Chapter 1b

"Yes, Mom, I'm coming," I return. Pushing myself off the bed, I make my way to her room. She's in a tank top, a blanket cuddling her lower half. 

She takes her eyes off the show she's watching. "Why did it take you so long? I called you like five times. Should I use a megaphone next time for you to respond quicker?"

I'm so lost in my thoughts that I can't come up with a witty remark that'd earn me a glare from her. 

"Grab my phone for me." She lazily points at her vanity table. 

I furrow my brows. "Seriously, Mom, you called me for this?"

"Come on, don't complain. Just grab the damn phone."

With a pout, I drag my feet to the table, then hand her the phone. Instantly, more panic and anxiety kicks in. "Is that all you called me for?"

She nods, her attention back to the show in front of her. 

I frown, switching looks between her and the T.V. Why won't she ask why I'm still here? I need her to initiate a conversation because I'm too much of a pussy to. 

I clear my throat. "Mom, what are you watching?" 

"Orange is The New Black."

"Oh, is it a good show?" I aimlessly walk around her room, backing her. This is my poor attempt of getting her attention. 

"What do you want, mister?" I turn around with an uneasy smile only to see her staring at me with an incredulous look. It's a good thing she noticed me. 

"Nothing." Why did I say that? I'm a fucking idiot. 

"If this is about me ungrounding you, forget about it."

My mom grounding me is the cause of my uneasiness today. I wasn't with friends for the past few days, so I had time to myself to do some deep thinking, which is taunting me to spill the beans.  

I shake my head, avoiding eye contact, then mutter, "It's not about that."

"Taehyung," she starts, sitting upright, "what's wrong? You're scaring me."

"Nothing." 

"Taehyung, you can confide in me, okay? You can open up and tell me whatever is wrong."

Though my mom can be annoying, I love when she flips from hardcore, strict mom mode to friendly mom mode. 

"Taehyung, is everything okay?" she adds softly. 

Something in her voice triggers my heart. Before I know it, all my bottled emotions are erupting from me in the form of tears. With my face messed up by snot and tears, I join her on the bed and fall into her embrace. Fuck, I'm such a baby. It's my mom, so it's fine. There's no one to judge me. 

She pats me on the head with her soothing hand. "Everything will be fine, okay?" I don't miss the crack in her voice. I fucking hate myself for almost making my mom cry. I should stop crying. 

I pull away, wiping my face with my sleeves. 

"Mom..." Why can't I finish my sentence? I should stop being so emotional. 

"Don't forget, you can tell me anything. You don't have to rush yourself, though. Take as much time as you want to collect yourself."

I nod. Fuck, I love this woman and it seems like she does too. I hope she doesn't hate me after this. I can't imagine my life without her. Oh, fuck, I can't do this, she'll hate me. 

No more negative thoughts. Only positive ones! 

I'm not going to be a pussy. 

I really hope my ballsy move won't backfire. 

"Mom, I'm gay."