Caleb
We arrive outside my house. I checked with my mom and my dad's gone. Seth hesitates.
"Cal, I don't know if I can do this."
"Don't worry, I'll be right beside you," I say.
"Let's go," I add, walking towards my house.
But he doesn't move.
"Seth?"
"I can't," he mumbles.
"Seth?"
"I'm sorry. I fucking can't Cal."
My mom comes outside. Tears well in Seth's eyes.
"I saw you arrive. Everything ok?" she asks.
"Seth-"
"I can't, I'm sorry," he says.
He turns away from me.
"Seth-"
"What's going on?" she asks.
"Seth."
"I'm sorry Cal."
I turn him around so he's facing me. I throw up a silencing bubble.
"Seth, talk to me."
"I can't do this. Cal, I'm sorry."
"It'll be ok, just trust me," I say.
He shakes his head.
"I can't."
"Seth-"
"I'm gonna go," he says.
"Seth don't."
I remove the silencing bubble.
"Seth, stay."
My voice breaks. He turns back to me.
"I'm sorry," he says.
"Both of you inside now," my mom says.
"But-"
"No buts Seth, inside."
We follow her inside. Seth won't look at me.
"Talk," she says.
"We're d-"
"Cal," Seth interrupts me with a snarl, warning me.
"I love him," I say.
"Caleb!"
"What?" I snarl back.
"I told you I couldn't," Seth says.
"I know but I could," I say.
"It wasn't your place!"
"It wasn't my place to admit my feelings to my mom? They're my feelings Seth!"
"I'm leaving," he says, walking to the door.
"Sit down," my mom orders.
Seth plops down on the couch next to me.
"Seth, I love you and I don't want to hide it."
"I love you too. But I didn't want this. I told you I couldn't," he mumbles.
"I'm sorry. But I'm tired of hiding you, what we have. You aren't something to be hidden away," I say.
"This makes you happy? He makes you happy?" my mom asks.
"The happiest I've ever been," I say.
Seth smiles timidly.
"Then I approve, not that you need my approval," she says.
