Say 'Kiss'! • bxb

11. When will you get a girlfriend?

Tobias' P.O.V.

This morning was one of the weirdest I've ever had in my life. That is, of course, because of some very "interesting reasons".

Firstly, I woke up in our room that is now full of candles, making it look like there's someone patiently waiting for the right time to do a ritual and sacrifice us. It's my fault so I can't complain.

Secondly, my father called me to ask me how I'm doing and try to hold an awkward conversation. He never calls. We're not even close and barely talk unless I ask for money, or anything else I need. He's not the worst but he's not the best either.

"So uh... How are classes going?" he asks with that annoying southern accent that I've worked hard to get rid off in the past year.

"Fine... Well... It's the usual"

"We already miss you... Your mom... Huh... She really can't wait for the next holiday when you'll come back..."

"Ha... Yeah... Me too" I awkwardly reply.

The whole thing felt one sided, and I struggled to come up with the most basic phrases. At least he isn't as insistent as mom, asking me all the time if I'm mad or angry or sad. Acting like she can tell just from my tone, when actually I'm either drunk or tired out of my mind.

After finishing the painful conversation the third and last reason happened. Mateo woke up, unaware that he had a boner. He stood up and only realized then. Of course, I didn't say anything about it, but he still died of embarrassment.

"It happens" I shrug while getting dressed and he grips his backpack so hard I'm afraid he'll rip it.

"Let's not talk about it. Like ever"

"Whatever"

"I'm not some goddamn teenager who can't keep it in his pants. I'm a grown 20 year old" he continues with his rambling even though I try to make it as clear as I can that I don't care.

"Sure you are" I roll my eyes and leave the room.

I meet Lina and she immediately scoffs when I tell her about my father and the whole conversation.

"Wasn't he like... Homophobic?"

"Not really. I mean... He's not homophobic but he doesn't support it either"

"Asshole. He can't even accept you coming out"

"Come on, Lina. I'm from Texas, what do you expect?"

As much as I'm trying to defend my parents I know Lina is right. I came out to them when I was 18, before leaving for college and all they did was nod and sit in silence. No screaming or shouting or religious objects being thrown at me, as I thought would happen.

I was grateful, thinking that maybe they accept it but it all came down to me when my father asked if I'm thinking about getting a girlfriend soon. They didn't accept me, they just ignored it, as if it never happened.

Or at least my father did, and my mother always tries to pleases my father and never say anything wrong that might upset him one way or another.

They're both from Texas, and believe family is the most important. That it's above anything else.

However I'm tired of them acting like everything's fine, that we're the perfect family that everyone wants - a strong and protective father without anger issues, a mother that definitely has her own personality and isn't just plain stupid and a son that is definitely straight.

"Are you okay?" Lina asks me and I nod, realising I've been thinking for too long.

It's frustrating and I would lie if I said I didn't pray my whole high school years for the time I'm about to leave for college. And now that it finally happened I have no intention of going home for a long time. Unless it's absolutely necessary.

"It's just...I don't get it! How can they be so...ignorant? They act as if nothing happened! As if I never came out! They kept asking about a girlfriend..." I bite my nails out of frustration and struggle.

This is the worst. It's the last thing I want to deal with.

"Maybe they're trying to convince themselves or something..." she mumbles and I roll my eyes, knowing it's most probably true.

They were rather harsh when it came to religion as I grew up so of course I grew up to avoid it. They don't like the fact that I don't go to church every Sunday and blame it on "bad influence in college".

No. It's not bad influence in college. It's bad influence growing up. As much as they tried to leave an impact on me, it only pushed me away even more.

And that accent. God I hate it so much. Maybe it's because it reminds me of how I used to be. The nerdy kid with a southern accent. The perfect target. Mateo didn't seem to mind back then. He was pretty eager to be my friend when he saw we were roommates.

I guess he changed his mind after trying to get to know me better and realising how different we really are. Back then...when we weren't fighting. When I was hopeful that he would be my first friend.