The Pastor's Son

Holding Hands and Matthew Finds Out

Jayden runs through the halls, like a crazy man. Searching for Isaiah, high and low. He runs to the boys' bathroom. Praying that Isaiah is in there. 

Before entering, he bows his head, 'God, I know I've never really prayed to you like most Christians. But, I love Isaiah. I know people say you don't like that, but please. I'm begging you. Let him be in here. Let me be able to see him. At least ask if he's okay. That's all. Thank you, God. Amen.' 

Jayden opens the door, and Isaiah is looking at himself in the mirror. 

Isaiah looks up, fear in his eyes, but it fades away. It's obvious that he thought it was someone else. 

"Isaiah? I've heard. Are you okay?" Jayden looks at him, plead filling his blue eyes. He's not used to being this scared. But ever since he's met Isaiah, he's scared of something hurting him, every day.

Isaiah looks away, "Yeah, I guess so."

Jayden tries to hold back the question, but he can't. "Is it...?" 

"True?" Isaiah finished for him. "Yeah, kind of."

Jayden's heart starts hurting, "Why?"

Isaiah bites his lip, nervously. Jayden hates it, he hates the way that Isaiah is so scared. He wants to see him smile. Like he used to. "I...I don't want to talk about this right now. If that's okay."

Jayden nods, "Yeah, yeah. It's perfectly fine."

As much as Jayden wants to know, he knows that he can't push him. Isaiah is already shaken up. He needs comfort. He needs someone to stand by his side without pushing him. Seeing that Joanna is not here, Jayden will take her place. 

He leads Isaiah out of the bathroom. People look at them, curious. Jayden can tell that many of them think that they were being intimate in the bathroom. 'I wish,' Jayden thinks about being in there with Isaiah. Kissing him and being able to actually hold him in his arms. 

"Let's go to math class. We can sit in there and wait," Jayden suggests, trying his best to make Isaiah feel comfortable. 

It's hard to imagine that just a couple of days ago, Isaiah told Jayden that he loves him. Now, Jayden is sure that he feels the same way, but he doesn't feel like he has the right to. He's done his best to show that he cares by defending Isaiah through thick and thin. Comforting him when he needs it the most. He's done so much for Isaiah. And he'll keep doing it. 

He looks back at Isaiah as they walk through the hall. Isaiah looks nervous, like being near Jayden is something he should be cautious about. Isaiah keeps looking at the people staring at them. 

Jayden tries to comfort him. "Just ignore them," Isaiah seems to appreciate the words. Jayden takes hold of Isaiah's hand, and he squeezes it, gently. 

He's happy to hold Isaiah's hand. But, Jayden wishes that it was from a standpoint where they were actually in a relationship and it wasn't just him comforting Isaiah as a friend. But he tells himself that he can't get greedy. 

Isaiah doesn't seem to mind Jayden holding his hand. It seems to make him nervous, but not scared. Isaiah feels comforted by Jayden's attempts. His attempts make him feel better and safer. They make him think that he is worth something. 

Isaiah likes that feeling, it's not something he's used to. 

................................................................................................................................................................

Matthew Harden is at work, filming his speech for other campuses that he wouldn't be live at. He's finished the speech and starts talking to other co-workers, when an employee rushes over to him. "Mr. Harden, I saw something that I think you want to see," It's Isabelle, a meek employee of the church. Matthew nods, as a sign for her to get on with it. 

She pulls it up on her phone. She hands him her phone and a video is playing. He sees his son and Jayden on screen. His co-workers and Isabelle watch over his shoulder.

The video shows Isaiah and Jayden arguing. Eventually, Isaiah admits that he's gay. That's already upsetting to Matthew. The video continues, though. Isaiah saying things such as that his life at home isn't perfect, that makes Matthew furrow his brows. And eventually, he yells that he's in love with Jayden. The video cuts off with Isaiah running off and Jayden following. The title of the video is, 'A Tragic Love Story Between Two Boys In Just One Video'.

Matthew looks through the comments. Some people are saying that they wish them the best of luck. Some are mentioning how they know Isaiah is the son of a pastor and gay and how that'll cause some issues. Then there are people who are leaving offensive comments calling the boys the f-slur. 

Matthew Harden is furious. His co-workers are whispering things to one another. Matthew hands the phone back to Isabelle and says that he appreciates her showing it to him. He walks into his office where he grabs a photo of his son, a photo he felt forced to keep on his desk and he smashes it. The glass shattering is loud and startling. But nothing is more startling then Matthew's rage.