"Pussy," my brother mocked as I cried. I instantly wanted to strangle him, but he was a ghost.
(Vine Compilation In Chapter One)
As a high school student, John never thought his life could get worse then essays given in spring break or weekend home...
What the hell was I supposed to do now? I walked out of the laundry room and into the rest of his house. One of the hallways had a wallpaper of just crosses and the other had a hand-painted picture of Jesus. I read the signature at the bottom, Adam made this. Never knew the kid had this much talent.
"Ah Adam, he always loved painting, too bad his mom told him it was gay and you know how he feels about that," Bandon commented and I couldn't help but feel sorry for Adam. Why does he have such a big problem with gay people to the point he will give up his passion. He gave up his talent in fear of being called gay, maybe...
I decided to take matters in my own hands. They all know something for sure and they won't tell because according to Dan they all swore not to. Perhaps if I gain their trust as friends I can get permission to know but that can't happen unless they all agree. I have to fix their problems and I have to start with Adam.
"Got a plan Johnny boy?" Bandon asked after of minute of staring at the wall.
"Yeah." I sighed the energy was already gone from my body and I didn't feel like going through with this, but for my brother's sake, I will.
I walked back to the laundry room to find Adam still hasn't left the dryer. I opened the door and Adam hissed at me with dilated eyes.
"Get your ass out of the dryer and into your room mister!" I yelled at him and to my surprise followed my order and moved out into his room.
I was taken by surprise as I entered his room, the walls were a masterpiece of art. All five walls were handpainted to make a detailed scenery of the outdoors. It felt as if I walked into a painting and if it wasn't for his furniture in the way he could have convinced me I did. I touched the wall and was surprised my hand didn't touch the waterlilies in the painted pond.
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"You like it? I stole the idea from Monet's waterlilies series, my favorite painting." Adam seemed to be calming down from his high.
"It's amazing Adam, you did this?"
"I used to love painting before my mom took away my paints, this was the last project I ever did," Adam told me, touching the wall next to his bed before sitting down.
"Your mom is really strict isn't she?"
"Yeah," Adam said simply before looking at the painted floor.
"Adam, are you gay?" I hit the question straight on without any question.
Trigger warning
"NO I AM NOT A FAG," Adam yelled defensively, his words cutting deep.
"Adam. It's okay to be gay, it's natural."
"It's a sin, my mom says I will burn in hell if I am. She says she will disown me. She says it's not normal. She says that all gays deserve to be in hell. She says being gay is a test from God and that those who embrace it burn. She says that she doesn't need a cocksucking gay ass son in her perfect Christian household and that if I ever admit to being gay again she'll make sure to let the devil burn me over slowly."
There were tears coming from Adams' eyes and pouring down the sides of his face. He looked up at me with pain in his eyes as he held onto his bedsheets with all his strength, as if the devil was going to drag him down to hell right this instant. There was so much fear in his eyes and he looked so small in the corner of his bed, my heart couldn't help to break for this wreak of a kid.
"Tell me the truth," I told him calmly, sitting on his bed. Adam looked up at me and wiped away his tears with his hands.
"I'm gay," Adam whispered to himself and said it once more to my face, "I'm gay John."
"And it's okay to be," I reassured him but there was still fear in his eyes.
"I'm scared."
"Everything's going to be okay."
After a minute of silence, Adam looked up at me and gave me a hug, I was surprised at first but hugged him back softly. The awkward position of hugging while sitting down made the gesture short but the moment was shared.
"Do you think Dan hates me?" Adam asked me for my opinion and I thought it was sweet that he was worried about his friendship with Dan.
"No, I think he is distraught that his friend hates him for something he can't change. "
"I don't hate him."
"Your words showed otherwise."
"It's just seeing him be happily open about it and not be bothered what people think of him. I wish I had that."
"It's because of your mom right? Why don't just run away? Look at yourself, your mental and physical health does not benefit from being like this."
"I can't just run away," Adam looked me in the eyes, "My dad already left her and despite everything I love her."
"Can you at least start being yourself and stop with doing what your mom says."
"I can't come out-"
"You don't have to, just do the things you love."
"Like my painting?"
"Yeah, you're really amazing at it," I told him and he smiled for the first time.
"It's been a dream of mine to become an artist."
"And you can be! You can make it into a career. I'll pay a couple thousand if you made my room look like this, it's beautiful."
"Really?"
"Yes really."
"You know what, you're right. I will try."
"While you at it can you be friends with Dan again?" I asked Adam and he nodded.
