flipped :: markhyuck

38 | out of the closet

'thirty-eight

haechan solemnly walked into the kitchen, where his mum was making breakfast. his dad was at the table, bowl of cereal in hand, when he spotted the quiet boy.

"haechan? you're not at school?"

his mum turned to look at him with wide eyes. "are you sick? you don't look too great."

he looked down and shook his head, a smile awkwardly forming on his lips. "i need to tell you guys something."

his mum turned off the stove and followed his beckoning over to the kitchen table, where the three sat in a huddle.

suddenly, haechan's throat went dry.

"well, i don't really know how else to say this, but..." he couldn't look up at his parents. he felt his ears burn red hot - or his head suddenly felt too cool from the dizziness, he couldn't really tell - as he clenched his fists nervously under the table.

"i'm gay," he blurted out, his heart thumping against his lungs. he didn't feel good at all. he hadn't even planned out what he was going to say, and now he couldn't turn back. all he wanted to do was throw up and stop the horribly loud beating of his stupid chest.

"you're... what?" his dad muttered, and haechan kept his gaze fixated on the table. he watched his mum's hand reach over for his dad's.

"i'm gay," he echoed, feeling lightheaded. "i think i need to lie down."

"you need to lie down?" his dad asked, but was stopped by the squeeze of his mum's hand.

"haechan, when did you... how did you find out?" his mum asked carefully, and only then did he notice the heavy atmosphere between them.

"well... when i was sixteen, i just realised that i found guys more... uh, attractive."

"four years..." she mumbled, shaking her head. "i don't believe it..."

a horrible, suffocating silence enveloped them, one which haechan would never wish even his greatest enemies to endure.

after a long, long time, his father muttered, "you should be at school."

haechan hesitated before nodding, standing up without another word and going upstairs. he only grabbed his phone and wallet before heading back down towards the front door. as he put on his shoes, he heard his parents whisper busily to each other in hushed tones.

he looked away, walking out of the house.