The Religious & The Damaged (UNDER EDITING)

53.1

Elias

  I walk out of the classroom, Joseph following beside me.

  He seems distracted, so I ask, "Is something wrong?"

  He looks at me, an unreadable expression on his face as he says, "I was called into Pearl's office this morning."

  My face lights up, a sense of hope filling my heart as we stop in front of the cafeteria doors.

  A gentle smile spreads across his face at my hope for him.

  "What did she find?" I ask.

  He huffs out a slight laugh, and suddenly, his expression becomes clear—he's happy.

  "She found my mom's sister." He says. "And she texted me that she wants to meet up."

  I grab onto his sleeve in pure excitement. "Oh my god, that's amazing!"

  His smile grows. "Yeah." He pauses, his expression softening.

  It makes my heart melt because I used to see this gentleness of his very little, and lately, it's all I've been seeing, and it's this reality I'm hit with every time he shows it that he's happy.

  He's free, and it makes me happy that he's happy.

  "Did you want to come with?" He asks.

  "Really?"

  "I'd like to, you know, introduce you to her as.." His smile grows gentle; his expression shy. "My boyfriend." He finishes.

  I nod almost instantaneously.

  "Yes. Definitely." I answer.

  He takes my hand and pulls me into the cafeteria, and he follows me into the line.

  He's been eating again—since we visited the counselor's office.

  He's been feeling better, and I'm glad that he acknowledged it all, and that he needed help.

  I don't know what I would've done if he hadn't believed me.

  After getting our food, we start our walk to my table with my friends, but he suddenly stops, and I turn to him.

  "I'm gonna sit with Jillian." He says, gesturing over to the right with his head.

  I look over and see Jillian, and she looks really dejected—I remember when Joseph used to look the exact same way, and worry floods my mind, but I nod.

  "Okay. I can sit with you guys." I offer.

  "I don't want to overwhelm her."

  I get that.

  I don't know what's going on with her, but it's clear Joseph does.

  And by the looks of it, she needs him right now.

  I smile and nod, then I turn and head to my table.