Collision✔️(Wattpad version)

Secrets

Enzo

The one thing everyone knows is that when you have a secret, it doesn't stay secret for long. We would all find this out with the revelation of Everly's mystery, bringing Grandpa and Uncle Reed together. A secret kept from Cade will also rear its ugly head, and Julian had a secret of his own. No one knew.

Secrets don't stay secret for very long.

Julian

I left the house telling my parents I would see Enzo, but I drove to meet someone. I pulled up, and they got in. We drove to a secluded area.

From there, things got heated in the back seat. They climbed onto my lap as I entered them, and they started rocking back and forth. With everything thrust, I groaned.

I just wanted to have that feeling again. It had become a regular thing and satisfied my feelings. I could be myself and not worry about anything or anyone.

The first time, I didn't know how I would feel, but afterward, I felt relief. Soon it became sporadic to regular. I thought maybe it was a lark, but each time I enjoyed myself more and more.

I had told no one, and I wasn't going to. I was going to keep enjoying myself privately.

Then I felt my release as they had theirs. We cleaned up, then got dressed before I drove us back and dropped the person off. Afterward, I drove to the river.

Getting out, I walked to the pier like I did so many times before and sat there alone. I stared out into the dark sky as the water rippled along.

I sat there, thinking. Julian, the happy-go-lucky guy who had no problems yet, sat here alone, lying to everyone. The person who prefers to hide a secret than be honest. The same person who is doing things he shouldn't be because he has no outlet.

I sat there and thought about how I would love to be with someone and share things with them. It's not about sex either. I wanted something more profound, and I missed that connection. Hell, I haven't even told my best friends I had sex. I had said no one.

The first time it happened was a fluke. I was thirteen, and the next thing I knew, I was making out with someone. Then my pants came off, and I got caught up at the moment. They were older than me, and I didn't know what I was doing. They took the lead, and the next thing I knew, things escalated quickly.

Afterward, I didn't know what to think. I didn't feel love or anything. I felt nothing. It continued for a while, and they kept telling me it was okay. It was just sex.

Ever think to yourself that something is lacking, that it should mean more? Yeah, so did I.

I just sat there, looking at the water. I heard footsteps while I sat there, and someone sat down next to me. I didn't need to listen to see who it was. I already knew.

"Why did I know it was you?" I asked them as I played with my fingers.

"Because you and I are way too similar," they responded.

I looked into the distance.

"Want to talk about it?" The person asked me.

"Not really, and what's there to talk about?"

"The fact you're hiding who you truly are," they said as we sat there.

"And what's that?" I asked, turning to see Cole sitting there.

He looked at me. "That you're gay."

I looked at him.

"Julian, I know how you're feeling. I was thirteen when I realized I was gay. I didn't tell anyone. I had my first sexual experience at fourteen, only treated like I didn't matter. Sound about right?" He looked at me as I sighed.

"How did you know? I thought I hid it well," I said to him.

"Considering Antonio told Adrian you haven't been coming to his house when you leave and he talks to Wade, it's easy to figure out what exactly you've been up to," he said with a look.

"Yeah, I just figure it would be easier than saying, 'oh dad, I will hook up with a guy and screw his brains out because I enjoy sex.'"

Cole chuckled. I had to admit; it was pretty stupid and laughable.

"Julian, no one will look at you differently, but you need to talk to your parents. Your dad is probably one of the most understanding guys around. When Wade told him and Antonio that he was gay, they never once judged him," he explained to me.

"It's just hard because I thought maybe it was just a phase, but I find myself more drawn to guys than girls. I can't explain it," I shook my head.

"Because it's who you are. Julian, I can't tell you to come out, but at some point, you need to figure out if you want to keep hiding and be miserable or be out and happy. It's your choice," he reasoned.

"How were you able to come out to your family?" I asked him.

"My Uncle Jaime helped, and because I had amazing parents who offered us nothing but unconditional love. Plus, I have an amazing sister who, if you haven't noticed yet, doesn't have a filter," he grinned.

I had to laugh at that. Rain didn't have a filter.

"I'll think about it," I told him.

"Take your time. No one says you have to announce to the world that you're gay. Do it when you're ready," Cole suggested. I looked at him and nodded. That's what I liked about Cole. He pushed no one to do anything until they were ready. Cade was lucky to have him and Wade as parents.

He just sat there with me, and we talked. It felt good to talk about it. He never once judged me or told me I had to come out. He just listened and advised.

He went from being a special education teacher to a counselor helping kids with special needs and making sure they were where they needed to be. Dad was an advocate, always fighting for special needs kids to get equal treatment, and Antonio was an occupational therapist.

I admired all of them.

When Colton retired, Wade took his place. It was nice to have the same standards we encountered when we started high school. We didn't have to worry about things changing. For that, I was grateful.

I just had a feeling someone would turn my life upside-down. And his name was Elias.