It felt as if the entire world had stopped. My ears began to ring, and I didn’t have to touch my other hand to know they were sweating. I couldn’t even answer her. The only adult that could have any idea of my sexuality was my aunt, and she didn’t even know the full story. 8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHggdE12tA 維尼
To me, all adults don’t handle news like teens do. They take it more seriously, and they somehow need to know every single detail about it. For instance, Delcan’s parents. When he practically forced me (I tried to fight back, but I lost in a matter of seconds. I didn’t know how at the time, but now I do) to tell his parents I was gay, they got pretty serious about it. Of course, his parents were kind, but they wanted to know why I never said anything in the first place, and they also tried to make me understand my sexuality in a different light. 8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQON52dvtt 維尼
If I told Haven’s parents I was gay, I’d also have to tell them that I cheated on their daughter with a guy, and one who’s not too kind. I already knew what the end result would be: Haven’s dad would hate me for cheating, while Haven’s mom would be confused, doing her best to be kind about it. Haven has no clue about Angelica knowing, and that’s already enough stress as it is. It’s already too much. 8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DPveHvFzF 維尼
Plus, with school on top, it’ll be like a burning pressure constantly.8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw8GWpb7Rj 維尼
“That’s cute,” I told Haven. My mouth was dry, but I tried to pretend it wasn’t. 8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwyGwxwTCX 維尼
Haven raised her eyebrows. “I can tell whoever I want Ezra,” she said. “Plus, it’d make sense. You’re crazy if you don’t think nobody notices the way you look at Delcan.”8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0qj41EqyU 維尼
I don’t look at him in a certain way. “I-” That doesn’t matter. I need to get to the point of this. I shook my head and then crossed my arms over my chest. “Why are you blackmailing me?”363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzuvCEwFCB
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She slowly nodded, looking down at the ground. “Hardly though, sweetheart,” she said, her head popping back up as she looked at me. “Do you wanna keep your secret to yourself or not?”363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O9cD4IQ85
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“I don’t look at Delcan in a certain way,” I argued. 8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSJxhETGhT 維尼
Haven rolled her eyes. “Please,” she said. “I’m not that stupid to realize my boyfriend-ex boyfriend, has emotions for somebody else. Just take the deal, okay? I can’t tell my parents on my own.”8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiR7GwU3ui 維尼
Blushing, I asked: “Why do you have to tell them in the first place?”8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GuxHzMqcd 維尼
She looked at me like I was about to get murdered. “Ezra,” she said, her voice going as low as it possibly could. “Take the ⟴ deal or so help me, I’ll ruin everything you’ve worked for.”8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKnatntN55 維尼
I guess my mom was right. You can be in a relationship or a friendship with someone for so long, that you’ll never notice their bad sides. I knew who she was talking about, but I didn’t know if she knew there was a person like that in my life. 8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡC08R7y13SZ 維尼
Whatever the case was, I could probably convince Mrs. Bronx to convince her husband not to tell anyone.8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTrAjVCr5K 維尼
Hopefully.8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7g5HMzNJL 維尼
“Fine,” I said angrily. “Tell me when I need to come over.” 363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDo8O6ypnd
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⟴⬉⥦⥦⥦⬈⟴363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWP0gctwvD
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Eric insisted on driving me over to the Bronx house before we went home. All I had to do was his chores for another week, and babysit Emmanuel, and both Eric and Evelyn would cover for me. My siblings have been acting weird-and a lot nicer-since we went over to Delcan’s house and nothing really happened. I didn’t know why, so I never asked questions. 8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2ahqk2gW2 維尼
We already dropped off Emmanuel, and Evelyn stayed in the car as Eric drove us to the Bronx household. 8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOC3SudIPa 維尼
“You should text Delcan,” Evelyn advised me. I turned to look at her, and then realized something. I hadn’t talked to Delcan all day, and after the night we made out, that makes me seem like a jerk. Well, it’s not like he hasn’t done the same thing...once or twice. 363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpXOvqcG3c
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“It’s not that big of a deal,” I said. Of course it was, though. My body knew, too, because my brain as spinning, and my hands were both shaky and sweaty. “He’s probably busy doing homework.”8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iqzEWMQnh 維尼
Eric chuckled to himself. “No offense, Ezra,” he said. I turned to the window, already knowing what he’d say. “But I don’t think Delcan has ever done a sheet of homework in his entire life. He’s too pretty for that.”363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYReB4yQRN
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“He-” ⟴, he’s right. I was the one who did his homework, while I’m sure he didn’t listen. “That doesn’t matter. Just drive so I can get this over with.”363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKzQISyGe3
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Evelyn exhaled. “You shouldn’t have to do something for your ex, bro,” she said. “Seriously, I hate Haven with a burning passion, and she’s just using you because of your own guilt.”8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUyjmvoOVU 維尼
“Well, it’s working,” I told her.8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV7tNeVzp9 維尼
Eric pulled up into the driveway. “Text me when you need a ride,” he said. 8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQCa07AmFY 維尼
I got out of the car, and turned back around to look at my older brother. “Actually,” I told him. “I was thinking about walking back home. It’s just three miles.”8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGZro3HMAd 維尼
“Fine by me,” Eric shrugged. He drove off, and I started to bite the inside of my cheek. There’s nothing to worry about, I told myself. Well, there was, but it wasn't like I wanted to think about that at the moment. 8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KB8gSIcAy 維尼
Walking up the stairs, all I could feel was burning regret. Why am I doing this to myself? Are Haven’s parents knowing better than the school figuring it out in a matter of days?8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvbghH8PkE 維尼
Yes. Yes, a thousand times, a part of my brain said.8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK0FyOlUxZ 維尼
I knocked on the door, then held my hands to my side while I twisted them around. Mrs. Bronx opened up the door, her dirty-blonde hair in a tight ponytail. She was wearing this fancy, dark green dress, and I looked down at my casual jeans and not-washed T-shirt. Dinner. I was underdressed, and I had to tell them at dinner. 8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9gTzn5d3K 維尼
Shoot. 8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMGiM8XvqV 維尼
Mrs. Bronx gave me a kind smile. “Hi, Ezra,” she said. She gestured her hand inside of the house. “Come on in.”8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOgrQ2haDP 維尼
I nodded, and then shoved my hands into my jacket as I walked into the house. 8964 copyright protection359ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbZEh6hEey 維尼
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