30. Official

-Max-

The week had been the most horrible one in my entire life. I was still shaken about what happened to Sky. I couldn't get rid of the image of him with soaking wet and bloody clothes, and a scared look on his face. I could still see him clearly; I could still see every bloodstain on his face.

That moment when he had appeared from the woods... I thought my heart stopped.

And after hearing what Cain – my own teammate – had done to him, I wanted him dead. I scared Sky and myself with all that anger I felt. I really wanted to kill him. Troy and Luke had been too kind to them. They told me what they did, but when the police came to me asking about the injuries Cain and his friends had suffered, I told them nothing.

Troy, Luke and I swore not to tell anyone, including Sky, about what happened that day in the woods. We would take that story to our graves.

Sky was really shaken about everything, and I hated how people kept asking him questions, and when the interviewers came, I almost lost it. Sky had been through enough already, but he surprised me once again by being stronger than I thought. He repeated the story over and over again to everyone who asked.

But he wasn't himself. He wasn't happy; he didn't get excited about anything; he didn't talk about animals or nature, and he didn't even blink when our biology teacher told us we could change our project if we wanted to get an easier subject without it affecting our grades.

All Sky had told him was that we would think about it. But he didn't bring it up.

I was getting really worried about him. I wanted to do something, anything, to cheer him up, but I couldn't bring a smile to his face, no matter what I did. When I tried to talk to him, he didn't seem like he was even listening.

Then he mentioned the cats he had helped to save, and the desperate me picked up a phone and called the rescue center, and luckily, they were more than happy to give us a tour.

And it seemed like it worked! Sky got excited again, and I almost cried in relief and happiness when I saw that wide, enthusiastic smile of his.

The tour was fascinating for me too, but seeing Sky smiling again was the highlight of my day. Afterwards, when we were saying our goodbyes to the two women who had given us the tour while my dad stopped the car right next to us, Sky was almost back to being himself.

"Thank you," he told me and hugged me.

I gave him a big hug, feeling reluctant to let him go. But my dad was already waiting, so I had to. I helped Sky in the car and walked around it to get in my seat right next to him.

"Did you have fun?" my dad asked.

"Yes!" Sky chirped and turned to smile at me.

It truly warmed my heart to see him so excited again. He was such a strong person. He was stronger than I could ever be.

"Okay. Let's take you home now then," my dad spoke, and the mood dropped in the car immediately.

Sky's smile trembled when he muttered, "Okay..."

I didn't want to be separated from him, and by the sad look he gave me, I believed he felt the same. I guess the sad atmosphere was so obvious even my dad noticed it, because the next thing he said was, "Hey – I have an idea. Why don't you join us for dinner, Sky?"

"Yes! I'd love that!" Sky spoke almost before my dad had even finished his sentence.

At that moment, I really liked my dad. I knew he was always trying to get back on my good side, but this time it worked. I turned to look at Sky and touched his hand when my dad wasn't looking.

I wondered, if my dad had known that Sky was my boyfriend, would he still try so hard to get me to like him again?

My mom was really curious about Sky when we arrived. She kept asking a ton of questions about school and hobbies and all that, like she hadn't already heard everything from me. Sky was polite and kept smiling and complimenting the food, but there was a topic that really sparked his interest.

My mom's cat, Asshole.

Okay, that wasn't his name.

"Guillermo! Come here kitty kitty!" my mom cooed under a table after dinner.

"Guillermo?" Sky whispered in my ear.

"Yup," I sighed. "She saw it in a movie or something. I just call him Asshole."

Sky giggled and turned to look at my mom, who found the lazy cat under a table in our living room. She grabbed the fat, ungrateful hissy-fit and cooed something incoherent while carrying it to us.

"He's so cute!" Sky said with a wide grin. "Hi, Mr. Guillermo," he continued and reached out with his hand.

"He'll bite you if you go too close," I told Sky and stopped him.

"No, he won't," my mom laughed. "He knows you don't like him so of course he doesn't like you!"

I rolled my eyes. "He hated me first."

Sky was completely oblivious to our conversation. He was still holding his hand right in front of Guillermo, who was eyeing him suspiciously.

"He likes you," my mom said in a warm tone.

"No he doesn't – he hates everybody!" I said, but then the stupid cat pushed Sky's hand with his head and purred. I shook my head and let go of Sky. "Unbelievable..."

Sky giggled and scratched Guillermo behind his ear, and the little bastard seemed to enjoy it. "You're a nice little kitty, aren't you?"

Well, of course the cat loved Sky. I wouldn't be surprised if we came across with an angry grizzly bear and it would fall in love with him! I still couldn't believe Cain had hurt him – who in their right mind would want to hurt such a sweet and caring person?

But Cain turned out to be pure evil – no one knew what he was doing to other students. I heard he had been bullying almost everyone who was smaller and weaker than him. I felt really sad and powerless, but I also hated myself for not seeing what kind of person he was.

"Max?" I snapped awake from my thoughts when I heard Sky's voice.

"Yeah?" I asked and looked at him.

"Are you all right?" Mom asked with a worried frown.

"I was just thinking about... Never mind," I trailed off – I didn't want to bring up Cain in front of Sky.

I guess my mom could see right through me. "This has been a long week," she said and put Guillermo down. "I have lemonade and cookies – I'll go get them for you. Max, why don't you show your room to your friend? I'll bring the cookies upstairs."

"Sure," I said and almost took Sky's hand in mine, but I stopped myself.

Sky gave me a small, sad smile – he had noticed what I almost did. I hated myself for not being strong enough to admit to my parents that I was bisexual. I really hated to hide the fact that Sky was my boyfriend.

I was dating the strongest, sweetest, cutest, kindest person there was, and I was hiding it. I looked deep into Sky's beautiful blue eyes, and he smiled at me. I took his hand in mine, and I felt the bandages over his stitches against my skin. He had gone through so much, and I acted like I was ashamed of him – which I was not.

"Mom," I said, and she turned to look at me.

"Yes?" she asked with a smile.

"Sky's not just my friend," I told her, and suddenly it was the easiest thing in the world to say. "He's my boyfriend."

My words were followed by deep, resonating silence. My mom's eyes flew wide open, and I knew my dad had heard me in the kitchen. Sky was squeezing my hand tightly, and when I looked at him, he, too, had a shocked look on his face.

"Oh dear," Mom said timidly and peered at Sky before looking at me again. "Your... Your...?"

"My boyfriend, yes," I said sternly, without any regrets.

"Oh dear," she repeated and turned to look at my father, who emerged at the doorway.

I gave them both a defiant look, waiting for their response. My dad didn't have any expression on his face when he turned to look at my mom.

"We weren't quite ready for this," Mom continued suddenly with a breathless voice. "We had the feeling that you had someone special, but" she trailed off and gave Sky a short look. "I mean – we have talked about ground rules in case you brought a girl home, but..." she looked at Sky again.

My dad crossed his arms over his chest. "Don't be silly, Alice – the same rules apply: no sex in this house, curfew is at ten, no drinking, no drugs, and we want to meet your parents," he spoke, aiming the last part at Sky.

"Uh...? What?" That wasn't quite the reaction I had expected.

"You heard your dad, young man," my mom said sternly.

"But... I..." I stammered and looked at Sky. "You don't mind that I'm dating a boy?"

"Please," my dad waved his hand. "Don't act like it wasn't the most obvious thing in this world."

"Did you know about this?" my mom asked, and followed him when he stepped back into the kitchen.

"Good lord, woman – you should go get your eyes checked," Dad replied to her.

"There's nothing wrong with my eyes!" my mother protested. "I only thought Max was just close with his male friends."

"Honey – boys aren't that close to their male friends," my dad told her.

"Do they know we're still here?" Sky asked in a quiet voice.

"Probably not – we should go to my room," I said and pointed at the staircase in between the living room and the kitchen.

"Well – at least we don't have to worry about them getting pregnant," I heard my mom saying.

"Okay! In my room – now," I told Sky and ushered him to the stairs before my parents could embarrass me even more.

Sky laughed lightly and stopped at the top of the stairs. He turned around to face me and stopped me on the lower step.

"Now I'm as tall as you are," he smirked.

"Yes, you are," I chuckled. "Can we go now before my parents say something really awkward?"

"Not yet," Sky said and pecked my lips, taking me by surprise. "Now we can," he whispered and took my hand.

I followed him with a happy and light feeling in my heart. It was finally official.

Sky and I were a couple.

-Sky-

Coming out to Max's parents went so well that I decided to tell my parents about us as well. After all, my aunt was a lesbian, and my parents were perfectly fine with that.

So, on the next day, I asked my mom if Max could have dinner with us. Max wanted to be there when I dropped the bomb, just like I had been there for him when he came out to his parents.

I found it amusing when he showed up, wearing probably his finest clothes. When I opened the front door, I fell in love with him all over again. His long, chestnut-brown hair was in a ponytail, and he was wearing a blue dress shirt and black pants. He had even replaced his old sneakers with a nice pair of shiny leather shoes.

"Hi," he smiled at me, looking slightly nervous.

I giggled goofily, unable to even form a proper thought, not to mention say something out loud. I wanted to kiss him so badly, but my parents joined us at the front door.

"Hey Max – oh! Don't you look handsome!" my mom said with a wide smile. "I feel underdressed now!"

"Hi, Mrs. Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins," Max almost bowed to them.

"And so polite," my mom said with an ecstatic voice. "Come on in – the dinner is almost ready."

So, everything was going great. I was happy to see how much my parents liked Max. I could tell he was getting more nervous as the time passed while we ate. I was getting nervous too, even though I knew it would be just fine. I decided to tell them after dinner when we were all gathered in the living room.

But that moment came sooner, without giving me any warning.

"So Max, do you have a girlfriend?" my mom asked.

Max almost choked on pure air next to me. He turned red all over and coughed a couple of times.

"Oh, I'm sorry – of course that's none of my business," my mom continued apologetically.

"Actually," I spoke quietly, and my stomach twisted unpleasantly. "Max is... my... boyfriend."

Both Mom and Dad turned to stare at me with wide eyes.

"I beg your pardon?" Mom asked, and I immediately knew that things were going sour really fast – she never used that phrase unless she was upset.

I could only stare at them. My parents turned to look at Max, who was shrinking in his seat.

"You two are... dating?" my dad asked, and I could see he was not approving of our relationship.

"Yes, we are dating," I said, trying to sound brave in front of their disbelieving gaze. "I'm gay."

My mom gave me a weird look before she forced a fake smile on her lips. "Is that so?"

"Y-yes..." I muttered.

I couldn't understand why they got so angry. They wouldn't show it until Max was out of the way, and for the first time I was scared of my parents. I had thought they would be fine with my sexuality.

"Since when?" my dad asked.

"Since... Like... A while ago..." I stammered.

I turned to look at Max, who took my hand in his and faced my parents.

"I like Sky – a lot. I know we haven't been dating for long, but–"

"When did you start dating?" Mom asked sharply.

"A week ago...?" Max said hesitantly.

"A week ago," my mom repeated and turned to look at me. "You never told us you like him."

"I thought it was obvious," I said, getting a little angry at their reaction.

"So how did it happen?" Mom continued talking to Max, ignoring my words.

"W-what?" Max asked, and my mom was growing seemingly annoyed.

"A nice-looking guy like you, playing football... I bet you have a lot of girls following you around, so why did you choose my son?" Mom kept asking. "Is it because he's an easy target?"

"Mom!" I objected, but she ignored me again.

"I just fell for him," Max said and looked at me tenderly, but my mom only snorted at his reply.

"Please – I know your kind. You jocks think you can do whatever you want and use whoever you want," she said.

"Goodness..." I sighed and blushed when I finally realized why she was so upset. "Max isn't like that!"

"Sure he isn't," Mom said with a mocking tone. "He's nice and polite and charming right until he gets what he wants."

I looked at my dad, hoping he would come for my rescue, but he was silently glaring at Max with a murderous look in his eyes.

"You know what," I said and took Max's hand. "He is my boyfriend, and I like him a lot. If you can't accept it–"

"Of course I won't accept it!" Mom shrieked and stood up.

"You don't even know him!" I said and stood up, too.

"You met him a month ago!" Mom yelled at me. "You don't know him either!"

I was getting so angry and frustrated with them I nearly started crying. "You're being unfair!"

"I'm trying to protect you!" Mom said, and turned to look at Max, who was now standing right next to me with a worried look on his face – I could feel his soothing hand on my back. "Now you've done it! Are you happy? He's crying! Why on earth did you choose Sky?"

"I didn't choose him," Max said and my heart almost stopped beating when he spoke. "My heart chose him. I love your son – I love everything about him!"

"Do you honestly think I believe you?" Mom asked and stepped closer to me, but Max pulled me away from her.

"Do you want proof?" Max asked almost angrily. "I would never hurt him. I would never do anything to hurt him! At first I liked to hang out with him because he taught me how to be young. He taught me to live in the moment. He taught me to respect the things I have in my life."

"That's not proof," Mom said, but I could hear a small change in her voice.

"I love the fact that Sky loves nature. I love that expression he has when he gets so overly excited. I love to listen when he talks about nature, and my God, he looks cute when he sees an animal," Max trailed off and turned to look at me with warmth in his eyes. "I love the way you giggle all the time. I love it when you blush when I try to flirt with you. I love you for saving those cats before going to the hospital yourself. I love how real you are. You're so pure, and innocent and sweet and I would give my life protecting you. My heart chose you, because I would never choose anyone else."

I was melting in his arms. I was having a hard time staying on my feet because the words he spoke took my breath away. I turned to look at my mom.

"How about that?" I asked triumphantly.

My mom was staring at Max with squinted eyes and her lips pressed tightly together. I knew she was impressed, but I also knew she wasn't giving up that easily.

"How are your grades?" she asked Max.

"I'm straight-A student," Max said and turned to face her again.

"Have you ever had detention? Or suspended?" Mom kept asking in a sharp voice.

"Never and never," Max replied promptly.

"What are your future plans?"

"I want to become an architect."

"Have you ever been drinking? Do you smoke?"

"No and no."

"But you have been at a party."

"Only birthday parties."

"But there has been alcohol."

"No, ma'am. I am fifteen."

"How many girlfriends, or boyfriends, have you had?"

"None, Sky is my first."

"So you have sex with random people!"

"MOM!"

"I'm a virgin," Max said, sounding proud because he knew my mom couldn't trick him. "I have kissed one girl before Sky, if you want to know."

Mom was getting frustrated. She crossed her arms on her chest and stared at Max, and I guessed she was trying to make him uncomfortable to make him an easier target, but he held his ground.

"I want to see your report card, and meet your parents," she finally said.

"Mom..." I sighed.

She ignored me once more, and turned to look at my dad, like asking for his opinion and advice. He stood up slowly, keeping his eyes on Max.

"I have a rifle," he said shortly.

I closed my eyes in frustration. "You never were this strict with Freddy," I complained.

"Well Fred isn't dating future Mr. Frat Boy over here," my mom said and pointed at Max.

"You like Max!" I said. "You adored him right until I told you he's my boyfriend!"

"That was when I thought he was just a harmless friend!" Mom replied.

"That doesn't even make sense!" I sighed.

"Yes, it does," Mom said.

"Mom... It's all right," I said, trying to convince her to trust Max. "I love him – I fell for him the second I met him. He listens to me when I ramble about animals and takes care of me. He treats me respectfully and makes sure everything is all right. He's even trying to take me to see the nurse every time I sneeze!"

I blushed a little when I felt Max's arm getting tighter around me. I really wanted to kiss him, but not in front of my parents.

"Max is good to me," I told my mom. "If you could just stop jumping to conclusions, you would see that too. Max is the nicest guy in our entire school!"

Mom looked at Dad, and I was glad to see that their hostility was subsiding.

"Fine," she finally spoke. "But I still want to meet your parents," she added sternly.

"Yes, ma'am," Max nodded. "They would like to meet you too."

"So, they know you two are together?" Mom asked.

"We told them yesterday," Max said. "They approved us. And me..."

My mom's expression changed when she spoke, "Did they know about your sexuality?"

"I don't think so," Max said. "But they are fine with it."

Mom nodded and took a deep breath. "No sex. Ever," she said sharply.

"Mom..." I sighed. "It's not like I can get pregnant."

I shouldn't have said that. She used the next fifteen minutes ranting about sex, sex diseases and everything embarrassing.

Overall, it went pretty well. They didn't seem to mind that I was gay, but I couldn't quite convince them that Max really was a great guy. I hoped they would eventually learn to like him again.

At least they didn't ask us to break up. I would've died if they told Max to stay away from me. I knew Max would win them over eventually.

After all, he was the most amazing person I had ever met.