I lived in a very strictly Christian town. It is located in the UK, but small and secluded, with routes to the bigger towns for shopping, but no shops ourselves. We have one café, 3 schools, and 2 churches. My mother went to both. This town wasn't inclusive or woke, in any sense of the word. Sadly, I was born here, and grew up here. Practically everyone knew me here. But I'm gay. Just that little fact would cause cataclysmic outcomes if it was released. Except my friends. At my school, I had 5 friends. We were the weird kids. My mother knew this and has repeatedly tried to make me a cooler kid by doing my hair, or painting my nails, or having a specific water bottle. She wants me to be like her. But I'm not. My 5 friends were the only kids, the only people, who knew I'm gay. They are also queer, which helps. Jason and Kai are gay, Rudy is non binary, Benji is trans and gay, and Cassi and me are lesbian. Cassi is actually my girlfriend. She's wonderful, and she's so insanely sweet. We love to talk on the phone and paint our nails and drink iced tea while playing on her Nintendo switch. Her parents know and are fine with it. Mine are... less than enthusiastic about the queer people. It sucks, but when me and Cassi get out of school, we're going to move to Italy and start off on our new journey, and be openly lesbian. Cassi knows Italian, so we're set. I love her, and we have some great times. At school, me and the rest of my friends will hang out. The only hard part is the hate we get. Kai, Benji and Cassi are out to everyone, whereas me, Jason and Rudy aren't. My mother would be furious. My father would be confused. My grandparents would be disappointed. I can't do that to them. But at school, I'm an outcast. Today, we had a prayer. I almost fell asleep because it was so boring. Cassi poked me in the arm and I did the same. Outside, we sat near the basket ball court and sketched some characters. I'm 15, but I still draw. My mother finds it weird, but I don't. Neither does Cassi. She kissed my cheek. I was happy. When I got home, my mom was painting a portrait of my third cousin Gladys. She has this curly, orange hair and thick framed glasses. Cassi calls her Grandmama Gladys, because she looks like her Grandmama Rose. I ignored her though and rushed upstairs to find my father working on my door. It's broken because it won't stop squeaking. I hugged him on instinct. "Hey dad. Is my door any better?". He nodded. "Just a tad ". He kisses my cheek and I go into my room, picking up my book from school on the Christian vows or something. I wouldn't know. My dad is staring at me. "What's up, dad?" I say, grinning. "Daffodil, your mother found something under your bed. A flag? I'm not sure, but she booked a doctor's visit over it?" My heart dropped. No. No she didn't. I fell to my knees. "Dad, what colours did it have?" I said. He rushed over to me. "Pinks and oranges?" He said. I knew it. Fuck. I grabbed him and looked up. "Dad, I'm sorry. I'm a lesbian". He smiled and said " I have no issue with that. It's your mom, she does". I smiled while tears streamed down my face. "I know".