Good Luck, Babe! - Leah Williamson

16. Running

Ella's POV.

Two weeks had passed since that night with Leah. We'd settled into a quiet routine, spending time together when we could, getting to know this new side of our relationship. For once, I was feeling a little more at ease with everything, like maybe I could actually do this—be myself, accept what I felt for Leah, and maybe even be happy.

But that fragile sense of peace shattered the moment I saw the text from my brother.

Luke
Is it true? Are you gay?

The words were like a slap in the face, harsh and cold. I stared at the screen for a moment, my heart racing, as a wave of dread washed over me. How did he find out? Who told him?

My fingers shook as I typed back a response, trying to keep it together, trying to explain.

Me
I'm not gay, Luke. I'm bisexual. There's a difference.

Luke
Don't try to sugarcoat it, Ella. You're either one or the other. This is bullshit.

I flinched at the words, my breath catching in my throat. I'd expected some pushback, maybe even confusion, but not this level of anger. Not from him. My hands were trembling now, but I forced myself to respond.

Me
It's not bullshit. It's who I am. I can love men and women. Why can't you understand that?

Luke
Dad would be ashamed of you.

That one hit me like a physical blow, knocking the air out of my lungs. My vision blurred as tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them away, refusing to let him see me break down like this. Not over a text. Not over his ignorance.

Me
Don't you dare bring Dad into this.

Me
He wouldn't be ashamed of me. He'd be ashamed of you, for not respecting who I am as a person.

I hit send and then dropped my phone onto the bed, burying my face in my hands. The tears came then, hot and fast, spilling over before I could stop them. I felt sick to my stomach, like the world was closing in on me.

I'd always known coming out would be hard, that there would be people who wouldn't understand, but I never thought it would be my own brother who'd react this way. I thought he'd get it, or at least try to. But instead, he'd thrown everything I was back in my face, reducing it to a choice, to something I could be ashamed of.

And the worst part was that he'd used our dad against me, knowing exactly where to hit to make it hurt the most. My dad had been my rock, my hero, and even though he was gone, his opinion still mattered to me more than anything.

But I knew in my heart that he wouldn't be ashamed of me. He'd love me just the same, like he always had. And that's what I clung to as I sat there, trying to steady my breathing, trying to stop the tears.

Eventually, I reached for my phone again, half expecting another onslaught of texts, but there was nothing. Just the cold, empty silence that settled around me like a heavy blanket.

I needed to talk to someone. Leah was the first person that came to mind, but I hesitated. She'd been so supportive, so patient with me, and I didn't want to burden her with this, not when things were finally starting to feel good between us.

Instead, I called Beth. She answered on the second ring, her voice warm and familiar, a lifeline in the storm.

"Ella? What's up?"

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "Can you come over? I... I really need to talk to someone."

There was a pause, then a gentle, "Of course. I'll be there in twenty."