Chapter Text
Kylar has always had a rough life. It seems like everyone, no matter what, has left him, or is planning to. His mother was removed from the picture once she voted for Barack Obama instead of John McCain.
Four-year old Kylar presses his head against the door to his bedroom– his parents are fighting again.
"YOU VOTED FOR THE SISSY LIBERAL OBAMA AFTER I TOLD YOU TO VOTE MCCAIN." His father yells, his voice shaking the entire house. "IT'S YOUR FAULT THAT COMMIE COON IS OUR PRESIDENT NOW."
"IT'S NOT MY FAULT HE IS THE BETTER OPTION OF THE TWO. AT LEAST OBAMA ACTUALLY WANTS TO HELP ALL PEOPLE." She screams back, the tension rising.
Kylar sits in his room holding back tears. This isn't the first time his parents fought, but it is definitely the worst it has ever been before. His ear remains slammed against the door, listening in case something bad ends up happening.
"I'm shocked you still believe the shit that those republicans are putting out. It is straight propaganda at this point. Keith." She scoffs. "Grow a brain and maybe you'll come to your senses for once."
The sound of keys jingling fills the room, "I'm leaving your sorry ass. Have fun raising our son to be the exact same type of person as you."
He never saw his mother again.
Twelve years later, Kylar is well-known around school, as a standout tight end on the football field. His best friend since childhood, Mikey, is a clarinetist for the marching band. Kylar sneaks away from the half-time locker room meeting to watch Mikey perform.
As Mikey walks off the field, Kylar motions him to come under the stands.
The second Mikey is out of view from the general public, he is pulled by Kylar into a deep passionate kiss. They break away and stare at each other for a second.
"K-Kylar, what's going on?" Mikey asks, his face just mere inches away from the other.
"You're gay, just shut up and kiss me again." Kylar's face feels hot as the tips of his ears become a flushed pink, along with his cheeks.
MIkey wastes no time and presses his face up against his friends'. People around aren't batting any eyes, mainly because they are all also engrossed in the same activity the boys are.
Once they break apart, Kylar runs off to the field again without a glance back to his friend.
Kylar returns to the field flustered, unsure of his true orientation, especially with his girlfriend watching the game in the stands, above where he and Mikey just experimented.
His mind is filled with his attempts to make sense of himself. “Am I really straight…? No. That was just a one time thing! Just to get the tension off my mind. Homosexuality is a sin, and the Bible is always right, the Lord is always right.”
His head spins with thoughts that contradict each other, and especially contradict his right-wing values instilled within him since birth.
The Westerberg Wolverines won their game 21-7, thanks to Kylar’s pair of touchdowns happening after the halftime break. Kylar returns home to a warm welcome from his Dad.
“AYYYYY THAT’S MY BOY! I KNEW YOU WEREN’T A PUSS PUSS! WAY TO RUN UP THAT SCORE!”
“Thanks Dad. That means a lot.” Kylar has an obvious dejected tone in his voice.
“What’s wrong son?” Keith inquires.
Kylar has his entire view of the world on his mind. His sexual orientation, his relationships, his political views. He cannot falter on the ideology that his dad instilled in him since birth.
He doesn’t know what he truly wants.