Learning Curves ✔ (bxb)

Chapter 18

Theo's POV

WARNING: This chapter contains homophobic slurs!

Today's the day.

May 14th

Saturday.

I quit my job at the bakery for the time being due to exams, and since I'm probably going home for the summer, the commute every other day and weekends all the way to the bakery would be inconvenient.

The staff said they'd miss me, and I'd always be welcome to come back to work after the summer if I wanted.

Michael's going to pick me up around 10, and we'd take the hour drive to my parents house.

My parents know I'm coming to stay, since the term is over. Michael has reservations at a hotel nearby, since he can afford it. He's not going to stay the night, maybe just a few hours (or less, if they kick us out). If my parents throw me out, Michael said I can stay with him at the hotel for the night.

The drive there is pretty quiet. We're both too nervous and anxious to make casual conversation. This is a huge step for both of us, and we have no idea how it will turn out.

-

Michael parks his car next to the curb near my parents house, and we hesitantly walk over. Michael holds my hand the whole way, and I'm grateful for the support he's giving me.

He lets go of my hand when we arrive at the door. Showing PDA in front of my parents as a first impression is not a good idea.

Will they kick us out? Will they be okay with it? Will they even care? Who knows.

All these burning questions have been keeping me up at night. I'm so scared they'll kick me out and completely cut me off from their lives. That's one of my worst nightmares.

Hands shaking, I knock on the door three times, taking in a deep breath before the door opens.

The sight of my mother greets me. She has shoulder length short, brown hair with green eyes. Today she wears a pretty white blouse with some black pants. She gives me a confused smile when she sees Michael and I.

"Hi sweetie. Who's your friend you've got there? Would you like to come in? My name is Diane." My mom says, opening the door wider and ushering us in. Michael and I send each other a nervous glance before stepping inside.

My dad is sitting on the couch watching some TV. At the sight of us he stands up and walks over. He has brown hair with brown eyes and a hint of a beard.

"Theodore. It's been a while. Who's your friend? I'm Thomas, nice to meet you." My dad firmly shakes Michael's hand, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Nice to meet you too, sir. Michael." My boyfriend responds. I'm amazed at how well he can conceal his nervousness.

"Mom, dad." I greet. They smile at me and invite us to sit down on the couch in the living room.

"This is Michael, as you already know. He's..." I trail off, suddenly finding a huge lump in my throat. I can tell my parents are confused, but don't want to be rude and kick Michael out for no reason.

"I met Theo at the university." Michael informs. My parents glance at him, and then back at me, as if looking for confirmation.

"Yep. Yes, yeah. At the university. We met." I struggle to find the words to say. Michael looks at me sympathetically, so he must know how I'm feeling.

"Alright then. Not to be rude, but why did you invite Michael over to our house? And why didn't you inform us Theodore?" My mother frowns, still confused.

My mouth is so dry. I don't know what to say. This is all so terrifying. Michael pats my back encouragingly, and I send him a grateful look.

"H-he's my boyfriend?" It comes out more like a question, but my parents get the point.

"Your... boyfriend." My dad frowns. Oh fuck. They don't approve.

"What happened to Stephanie? I thought you were dating her? Don't tell me you cheated, Theo." My mother says sternly. I quickly shake my head.

"That's... another thing. Stephanie and I were never dating." I blurt out. I'm shaking terribly. They don't seem to be reacting positively. My heart is pounding, and a million thoughts are going through my head.

"What? What do you mean never dating? You told us she was your girlfriend." My dad exclaims, brows furrowed. Fuck. What do I do now.

I look over at Michael pleadingly, and he seems to understand that I need help.

"Theo and Stephanie were never dating. She was a fake girlfriend to get you guys off his back about settling down and getting married." Michael informs.

"For Four. Whole. Years. You lied to us, Theodore." My dad says angrily. I start shaking even more. They're mad!

"I hope you know we don't condone this kind of behaviour, Theodore. Lying to us for such a long period of time is absolutely unacceptable. I did not raise you to be like this." My mother scolds. I hang my head in shame. Michael scoots closer and wraps an arm around me to comfort me.

"Don't touch him, you faggot!" My dad snarls at Michael, who instinctively retracts his arms.

"That's another thing, Theo. How could you go and... and elope with another man? Have you no respect for God's wishes?" My mother hissed. (A/n: No offence to any religion! I do not intend to bash or harm anyone's beliefs by writing this story)

"I-I'm sorry!" I panic. Shit. They're going to kick me out and abandon me and then I'll be all alone with no one and-

Michael's arms wrap around me once again to calm me down.

"I said don't fucking touch him you fag!" My dad rages at Michael, who bravely glares up at the man.

"No! If you're not going to accept your son for who he is, I as his boyfriend, am allowed to comfort him and make him feel better." Michael refutes.

"We raised you to be a good Roman Catholic, to serve under God. What happened?! Clearly university is influencing you poorly. I can't believe you committed such sin." My mother spits. I try to fight back tears. Everything my life has been building up to. A good future with a nice career, loving parents and a wonderful family, all thrown out the window by this moment.

"Get. Out. We don't condone fags in this household!" My dad shouts, face red from anger. Michael keeps his arm around me, leading me out of the house.

"You're terrible parents, to throw out your son so easily like that. I hope you realize this." Michael growls at them before slamming the door shut.

"I'm sorry baby. Come on, let's go to the hotel." Michael murmurs sweetly in my ear, leading me to his car before driving towards the hotel. I can tell he's frustrated, upset, angry.

Personally, I feel numb.

Everything is just kind of shocking now. I thought I was ready if my parents rejected me. We had a whole plan with the hotel and everything.

But nothing could have prepared me for this.