7 Minutes • Jachary

Ten • Jack Avery

I see Daniel mentally breaking down, and I don't hesitate and wrap my arms around him. Zach does the same thing, so it's a group hug, and I hear Daniel sniff, burying his face in my shoulder.

"We're here for you, bro," Zach says. "Let's do this."

"Okay. Yeah." Daniel wipes his face with his arm and rings the doorbell. The door flies open, and a girl immediately tackles Daniel.

"Oh my god I was so worried! You're so stupid sometimes!"

"Nice to see you too, Anna."

"You're such a jerk, but you're here and safe. Why did you leave?"

I give a cough, knowing that Daniel already will have a hard time speaking. "Hey. We're Daniel's friends. I'm Jack, and that's Zach."

Anna turns to us. "I'm Daniel's sister. Thank you so much for bringing him home." With blonde hair and different facial features, I would have never guessed she and Daniel were related.

"Actually, he came here out of his own volition," I say. "We're just supporting him."

"Supporting?" Anna frowns in confusion, before pushing her brother in. "Okay, we need a talk. Come on in."

Zach and I exchange a look before going into the house. I'm expecting Bible posters and crosses everywhere after hearing from Zach about Daniel's predicament, but it looks tidy and simple, a scheme of blue and white. The ground is an off-white tile flooring, and I finally spot one of those tiny figurines of Jesus on a cross situated high on a wall, but no shrines. Huh. I never was in a priest's house before, but it looks totally normal.

"Is Dad here?" Daniel hunches over, looking flighty.

"He's finishing one of his teachings," Anna explains.

"Oh, right."

"Will your dad mind me being in here?" Zach asks, making me snap my neck to look up at him, eyes widening.

"What do you mean?" Anna tilts her head.

"I'm gay. So, yeah."

"Oh. That's okay. I mean, my parents are accepting of everyone," Anna blindly says, making me shoot a glare at Zach. It'll be heartbroken to see Anna realize the truth of her parents.

Daniel rubs his face with a hand before sitting down on the couch. "Anna, I have to tell you something."

"What is it?" Anna sits down beside her brother while I sit on the other side.

Daniel looks down at the ground, then up, discomfort showing. I pat his shoulder, and he quickly blurts out, "I'm gay."

Anna looks stunned, and I do too, because the confession was quick and I know Daniel was quiet nervous about coming out to his family, especially after his experience with his parents. "Oh. I mean, I don't know what to say." Anna pulls Daniel into a hug. "I'm happy for you, and proud. Thank you so much for telling me. You'll always be my brother; that'll never change."

"Thank you." Daniel has tears welling in his eyes. "Thanks so much."

"I love you okay? And I'm always here." Anna pulls back, freezing in realization. "You told my parents, didn't you?"

"Anna—"

"No, you told them! What did they do?"

Zach and I get the hint and shuffle out, though I have to kind of drag Zach because he's a bit oblivious. We can still faintly hear the conversation, and I lean against the kitchen counter, waiting.

"They don't deserve parents like that," Zach says.

"I mean," I hesitate, "It's just hard for them to adjust. Daniel's father is a pastor, so he's spent years following his beliefs."