Obvious

This Is Us

This is us, I thought as I woke up the next day. This is us. The messed up jock and the depressed nerd. I laughed softly at the face that my life seemed like a story written by some teenager who has never had a relationship longer than two months. 

I looked at Jack, who was softly snoring beside me. He looked so peaceful when he slept. I wish that I could protect him all the time, but I knew that that was not going to happen. So I held on to him tighter, being careful to avoid his bandaged arm. 

Unfortunately, just as I was falling back asleep, my phone began buzzing. Sadly, I detached myself from Jack and answered the phone. 

"Hello?"

"Nate. Hey. Um, is Jack there?" 

I didn't recognize who it was at first, then realized it was Abby. 

"Abby! Hey. Um, yes, yes he is. He's asleep, though. Why? What do you need him for?"

"Um, no. Actually, I need to talk to you. It's about your mom."

"What? What about my mom?"

"Nate, the doctor's tried everything they could. They...They lost her. Your dad wanted me to call you and tell you. I'm so sorry, Nate."

I felt as if someone was playing a sick trick on me. No, it wasn't real, this wasn't happening. I had just seen her yesterday and everything was fine. 

I dropped the phone and clutched my chest, letting out a scream that woke Jack and probably the whole neighborhood. 

"Nate! Nate, baby, what's wrong?" Jack said, coming up beside me to console me. I tackled him to the ground and sobbed into his chest. 

"Jack, s-she's g-gone!"

"Shhh, it's okay baby. It's going to be okay. I've got you." Jack was rubbing my back soothingly and I don't know for how long I laid there, sobbing into his chest."

After some time, I heard the door open and shut downstairs. A few moments later, my dad was standing in the doorway. 

There were tears in his eyes as he said, "I'm so sorry, Nate."

I got up and ran to my dad, once again crying. "I want mommy," I said, blubbering and sniffling. My heart felt like it had been split in two. I felt like all this crying was turning me into a toddler. Yet somehow I didn't care anymore that I was doing all this crying.  

There was a small part of me that wanted to hurt myself. Suddenly I understood why Jack had done that to himself. Why he had cut. I wanted so badly just to slice my skin and get rid of this pain. 

I let go of my father and looked at Jack, who was softly crying. I walked over and hugged him close. Maybe I could be strong...for Jack. I could be strong for him. 

Three days later, we had the funeral. It was boring, and they asked me to talk. I didn't want to, but I knew that Mom would be sad if I didn't. 

So I stood at the pulpit, red eyes and a runny nose. "My mother was the best mother that anyone could have asked for. I loved her and I don't know how I'm going to live without my sunshine. She was the one who was always worried about me, who accepted me when I came out as gay. I just....I want her back, you know? I didn't get enough time with her."

I was trying too hard to continue, and Jack got up, taking my shaking hands and leading me to sit down while I burst into tears. 

When we finally did bury her, I put a picture of me and her and a white rose. Jack didn't let go of my hand once, and I was so grateful that I had someone I loved by my side. 

Later that night, Jack and I watched Disney movies and cuddled. I fell asleep on Jack's chest, sad but happy that I was not alone. 

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So I know, an update that isn't an author's note. I'm sorry I haven't updated and I'm really sorry they're not longer. Thank you all for the reads, votes, and comments. I've got about one more chapter to push out of this story before I end it. I would like to especially thank Thischickiscray and hailee0418. Without your support and encouragement, I wouldn't still be writing this story. 

Lots of love from your favorite lesbian! <3 <3