Chapter 4: Small world

Sunny's POV

We met Simon at the town plaza and he was with his partner Tanner.

He hugged me and mom upon seeing us. I could see the sadness in his eyes while looking at me.

"Your nose bled, Sunny. I could see the trace in it." He said and I saw how his fist balled in anger. "Did father hurt you? Tell me?"

I just threw my sight away as I remembered how dad raised his hand just to hit my cheek by telling him that I am gay.

"He loathed gay, Simon." I just uttered and looked him back.

A small smile bloomed out of his lips. "It's fine. Gay people don't like him as well so it was fair."

I smiled when he tapped my shoulder. "Let's go to our apartment. The dinner I prepared would get cold."

I nodded.

We rode the red car that Tanner owned and went to their place to stay until everything went back to normal.

The ride lasted for about 30 minutes or so. Good thing, the apartment they renting is good for 4 people. It is big enough for us. It has two rooms, a terrace, a kitchen, and one bathroom. It's okay for me.

I think Tanner is a good guy. We could get along with him. He treats our mother with respect. I'm glad Simon found a nice partner. I'm happy for him.

"Good thing I cooked a lot of Shrimp Sinigang for dinner. We should eat before it gets cold." Simon suggested.

We went to the kitchen area altogether. Food was already prepared on the kitchen table. I just strode towards the sink and washed my face so that the bloodstains in my nose would be washed out.

I roamed my hand inside my pocket and I felt a handkerchief. I smiled when I remembered where it came from. Parker gave it to me this afternoon. That guy.

I dried my face using it and went to the dining table to eat. Simon noticed my smile which made me nervous.

"The guy's smiling like an idiot here, huh?" He teased.

I rolled my eyes and still couldn't hide my smile.

"I'm glad my Sunny could smile regardless of what happened between him and his father." Mom commented.

"If I will stay miserable, I won't feel happy anymore," I said.

"Shame on dad for disowning us. It was his loss, not ours!" Simon said as he gave us the bowl of Shrimp Sinigang.

"Everything will be okay. Maybe your father needs some time to digest what you just revealed on him." Tanner told us. "He would sooner accept you and Sunny. Just give him time." He added.

"Came from my boyfriend who got disowned too, huh?" Simon uttered.

Tanner and my brother laughed together. I just smiled like mom.

Is it that hard for the parents to accept that they have a son or daughter that was part of the LGBTQ community? Mom understands us but why Dad could not?

I just finished my food and excused myself to fix my things inside the room. I took mom's bag with me and put it inside our room. We will stay together since this apartment has only two rooms. It is fine with me though.

Good thing the room has a double deck. I will take the upper part and mom will take the lower part of the deck.

I just put our bags beside the side table and I went above the deck, threw myself on it, and closed my eyes.

The tears just went out of my eyelids so I brushed it off that fast. What a jerky tear?

The thought of us leaving dad, it's not easy. The pain and heaviness were still on my chest. I couldn't throw it away easily. The happy memories our family shared together were coming back one by one and it was killing me. This is not good.

I cupped my face and turned to the side, facing the wall. I bent my knees and let myself cry until I feel okay. Like they all said, everything will be okay and I hope so.

...

It's the middle of the night when I woke up. I forgot my phone inside my bag so I went down to the deck to get it. Mom was already asleep. I walked carefully towards the bag to get my phone. I didn't know I slept while crying. What time is it?

When I got my phone, I checked the time on the phone screen and saw 11:18 pm on it.

I went out of the room and got out of the apartment. Simon and Tanner were asleep as well in their room. I just want to go out to breathe some fresh air.

The cold breeze of air welcomed me upon stepping outside. Moon and the stars were scattered in the night sky. I like seeing them twinkling like a different set of Christmas lights.

I took a deep breath and smiled.

My feet led me to a 24 hours open store, 7/11. Costumers were counted by fingers, maybe we are four inside the store including the cashier guy.

I went to the cup noodles aisle, took one of it, and strode towards the counter to pay. My bad. I forgot to bring my wallet.

"I forgot my wallet. Sorry." I told the guy at the counter.

"I'll pay for his thing. Here, take my money." Someone said behind me.

It was a girl with long straight hair. She placed her things on the counter and gave the money to the cashier guy. She looked at me and smiled.

"Thank you," I told her. She has a nice set of teeth. She's so beautiful. All features scream no other than elegance and glamour. She was like a human doll. I couldn't help but to at her face.

"No worries. It happened to me once." She said then chuckled.

I roamed my eyes around and saw a car parked outside of the store.

I'm with my boyfriend, Parker. Want a ride?" She offered.

"Parker?" I repeated.

"Do you know him?" She asked.

"Are you Cassandra?" I asked.

The cashier guy gave him the change and we both went out of the shop.

"The world is so small." She commented while we were walking side by side.

"Hey, man! What you doin' here?" Parker said as he stuck his head in the car's window. He was smiling from ear to ear. He was like a little kid meeting his old good friend once in a while.

"Hey! I didn't expect to see you here." I said and went straight to him.

I took his hand as he high-fived with me. Cassandra went inside the shotgun seat.

"Your girl paid for my food. I forgot my wallet. My bad." I said, showing him my cup of noodles.

"She's not my girl," Parker murmured as he rolled his eyes.

"Get in. Let's go on a road trip!" He added.

That sounds interesting so I jumped in the passenger seat. Parker started the engine and went driving.

"What brings you here, man?" Asked Parker from the rearview mirror.

"We left the house. I told my father that I'm gay and he did not accept it. He hit me on my cheek and that was when mom decided to leave the house. Maybe she got full from dad's cruelty. Seeing me and my older brother got beaten by dad because of our gender, maybe that made mom decide for good." I told him.

"That's so mean of your dad, my bad," Cassandra commented.

Parker went silent for a while. There must be something that's bothering him?

"Where do you live? Let's go home. It's getting dawn. We should have our sleep because there is school tomorrow." Parker suggested so we approved.

I told them the address and Parker said they live five blocks away from our apartment. That is great!

"I can fetch you to school tomorrow morning then," Parker said the moment I went out of his car.

"Sure," I replied.

"Bye, Sunny!" Cassandra uttered. I nodded.

"Bye, man. See you around." Parker added as he drove away. I waved them goodbye until the car is gone.

I am holding the cup of noodles in my hand. I planned to eat this at 7/11 but yeah, I met Parker and Cassandra. I lost my appetite as well. I should head back to bed for sleep. Parker will fetch me up in the morning so I should not be late. My class will start at 9 am. It's already 1:30 in the morning. The bed is calling me. I should rest.

I went inside with a small on my lips. I can't help it. I'm just glad I saw Parker this day before heading back to sleep. Heck, what is happening to me? Why I am longing to see that guy? This is not good. I am just being gay again! Damn it!