Cherry Blossom Kiss

THE BEGINNING OF IT ALL.

Hi, there reader! My name is Ethan. I'm gay, and this is my story. I almost don't know where to begin... Ah, I got it. Now, just relax, sit back and be ready for this hell of a ride!

So how did I figure out I was gay? Well, that's a funny story let me tell you... It all started back in September of 2016...

"Hey, Ethan!!" Someone yells at me from behind. Ah, it's Aaron! "Hey Aaron" I replied back, a bit shocked. I mean, Aaron was basically yelling at me. That's kinda terrifying, especially when it's 7:30 in the morning! Oh well. "How are you?" I asked while smiling nervously. "Ugh, my morning was the WORST!!" he replied, looking irritated. "What about you?" "Oh, my morning was decent I guess. Even though I was so close to missing my bus!" "YOU MISSING THE BUS?! GOOD BOY ETHAN" he said while laughing. I guess you can call me a good boy. I always do my homework, I never party... b-but other than that, I can also do bad things!! "Ha-ha, very funny Aaron. Oh well, shall we get to class?" I asked. "Sure, we can't miss Ms. Baker's class. She is always soo exciting to listen to" he replied sarcastically. I laughed and we went into class together.

After class, me and Aaron went to the cafeteria and ate lunch together. "Sigh... wow Ms. Baker was 3 times more annoying than usual," Aaron said. "Exactly, how can an old witch like her possibly be more annoying?" I replied while laughing. Aaron laughed too. Oh, Aaron. He just has the MOST beautiful laugh I ever heard. "Hey Aaron, is it weird for a guy to have feelings for a guy?" I asked without thinking for a second. Aaron stared at me... "Sorry, what did you say?" He asked, looking confused. "Uhm, nothing... Forget it!" I replied looking rather nervous.

When school was over, I immediately went home. "Welcome home!" my mom yelled from downstairs. "Thanks" I yelled back, quick so I could get in my room. I turned on my computer — an old slow Acer. When finally the computer turned on after years. I began my Google search "I'm a guy in love with my guy best friend" — the first thing that popped up was a forum post with the title "am I gay?" Gay? What the hell does that mean? Yeah, I did really not know what gay meant. I was raised up in a strictly Christian family, growing up only watching a man and a woman falling in love. Curiously I began googling "What does gay mean?" — and then... "Ethaan!" My mom yelled. "Yees?" I yelled back. "Come down here! We are going out grocery shopping!"... "Okay coming now!" I yelled while google was still loading the results. I turned off my computer and went out grocery shopping.

When we came home again, I rushed up to my room again, turning on my computer. When my computer finally turned on, I opened Google and began searching "What does gay mean?" The first result that popped up was a dictionary.

Gay:
Someone who is sexually attracted to people of the same sex and not to people of the opposite sex.

huh? That cannot be, right? Isn't it only men and women who can love each other. I mean, the priest said so last week! Or... Can it? Can a man — and a man love each other? I began googling more "Can a man be in love with a man?" that whole evening I was reading stories about men falling in love with each other, other confused guys on forums asking the same question like me. Just right until my mom yelled and said there was dinner.

After dinner, and preparing for this night's sleep. I took my phone, and saw a text from Aaron. "Hey"... Odd, why would Aaron text me at this time? "Hey there, what's up?" I replied back. "Ah, not much. I just wanted to know if we had any homework for till monday?" - Oh, homework. Of course. "I'm pretty sure we don't, i don't hope so haha!" i replied. "Great! Thanks." He replied quickly this time. I don't know if i should keep the conver- "ETHAAAAAAAAN!" my mother yelled. "YES MOM?" i reply, she doesn't hear me. "YES MOOOOOOOOM?" i say again. "NEVERMIND!" she replies. I hate when mothers do that... Oh well, i should probably go to sleep, i think to myself. Even though i spend that whole night thinking about Aaron. How could a boy possibly make me feel this way?