Gulf sighed, massaging his temples with his thumbs. He wondered why it took so long for some people to get ready on important days. Especially his boyfriend, Mew, who took at least three hours to get ready. Gulf didn't really mind that Mew took years to get ready, but his family did. They were enthusiastic about meeting Mew since Gulf had been talking about him for weeks. Gulf took his phone from the back pocket of his coal-black dress pants with his right hand and dialed Mew's number.
"Hello?" Mew's voice came from the other end.
"Mew, where are you? The show started half an hour ago, and everyone is asking me where you are!" Gulf exclaimed, throwing his left hand up in the air.
"I'm in the car driving there," Mew told him calmly. Gulf nodded, taking a deep breath.
"Alright, see you later."
"Bye!"
Gulf smiled and watched the streets, his hands in his pockets. His Nutella-colored skin glowed beautifully in the moonlight, and he waited patiently and watched the street, just in case Mew's limousine appeared. Gulf heard the front door of a building open behind him.
"Where is this guy? Something's fishy about him. We've never met him, and he's late?" Gulf's father said, he sounded aggravated. Gulf turned, looking at his father in the eyes, which were chartreuse, just like his own.
"Mew is the nicest, calmest guy I've ever met, so please Dad, act appropriately in front of him. We want to make nice first impressions, right?" Gulf asked, his arms crossed.
His dad sighed, a smile forming on his face. "When did you become so defensive?" He teased, playfully punching Gulf in the arm. "I can tell that you really like this guy, so... fine. I'll lay off, buddy."
"Thank you, Dad! And don't forget, be nice!" Gulf told his father, still looking for Mew's car.
"This dude... I swear."
The front door opened again, and Gulf heard loud speaking, cold air, and he smelled the high-class colognes and perfumes.
"Are you sure this guy is even coming?" His mother's toneless voice behind him.
"Mom, I know he is," Gulf said, fiddling with the arms of his suit, which was the color of a polar bear. Gulf knew that his mother did not approve of him having a boyfriend, and he was determined to make her accept him for who he was. "You, of all people, know that this guy makes me happier than I've ever been."
His mom glanced at him. "I don't understand how or why. You're a very handsome boy, you attract all of the young ladies, why do you have to like... him?" The way she told 'him' made Gulf even angrier.
"Why can't you just accept me?!" He exclaimed.
His mom glared at him, veins popping out in her hands, arms, and forehead. "Because my only child is... gay! That's not easy to handle!"
"I didn't have to tell you, ya know!" Gulf reminded her.
"I think that would've been better because now our family is confused."
"Okay, well guess what?! It took me a lot of courage to even tell you guys that I had a boyfriend, so just... leave me alone." Gulf told his mother quietly.
"Yeah, and it took me a lot of courage to tell you how I feel about that." His mom said, rolling her eyes.
Gulf glared at his mother; his hands balled into fists at his sides. "I'm still your son! Nothing about my personality has changed!"
His mother's eyes widened at him, and she nodded slowly, as though she was processing what he had said. Her forest green eyes were glistening with tears, but she had a little smile on her face. "I'm... I'm sorry." She said quietly, hugging Gulf.
"No, Mom, it's fine!"
"I can't wait to meet him." His mother told him, waving and walking into the building.
Gulf sighed, a smile on his face. Mew was a great guy, and his family would know that once they met him. He just took a very long time to get ready. The door creaked open once again, and Gulf ignored it.
"Did your mom give you problems?" His best friend, Tanya, asked worriedly.
"Not really."
Tanya walked up to him and grabbed his hand. "You know you can always call me up if you need relationship advice or anything. We're still cousins, you know." She told him.
"I know, Tanya," said Gulf, nodding.
"I have a boyfriend, so I kind of know that stuff. And I've lived longer than you." Tanya smiled, acting proud. "I have more experience."
"By like three years, sure. I'll give you that. Also, you do not have more experience, because you didn't have a boyfriend until you were 16." Gulf rolled his eyes, a faint smile on his face.
"Great. I guess I'll see you inside then?"
"Yeah, I'm waiting for Mew to come because he said he would be here soon," Gulf told Tanya. He heard the dark blue door open again behind him as Tanya left.
A black limousine drove up to where he was standing, and Gulf smiled as Mew got out. "Hey, Mew!" Gulf exclaimed, hugging his boyfriend tightly. Mew, meanwhile, stood there like a limp worm in Gulf's arms.
"Oh gosh," Mew mumbled, staring at the building behind Gulf. "Do I really have to go in there? That building is huge."
Gulf laughed, turning to the building. "Yeah, but this is important. My family has their doubts about you, so show them who you are." He told Mew, patting him on the back.
"Okay, but tell me what I'm going to go through once I step into that building," Mew said, waving as the limo drove away into the darkness. "I don't really like surprises."
"Uhm... fancy people in suits and ties, rich snobs who give you dirty looks every time you step on their fancy red carpets, yeah."
"Sounds like hell."
"It is, basically. But you'll get through it." Gulf told him, a smile on his face.
"Okay." Mew took a deep breath. "Okay, I think..." He took another breath.
Gulf stared at Mew for a while, then his eyes widened and he suddenly offered his arm. "Here, gentleman. Ready?"
"Maybe?" Mew shrugged, his voice quiet.
Gulf shook his head, a smile on his face. "No, no, no." He said, shaking his finger at Mew. "It's like this, 'I was born ready.' Confidently."
Mew smiled at Gulf, his posture straightening up. "Okay... I was born ready."
❤❤
