to cry. "He's too good, mom. I don't deserve him." My mother holds me in her arms.

"How does he feel about your age difference?"

"He said in a few years it wouldn't matter anymore." She runs a hand through my hair. "So, he sees a future with you."

We haven't really talked about it but I think so. "Yeah..." "That's good." I know she's smiling.

"Can I meet him?"

I cry harder. "I pushed him away. We had a fight after the video. I said somethings I can't take back."

A moment of silence passes through us.

"If he really loves you he'll forgive you. Alex, go to him. I'm guessing you know where he lives." I should go to him.

Every fiber of my body wants to. I lend Declan's father's big trench coat that goes down to my ankles. I take the train