27 ~ Thomas
I emerge from my bedroom for the first time since the other night quietly, wanting to leave without being noticed.
It shouldn't be hard to leave at 2:30am without being seen, but this is the Hood family we're talking about, half the time we lay awake anyways.
I skip over the 5th step, I had caught Calum doing this last year and ever since then I've noticed the loud groan the stairs give out when you step on it.
This would have worked well if my heel hadn't slipped off the edge of the 6th step, the gap I had tried to step over was to wide causing my bum to slam down right onto the 5th step, making it groan and cry out loudly feeling the sudden weight.
I bit my lip, my lungs deflated from the lack of air that had been knocked out of me by the force of my fall.
My eyes widen as the soft creek of a door filled the anxious silence, someone had heard the stair.
I stay frozen, one hand grasping the railing tightly, the other pressed against the wall, my butt still sat on the 5th step because if I moved off it would scream again.
My eyes connect with the squinting ones of Mali. A overwhelming mix of emotions washed over me.
I was still angered, which then made me sad,and a pinch of regret swirled in my stomach, not to forget the heart racing anxiety and fear coursing though me.
What if she was still spiteful from our quarrel and didn't hesitate to tell our parents? What if she started yelling at me again?
We sat there, our eyes still locked, both of us have many thoughts and emotions running through our minds before she slowly closed her eyes, as if she didn't want to fight or scare me off.
They stayed shut for a moment, before she lifted her hand, tilting it in a small wave, silently telling me to go do what ever I was going to.
My eyes soften and I give her a grateful grin before shifting my weight off the stair, which causes a creek of release to echo down the hall.
Mali whips her head around, listing for any sign that my parents had woken, yet to my relief the house stood still and silent.
We share one more look before I step softly to the door, my shoes barely taping the ground, and slipping out into the freezing air.
I zip my jacket up to my collar bone and shove my hands into my pockets, thankful that the wind had left and the cold air was at least still now, not harassing and pulling at you violently.
I've always preferred walking, and usually do so. Calum and I, we do have a car that we share, however neither of us use it much.
I used to carry weights in my pockets, wanting to gain some more muscle mass. It didn't work well.
By the time I've made it out of the neighborhood, my body was now fully awake, not that I ever really was asleep, but my eyes adjusted to the dark night and my limbs loosed their stiffness.
In all honesty, no one knows just who I am, really. Everyone's got a story and I don't think I've ever told mine, not that it's a good one anyway.
I sigh, shoving my hands deeper into my pockets, coming steadily closer to the small city, buildings like the mall and the few restaurants line the sidewalks.
Few buildings still had their lights on at the hour, the movie theater, Waffle House, and the library.
Don't ask me why we have a 24/7 library, we just do, and I'm forever thankful for it.
I've never came to the library this late, I used to come often, but now I seem to never have any time.
The warm air and the enchanting sent of old paper welcomed me as I stepped into the library.
The man behind the desk was slumped down in his chair, drool dripping from the side of his mouth in his sleep.
I knew my way around the tall shelves of books like the back of my hand, and I smiled to myself. I missed this place.
I traced the back of all the books as I walk through them, picking one at random and pulling it out.
The giver
I ran my hand over the font and excitement ran through my fingertips at the though of reading this, it's one of my favorites.
I didn't need to look up from my book to find my way to he soft plush chair in the corner that I always sat in.
This, was not one of my smartest ideas, because I ended up tripping over the corner of a table, which sent me flying into-
"Peter?" I ask, hastily stepping away from his arms, he had caught me before I hit the ground.
"Woah, maybe you shouldn't read and walk," he laughed. His hoodie was pulled up much like mine, and once again the hood was over his head.
Peter looked at me for a moment, his eyes soaking in my appearance. "This is he first time I've seen you without fancy cloths," He picked up his book that he dropped and chuckled. "Well, besides when you were trying to be Calum."
I looked down to my gray hoodie, faded jeans and Calum's black converse that I stole with a small shrug.
"I mean, yeah these are my at home cloths." I mumble, looking away as a small blush spread across my cheeks.
"But you're not at home?" He raised an eyebrow, glancing to the tall shelves of books.
"This basically is my home," my voice is soft and I run my finger across the top of the chairs as I walk past Peter.
"I can remember coming here since I was 6, it's always been like a home to me." I say glancing behind me to find Peter following me.
It fell quiet, Peter following me as I walked to the far corner of the library, where the most comfortable couch is, the one I claimed as mine years ago.
"So, why are you here this late?" Peter asks, and I can feel myself stiffen for a split second before relaxing again.
I sit down on the couch, sinking into the soft material. "I could ask you the same thing," I say, sending him a pointed look.
He nods, sitting next to me. Our knees brush as he says, "Fine, I'm here- well haven't you seen Instagram?" He asks, biting his lips slightly.
I shake my head. "I don't have any Social media, it's all so pointless."
Peter blinks at me, a small smile tugged at his lips, causing me to suddenly feel self conscious. "What?" I ask, putting my hands in front of my face.
Peter just laughed, shaking his head slightly before mumbling and small "S'nothing."
"But what happened?" I ask, setting my book on my lap and shifting to face him slightly.
He sighed, closing his eyes and leaning back into the back of the couch.
"Some people....they said some pretty nasty stuff. I guess I just wanted to escape, with everyone attacking me through my phone, I though a book would be the best thing to use." He shrugged, though I could see how hurt he really was.
"What where they saying?" I ask softly. I didn't want to push him, but I felt as though I needed to know why he was upset.
"Do you really not know? Or do you just want me to say it?" He snapped, causing me to flinch back slightly. He stood from the couch and ran a hand through his hair.
"I- what?" I ask, my heart thumping in confusion, still a bit surprised from his sudden out burst.
"It's all over school, you have to know." He glared at me, "stop playing dumb"
I stood from the couch, my eye brows furrowed. "Peter, do you really think I listen to people at school? Who would even talk to me anyways? I'm just the quiet boy in the corner who just wants to make good grades so I can leave this place!" I say, anger licking at my own mind, why was he mad at me?
He sighed irritably, running a hand through his already messed up hair once again.
"I just want to know what's wrong." I breath out softly. It physically hurt to see him pace like this, even though I have no idea as to why.
"Promise me you won't get mad," he says, his eyes watering, yet he took a step closer to me.
I nod my head slightly, "I promise."
He took a deep breath, shoving his hands into his pockets before whispering,
"I'm gay, Thomas."
-
A|N
Sorry it's been forever, I've just been super busy.
Anyways, what do y'all think? Idk if I actually like how this chapter turned out, but this is basically how I wanted it.
Love you!!
❤️❤️