Learning Curves ✔ (bxb)

Chapter 25

Michael's Outfit ^^

Theo's POV

August 4th, 4:43 pm

I get a call from my mom.

Neither she nor my father have attempted to contact me for over 2 months. Why would she call me now?

I wait a little while to see if she would cancel the call, if it was just a button pushed by accident.

It keeps ringing.

Shakily, I reach for my phone resting on the nightstand next to my bed. I press the "answer" button, and nervously put the phone to my ear.

"H-Hello?"

"... Theodore? Hi dear, it's your mum."

"H-hi mum."

"I... just wanted to apologize, for what I did. I realize how harsh it was on you and your... boyfriend... A-and kicking you out of the house. My goodness Theodore, I'm so, so sorry." She's crying by the end of her little speech, and it causes my throat to close up, and tears to well in my eyes.

"I want to let you know... that you're completely welcome to come back to your father and I, Theodore. We're both really sorry for what happened. I... can't make any excuse for our reaction, because that was what I believed at the time. It was what I was taught growing up. Alice talked to me a lot these past few months, and... I've come to realize what a terrible person I've been towards you. Of course... if you don't want to come back, that's okay too. Alice has been telling me that you've been staying with her, and I'm so grateful that you were able to.. stay somewhere. If you're not comfortable coming back, that's fine. Just... I'd like to see you so your father and I can properly talk." There are tears rolling down my cheeks right now. What do I say?

"I... need to think. I'll talk to you guys, maybe in a few hours. Can... can Michael come too?" I ask. As soon as I ask, I start to panic. What if that sets her anger off? What if I asked for too much? What if she was expecting me to drop my boyfriend if I were to move back in with my parents?

"Of course he can, if that makes you comfortable." Mom says through the phone. I figure she's probably not too happy about it, but she's trying really hard to accept me.

"Thanks, mum." A small smile appears on my face, even though she can't see it.

"Shall I see you for dinner at 7?" She asks, voice still filled with emotion.

"Yeah, dinner sounds good. I'll... see you there, and maybe with Michael if he's available." I say before saying goodbye and hanging up. I shut my eyes tightly for a while before slowly opening them. It...wasn't a dream. My parents really want to talk to me. At least I know now that they still love me... or at least care for me. At the same time, it makes me feel a little bit miserable. If Aunt Alice hadn't attempted to talk to my parents and shown them that being gay is okay, they would have just... left me.

I call Michael and tell him the news. He's ecstatic, saying he's so happy for me and that he'd be there to support me.

I get ready around 6, since Michael will be coming over at 6:15 and we'd drive together there at 6:30. I dress in comfortable clothes since it's not really a formal event.

The doorbell rings and I head to the door and answer it. Michael's dressed in a dress-shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his arms and a pair of cargo shorts.

Aunt Alice has gone out with some friends so I lock the door on the way out. We get into the car, and I give Michael directions to my parents' house.

I think Michael feels a little apprehensive about the whole situation, but he's trying not to show it. The radio plays softly in the background, easing the little tension we have.

"Are you going to move back in?" Michael asks me.

"I'm not sure. Maybe not right away. I don't know. They're my parents and I love them, but I'm a little... nervous to be around them right now." I admit. Michael nods understandingly.

"It's going to take time to build up that trust again, but if both you and your parents really work on it, I'm sure you can go back to the state you were before."

"Let's hope so." I sigh as we stop at a red light.

"Have you talked to your dad?"

"No. My mom's the one who called. I didn't hear from my dad directly at all, but when my mom was talking she said 'your father and I' so I'd assume he shares the same opinions. However, since it's not coming from him himself I wouldn't know what he really thinks."

"Well, we can't do much other than wait and see. At least your mom wants to reconnect with you."

"Yeah..."

-

-

We pull up to their house and I check the time.

6:54 PM

I decide to wait in the car for a few minutes to attempt to calm my nerves. I tentatively reach out for Michael's hand, and he encases mine with his.

"How are you not nervous?" I mumble. He looks so composed with his neutral face. His hands aren't shaking, they're hardly even sweating.

"Oh, I'm terrified." He admits. I eyes widen slightly as I look at him, "it's just, some part of me thinks that it will be okay... somehow. Like a gut feeling that it will all work out."

"You sure?" I ask, fidgeting in my seat.

"Well, you know what they say. Trust your gut. So, I'll be doing that I guess." Michael shrugs. I give him a small smile of amusement, and he smiles back for a moment before we both start giggling.

"We're such a mess." I mutter, trying to stop laughing.

"Indeed we are." Michael chuckles, giving me a small peck on the lips. I smile up at him before checking the time.

7:01 PM

Time to meet my parents.