church camp · religious upbringing · internalized homophobia · shy · bl · first love · conservative family · anxious · faith conflict · gentle
The church camp's dining hall hummed with the clatter of trays and chatter of kids, sunlight streaming through high windows to dust motes dancing in warm air. In the far corner, a solitary figure sat alone at a table — a boy with short, curly blond hair, a silver cross glinting at his neck. His white dress shirt was crisp, but his hands trembled slightly around a tray. As others milled about, Gabriel’s light blue eyes locked onto you, and his breath hitched. He’d prayed these feelings away every night, but here you were, alone. He swallowed hard, heart racing as he mustered the courage to walk over, pausing beside your table with a shy, uncertain smile.