Wrong • Joshler • 2nd version

Chapter!Four

Josh finally returned home, shutting the front door by leaning his back against it. He pouted there, staring at the staircase before him but not actually looking at it. He had a plan of learning about Tyler and then helping him get rid of his homosexuality. But now, he's found out Tyler's incredibly weird and stubborn. Tyler tricked him.

How the hell is he supposed to "look at boys"?

Well, he's never looked at anyone. He doesn't know what to look at. He knows how to tell a pretty person (for example, Debby) apart from an ugly one (for example, the split-haired girl, Melanie).

But he doesn't know how would someone make him feel attracted. What does that even feel like?

He'll Google it later.

Now, it was time for the Duns' family dinner. He was not gonna miss that.

Once the whole family of six was gathered around the table in the dining room, Mrs Dun cleared her throat "Conversation topic? Josh?"

Josh sat up straighter, abandoning his meal for a short while "I actually have one"

The whole family awaited Josh's next words. Every night, they'd have family talks about whatever topic one of them chose. It was Josh's turn tonight. Josh usually had no topics, but after today's experiences, he just had to ask.

"Opinions on homosexuality?" Josh proposed.

Ashley's and Abby's eyes widened in shock, tiny laugh came out of their mouths. You'd get in trouble if you even mentioned homosexuality or some other sin in the Duns' residence. They were excited about seeing their older brother getting yelled at or grounded. Nothing exciting ever happens in that house, let's hope this will light a flame.

"Why are you asking this, Josh?" Mrs Dun questions seriously; there was a bit of fear in her voice. Josh was her firstborn and her masterpiece. She taught him everything. He never rebelled against her; unlike the other three. Josh always listened, followed all rules. This topic was concerning.

"Because it was a topic in school today" Josh lied. He knew how his parents would react to a friend of his being a homosexual, he's not stupid "I personally highly disagree with it, but I wanted to hear the family's thoughts"

In relief, Mr and Mrs Dun nodded; Mr Dun spoke first "I think what you mother and I taught you - it's unnatural, unreal, unclean, unhealthy-"

"In one word, it's wrong" Mrs Dun shortened her husband's speech.

Josh nodded, turning to his younger siblings for commentary.

The three were now sitting scared with their eyes popped. Josh didn't get in trouble and now they have to share their opinions. The biggest problem was the fact Jordan was questioning his sexuality (even though he was taught to never do that) and Ashley came out to her friends as lesbian over a year ago. Abby didn't want to put either of the two into trouble by saying something wrong, nor did the two want to get themselves into trouble. They just have to act? They know how to play sick or something, but this was very personal to them...

"Jordan?" Josh called out his brother, risinv his brows at him.

Jordan started to stammer, making his parents frown at him in confusion. He was getting more anxious by second, eventually standing up when he started feeling nauseous "I- I don't feel very well"

Ashley and Abby took that as an opportunity, both standing up and offering to take Jordan upstairs to his room.

Phew.

Josh was left alone with his parents, his father speaking up "Perhaps we should phone the school, they can't talk about such things to children-"

"No, Dad, it's fine" Josh assured, shaking his head "They said not to mention it again after my complaint and I said I'd fix homosexuals if I stumble upon them"

Mr and Mrs Dun chuckled at the same time, Mrs Dun talking for the chuckles "Fix them?"

Josh's brows furrowed slightly "Yes"

"Let me teach you something, son" Mr Dun stood up and walked to a tall glass closet in the living room. Josh knew what was in the closet - Abby's vintage dolls collection. She started collecting when she was a little girl, having gotten dolls from her grandmother. Granny was such a nice person, may her soul rest in peace.

Mr Dun brought the fragile doll to the table. He crushed the doll's face with his fist.

Josh gasped loudly, standing up in a second; he knew how much that doll meant to Abby "Hey! What are you doing?!"

"It's just a toy Josh" Mr Dun began "A broken toy. Can you fix it? No, you can't. It's crushed, ruined. It would be wrong to place this broken toy between the others, don't you think? It's ugly too, isn't it? Ugly people, ugly toys, they can't turn pretty. These people, the 'homosexuals', they're broken toys, born again and again. But you can't fix them" - Mr Dun started to slowly pace to the fireplace - "You can only" - he threw the doll into the fire - "Burn them"

Josh exhaled shakily, while his mother nodded in approval. This was the first time in his life that Josh thought his parents were being too much.