"So, is he nice?"

Scarlett wiggles her eyebrows at me. I almost throw my books at her to attempt and hide my blush. "Shut up."

"I never will."

She opens the door to the passenger seat of my car, which gives me the opportunity to catch my breath and think about how the actual frick I'll talk myself out of this conversation. 

"Don't ignore my question," she shakes her head. "I literally am responsible for the fact you two got together, I deserve the tea!"

My cheeks color red. "He's nice, yes."

"And. . .?"

"And nothing! He's my boyfriend, so of course he's nice to me. There's nothing more!" 

She seems skeptical about my explanation, but decides to grant me some peace and shuts up about it. "Okay. How did your math test go?"

Relieved, I tell her it went fine. I hadn't had much time to study for it, since Dallas kept me up all night by calling and asking to watch a movie in sync. After our classmate made a fool out of me last week, he's been really sweet and careful with me, which I appreciate. 

I don't like it when other people get in my business. All I want is to live a private life, to not share it with everyone. That's why I don't have any social media. Maybe that's where me and Dallas have differences, because he loves being in the spotlight. 

I haven't quite told him how I feel about it yet. He talks and laughs with a hundred different friends a day—other friends than his former ones, thankfully—and I'm just on his side, awkwardly looking around. I'm not social, and I never will be. 

But when he calls me in the evenings, the mood is just so good I don't feel like ruining it. Then he's laughing with me, without giving anyone else attention. He talks to me while he makes popcorn, he tells me about his brothers while he chooses a movie for the both of us. Since I only rewatch FRIENDS every single month again, I don't have any good suggestions. 

He promised we'll binge watch FRIENDS this summer, when we have all the time in the world. We'll build a comfortable spot in his garden, with lights and blankets and lots of snacks, and watch all the seasons. I can't wait. 

"You're really quiet," Scarlett notices, bring me back from my thoughts. I shrug. "I'm just tired, PE is hard."

Except that I only watch Dallas' muscles in PE instead of actually playing whatever sport.

"Hm, sure," she snorts. "Tell me, have you kissed already?"

I pointedly do not look at her direction. "No."

"You so have!"

". . . maybe."

"Oh my god, I'm so happy for you! Was it any good?" She's almost jumping up and down in her seat with excitement. Fortunately, I just happen to park in front of her house, so I don't have to answer her question. 

"Well?"

"Go inside, Scar," I mumble. There's no way I'l tell her about the way Dallas handled me last week, all soft touches and sweet nothings. My body heats up when I think about it alone. 

"I'll find out anyway," she grins and turns around, running to the front door. I wait until she's safely inside before I start the car again and drive home. 

Maybe I can make some snack for tonight, too. I'm craving ice cream. Mom always has stocked multiple boxes in the freezer, so I don't have to turn and go to the store. The only problem is dad, who doesn't want me eating anything unhealthy because he believes my body type isn't good. 

Joke's on him. Dallas always tell me just how beautiful I look. I'd rather believe my boyfriend than my homophobic dad. 

"Hello, honey," mom smiles at me. It's a wonder how she heard me, since her playlist is blasting on full volume and her back is turned as she's cooking. 

"Hi, mom." I walk to the cupboards of the kitchen, deciding on helping her and setting the table. Maybe that brings dad in a good mood, and just maybe he'll let me have an ice cream then. 

"How is the boyfriend?" she winks. I turn in shock. "Mom!"

"What now? I can't know how my baby is doing in his relationship?" 

"Is our son in a relationship?" Dad walks in, not even bothering to look up from his newspaper as he sits down at the table. I give mom a warning look. Dad can't know. 

"No, I was just playing. I wish he was," mom sends me another wink, placing the dish on table. Hm, salmon with spinach. I sit down on my normal place, next to mom and in front of dad. He hasn't looked up yet, which gives me hope.

"So I was wonde—"

"It doesn't surprise me he isn't in any relationship, look at his stick figure." Dad shakes his head, finally putting his paper aside. My hope is crushed. 

"Donald! Leave him be," mom warns, but dad never listens to her. I keep my eyes on my plate as I eat, scared to set him off. 

"I'm just speaking the truth! He isn't doing any sport, doesn't eat much and only studies! Our son is a nerd!"

I flinch a little at that name. I'm doing my best to not be a nerd, to not be an outsider, but it's really hard when I have bad social skills. 

Mom points at him with her knife. "He isn't! Dylan is a sweet guy, and just because he doesn't follow in your footsteps as the high school's football captain doesn't mean he doesn't deserve his dad's love. Come on, Donald, his self esteem is already low, I don't need you making it worse."

A scoff. "Well, Tabitha, maybe his self esteem wouldn't be so low if he got on the team! He doesn't even try! No wonder none of the girls like him."

My fists clench around my cutlery. I look up at dad and immediately catch his eyes. "I'm gay, dad. I don't need girls noticing me."

He rolls his eyes. "That's a phase, Dylan. Aren't you friends with the captain? A just ask him if you can join the team, and everything will fall into place. You'll understand there's nothing better than have girls throw themselves at you. You won't need this stupid feeling anymore."

"It's not stupid! I like boys, not girls, and that's never going to change!"

"Turn your phone in."

I frown in confusion. "W-what? What does that have to do with anything—"

"Phone. Now. You'll get it back when you come home with a girlfriend." He flattens his hand with an impatient scowl on his face. 

I look at mom, who is seething and glaring at him. "Donald, this is unreasonable. You have to accept him as he is."

"I would rather die."

"Then do! If I had known this would happen, I would have never married you!" She gets up and runs to their bedroom. I glare at dad. He looks unaffected, still with his hand flat and waiting for my phone. 

"You know what, fine!" I throw my phone onto his hand, already wondering how I'll tell Dallas I can't call him tonight. 

Instead of locking it in a box or hiding it or something, I watch as dad lifts his knee and snaps my phone in two. A horrified gasp leaves my mouth. "But—"

"Do not ever disrespect like that again," he warns before making his way outside and slamming the front door closed. I kneel next to my broken phone, mourning all the pictures I sneakily took of Dallas, which I can never get back now. 

**

There's a knock on my window. 

I've gone to bed way sooner than normal, not in the mood for studying or anything else. I couldn't even send Dallas a goodnight text, all because of dad.

A muffled, "Wake up, love,"has me sitting up in shock. What the heck is Dallas doing here?

I quickly open my window, allowing him to climb inside and leave his dangerous spot in the tree. Asking him the same question, I wonder why there's this tiny bubble inside of me, waiting to burst open and spread happiness all through my body. 

"Well, you didn't pick up, and I thought something was wrong. Giving the fact you're in bed at eight thirty, there is." He shrugs, not bothering to explain any more as he wraps his arm around me. 

Almost as if he switched a button in my mind, I completely relax in his embrace. His arms around me, his scent all around me, it all gives me the feeling that dad can't break me. 

"What's going on, sweetheart?"

I snuggle into his chest, not answering. I don't want to; it'd ruin this hug. And dad has already ruined enough today. 

He sighs and picks me up, walking to the bed until he's seated on it with me on his lap. I almost smile in a giddy way, glad I got what I wanted. 

"Do you want to watch a movie like this, then?" he suggests. I shrug; I don't really care what we do, as long as I can stay in his arms, I'm happy. 

"What about the first episode of FRIENDS?" 

Now I do react. "I thought that was for this summer?"

He kisses the top of my head, which has me closing my eyes. I could fall asleep like this for sure. "It'd be like a preview for me."

"Okay." I nod, reaching for the remote on the side of my bed. There's barely a few centimeters between me and the stupid thing, but my arm is too short and I don't want to leave Dallas' hug. 

"Oh, too bad. Let's just cuddle then," I shrug, that idea being my best of all time. He chuckles and reaches for the device. Of course he can get it with ease. 

"I would never say no to cuddle time with you, love."