Elysian House: A Light In The Dark [Sequel]

Chapter 2

The next few days were strange but fun. Living in a large city, being only awake when the sun went down, and living with Amber made my days -- or nights -- very interesting. Amber tried to stay awake for me, as much as she could. She was usually locked in her studio, working on some commission. Always covered in paint, always tired.

We spent a lot of time together, talking whenever we were both awake. I learned that Amber spent a lot of time searching for places to paint, and she loved to go to the coffee shop because of a very attractive barista, and she loved to be an artist. Obviously.

She asked me several times about boys and though I trusted Amber undoubtedly, I still couldn't get the courage to tell her what I have already told Cynthia.

Well, actually, I haven't told Cynthia. She just figured it out.

One day, while I was coming back home, after being absolutely humiliated by a group of girls that swore they saw me peeping at them in the locker room. I was walking home, tears stained my cheeks and my face still red like a burning coal.

Cynthia had pulled up next to me, with Jake in the seat beside her. She must have seen my devastation because she stopped the car and stepped out. Jake kept calling out to her, but she ignored him.

It was the first time Cynthia ever really chose to be on my side, and not someone else's.

When I told her, through sobs, what happened, she hugged me. It was awkward and I could tell she didn't really know how else to comfort me, but I sobbed on her shoulder while Jake whined the whole time.

She asked me then. I remember her words as clear as day as though she just spoke them.

"You are though, aren't you? You're gay. It's okay, Alyssa. At least you're attracted to the fairer sex. And you're not attracted to annoying guys who won't shut the fuck up when I'm in the middle of something!"

She yelled that last part, making sure Jake could hear every word. It was the first time since we were kids that Cynthia made an active point to take care of me. It was the first time that she tried to keep me safe.

Since then, Cynthia knew. I didn't try to hide it from her. I knew my family would be okay with it, but coming out sounded terrifying and I wasn't sure I was ready for the world to know the big secret I've been trying to hide for the past 4 years. Since I was 14.

Coming out was terrifying, no matter the circumstances.

And even now, with Amber, whom I was even closer to than Cynthia, I couldn't get the words out.

It still felt too scary, too new, too raw to get out in the open. It felt like turning over my belly to the world and allowing them to pass judgment over me.

Judgment that I was not ready to hear.

Finally the day came.

August 25th, moving day.

Amber drove me to the school, with my bags packed. In the middle of the night. The school was huge, way bigger than back home. Black pearly gates enclosed around the massive building. Behind it was the dorm buildings, where I was supposed to bring my stuff.

Amber and I parted ways while I went to take my stuff to the dorm building and she went to speak with the head of Elysian House about my admittance.

I was walking along the path to get to the back end of the school when I heard voices. I stopped hauling my stuff when I heard them and walked over to the gates.

I looked in between the bars with avid curiosity.

There was a field. A soccer field. There were kids out on the field kicking the ball around and shouting happily. I couldn't help but notice the jerseys the kids were wearing.