After school, I relaxed at home and caught up on Monstar. Priscilla later chauffeured me to work in the most normal car we had in the garage. Being rich means being driven all over the place. I'm not sure if they will let me drive on my own. I mean, I want to learn... but the last time I tried, the car went into reverse instead of drive and backed into a ditch at full speed.

Priscilla has banned me from driving until further notice after that incident. She's calmed down enough to let me sit in the passenger seat though.

The coffee shop was moving a little slower than usual today. Though, our usual customers still attended without a doubt. It was a little warmer than expected for Autumn, but we do offer chilled drinks. I really needed the subtle chatter to clear my rambling thoughts. I love the coffeeshop atmosphere.

During my break, I retrieved my notebook of wonders and started on my English assignment in the break room. My usual writing stance would be sliding down in my chair, resting my feet on the table, and propping my notebook on my legs. Yes, I could type it up on my computer and be done. But there's just something special about putting down on paper.

So there I was in the break room, spending countless minutes staring down at my paper, waiting for something to happen. I couldn't find the inspiration that I needed...

"Write a story about a piece of your life without directly saying it... how the hell am I supposed to write about my boring life?" I sighed.

I needed something worthy of sharing. The whole class was going to know about it and I'd prefer to not be teased any more than I already am.

Embarrassing moments? I'd be asking for a beat down. High class galas and balls? What am I, an aristocrat? Oh wait, I kinda am... Childhood memories? Please kill me now. What about my mom? No, anything but that! But, I already have notebooks full of that topic that I could reference. Maybe... maybe just once? I wouldn't have to directly say it, so...

"Hello~? Anyone home?" Lizzy appeared out of nowhere, crashing my train of thought.

"I'm here, I just can't find the inspiration to start my English project..."

"Whaaaaaaat? The great Devon of tales can't write a story? Do you have a fever?" She teased, checking my vitals and temperature.

"I'm okay! Of sorts... but I think I'm experiencing writer's block..."

"Well, then don't think about it. Doesn't inspiration just come out of nowhere? Take an inspiration break... and tell me the details! What happened between you and that guy I set you up with? You never told meeeee!" She plummeted into the chair adjacent to me with an enthusiastic smile. Her thought process never ceases to amaze me.

Her hazelnut eyes sparkled with fascination when I stated the facts, "His name is Min Seong-jae and he's from South Korea. Coincidently, we go to the same school. Oh! He's on the soccer team and... he called me cute today..."

"Awww~ my little trash can has a crush! You're as red as strawberries on cheesecakes~" she chimed.

Curse you, bashfulness!

"H-he's really adorable, okay? I really like the way he talks... but I have to be realistic about this. He could just be playing with my feelings! I don't even know if he's gay or not, he could just be a flirty person..." The dreaded voices in the back of my mind reappeared.

"Don't psyche yourself out! You have to be confident. Even if he is straight, you two should still become best friends. You both can geek out and do nerd things like play Pokémon," her advice felt more of a tease. I knew that she cared though.

"Well, straight guys don't usually call other guys cute. Unless they're flirty fuckboys..."

"Devon, confidence. Confidence! He might be at least a little gay. When's the next time you see him?"

"Tomorrow at school and this Saturday. He invited me to his soccer game and to hangout afterwards," I checked my calendar on my phone for the umpteenth time to make sure that I was free.

"This Saturday, huh? I didn't know you'd go on a date so soon. My powers are stronger than usual..." she gazed into her hands with amazement.

"It's not a date!" I protested, "We're probably just going to play video games, eat food, and talk about common interests."

"Uh huh, soon there won't be much talking. If you get my drift~" I could feel the suggestive wink in her voice.

"Lizzy!" I scolded, "There will be no sexual acts in his house, It's just a hangout to know each other better."

"You right, you right. Just met, understandable. I have taught you well," she tussled my hair with a shit eating grin.

I wasn't amused, but she kept on being the annoying older sister type. She stopped when she realized that her break was almost over. Lizzy calmed down and left me with an odd expression. It wasn't a concerning one, but it came with something quite sentimental. Sentiment is quite out of her character.

"You're going to have to come out to him some time, make sure that he understands and accepts you. Then, worry about him feeling the same way."

I understood what she meant and nodded. A small smile appeared on her face as she walked out the door, "I hope you two at least become great friends. I have faith in you, Devon."

"Thanks..." my voice trailed behind her. I sighed, staring down at blank pages once again. My English project was going to have to wait.

I guess I should call Priscilla to tell her my plans...

I pulled my phone out of my pocket, charms clinking and chiming together. My hand just finished typing in the code when I got a phone call. It was Priscilla.

"I was just about to call you!" I chuckled.

"Really? I just hoped that you were on break.  I didn't want to interfere with your work..."

"That's really sweet of you. So, what's up? You don't usually call me, like, ever."

"I wish I could have waited, but it's too urgent to pause..." she wasn't as peppy as usual.

"What do you mean? What is it?"

She stayed on the line, silent. I knew that something wasn't right.

"I just got a message from your father... he'll be back in town by this weekend--" my mind shut off. I couldn't believe the words she said. I just wouldn't believe. My dad and I are not on good terms. Let alone the fact that he doesn't know that I'm gay.

"This is the first I know of this, so don't blame me for the short notice," she exhaled.

"Th-this weekend?" I almost dropped my phone. "What time? What day?"

"His flight should arrive Saturday morning, around ten... Devon? Are you there?"

This Saturday... but our hangout. Seong-jae seemed so happy to hear that I would come to his game. Why does Dad have to come back this weekend? Why not next?! Why is he even coming back in the first place? Is he going to start caring about me for once? Hardly. I haven't come out to him yet and I don't want it to be rushed...

"Priscilla, he can't come this weekend," my voice was low and tame.

"Devon, we both know that you're going to have to face him some time. What's wrong this time?"

"This time? This time I plan to hang out with Seong-jae. This Saturday. In the morning! I am not letting Dad ruin my adolescent years more than he already has." I didn't mean to yell. Before I knew it, I found myself apologizing frantically with tears streaming down my face.

Her voice softened with sympathy, "Oh, Devon it's okay, don't cry. You were just frustrated. I didn't know..."

There was an odd silence. Then, her voice gave in, "I can't do anything to delay his flight, but I can say that you will be gone for the day. I could~ possibly say that you could be practicing for the Courtship Gala that's in a few months. He wouldn't pry too much into that."

The Courtship Gala... ugh. The ravish party for rich teens that are coming of age and the like. Looks like I'm hiding in the closet for the whole night again, no pun intended. I hope my ex-girlfriend isn't there. She took my coming out as a way to break up with her. In reality, I just thought that she deserved someone who actually likes spending money as much as she does. I still wanted to be friends with her.

"As much as I hate to say it, that would be perfect," My thoughts were pushed back to the hell they came from as I calmed down.

"I really want this to happen, you two at least becoming friends. Grace can't be your only friend forever."

"I know..."

"You're going to have to tell your father soon, I don't think at the Gala would be a grand idea--"

"I know, I know! Just... give me some time? He's not exactly easy to talk to. I don't think that he would accept his only son to be gay and a crossdresser..." I sighed.

"If he doesn't, I'm going to break his legs," she teased enthusiastically.

"Alright Nora Valkyrie, but thanks for the offer."

I gave her the details that Seong-jae later shared with me for Saturday before sending her off. My break would be over soon and I still needed a topic for my English project.

Maybe Seong-jae could help? I wonder what he's going to write about...

*^*

That night, I couldn't sleep. My mind simply just wouldn't calm down. Mixed emotions and repetitive scenarios echoed through the depths of my faint slumber. Excited to be hanging out with a potential friend; Uneasy to be dealing with my father so soon. I tossed and turned, flicked sheets and fluffed pillows, but nothing worked. Then, my mind wandered to some repressed memories...

I know I said that I never met her, but I think I was just too small to remember the face of my mother. Only because there's a voice that I recall that could only belong to her. A soft, loving voice with a foreign sort of twang. I remember her singing to me as a baby, so proper and shushed during a rainstorm.

"By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes..."

"Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomon'..."

"Where me and my true love were ever won't to gae..."

"On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond..."

I never hated her my mother. I don't know why she left, but I don't think that she wanted to leave me. Mothers would give their life for their children... right? Maybe Dad could finally explain what happened to her. Whenever I get the chance he just blows it off as "Teenage nonsense" and "Boys your age shouldn't be crying for their mothers."

I just want to know who she is, after all, boys take after their mothers. And I certainly don't take after my father!

Gawd, this certainly isn't going to help me sleep. Maybe I should just watch some K-Drama until I get sleepy? What time is it, 1:30? I do need to catch up on Sassy Go Go. Maybe I'll watch one episode... I love it when Kim Yeol smiles~

XxStoryRiderxX: I just wanted to say, thanks so much for 100 reads! I apologize for the super delay, summer is here and I can finally bunker down to get stuff done. That is all, see you in the next chapter!

［XxStoryRiderxX has signed off］