Heartbreak High: New Season

10

Things back at home weren't as good either. Dinner had become a tense affair in our house.

Sure, I was out now, and my parents had accepted me, but acceptance didn't automatically mean everything was easy. It was like there was an elephant in the room that no one knew how to address, and every night, that silence only grew louder.

"So, how was everyone's day?" Mom asked, her voice a bit too chipper as she passed the mashed potatoes across the table.

"Fine," I muttered, not looking up from my plate.

"Good," Liam chimed in, before taking a huge bite of his food, clearly eager to move on from the conversation.

"Yeah, good," Dad echoed, his voice flat. He was trying to sound normal, but it was obvious that he was struggling to find the right words. The quiet that followed was thick, like we were all wading through a swamp of unspoken thoughts.

I knew they were still trying to wrap their heads around everything-my coming out, the shift in our family dynamic-but it was clear they had no fucking idea what to say to me. I didn't blame them, really. I mean, what do you say to your kid after he drops a bombshell like that? We hadn't talked about it since that night, and part of me was glad because I didn't want to face the awkwardness that would follow.

But the other part of me? The part that felt so alone and lost? That part wished someone would just ask me how I was really doing.

I kept my head down, pushing my peas around on my plate, doing my best to act like everything was fine. I didn't tell them about the bullying at school. The last thing I wanted was to be a burden, and besides, what could they really do about it?

Liam didn't even know the full extent of it-he was in the year ahead, and we barely saw each other during school hours. Lately, we saw even less of each other since I'd started eating lunch under the bleachers.

I also never mentioned anything about Tyler or Alec, even though Dad had been the one to witness the collapse of that bridge. He had seen it all go down, but we hadn't spoken about it since.

But more than anything, I didn't talk about how I was feeling. The knot of anxiety that had settled in my chest, the fear that gripped me every time I walked into school, the sadness that lingered just beneath the surface-I kept all of that bottled up, hidden away where no one could see it.

I could tell that my parents were worried, but I couldn't bring myself to open up. The thought of unloading all of that on them felt like too much. So, I just sat there, mouth shut, shoveling peas around my plate, pretending to eat while the silence stretched on, suffocating.

"I think I'm done," I said, pushing my plate away.

Mom's eyes flicked to my barely touched food. "But you barely ate, honey."

I forced a smile, trying to sound reassuring. "I had a big lunch at school. I'm fine, I promise. Just really tired."

She didn't look convinced, but she nodded, letting it go. "Alright, if you're sure..."

"I am," I lied, getting up from the table. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, sweetheart," she said softly.

Liam and Dad murmured their goodnights too, but the warmth in their voices was strained. I walked up the stairs, feeling their eyes on my back the whole way.

As soon as I reached my room, I shut the door behind me, leaning against it for a moment. The quiet up here was different, more isolating. I moved to my bed and flopped down, staring up at the ceiling as a million thoughts ran through my mind, none of them clear.

After a while, I rolled over, glancing toward the window. Through the glass, I could see Tyler in his bedroom across the way. He was pacing, looking just as lost as I felt. Something inside me tugged, and before I knew it, I was on my feet, slowly walking toward the window.

I stood there, just watching him, unsure if I should do anything. Then, as if sensing my presence, Tyler stopped and turned, his eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, neither of us moved. Then, slowly, he stepped closer to his window, placing his hand on the glass. The distance between us felt smaller, like maybe, just maybe, there was a chance to bridge the gap.

I lifted my hand, pressing it against the cool glass, mirroring his. We stood there, gazes locked, hearts pounding in unison. But then, just as quickly as the moment had come, it ended. Tyler's expression hardened, and he reached up, pulling the curtain shut. The world on his side went dark, leaving only the outline of his shadow.

My heart sank, the ache inside me deepening. I turned away, heading back to my bed. I sat down, leaning against the headboard, feeling more alone than ever.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see my dad standing in the doorway, his face filled with concern.
"Lucas,"
he said softly,
"can I come in?"

10