The G(r)ay Area

Part Sixteen

Part Sixteen.

Aiden age 14.

"Aiden? Aiden, where are you?"

I pulled my knees tighter against my body. Tears were falling down my face.

"Aiden, talk to me."

I sniffed and ran the back of my hand over my eyes.

"Aiden, please. Talk to me." His voice was closer now. My bedroom door opened.

I took a deep breath before calling his name.

His footsteps grew closer until he was outside the door. He knocked but didn't open the door. "Can I come in?"

"Yes."

Lucas opened the door and looked at me with sad eyes. "Aiden, is everything okay?"

I shook my head and stared down at the water under me.

He shut the door behind him and walked over to me. He was still in his uniform from school. His clothes were just a little bit wrinkled from whatever happened at school.

"Talk to me."

I wiped my eyes again. "You'll think I'm a loser."

"I already do." He said, taking my hand. "But you're my loser."

I glared at him.

"Okay. No funny business. Got it."

Neither of us said anything for a few minutes. I let him keep my hand, let him comfort me in silence. I was okay with silence.

"Did something happen at school today?"

I nodded slowly.

He kissed the back of my hand. "Did you fail a test? Did you kill a fly?"

"You don't get it, Lucas." I pulled my hand away.

"Then talk to me, Aiden. Because I'm not going to get it until you tell me."

"You're funny and cute and nice and... People like you. I'm quite and shy and vulnerable. People don't like me. When you add gay to that mix..."

Lucas' expression turned to one of confusion. "Are people making fun of you because... because you're gay?"

I let my chin fall onto my knees and nodded slowly.

"Aiden, listen to me. There's nothing wrong with you. There's nothing wrong with being gay. They just... don't understand."

"They don't understand?"

"Is anyone else gay?"

I shrugged. "I don't think so."

"They don't want you to be happy. Especially if that means with a boy instead of a girl."

"How did people even find out anyway? It's not like I paraded it around."

"It's a small town. People talk."

"Did you say anything?"

"No! Of course not!"

I sighed.

Lucas took my hand again. "Come on. Let's get you dried off and into bed."

"Will you stay?"

He smiled. "As long as you need me to."

I got to my feet and Lucas helped me dry off. He gave me a shirt and sweatpants to put on before he crawled into bed with me.

"Luc?" I whispered.

"Yeah?"

"I'm not gonna dump you if that's what you're thinking."

"I wasn't."