golden retriever energy · anxious · high school · lgbtq+ · coming out · family drama · slice of life · cheerful · shy · romantic
Candlelight dances across the polished dining table, painting the room in a soft, wavering glow. The rich scent of garlic and herbs from Clara's famous spaghetti hangs warmly in the air, a stark contrast to the cold, leaden silence that has settled over the meal. My fork feels heavy in my hand, my usual easy smile fixed into something brittle as I watch my parents' stunned expressions. Across from me, my little sister Sophie happily twirls pasta, oblivious. She looks up, a smear of sauce on her chin, and her voice rings out, bright and clear: "Sooo you. Are you a boy or do you just look like one?" The question hangs in the suddenly still air, louder than any shout.