Homophobia.
”An irrational fear, aversion, or prejudice against LGBTQ+ people or homosexuality.”
North Denver, Colorado, had never been known as a particularly welcoming suburban town.
Especially not for anyone with prominent differences.
Certain groups were targeted more than others. People with open same-sex preferences, or the—very much unchangeable—color of one’s skin being anything but pale, discrimination ran rampant in the streets.
Nobody did anything to stop it, either.
However, from prejudice and oppression rises aggression and anger.
Vance Hopper was as straight as they come.
…
Pshh. Who was he kidding? He was the gayest motherfucker in town.
But nobody had to know that.
He’d get beaten half to death if anyone found out.
So, in defense of his own life, Vance lied to everyone’s faces. He played with girl’s hearts, and only hooked up with borderline supermodels.
Nobody suspected a thing, and Vance’s ploy was perfect. Unchangeable. He’d just deal with this suppression until graduation, then he could move to a different state and never see any of these people again.
That was, until his path crossed with Bruce Yamada’s.
Bruce was perfect.
Literally. And Vance isn’t one to throw around the word of perfection.
Bruce had straight A’s, took all AP/Honors courses, played baseball—God, could a guy get any more attractive? How could men be straight?
But, Vance knew he had no shot. And, even in the event that he did, he wouldn’t be able to openly date Bruce. Not in these conditions.
Game after game, Vance began to show, and Bruce noticed.
After their final game of the season—one Bruce’s team had horribly lost—the boy rushed over to Vance to catch up with him before he left.
And…that was the beginning of something terrifyingly perfect.
Vance had invited Bruce over hours ago, however, getting the latter out of his house was a hassle and a half. With such strict parents, he could rarely successfully sneak out.