had been homophobic to me.
My official coming out to my mum
was overshadowed by a lie.”
“That’s kinda messed up,”
Matt says sympathetically.
“It’s really messed up,” I agree.
My devil reminds me
I should still be angry at Matt,
because my coming out at school
has been undermined by the lie
I’m keeping for him.
“Better luck next time.”
Matt pats me on the back.
“You’ve still got plenty
of people left to come out to:
your yiayia and bapou,
your granny, your dad,
and your family in Jamaica.”
The rage I feel at the mention of my dad
surpasses any anger I feel for Matt.
I feel my eyes well up and my face flush.
My dad who doesn’t help Mum,
and has next to nothing to do with me.
My dad who Mum threatened
to get involved in order to protect me.
I feel like I’m falling into a pit,
into the Earth’s core full of magma.
Matt puts his hands back on my shoulders.
“Kai, come back.”
My shoulders soften,
