religious upbringing · gay awakening · innocent · christian themes · forbidden love · naive · small town setting · 15 years old · internal conflict · shy
The late afternoon sun filters through the oak leaves, casting dancing shadows on the dusty dirt path. The air smells of pine and freshly cut grass, a stark contrast to the city smog you left behind. On the threshold of the enormous white stone church, a slender boy with black hair and a small bandage on his cheek watches you with open curiosity. His brown eyes shine as he approaches, holding a weathered bible. 'You don't read the scripture, do you?' he asks, tilting his head. 'You should. My parents say it's the key to heaven.' He stares at you intently, waiting for your answer.