“You’re dating Emma’s brother?!”

                Ant stared at me, his mouth hanging open once he was done speaking. I nodded and he shook his head.

                “Wow. I remember Emma telling me her brother was gay, but I never realized you were talking to him. Or that you were into older men,” he said.

                I blushed a little. “He’s only 19,” I said defensively. “And I’m 17. It’s not that bad.”

                “Collie’s trying to make Misha sound younger. Misha turns 20 in less than three weeks,” Emma said, smiling sweetly as I shot her a glare.

                “Shut up,” I said, rolling my eyes. “It’s still not that bad. It’s legal, at least.”

                “Legal? Did you have sex with him?” Ant asked curiously.

                “No, but they were basically screwing each other on Misha’s bed yesterday,” Emma said, laughing.

                “Collie!” Colin cried in shock, staring at me. “You better not…I mean…you just started dating him! Don’t sleep with him yet!”

                I gestured to Ant. “Yes Colin, you’re the role model of abstinence.”

                Colin blushed as Ant grinned. “Sh-Shut up Collie,” he mumbled shyly.

                “YOU’RE SO CUTE!” Ant gushed, wrapping his arms around Colin’s neck and kissing him on the lips.

                Colin pulled away from Ant and smiled at him lovingly. He turned his attention back to me a frown appeared on his face.

                “Are you sure about tonight?” he asked nervously.

                I had already told him my plan to have Misha over tonight. After a few minutes of arguing with him and convincing him to help me make tonight a good time, he had reluctantly agreed. We were picking Misha up after school.

                “I’m positive. Mom and dad met your boyfriend. It’s time for them to officially meet mine,” I said calmly. “Misha’s come over for a few bonfires, but he’s never actually talked to mom or dad. We never introduced him. They just knew he was Emma’s big brother.”

                “Just don’t let your parents be mean to my brother,” Emma said, a fierce protectiveness entering his eyes. “Misha may not seem it, but he is pretty tough when it comes to what people say about his sexuality. Our parents really helped him build up a thick skin about it. But I think if your parents say anything, it will hurt him, just because he cares so much about you Collie.”

                “I won’t let them be mean to Misha,” I said flatly. “They can say what they want about me, but I won’t stand for them to say anything bad about Misha, or Ant, or Colin.”

                “Colin, can I kidnap your brother and make him mine?” Ant asked, shooting Colin puppy-dog eyes.

                “No way! Get your own brother,” Colin grumbled.

                “I kind of can’t. Single mom, remember?” Ant said, poking Colin in the cheek. “Besides, I want Collie! He’s adorably protective.”

                I rolled my eyes at Ant but didn’t say anything. I had a feeling that Colin knew what had happened to Ant’s dad, whether he had left the family or died or something, but he never said anything about it. Other than that, no one seemed to know why Ant Andrews didn’t have a father.

                “Well he’s my brother, not yours!” Colin said stubbornly.

                “Seriously Ant, I had to be in the womb with him for 9 months. You don’t get much closer to a guy than that,” I pointed out.

                Ant smirked. “I don’t know Collie; I’ve gotten pretty close to Colin.”

                “That is disgusting and disturbing. I don’t enjoy hearing about my brother’s sex life,” I said with a sigh.

                Colin blushed as the bell rang. We got up and made our way to class. The day crawled by until the final bell had rung, and Colin and I were getting in the car together a few minutes later.

                “Are you sure about this?” he asked me yet again as we neared the Redner’s house.

                “Positive,” I said confidently.

                Colin pulled into the Redner’s driveway and I texted Misha to let him know I was there. A minute later, he came out of the front door, looking so attractive that I had to remind myself to breath normally.

                Colin let out a whistle as he watched Misha walk towards the car. “Damn Collie, you sure know how to pick a boyfriend.”

                “You have Ant. Keep your eyes off of my boyfriend!” I said sternly.

                Colin blushed. “I know I have Ant, and Ant is all I want. I was just, you know, pointing out a fact.”

                Misha got in the back of the car and shut the door. “Hi Collie! Hi Colin!” he said cheerfully.

                He was wearing black shorts that hung just past his knees. He had on a blue, black, and white plaid shirt, the dark blue highlighting the blue in his mostly green eyes. He had a random assortment of bracelets that ran up part of his arm, his favorite rainbow one standing out.

                “I, uh, I messed up my hair a little. I know you like it that way,” he said shyly, instantly transforming from sexy to cute.

                “I do,” I said, reaching out and pushing his bangs out of his eyes. “You look fucking sexy.”

                He blinked. “Do I normally look fucking ugly?”

                “No. You’re either cute or sexy, and today you’re sexy.” I leaned over and pressed my lips to his before he could pout.

                But as soon as I pulled away from his lips, a pout slid onto his face. “I am NOT cute! I am almost 20 years old. I am a man. Men are not cute.”

                “I like cute.”

                “Well, I’m not 20 quite yet. So, cute it is!”

                I chuckled and faced forwards as Colin drove. We got to our house and got out of the car. I led Misha inside and down to the basement, since my parents were upstairs making dinner. I wouldn’t introduce them until we were sitting down to eat.

                “It’s been a while since I’ve been in your room,” he said, looking around at it and rubbing his arms. “I forgot how cold it is down here.”

                “Well, you’re in the basement of my house,” I said, wrapping my arms around him and kissing his neck.

                “Don’t ever take your arms away from me. And no, I’m not being romantic. I just don’t want to freeze to death,” he said, hugging me back tightly.

                “Well, I could keep you down here as a little Misha statue,” I said, smirking a little.

                “Jesus Christ, you have to be part penguin Collie. How the hell do you stand the cold?” he whined.

                “Oh hush,” I said, leading him over to my bed.

                We crawled under the covers together and I cuddled up to Misha. He kissed my forehead before resting his head on my chest and taking my hand in his. He traced light circles on the back of my hand with his thumb.

                “I’m so glad that we’re finally dating, Collie. You have no idea how amazing it is to call you my boyfriend. Or how proud I was to change my relationship status on Facebook.”

                “Dork,” I groaned.

                He chuckled and shifted, kissing me. “Your dork.”

                “My dork,” I agreed.

                “Collie! Dinner!” my mom’s voice called from upstairs.

                “Ready to meet the family?” I asked.

                “Of course,” he said, smiling and taking my hand as we got out of bed.

                I led him up the stairs, releasing his hand as we stepped into the dining room. Colin and dad were already sitting down together, talking. Dad looked up at me, and mom looked over at me as she entered the room and set down a gallon of milk on the table.

                “Oh, Collie. I didn’t realize you were bringing a friend over for dinner,” mom said in surprise.

                I nodded, gesturing at Misha to sit down. He did, and I sat next to him. I waited until mom was sitting before speaking.

                “Mom, dad, this is Emma’s brother,” I said.

                “I remember him from one of the bonfires last summer,” dad said. “Nice to see you again! Michael, right?”

                “Misha, sir,” Misha corrected.

                “Misha and I are dating,” I said, speaking calmly. I took his hand in mine. “And I wanted you guys to officially meet him since he’s my boyfriend now.”

                My parents’ faces paled as they stared at our hands. I saw the nervousness entering Misha’s eyes as he watched them.

                “Absolutely not. Unacceptable,” dad said flatly.

                “Mr. Archer, please listen to me,” Misha said, his voice strong. “I understand that you and your wife don’t approve of homosexuality.”

                “Damn right we don’t,” dad grumbled, but Misha ignored it and kept speaking.

                “But I can promise you that mine and Collie’s relationship will hardly be different than a heterosexual one. I care deeply about your son, and I would do absolutely anything to make him happy,” Misha said seriously, squeezing my hand.

                “If you care about him, you’ll stay away from him,” mom said, her eyes flashing. “Collie’s not a homosexual.”

                “Stop,” I said, starting to feel my hope deflating. “Mom, dad, stop it. Can’t we just have a nice dinner? I’m dating Misha, and that’s not going to change. I’m happy with Misha. Can’t you see that? Can’t you just be happy for me?” My voice was starting to sound a little desperate. “I want to date him. He’s good to me. He cares about me. And I can’t remember the last time I was this happy.”

                “Collier, you’re not gay,” dad said, forcing himself to keep his voice even. “And you will not have a relationship with another boy.”

                “You let me date Ant. Let Collie date Misha,” Colin spoke up.

                “We only did that so that we could deal with Collie. And neither of you are going to be dating boys. I have had enough of this foolishness. Collier, I forbid you from dating this boy. And Colin, you better break off all ties with Anthony. Or else I will send both of you away to your grandmother’s house,” dad snarled.

                “No. I’m dating Misha. Now please, can we just be like a normal family?” I asked, my eyes pleading as I remember how Mr. and Mrs. Redner told me and Misha that we were good together and that they were so happy for us.

                “A normal family doesn’t have gay sons. So when you’ve been at Emma’s house, you’ve been with Misha?” mom asked, shooting my an accusing look.

                “Yes,” I said, meeting her eyes. “I said I was at Emma’s house. I never said I was with Emma.”

                “Mr. and Mrs. Archer, please,” Misha said nervously.

                “Shut up!” dad said, shooting him a dirty look.

                “Don’t tell him to shut up!” I snapped at dad. I took a deep breath to calm myself down. “I just want you guys to be happy for me. Nothing makes me happier than doing this with Misha.”

                I turned and wrapped my arms around Misha’s neck, kissing him passionately. Misha was shocked for a minute before placing his hands on my hips firmly.

                I could hear my mom let out a noise that was between a choking sound and a scream. I ignored it and tangled my good hand in Misha’s hair, pulling him even closer to me.

                I broke away from the kiss and faced me parents with an honest smile. “I like doing that. Hell, I love doing that. I love having Misha as a boyfriend. I just want you guys to be happy for me, even if you don’t necessarily approve of our relationship.”

                My mom looked ready to throw up, staring at me in absolute horror. All the color had drained out of my father face.

                But suddenly, bright red filled my dad’s cheeks as rage exploded in his eyes. He stood up and stormed over, forcing me to stand and pulling me behind him protectively.

                “GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! STAY AWAY FROM MY GOD DAMN SON!” he shrieked at Misha.

                Misha stared at him in terror. I tried to shove around my dad, but he gripped my shirt tightly, holding me in place next to him.

                “NOW!” he screamed, pointing in the direction of the front door. “And if I ever find out you were near my son again, I swear to god you’ll regret it! Both of you will regret it! You want to have some Romeo and Juliet romance? They died at the end of their story! HOMOSEXUALITY IS WRONG, AND YOU WILL NOT TURN MY SON INTO A FAGGOT!”

                Misha got up, shooting me wide, concerned us before slowly backing away from the dinner table. I tried and failed once again to get away from my dad.

                “Misha, no!” I cried. “Don’t listen to him! Don’t leave!”

                He forced a shaky smile. “I’m sorry Collie, but now doesn’t seem like a good time. It was, uh, nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Archer.” He shot me another concerned look before leaving the house.

                Once the front door shut, my dad released me. I fell to my knees clenching my fists tightly as I shook.

                “What did you just do?” I whispered. “WHAT DID YOU JUST DO?”

                “I saved you, that’s what I did! I can’t believe you just kissed a boy Collie! Stay away from that faggot!” dad snapped.

                “MISHA ISN’T A FAGGOT!” I yelled, desperately holding back my emotions. “Don’t you ever fucking call him that! I swear I’ll hit you!”

                “Collier!” my mom gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth.

                Dad spun around, pointing a finger at Colin. “Go to your room. I’ll be there in a few minutes to discuss Anthony,” he said.

                Colin stood up, pale. “You better be not be mean to Collie, dad. I hope you know you just killed his happiness. I hope that makes you feel real good about yourself,” he said coldly before going into his bedroom and slamming his door.

                Dad grabbed me and dragged me down to my bedroom. He slammed my door and threw me onto my bed.

                “You did this Collier. You broke this family. We were happy before you decided you wanted to be a smartass little rebel and go around claiming to be gay. Swept your brother up into it, too. You will not see that boy. You will not see ANY boy. If I find out you’re going on with these homosexual tendencies, I will send you with your grandmother,” he said.

                “I hate you,” I choked out. “I really, really hate you.”

                “You’re not gay!”

                “When I lose my virginity to a boy, you’ll be the first one I call to tell.”

                He slapped me so hard that I winced and shrank back. He gripped my shirt and began to shake me violently.

                “You need help! We need to get you help!” he said. He stopped shaking me and hugged me tightly. “We need to get you help,” he repeated, this time in a desperate whisper. “There’s something wrong with you Collier. This isn’t normal. You’re taking this whole rebellious teenager stage too far, and it’s disgusting.”

                He released me and stepped back, eyeing my lips and shaking his head. “After what I just saw…I’m ashamed to even call you my son.”

                He turned and left my bedroom, quietly shutting the door. I grabbed a bag of Jolly Ranchers and chucked them at my door in pure fury.

                They hit the door and I watched as the bag exploded open, spilling the colored candies to the floor. I buried my face in my hands.

                “Why can’t you just be happy for me,” I whimpered, feeling tears springing to my eyes.

                I wiped at my eyes and went over to my door. I locked it and jammed a chair up under it before crawling out of my window.

                I popped in my earphones, listening to Outlaws of Love by Adam Lambert as I started towards the Redner’s house. My vision was blurred with tears that I desperately fought against.

                After a while, I stood outside of the Redner’s front door. I wiped at my eyes and rang the doorbell once I was sure my eyes weren’t wet anymore.

                Mrs. Redner answered and immediately pulled me into a hug. “Misha told us, Collie. You know you’re always welcome here,” she said gently, releasing me.

                Not wanting to nearly cry again, I simply nodded and hurried by her. I went upstairs and let myself into Misha’s bedroom.

                “Collie!” he cried in surprise, spinning around to face me.

                He jumped up and hurried over to me, pulling me into his room and shutting the door. He hugged me tightly.

                “Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Yell at you? Threaten you?” The concern in his eyes and voice killed me.

                “Nah, we sat down and acted out the entire Sound of Music,” I said, rolling my eyes. “The aftermath wasn’t pretty, but it was no big deal. A little back and forth bickering. Are you okay?”

                “I’m fine. I kind of expected that to happen,” he admitted, dropping his gaze. “Promise me you’re okay?” Like the dork he was, he held his pinky out to me.

                I wrapped my pinky around his. “I promise I’m okay,” I said, my face stinging and my heart shattered in my chest from my dad’s words.

                “Spend the night,” he said, pulling me down onto his bed and keeping his arms around me.

                “Well I didn’t come here just to say hi.”

                He chuckled and kissed me gently. Feeling horribly lonely, I rolled over so that I was on top of him, pinning his wrists above his head.

                I kissed him roughly. He opened his mouth for me, letting my tongue explore inside of it. I released his wrists, unbuttoning his plaid shirt and throwing it to the ground.

                My hands slid down his chest and gripped his belt. I pulled it off and undid his jeans, sliding them off and staring in confusion.

                “Are those penguins?” I asked, resisting the urge to face-palm myself.

                “What? I didn’t want my boxers to freeze in your room,” he said defensively.

                He wrapped his arms around my neck and pulled me back down so that I was kissing him. I mumbled “Dork” against his mouth, but allowed myself to get lost in our make-out.

                I stripped my own shirt off hastily. My hands moved down, starting to tug at Misha’s penguin boxers.

                Misha gently gripped my wrists and shook his head at me. “No. This isn’t the right time to be doing this,” he said, despite the lust in his eyes. “You’re upset. I don’t want to give myself to you just because you’re upset.”

                “I’m not upset. I’m horny. There’s a very distinct difference.”

                He rolled his eyes and pulled me down, holding me against his bare chest. He ran his hand through my hair and kissed me.

                “Why don’t you stay here for a few nights? Your parents don’t even have to know. You know my parents won’t tell them,” Misha said.

                “I guess,” I said after thinking it over. I couldn’t stay in my house much longer. I would go absolutely crazy. My emotions were already starting to get out of hand, and it was scaring me.

                “And when I get my apartment…Collie, I want you to move in with me,” he said, his voice serious.

                I couldn’t help but burst into laughter as I looked at that serious face of his. He stared at me, a little hurt creeping into his eyes.

                “Uh…s-s-sorry. That was stupid of me to even say,” he mumbled.

                “No, no, no,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m laughing because you very seriously just asked me to move in with you, while you’re wearing penguin boxers. Misha, how can I take you seriously when you’re actually wearing penguin boxers?”               

                He blushed and pulled a blanket over his lower half. “There, happy? Now leave my penguin boxers alone!”

                “I bet you named all the penguins on them. There was one right over your crotch. Can that one be named Collie Jr.?” I asked.

                He blushed harder and I laughed and kissed him. He sighed and smiled, running his hand down my bare back.

                “So will you move in with me when I get an apartment? I should have one soon. You wouldn’t need to pay for it. Just help me pay for groceries,” he said, back to that serious tone.

                “I’ll think about it,” I promised him.

                Moving in with Misha…how great would that be? Able to just be with my boyfriend and be happy, no homophobic parents there to ruin my mood.

                But I also had to think about my brother. Colin was extremely dependent on me, and moving out so suddenly would hurt him. I’d have to talk it over with him, and ease him into the idea of not living with me anymore.

                “Thank you. Take your time thinking about it,” he said, kissing me.

                He shifted me so that I was next to him. He pulled the covers over us and pulled me into his arms, holding me against his bare chest and kissing my neck.

                “You seem so stressed out, and I can’t blame you after tonight. So you’re going to skip school tomorrow, and I’m going to take you out and cheer you up,” he said. I could hear the smile in his voice.

                I smiled softly. “Thanks Misha.”

                I turned in his arms and kissed him deeply. I pressed my face against his neck and closed my eyes. I felt him beginning to rake his fingers through my hair again and, despite the stress and depression of the day, I found myself drifting off to sleep in his arms happily.