His face darkened, but he forced a smile. “I, came out to them when I was in the seventh grade. They didn’t believe me, and I had to spend a year soothing over ‘ruffled feathers’. Sometimes, they still don’t believe me, and other times, I have no idea what they’re thinking.”

I chuckled sarcastically. “Great. While you were coming out to your parents, I was being shunned.” The statement felt unintentionally snarky. “Sorry.”

He sighed. “I mean, its true.”

“Still, I didn’t mean for it to sound rude.” I paused, desiring to go back to the initial question. “I, honestly don’t know how my parents’ll take it. Personally, I don’t think my dad will take it well. Just…a bad feeling about the whole thing. I don’t know about my stepmom.”

“Adrian, if anything happens, and they…kick you out – ” I flinched at the idea, though it was a thought that had crossed my mind numerous times before. “ – you can stay with me for as long as you need to.”

I forced a smile as well. “I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we get there, right?”

Ryan nodded, and we walked in silence for a little. “Favorite movie?” he asked suddenly.

I smiled slightly. Without looking, I answered, “The first Indiana Jones, definitely.”

“Nice pick. I like the third one the best. Can’t stand the new one.”

I looked at him. Enthusiastically, I said, “Yes! Thank you! Everyone I know loves it and I don’t understand why.”

Ryan began laughing. “I didn’t know you were that enthusiastic about movies.”

We walked around town for another hour talking about almost anything. It was peaceful, but in another sense, it was relieving. He was just some normal, dorky kid who had suffered just as much as I had. The only difference was that he trusted me enough to be honest with how he felt towards me, while I was still cautious of my trust for him.

When I returned home, I was in good spirits, until I walked through the front door and saw Alyssa staring at me.

“Why are you so happy?” Alyssa asked, swinging her legs against the stairs. She was smiling slightly.

I took off my coat. “Why do you care?”

“No reason,” she replied. Alyssa didn’t move and meticulously watched me as I went into the kitchen. “Can I ask yet?”

“No.”

“But – ”

“No.” She groaned softly as I approached with a glass of water in my hand. “What, no fighting against me? I didn’t think that you’d just give up in badgering me about…” I cleared my throat and lowered my voice. “…supposed crush on Ryan.”

Alyssa shrugged. “I have my reasons,” she responded, stone faced, before fleeing up the stairs to her room. I watched her go up the stairs, when a thought suddenly dawned on me – Fuck. Does she know? How could she know? I haven’t told her anything. Can’t I keep her in the dark for just a little longer?