Part Eight

Joseph sent a "Hi" to Nathan via WhatsApp.

Joseph : Hi

After about 5 minutes of waiting, Joseph received a notification of WhatsApp from Nathan.

Nathan : Hi

He quickly switched from browsing his Instagram feed to replying to Nathan's message.

Joseph : How are you?

Nathan : I'm good. You?

Joseph : I'm fine. Thanks for asking.

Nathan : So... Is there something you want to say?

Joseph panicked a bit as he never expected Nathan to say that but he stayed calm eventually and sent Nathan a text back.

Joseph : Yes actually.

Nathan : Okay. Spill it out.

Joseph : What are we?

Nathan : What do you mean?

Joseph : You know what I mean. Don't play dumb.

Nathan : Is that all you want to ask?

Joseph : Yes! What are we?

After that, Nathan did not reply at all. Joseph felt really frustrated that he decided to send Nathan a text again.

Joseph : I really want to know what we are. Can you please tell me?

Right when Joseph decided to put away his phone, Nathan sent him a message.

Nathan : Could you give me some time?

Joseph : OK

Nathan : I'll tell you later.

Joseph put down his phone and lay hopelessly in his bed.

'Did I mess it up? Should I not ask him in the first place?' he thought to himself with watery eyes while staring at the empty ceiling. He shut his eyes and teardrops fell down from his eyes to the bedsheets. When he opened his eyes again, everything seemed misty. The world looked like it was falling apart.

"Is it how it's going to end?" Joseph said to himself. He closed his eyes, wanting to escape from all the miseries.

"Joseph! Dinner is ready!" his mom was calling from downstairs.

"Okay Mom. I'm coming!" Joseph answered back and quickly wiped away his tears. He went to the bathroom to wash his face before he went downstairs to have dinner.

Normally, Joseph would talk about the taste of the food or initiate different topics but this time he did not talk much. Noticing the strange behavior of him, his mom decided to ask.

"What's going on, sweetie?"

"Ummm... Nothing. I'm just tired." Joseph replied, wiping his eyes.

"If you want to talk, I'll always be there. Okay?" she smiled. Although she knew that something was wrong with Joseph, she did not force him to say it. Instead, she gave him some personal space. His sister noticed him being sad as well. She was petted his shoulder softly and got back to eating afterwards.

The dinner ended quickly in silence. Mom went to the kitchen to wash the dishes while Jennifer was looking at Instagram stories on the couch. Joseph decided to go for a walk to get some fresh air.

"Where are you going, Joseph?" his mom saw him putting on his shoes.

"Just going for a walk. Back in... about... 10 minutes." Joseph replied.

"Okay." Joseph went outside and closed the door behind him. The night crept up and a blanket of darkness was covering the whole city. Birds were silent and barely anyone was walking in the streets, only a few cars were rushing on the road.

The dim street lights created shadows for Joseph as if they were trying to make him less lonely.

Joseph walked along the street outside his house alone, trying to distract himself from thinking of the guy that broke his heart.

All of a sudden, a familiar voice from behind called his name, "Joseph!"

He turned his head and saw a familiar figure running towards him.

"Nathan? What-" Joseph was cut off by an unexpected kiss. It lasted for a while before they pulled away to breathe. Their hands were still holding each other close while gazing into other's eyes.

"How do you know that I'm here?" Joseph asked with a smile.

"Telepathy. Duh."

Joseph rolled his eyes but his smile was still staying on his face.

"Just kidding. I wanted to go your home actually but then I saw you going outside."

"Okay... Then, what are you doing here?"

"To make you my boyfriend."

Joseph looked down with a sheepish grin on his face, blushing uncontrollably.

"Will you be my boyfriend in the world full of discrimination?" Nathan asked seriously.

"Are you sure?" Joseph said, looking into his eyes. He knew that their relationship would be judged and criticized by others. Therefore, he asked for reassurance.

"Yes." Nathan answered with certainty.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

The two boys cuddled up together in an empty street. They could enjoy quiet that the night brought to them. No need to be fear of judgements or anything. Just enjoyed their own world in peace.

"See you on Monday." Nathan said.

"See you." Joseph replied and they let go of each other eventually.

Joseph tried to hide his happiness when he returned home. Fortunately, his mother and sister did not seem to know his noticeable blush on his face. Joseph returned to his room and fell in sleep in a state of euphoria. His sadness was completely gone and he even smiled in his sleep.

Would they be able to maintain their love? Would they be able to love each other even though they might face criticism from the others? No one knew. Let's wish them good luck.