Page 53 of This is Me

Slowly, Leroy looked up at me, and my heart jumped into my throat as I noticed how close our faces were. I could see the light glisten in his eyes and the slight moisture on his lips that almost dragged me closer.

No, it was dragging me closer. I could feel myself leaning toward Leroy, and I couldn’t seem to stop myself. The aching in my knees and back from sitting with crossed legs for so long seemingly vanished, as my lips inched closer and closer to Leroy’s. I wanted to stop. I needed to. But my mind had gone blank, and all I could think about was locking my lips with Leroy’s.

My heartbeat quickened with each passing second and my brain began playing tricks on me as I could have sworn Leroy was leaning closer to me, too. I needed to gain control of myself again before it was too late, but I couldn’t, and in a matter of moments, my whole life could change. In less than a few centimetres, my lips would find their place on Leroy’s.

BANG!

Leroy’s door flew open and slammed into the wall, causing Leroy and I to jump to either side of the bed. My head snapped around to his bedroom door, and I saw that the doorknob has smashed through the plaster that had once been used to repair the wall.

My eyes drifted from the hole and rested on the large man who towered in the doorway. His fluorescent jacket covered in dirt matched his navy pants and work boots. His rugged face contorted in rage as he looked down on Leroy, who I could see cowering in the corner of my eye.

“How many fucking times do I have to tell you to leave the fucking door open!” The man’s voice boomed around the room, and I saw Leroy shrink even further back.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” Leroy managed to get out, his voice weak.

Turning to look at him, I saw that his face no longer held any happiness or its usual light. All that remained was fear, and I was starting to feel it, too.

“And who the fuck are you?” Leroy’s dad shouted at me, and I swivelled my head back around to look at him, my eyes wide.

“I-I’m Peter, sir,” I mumbled, unsure if my politeness would get me anywhere. “Leroy’s friend.”

“Well, I suggest you get the fuck out of my house and stay away from my son.”

Leroy’s dad’s voice drilled into my head, and I stole a glance at Leroy, who just nodded at me while keeping his eyes on his lap. If I could, I would take him with me, but I had a feeling his father wouldn’t let that happen.

Without risking another look at his father, I gave Leroy one last smile, though I doubt he saw. Quickly picking up my things, I slid off Leroy’s bed and made my way across his room, stopping in front of his father, who didn’t move.

“I’m serious. Don’t go near my son again. People like you are fucking pathetic.”

Moving to the left, Leroy’s dad allowed me the smallest gap to walk through as an exit. With my heart pounding and mind racing, I squeezed by and quickly began making my way down the hall.

‘People like you.’

What the hell did he mean by that? He couldn’t know I was gay. That was impossible. I had never met him before.

Clenching my fists and trying to block out the yelling and slamming coming from the end of the house, I made my way outside, Leroy’s dad’s words still playing over in my mind, having no idea what they meant.

I did, however, know one thing for sure, and that was why Leroy had been staying at Andy’s. Sadly, though, I thought there was a lot more happening than what I saw. As I walked toward my car, I could still hear the raised voices coming from the house, and my heart shuddered at the thought of what was happening.