Occupational • larry• |ON HOLD|

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This story is dedicated to my LGBT+ friends who have supported me throughout my struggles. You know who you are, love you guys. Don't be afraid to be you.

Louis's P.O.V.

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"Would you pass me the potatoes?"
I asked letting out a sigh while extending my arm across the table to reach the bowl from my mother's hand.
"Here sweetie, now tell us, how was your first day as a college student?" Mum asked me eagerly.

Mum always cared, even though my alcoholic father didn't most of the time; she was the one who held this family together.
I looked down the table and stared my father dead in the eyes as he poured gravy on his potatoes. "I guess it was okay for the most part, my classes are good, my professors are dicks though."

Dad sucked in a sharp breath before breaking the silence and slamming his hands down on the table as he spoke.
"Watch your fucking mouth at my dinner table!"
His voice was aggressive, you could almost feel the rage from the heat radiating off of his face.
I swallowed the anxiety that had risen within me before nodding my head. "I'm sorry." I practically loud-whispered just so he could hear me.
Mum continued eating throughout this entire ordeal. It's been 25 years, I'm sure she's used to him by now.
I could still feel tension.
Stress.
Anger.
Intoxication.
I scanned the tiny kitchen for something to use as an excuse to leave the table and escape this nightmare that we call a "family dinner".

Car keys? No. Dad would be pissed. I'm 17 and my birthday is late in the year so I legally can't leave the house with his car without his permission. Besides, he only lets me go to school and back during the day.

I have one friend, she's 17 too, and her parents bought her a car of her own, and she comes and goes whenever she pleases. Oh, it must be nice.
Now, when I say 'one friend', I sincerely mean it. I'm lucky I have her, her name is Sara. I've known her since kindergarten, we've basically grown up together.

Dad doesn't like Sara, but then again who does he like?

Nobody.
Moving on.

Backpack? Ideal, although I will be throughly insulted. Side note: this is nothing I'm not used to. I've been labeled as a nerd, but in real life nobody has taken the time to get to know me, and I never exactly have ever wanted friends.

I felt my phone vibrate underneath my leg, sending a violent buzzing sound on my wooden chair. I immediately pull my phone out and lay it on the table, "it's Sara, we have a lot of homework, may I be excused?" I asked in the most neutral tone.

Mom looked puzzled at me. "Honey, you've barely touched your food." She asked in a concerned manner.
"I'm okay mum, really. I'm just tired, I'm going to bed early and I've got a big day tomorrow, goodnight." I jumped in on my opportunity, snagged my backpack and bolted up the stairs before I could finish my sentence.

I walked the hall until I reached the end and twisted the doorknob, I felt relieved as I threw my backpack down. My phone buzzed again, it wasn't Sara.

Mom: Can you come downstairs for a minute? Someone is at the door for you.