A Little Lost

Chapter Eighteen: That Night

LOUIE

Since that night with Ian, having him around had become a regular and comforting part of my life. He was no longer just the brother of my best friend; he had become someone important to me. Whether it was him driving me home after school or spending time at my place, his presence had become something I appreciated and looked forward to.

Ian had a knack for making these moments enjoyable. He'd share stories about his day, often laughing as he recounted even the smallest details. His laughter was easy to catch, and his relaxed demeanor made the time we spent together pleasant.

Sandra didn't know about the situation between Ian and me. We kept things casual around her and didn't bring it up. I knew Ian wasn't ready to be open about it yet—it was a new experience for him. In public, we exchanged only subtle glances, but when we were alone, he was more affectionate. I liked it this way.

Despite the comfort Ian brought, I remained cautious. I liked him, maybe more than I admitted, but my past was still a lingering concern. The past served as a reminder of the pain I had experienced and made it difficult to fully embrace the present.

That night after coming out to my parents was a whirlwind of emotions and tragedy. As we drove away from the villa, my father's words echoed painfully in my mind.

"I can't have a gay son."

The repetition of his rejection felt like a physical blow, tightening around my chest with each heartbeat.

Bryant was driving, focused on getting us as far from the villa as he could. His hand held mine, a source of warmth amidst my turmoil, but it didn't ease the pain. I stared out the window, the dark landscape a blur as tears continued to fall.

Bryant glanced at me with concern. "I know it's hard, Louie. What he said was hurtful, but it doesn't change who you are. You're amazing just the way you are."

He squeezed my hand, trying to ground me amidst my chaos. "You're not alone in this. I'm here, and we'll face whatever comes next together. Don't let his words define you. You have so much worth and love to give."

Though I appreciated Bryant's words, the pain was overwhelming. The weight of the night's events was almost too much to handle, and the fear of what might come next was suffocating.

Bryant kept his focus on the road, but I could see the worry on his face. For a brief moment, there was a sense of calm between us.

Then, out of nowhere, headlights appeared in the distance, blinding us both. Bryant's distraction caused him to lose focus. The car swerved, and I felt panic as the danger became clear.

"Bryant!" I shouted, but it was too late. The car was hit from the side, the impact jarring and disorienting. Everything happened quickly—metal twisted, glass shattered, and the car spun out of control.

I was thrown against the side of the car, the force of the crash leaving me dazed and in pain. The world spun, and I lost all sense of direction before everything went dark.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital room, tangled in tubes and monitors. The beeping of the heart monitor and the hum of medical equipment were the only sounds. My body ached, and every movement was painful.

I tried to sit up, but my limbs felt heavy and restrained. Panic set in as I looked around for Bryant, but he wasn't there. "Bryant? Where are you?" I called out weakly.

A nurse entered, her expression filled with sadness. "You were in a serious accident. Bryant... he didn't survive."

The news hit me hard, and tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. "No, that can't be true," I cried, my voice breaking.

I was pulled from that painful memory by the gentle touch of lips against my neck. I turned to see Ian's face close to mine, his expression tender and caring.

"Good morning," Ian whispered, his voice soothing and grounding me in the present. His hair was tousled, and his eyes, still sleepy, were filled with affection. He looked perfect, and for a moment, the pain of my past seemed to ease in his presence.

I took a deep breath, trying to stay focused on the here and now. "Morning," I replied softly.

Ian's fingers traced lightly along my arm, his touch reassuring. "Did you sleep okay?" he asked, his concern evident.

I nodded, though my mind was still unsettled. "I did... just had another nightmare."

Ian's expression softened as he pulled me into a comforting hug. "I can't imagine how tough that is. But you're safe now, I'm here."

I relaxed into Ian's embrace, feeling comforted by his presence. The past was still heavy, but being with Ian made me feel that, despite everything, I wasn't alone.

I relaxed into Ian's embrace, feeling comforted by his presence. The past was still heavy, but being with Ian made me feel that, despite everything, I wasn't alone.