Winter in Spruceworth | Spruceworth 4.3 (Short Story)

15. Holden

15. Holden

"Holden!" I heard Jane call from behind me while I was walking home from work. I was just happy Shaw wasn't working as well because that would have been too awkward.

I already worked one shift with him, and I was close to faking a sickness to avoid him even more.

I turned around and smiled as Jane walked over. "Hey."

"Hi," she said, though she wasn't smiling back for some reason. "Can we... can we talk?"

"Uh, sure?" I said. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, of course," Jane said. "At least, I hope so, but..." She took a deep breath before continuing. "Look, Holden, you're a great guy, but we decided to stay friends for a reason. We just didn't work out."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "I'm lost."

Jane sighed. "Your parents told me that you still like me and that I should give you another shot. And I thought I'd let you down easy by just saying it right away, no games whatsoever. We're just not a good match. I like you only as a friend."

My parents told Jane I still liked her?

I was starting to think they were insane.

"Well, it's a good thing you like me only as a friend because I only like you as a friend," I said. "My parents lied for whatever reason."

"Oh, thank goodness," Jane said and I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, come on, you know what I mean. Like I said, you're a great guy, but we're just not a good match. For example, I'm a girl, and I'm fairly certain you're gay."

I didn't say anything for a while, mainly because I was completely caught off guard. How on earth did Jane know?

"I... don't know what you're talking about," I said.

"Holden, you don't have to fool me," Jane said. "I'm not going to tell anyone. You're my friend, and you're obviously not out yet so it's not my place to tell."

"Okay, so... How did you find out?" I asked.

"Well, the signs were there when we were dating," Jane said. "That was the main reason why I broke up with you. That, and I saw the way you looked at the waiter when your family was at the restaurant. Is he a friend?"

I sighed. "My ex-boyfriend. He's a close family friend and for some reason, my parents weren't okay with us dating so he broke up with me."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Jane said. "But if things are really meant to be between you two, it will work out."

"I hope so," I said. "I really like him. Thank you, by the way, for not saying anything about me being gay."

"Of course," Jane said. "Like I said, it's not my place to tell. I am confused now, though. If you're parents know, why would they tell me you still like me? Are they not okay with it?"

"No, they are," I said. "At least, they should be since I have a gay cousin who's now married, and they were always so supportive of him. I should actually find out exactly why they told you the lie. I'll see you around."

"See you," Jane said.

I turned around and started walking home, but I soon saw Shaw walking by as he headed somewhere. We looked at each other for a bit before I looked away and continued my way home.

"Holden..." Shaw said, but I ignored him as I kept walking. He didn't even bother going after me to say what he was going to say.

I got home, and I was happy to see both Mom and Dad home. Well, not happy because of what they were doing, but happy I could get this conversation done and over with.

"Why would you tell Jane that I still like her?" I asked.

"Because you two would make such a cute couple," Mom said.

"Uh, no, we wouldn't," I said. "We broke up for a reason. We didn't work out. Not only that, but I'm gay, remember? Or did you choose to forget that because you're mad that Shaw and I were dating?"

"We thought you could have been bisexual," Dad said. "Since you did date Jane in the past."

"Yes, to see if me being attracted to guys was just a phase," I said. "Spoiler alert: It's not. And even if I was bisexual, that doesn't mean you have the right to tell someone that I like them. You are so lucky Jane didn't like me that way because if she did, she would have been extremely hurt when I told her otherwise. Can you two just, for once, stay out of my lives."

"Holden, we're your parents," Mom said. "We only want what's best for you."

"You keep saying that but in reality, it's not true," I said. "If you did, you would stop being so overprotective with my brain injury. If you did, you wouldn't have gotten so mad when you found out Shaw and I were dating."

Mom scoffed and crossed her arms. "Are you really believing that he would have been a good influence on you? Your father and I may have taken him under our wing, but we know what he's like, and we know he's no good for you."

"That shouldn't be your decision to make," I said. "The only person who can make that decision is me. If he wasn't any good for me, I would have broken up with him, but I didn't even get the chance to see because you two always ruin everything."

"That's not true," Mom said. "Besides, you're only seventeen. You and your brothers still have your whole lives ahead of you. You don't have to find someone right now."

"You never know what can happen," I said. "We should be living our lives to the fullest, but it's so hard when you have so many restraints on us. On me. I really can't wait until I'm able to move out of here. I'm so done with you two."

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It only took me less than half an hour to write this. When I really want to spam update, I can. cx

It's going to feel so weird going to bed AT ONLY 10:30. IT'S TOO EARLY FOR ME BUT I HAVE TO HAHAHAHA save me.

But awww that gif. <3 So cute.

Anyway, I can't wait for tomorrow's chapters. They're going to be quite explosive.