Another confession

Dad, I'm gay."

There was a pause, and Ethan felt the weight of his own words hanging in the air. His father seemed to freeze, his eyes still glued to the paper.

"What again?" Mr. Thompson asked, his voice flat, almost like he hadn't heard him correctly.

"I AM GAY," Ethan repeated, his voice louder and firmer this time.

A suffocating silence followed, one so thick that it seemed to smother every breath Ethan tried to take.

He stood there, feeling like a statue, his heart hammering in his chest as he waited for his father's response.

Finally, Mr. Thompson lowered the paper, his face devoid of any expression. His voice, however, was filled with venom. "Get out."

Ethan's eyes widened in shock. "W-what?" he stammered.

"Didn't you hear what I said? GET OUT, YOU F**KING FAGGOT!" Mr. Thompson's voice boomed, shaking Ethan to his core. He had never heard his father shout like that. Strict as he was, this level of rage was something new.

"Dad—" Ethan started, his voice breaking.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" Mr. Thompson shouted, his face twisted with disgust. "I CAN'T BELIEVE MY SON IS A FAGGOT. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH I HATE HOMOSEXUALS? THEY ARE A DISGRACE TO THIS WORLD."

Ethan felt tears welling up in his eyes, his heart shattering with each hateful word. "Dad, how can you say that? I'm your son," he pleaded, the tears now spilling down his cheeks.

"Son? Ha!" Mr. Thompson scoffed. "I SHOULD HAVE KILLED YOU BEFORE YOU WERE BORN IF I KNEW YOU WOULD TURN INTO THIS. I REGRET EVER ALLOWING YOUR MOTHER TO GIVE BIRTH TO YOU."

Ethan's breath hitched as his father's words cut deep. He never imagined his father would react with such hatred.

"What are you waiting for? Want me to drag you out? Just get out, faggot!" Mr. Thompson spat, his face filled with pure disgust.

Ethan's heart broke as he stood there, unable to comprehend the hatred coming from his father. "Dad, why can't you just accept me?" he sobbed, his voice trembling.

"Accept you?" Mr. Thompson sneered. "Never in a million years. I WILL NEVER ACCEPT YOU. NOW GET OUT."

Tears streamed down Ethan's face as he turned and ran out of the house, his heart shattered into pieces. As he fled, he heard his father muttering something under his breath, something that only made the pain worse.

"Like mother, like son."

The words hit Ethan like a punch to the gut as he ran as fast as he could, the pain overwhelming him.

...

At Ava's House...

Meanwhile, at Ava's house, she sat alone in her room, her mind swirling with thoughts of her dead friends. The guilt, the sorrow—it was almost too much to bear. How had things gone so wrong?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. Ava sighed, dragging herself downstairs to see who it was. When she opened the door, she found Noah standing there, looking like a mess. His eyes were swollen and red, his hair disheveled like he hadn't slept in days.

"Noah, what happened?" Ava asked, her voice laced with concern. Before she could say anything more, Noah stepped inside and hugged her tightly. Ava stood frozen for a moment, startled by his sudden embrace.

"Noah, what's wrong?" Ava asked again, her voice rising in panic as she felt his body shaking with emotion.

"I'm afraid, Ava," Noah whispered, his voice choked with sobs. "I don't want to lose anyone else. I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU."

Ava pulled back slightly, forcing Noah to look at her. "Noah, listen to me," she said, lifting his chin to meet her gaze. "No one's going to die. We are going to beat this spirit, okay? You can't give up now."

Noah nodded, though his eyes were still filled with fear. But as they stood there, they suddenly became aware of how close they were standing. Ava felt her cheeks flush, while Noah continued to gaze at her, his eyes softening, filled with an emotion she wasn't sure she was ready for.

"Noah, I think we—" Ava started, but before she could finish, Noah leaned in and kissed her.

Ava's eyes widened in shock, her mind racing. But as the kiss deepened, she found herself kissing him back, her heart pounding in her chest. After a moment, they pulled apart, both breathing heavily. Ava's face was a bright shade of red, while Noah smiled, clearly pleased by her reaction.

"I love you, Ava," Noah said softly, his voice tender and filled with emotion.

Ava blinked, stunned. "Noah..." she started, not sure what to say.

"I've loved you since the moment we met," Noah continued, his voice earnest. "I know you probably don't feel the same, but I couldn't keep it to myself any longer."

Ava blushed again, her heart racing. Before Noah could say anything else, she leaned forward and kissed him again, surprising him. When they finally pulled apart, she smiled softly.

"I love you too, Noah," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Noah's eyes widened in shock, his face lighting up with joy. "Really?" he asked, his voice filled with hope.

"Yes, really," Ava confirmed with a shy smile.

Noah pulled her into a tight hug, his heart soaring. After all the darkness, after all the pain, this moment of love felt like a beacon of light.

*****

Yeah...Boy~

Well, well, looks like Noah finally got his crush, huh?

But... Isn't it a red flag??

Hmm, I guess we'll have to wait and see. But hey, at least the boy got his kiss, right? Hehehe...

*****

After a few minutes, Ava's phone buzzed. She glanced down at the caller ID.

"Who is it?" Noah asked, still holding her close.

"It's Lily. I wonder why she's calling now," Ava said, frowning slightly. She quickly answered the call.

"Hello, Lily? What's up?"

"Did you forget we're supposed to meet at my place at three p.m.?" Lily asked, her tone slightly annoyed.