It was after school on Monday when Tyler received a text from Jenna.

Jenna
Hey how're you feeling? Your dad told us you were sick

Tyler bit his lip anxiously as his homework laid next to him, untouched. He typed back a response, telling her the truth. He could trust Jenna, right? She hasn't told anyone about him and Josh. Well, she didn't know they were officially dating now. He hadn't had the chance to tell her.

Tyler
I actually skipped church to hang out with Josh. He really needed my help with something.

Tyler
We're dating now

A few moments later he received a reply.

Jenna
Oh

Jenna
I'm happy for you

Jenna
Do you wanna come over or something? I feel like we haven't talked in awhile

Tyler smiled, texting her back

Tyler
Sure give me ten

And with that, he left his homework to be and made his way to Jenna's for what felt like the one hundredth time.

He smoked a quick cigarette before getting one of his warmer jackets (since it was now early November) and making his way towards her house.

Once he got there and rang the doorbell, however, things changed ever so slightly from how they usually went around Jenna. She opened the door with a smile on her face but it quickly turned into a confused look. "Uh... what's with your nose?"

"I pierced it," Tyler walked in, Jenna shutting the door behind him. He slid his shoes off as well.

"Ya pierced your own nose?"

"Well, uh, no," he corrected. "Ashley pierced it."

"Ya had your friend pierce your nose?" Jenna's eyes widened.

"Yeah," Tyler shrugged. "Anyway what do you want to do?"

Jenna looked shocked for a moment but she quickly composed herself and smiled nervously. "I don' know. Why don' we jus' chill out on the couch?"

"Okay," he nodded and the two sat down on the sofa. "How're you?"

"Good. Ya?" Jenna replied, resting her head on the back of the couch but still facing Tyler.

"I'm doing really great," he sighed happily.

Jenna smiled. "That's good. Tell me about all the things or even people that are so great..." she began, gesturing for him to talk about Josh.

"Josh came over the other day and we were hanging out and I confronted him about it. I said we were doing couple things but neither one of us had made anything official and I was wondering what he and I were," Tyler explained, a grin making its way onto his face.

"'M happy for ya, Ty," Jenna told him. "You seem happier."

"I really am. The past few years growing up and knowing I was gay was so rough. I lives in a lot of conservative towns and y'know I've been going to church for as long as I can remember and all I think about is how I'm going to hell for loving someone I can't help loving. I hated myself for such a long time— I still do have some self hatred —but Josh makes me feel normal I guess? He doesn't make me feel like a freak. I know I have people who love me like my dad but this is different. It's like having someone who understands it as well."

When he finished his speech he let out a breath and looked up at Jenna. She had tears in her eyes and a sad smile on her face. "Tyler, you're not a freak. Jus' 'cause ya like boys it don' mean you're not normal."

"When you've grown up hearing that your whole life it's kind of hard to not believe it."

"Well believe me," she grabbed his hand. "Likin' boys don't make ya any less special."

"Thanks, Jen."

"Of course. What else do ya like about him?"

"I just... I don't know. I can't describe it. It was like he was my miracle. He gets me out of comfort zone and I do things with him I wouldn't normally do. Ashley and Brendon too," he stopped, deciding not to say anything about Dallon. "I mean I just have my dad and being with them is like having my own little family of fu—screw ups," he corrected himself quickly.

The smile on Jenna's face went from genuine to nervous but Tyler couldn't tell why. Sure he had picked up new habits to replace some old ones and he was changing as a person but that was for the better, right? "And they're all seniors?" She asked.

"Technically. Brendon's a junior though because he flunked freshman year," he reminded her.

"Oh yeah..." she nodded warily. "So ya uh, ya skipped church ta go hang out with them?"

"Yeah," Tyler shrugged, picking at a thread on his jeans. "I mean I dunno I've been going to church almost every Sunday of my life I think I'm entitled to a break every once in awhile. I already know everything there is to know about the Bible and I'm tired of hearing new preaching at every church I go to."

Jenna's lip formed a straight line. "And ya lied to your dad ta get outta it?"

Tyler looked up and frowned. "Yes, Jenna, I did," he replied. "Is there problem with that? I mean it doesn't affect you."

Jenna just sighed, running a hand through her blonde hair. "I jus'... I'm sure ya dad woulda let ya stay home if ya woulda just asked. He doesn' seem like the type of person that would be strict about ya needin' a break."

Tyler found himself scoffing. "You don't know shit about me or my dad."

"Tyler!" She gasped, probably upon hearing him cuss.

He rolled his eyes, getting up and slipping his shoes on. "Call me when you're not being a bitch about my life choices."

He opened the door. "Tyler, wait—" Jenna began but he didn't let her finish as he left, slamming the door behind him.

He didn't even wait until he was out of we front yard before lighting another cigarette, feeling his stress slip away at the first inhale.