Joey's P.O.V.

My mind is racing a mile a minute as I sit here and wait for the conversation to start. I look up at Daniel to try and get some reassurance but he is just looking into his lap. What does he know that I don't?

"Joey, we have sat you down to talk because we just want to understand you more," Mr. Preda says to me. I look him dead in the eyes. I drift my gaze over to Daniel and I see him looking dead at me with guilt in his eyes.
"How are you supposed to understand me?" I say with a large amount of sass heavily injected into my tone and body language. Why the fuck do they think they can understand me of they don't even accept me?
"We just want to know a little bit more of your side. You know, how you came to terms with it and such," my mom says placing her hand on my thigh. I want nothing more in the world than to fling it off me but I know that probably isn't the smartest thing at this point.
"Okay. Ask me questions then," I say gesturing towards them. I look towards Daniel and he looks like he is about to throw up. What is wrong with him?
"How long have you known you were. Um, gay?" Mr. Preda says as if it kills him to say the g-a-y word.
"I've always been gay. It wasn't something I just woke and thought would be fun," I say. And it's true. It's not like I just decided hey, you know what? Let's make life ten times harder on me just because I love someone. Alright fun.
"Why do you like guys?" My mom said to me as if she is extremely cluelesd to the whole love thing.
"Same reason you do. Because they make me feel more special than a girl. Because that is who I want to be in my life. Because I like di-" Daniel cits me off.
"He likes who he wants to like. Ask better questions," Daniel says looking from my mom to his dad and then dead at me. I see a small bead of sweat run down his forehead and he lifts his hand to wipe it.
"Okay, have you ever dated a boy?" Mr. Preda says. Well, I sure as hell am not going to make it known that I am dating Daniel.
"Yes. Yes I have," I say trying to keep the name as far out of the answer as possible.
"And did you. Have sex?" My mom says causing me to go bright red. I see Daniel out of my periphriel vision and he looks on the edge of vomitting.
"Yes. We did," I take in a deep breath and slowly let it out to try and make my cheeks return to their natural color.
"Did you cu-" Daniel cuts his dad off again.
"I can't take this anymore!" Daniel says standing up after slamming his hand on the table. His sudden outburst causes naucesa to brink in my stomach because unfortunatley, I think I know what is going to happen next.

Daniel looks at me. Lovingly. As if what he is about to say is going to send a knife straight through my body. No. No. No.

"I'm gay And I can't sit here and listen to you guys pester Joey about it and hold it in," Daniel says in one fast breath. After it leaves I can see he only looks more sick. You would think that would make him look more relieved but for some fucked up reason he looks worse.
"Daniel I-" I say trying to make sure he doesn't take this too far but he cuts me off.
"Joey don't. Please," he says running his hand roughly through his hair. My mom and Mr. Preda both looked stunned. Like they don't know what to say.

"So, you're both gay?" My mom says to try and wrap her brain around the whole situation. Daniel and I both nod our heads and take a deep breath.
"Okay well. I need some time to think about this and i'm sure Mrs. Graceffa does too. So boys, go to Joey's room. Good night," Daniel's dad says pointing upstairs with one hand and placing the other over his face.

Daniel and I are both quick to stand up and we basiclly run up the stairs. I'm behind Daniel when we are running and I can already feel the tears brimming in my eyes.

"Why did you do that?" I say when we get in the room and lock the door.
"I couldn't just sit there and watch them beat you up knowing I was gay too. I couldn't," Daniel says walking up to me and pulling me into a tight hug. I rest my head on his chest and slowly listen to his heart beat.
"You didn't have to do that," I say and he kisses my head.
"Believe me, I did," he says as we walk over to the bed. We turn the lights out and fall asleep holding eachother tight.

But one thing runs through my head all night, why did he have to?