TRIGGER WARNING: Implied abuse, anxiety, daddy issues, homophobia.

I crumpled up my body as small as possible in the large treehouse. The longer I hid there the more anxious I became.

My dad soon found me, coming in with a weird look on his face. I shook slightly, managing to stutter out a faint, "Hey Dad, why are you here?"

"I was looking for you." He shot me a sickly sweet smile.

Without Warning, everything began to twist and he started to reach out for me with the worst grin I've ever been forced to witness plastered on his face. I quickly started to back away but I hit one of the far walls.

My dad pulled out his gun from a pocket. "Fags don't deserve life," He spat out. "You're disgusting." The grip on the gun tightened as he reloaded it before quickly aiming it at me. I clenched my eyes shut. "Say goodbye, you dirty fucking queer."

I shot up in bed, sweat running down my back. Once I realized it was just another nightmare I shut off my alarm with a shaky breath.

It seemed my mom was at work already.

Even with the taste of what I just dreamt fresh in my mind, I managed to get dressed.

Quietly, I made my way out the door and to my bus.

Luckily, I scored a seat alone. Nobody in this school ever talked to me, they all knew not to converse with the freak.

I overheard gossip about a new boy going to the school and rolled my eyes, putting my headphones on.

A few stops later someone tapped my shoulder. My eyes shot up just in time to see the new boy smiling. "Hey, um, can I sit there?" He asked, gesturing to my bag on the other seat, I rolled my eyes and moved the bag.

"I'm Phil by the way!" He introduced, holding out his hand.

"Dan," I muttered, quickly shaking his hand.

"Muse right?" He must've heard my music. I turned down the volume slightly and nodded.

"Cool." The stranger beamed at me. The sight nearly got a smile out of me.

Nearly.