the adventures of victor

exhale

victor-
"mom, dad...i'm gay" i exhale as i look around the room. silence lingered for what felt like forever. my dad stood up and looked me dead in the eyes. he looked as though he wanted to speak but couldn't. moments later he opened his mouth.

"unbelievable. this will not be tolerated in my house victor." i couldn't believe it. my hands began to shake as my mother stood up. she looked at my father and began to yell.

"your house?" she said. "last i checked you and i were separating, if you're going to talk to our son like this you're going to leave." i looked back at dad as tears fell down my cheeks. he lunged from the couch and walked into his bedroom, where he slammed the  door. i look over at pilar, hoping for acceptance. she looked confused, like she was still comprehending.

"victor who's b?? and what happened with mia? oh my god victor b is benji isn't it?!" pilar shot rapid fire questions at me and i didn't even know where to begin to explain. i sorted my thoughts and pieced together my words.

" yes pilar... it's benji." i looked down hesitant to say the next part, "...and i really, really like him. he makes me feel safe, and loved, and when i'm with him i feel like i can be who i truly am. but i was scared to let myself feel this way about him." i take a breath of relief . my mother draws my attention by putting her hand on my shoulder.

"mi amor, don't be scared. the hard parts over." she hugged me tight. i felt comfort knowing that she is with me and supports me. my mom, one of the most important people in life, accepting who i am. "so...when do i get to meet benj?" she joked. i laughed and explained to her about the party and how he was with his now ex boyfriend.

moments later i hear another slam from down the hallway. my father appeared with a small suitcase and a disappointed look written all over his face. he looked at us with his hand on the doorknob, "i need to go, my cousin who lives a few minutes out said i could stay with him. i need to just be alone right now." seconds later the door shut and he was gone. i couldn't help but feel that this was my fault. tears fell down my face again and without a moment of hesitation my mom was wiping the tears away.

"i'm so sorry mi amor, this isn't your fault. your father just needs time away from all of this. he needs to know that this is worth fighting for." i looked over to pilar sitting in her chair. she got up, still looking angry.

"i get you needed to figure things out victor and i'm happy you found yourself, but that gives you no excuse to cheat on mia. you need to talk to her." pilar vanished into her bedroom. i hug my mom one last time before heading to my room.

pilar-
i cant believe this. i get that victor was confused but that doesn't give him an excuse to lie to me or mia or anyone else. i'm stuck in this house with people that lie. i have absolutely no one to lean on and no one to trust. as tears roll down my face a hear a ding from my phone. i guy messaged me from creekwood. but i thought everyone from creekwood hated me.
-
(11:30 pm)

shawn: hey pilar. i don't know if you know me, i'm in your psych class and i was wondering if maybe you'd want to grab a coffee or see a movie with me sometime.

thinking of the words to say i write back to him. of course i want to get coffee with him. i'm all alone in this stupid city.

pilar: yeah that sounds nice, do you wanna grab coffee and brasstown tomorrow?

shawn: it's a date!
_
a date? finally my first date since my ex boyfriend dumped me. i take my dress and makeup off from the dance and put on my comfy clothes. i lay in bed eager for tomorrow's date.

victor-
i took off my suit and slipped on a tshirt and sweatpants. i reached for my phone on my nightstand. i should probably text benji. out of everything bad that happened tonight, i have benji. i clicked on his contact and sent him a message, hoping he was still awake.
-
(11:47 pm)
victor: i did it. i came out to my parents.

benji: are you ok?

victor: i've been better.

benji: victor i'm proud of you.

victor: thanks. can i see you tomorrow?

benji: miss me already huh?

victor: maybe...

benji: how about we grab coffee at brasstown tomorrow. and we can talk about everything.

victor: see you tomorrow.

benji: goodnight victor

victor: night.
-
i tossed and turned while struggling to fall asleep. eventually i admitted defeat. i looked around my room and noticed the walkie talkie that felix gave me. i picked it up hoping felix was awake. " hey felix i don't know if you're awake but i really need to talk to you. meet me on the steps outside?" i sat the walkie talkie down, grabbed my jacket and headed out the door.

felix-
"meet me on the steps outside-" what could victor possibly need at midnight. this cant be good. i left my apartment and found a seat on the curb where victor came out to me. shortly after victor makes his way towards me.

"what do you need buddy?" i ask. i notice the worry in his face and i immediately motion for him to sit next to me. once victor joins me in the curb he begins tell me how his night went.

"i...i kissed benji." my heart exploded with happiness for victor. yet i had so many questions.

"that's amazing!" i give him a second to collect himself before giving me the rest of the story . he goes on about how mia saw him and how upset she was.

"but then when i got home? i finally did it. i came out to my parents."

"oh my god victor is everything okay?" i begin to worry. i can tell victor has gone full panic mode. he beings to ramble about his dad leaving and pilar being upset with him. i don't know what to do at this point or how to comfort him. i embrace him into a hug and we sit there for a minute. i pull away and give the best advice i can think of. "victor your dad will come around. he's your father, and he loves you, and pilar too. as far as mia, maybe try and write her a letter like you did for benji so you can explain everything to her? it might work."

"felix you're a genius." i smile at victor and respond,

"happy to help." i battle myself if i should tell him about me and lake or to wait another day.

"so tell me about your night." victor asked. i took this as a sign that it was okay to tell him about us.

"well, you and mia actually won king and queen but since you both left me and lake accepted on your behalf, and then...she kissed me in front of the whole school." a smile widens across my face thinking about the moment lake told everyone she liked me.

"felix that's amazing!" i share a hug with victor one last time before we head back into our apartments. the night was finally over and a quickly fell asleep.