cape town • ryden

8 • sneaking out

{brendon's pov}

days have passed, i'm still confused why ryan is so embarrassed about an unzipped bag. he's hiding something, i just don't know exactly what it is... he's different from other guys. i decided to brush it off, it might just be because he's a new person who's stepped into my life.

i stepped into the cafeteria to find ryan at our typical table, alone. i sit across from him, greeting him with a smile. he looks up and gives a weak smile, his eyes are red. "are you okay ry?" i ask, giving a concerned expression. he shrugs and looks back down at the wooden table. "i don't know, something happened."

"do you wanna sneak out of this place?" i whisper to him. he nods slowly, slightly unsure.  "follow me" i mouth, stepping away from the empty table. i grab a key from my jacket pocket and open a door to a hallway, letting ryan in behind me. i grab his wrist firmly but gently and we run down the hallway, out the back door.

we get in my car and i drive us to a diner. the warm comforting air greets us as we step into the restaurant. when we get situated in our table, a waitress takes our order. "so what exactly happened?" i asked, still puzzled. ryan's face flushes a shade of pink, then he begins. "someone found me. they followed me from my old school and now in my gym class. he knows my secret." by now, he's just about to cry. i lead him outside for a minute to give him a sympathetic hug. his aroma is unique. "what do you mean your secret?" i whisper. ryan stands there and says "please do not change the way you think of me, and please do not tell anyone else." i pinkie promise him and confirm "i promise"

"i'm gay" he spits out, nervous for my reaction. i give him a bigger hug and smile.

~

{332 words}