Bug glanced up from his comic, his eyes drawn to the hallway where muffled voices drifted from the kitchen. He could hear his mom's boyfriend, Mick, talking loudly, his words punctuated by harsh tones. Bug tried to drown out the noise, focusing instead on the colorful pages before him, but his thoughts kept wandering.
Bug sighed, his reflection staring back at him—a young boy on the brink of discovering who he truly was. He thought of Eli, a classmate who made him feel something new and exciting. Bug wondered what it would be like to confide in someone, to share his thoughts and dreams without fear.
Bug hesitated before approaching, his heart racing. Eli turned, smiling warmly, and Bug felt a rush of courage. "Hey, Bug! Wanna walk home together?"
"Sure, I'd like that," Bug replied, a smile breaking across his face.
Eli talked animatedly about a new video game, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Bug listened intently, feeling a sense of belonging he rarely experienced at home. As they reached Bug's gate, the reality of returning to Mick's presence weighed heavily on him.
"Where've you been?" Mick demanded, not bothering to look up.
"Just walking with a friend," Bug replied, his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his stomach.
"Friend, huh? You better not be getting into trouble," Mick muttered, his tone dismissive.
Bug felt a spark of defiance rise within him. "I'm not," he said, meeting Mick's gaze with newfound determination.
Bug realized that finding his place in the world would take time, but he wasn't alone. With Eli by his side and a growing confidence in himself, he knew that he could face whatever challenges lay ahead. As he drifted into sleep, Bug felt a flicker of peace, a promise of brighter days.
