Stuff I wrote for school!

Flashback assignment

⚠️!WARNING FOR SPOILERS! ⚠️

"Are...are you sure you want to hear this story?" I ask, clearing my throat, "It isn't the happiest story."

"If we're all telling stories of how we came out then yeah," Zak replies, "It can't be that bad, can it?"

It can, I thought, shaking the thought away before I say it allowed, "Ok, well then this is the story of how I came out..."

*****************

February 17th, 2024

The light flashes on the buzzer, the red light flashing on and off. My face lights up at the thought of my food, grilled cheese and soup. Mat beside me rambles about something in an anime, I could see my Mom pretending to care and my brothers playing on their phones.

The food comes out, my Dad set my plate in front of me. My soup steams, fogging up my glasses. I chuckle and sat down a little, wanting to be able to see. The smell reminded me of my childhood, something that I may be losing soon.

I pick up my sandwich, dipping the hot grilled cheese in the hot soup. I take a bite, the taste of the soup and grilled cheese is an amazing mix. The cheese is gooey and still warm, the heat of the food and the soup burns my tongue. But I don't care, the pain is worth it for the taste.

I look up from my meal, watching as my family and Mat eat their meals. I take a deep breath, watching as Mat looks up from their meal and stares at me. They smile, giving me a thumbs up under the table.

"Um, Mom," I say, staring at a wall behind my parents, "Dad."

"I have something to tell you." I say, switching my gaze to the table, "Don't interrupt me until I'm finished, please."

I take a deep breath, beating my hands against the table. The drumming noise makes it harder to zone out and not say anything.

"I'm...non-binary." I say, the words feel as though they echo around the room. "I use they/them and I would like it if you would use the name "Pax" for me. I understand that it may be difficult but if you could try...please?"

I watched as my Dad set down his silverware, his hands were shaking. The tattoo on his finger was just a black blur. He sits up, his posture turning completely straight. He clenches his fists, setting it on the table with a thud.

I switch my gaze to my Mom, who was continuing to eat while my Dad just glares daggers at me. She, however, glares at Mat. I wish I could yell at her to stop, but bringing attention to the table wouldn't be the best idea.

"Could you please say something," I plead, catching the attention of my parents, "Anything."

"We'll talk about this later," My mom shoots me a look. I shut up, staring at my plate.

I feel Mat's hand underneath the table, they grabbed mine offering a little bit of physical support to me. I wish I could hug them, but that would only attract more attention.

***********************

"Sorry," I mutter into my microphone, "This part, er, this part gets a little blurry. Sorry."

***********************

We dropped Mat off at home, and my mom informed their parents that our sleepover will be canceled. The way my parents had ignored me on the way home made me feel like I was a young child getting in trouble again. My brothers didn't seem to care, they mostly just played on their phones.

I opened the car door, my brothers were just dropped off at their friends house and it was just me and my parents, the door opened automatically and loudly. My mom should really get that fixed. My parents walk ahead inside, I don't want to go in.

Why did I do this? I know they won't be supportive. Maybe they just want to ask me a few questions about it? They just don't understand, right?

The door shut behind me, the quiet thud causes me to flinch quietly. The sound of my parents arguing makes it difficult for me to breathe.

**************************

"Why can't I remember this part?" I mutter, setting my head in my hands. My dyed falls beside my head, brushing against my temples.

***************************

Tears cloud my vision, my parents screaming voices block out any other sound. I hug my stomach as tight as I could, hoping that I could squeeze myself into a small ball and never exist again.

Why did I come out?

*********************

"I-I don't remember what they said..." I mumble, "Sorry."

"Pax..."

"Don't apologize. It isn't your fault." I interject, "I'm tired of everyone's pity."