Why Am I Hated?

Chapter 2

Erin

I woke up today feeling actually happy since the past few years. Living in a crazy Christian community isn't great, especially if you're gay. I think I'm happy because I have someone like me in this shit town. I threw on the same clothes I always wear- jeans and a jacket with a shirt. No, I haven't told Ryan anything about the whole 'everyone is going to hate you for being gay' thing yet. I checked the time, 5:10, I have some time to go visit my mom. I walked out of my room on my tip toes trying not to wake my drunk father on the couch. I was able to get through the front door and I walked down the stairs. I live in a apartment building because I can't afford a real house with how my dad goes through money.

I hopped on my bike and unlocked it from the chain link fence. I rolled away and headed to the hospital. It wasn't that far from the apartment complex, probably a 10 to 15 minute bike ride. Once it got there I locked my bike to the bike rack and headed inside. I went straight to the ladies at the front desk and they let me through. I've come here a lot and I don't really sign in anymore because they know me.

I went to my mothers room and opened the door. It's always the same picture, my mother with her long black hair flared on the pillow, the covers are up to her chest, hooked up to several monitors, and she always has a smile on her face. She always smiles even though she is slowly dying from a brain tumor that they can't operate on. I walked in and closed the door then took a seat in the chair right next to her bed.

"Hi, mom. How are you feeling?" I grabbed her hand tightly, she returned it with a weaker grip.

"I'm still kicking. You seem happier today. What happened?" she smiled her amazing smile that dad told me, when he wasn't drunk, that smile made him fall in love with her.

"I found someone like me. A guy, Ryan, he is just like me mom." I said giving her a small smile. She smiled back at me and I looked in her eyes. I didn't see hatred or anything I normally see, all I saw was love.

"That's great honey. You better warn him about the dangers in this town though. I hope you two will be good friends."

"I will and I hope so too." I checked the clock in the room. 6:02. "I have to go mom. I'll see you soon and maybe I'll bring Ryan too." I got up and gave my mom a light hug which she returned.

"I'll like to meet him. Now, go don't want you to be late." I smiled to my mom and walked out of her room closing the door behind me. I stopped and grabbed something to eat at the vending machine then headed out. I waved goodbye to the front desk ladies then went out and unlocked my bike. I got on it and headed off to the school.

The school is farther away than the hospital, but I always make it on time. I was at my locker when I felt someone from behind pick me up in a bear hug. I started to reach for my pocket knife when they put me down. I turned to see Ryan there with some girl. She was shorter than Ryan but taller than me, she had golden brown hair that went down to her back, soft baby blue eyes, a cute smile, a cute face and was messing with an end of her hair. She had on a dark denim jacket, a yellow shirt that said 'Love' on it in flowery coloring, black jeans and some black converse. I looked over at Ryan who had on a purple Nike shirt were the swoosh was blue, khaki cargo shorts, and red converse.

"Ryan, don't sneak up on me like that!" I said to him. He scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry, sorry." he put his hand down then nudged the girl next to him with his shoulder. "Erin, this is my twin sister, Lillian. Say hi sis."

"Hi." she smiled at me and continued to mess with the end of her hair. I slightly smiled at her, not really sure what to do since it's been around 2 years since I had any friends. Ryan leaned in and stopped by my ear.