Darling, you'll be okay

The whole school knew the next day. Some asshole kid had taken a picture of our kiss and posted it online with the caption "Emo love. Even freaks need attention." Fuck them.

We walked boldly through the hallways, despite the constant laughter and pointing. We were followed by chants of "freaks," "gothic," and "emo." Tristan grasped my hand tightly.

He leaned over and whispered, "you are perfect, don't listen to these pieces of shit." He followed that with a kiss on my forehead. I blushed furiously.

He was too perfect. How could this be happening? And all so fast? I didn't even know where I stood with him. Were we dating? In a relationship? Friends with feelings? He read my mind.

"So I've been thinking about exactly where we stand," he began, looking nervous. He self-consciously scratched his head with the hand that wasn't holding mine. My mind flashed back to the sexy as fuck muscles I glimpsed when he played drums that were hidden under his hoodie. Focus, Lena, I told myself. "I know this is all so sudden, but I really like you. I was wondering if you want to go out Saturday, on a real date?"

Of course! Of fucking course I do! "I'd love to," I said simply, trying, but failing, to keep my blush under control.

He smiled, brighter and more heart-wrenching than ever before. I knew that I was already hooked, and there was no going back. I'd do anything to see him smile.

Oh shit. I had to tell my mom. I had to introduce him. My parents had pressed me for a few years about guys I liked, and I had always told them that none caught my eye.

"Hey, Tristan?" I said ever-so-sweetly.

"Yes, beautiful?" He asked. Beautiful! He called me beautiful!

"Would you like to come over after school sometime this week?" I tried leaving out the part of him meeting my mom.

"That'd be amazing," he smiled, seeming genuine. "When?"

Go big or go home, right? "How about today?"

"Let's do it," he smiled.

I was setting myself up for disaster, but he would have to meet my parents eventually anyway.

As we walked through the door, I could tell this was going to be difficult.

"Lena! You've brought a boy!" My mom smiled happily. "We started to think she'd never bring a boy home!"

Mom. Please stop.

"In fact," she giggled, "we swore for the longest time she was a lesbian."

Kill me.

Notes