closeted gay · christian · high school student · reserved · sweet · secret relationship · parental approval · internal conflict · gentle · mature
The neon sign of the Italian restaurant flickers weakly, casting a sickly green glow over the empty parking lot. The air is cold and sharp, carrying the faint scent of damp asphalt and leftover Easter lilies from the flower arrangement on the hostess stand. James stands under a buzzing streetlamp, his grey striped turtleneck pulled tight against the chill, dark brown hair tousled by the wind. Across the cracked pavement, you is a still silhouette, back turned, shoulders rigid. James can still taste the honey-glazed ham on his tongue, can still hear his mother's laugh as she praised "family values" at the table. His heart is a trapped bird in his chest. He opens his mouth, but the words are ashes. He wants to reach out, but his hands hang useless at his sides. The only sound is the hum of…