I'm doing fine 🏠

11th part of Home. Enjoy!

“You guys know each other?” Angel asks in surprise. 

Daniel looks away from her. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Nope. This is not what I need right now.

He walks back upstairs, to his room. He wishes TJ was there. He never expected to see Taylor, Chaz, or Debbie again. They had all avoided each other in school, which hurt, because they’d been friends for so long.

He hears footsteps, and sees Angel frowning at him. “What was that about?”

“Nothing. I don’t want to talk about it right now. Can I use your phone?”

She nods, and hands it to him. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m just going to call TJ.” He tells her. 

She sighs. “I should go back to Tay. You better tell me how you know each other later.”

“Alright.” He says, smiling a bit.

She goes back downstairs, and he types in TJ’s number. 

“Who is this?”

“It’s Daniel. I’m using Angel’s phone.”

“Oh, hey, Danny. Just a second.”

There’s rustling, then he hears TJ yell, “I’m talking to Daniel, mom! I’ll be back in a sec!”

“Okay, I’m back.” He says.

“Are you busy?” 

“Nah, it’s fine. So what’s up?”

“Well, Angel’s friend Tay just got here.”

“Okay?”

“It’s Taylor.”

There’s silence. Then, “Taylor Melendez?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you talk to her?”

“Not really. She saw me, and looked terrified, then I went upstairs.”

“Are you going to talk to her?” 

“I don’t know. I’m still kinda mad at her.”

There’s silence again. Longer this time.

“TJ?”

“Sorry, I’m thinking. We thought she was homophobic or something, right?”

“Yeah?”

“But if Angel’s her best friend…”

“...you’re right...But that doesn’t explain why she didn’t say anything.”

“Talk to her.”

“Okay. Fine.”

“You’re okay?”

“Yeah. Thanks. Do you need to get back to work?”

“Probably. I’ll call later, okay?”

“Alright. Thanks. Love you.”

“Love you too, Danny.”

After a second, he hangs up, and puts the phone on the bed. 

He doesn’t really want to talk to Taylor. But still, he gets up, and heads downstairs.

He runs into Angel and Taylor on the way down. 

“Hey, um, can I talk to you?” He forces himself to ask her.

Angel nods encouragingly, and goes up to her room. 

Taylor bites her lip. Daniel takes a breath. “Um, I wanted to know-”

“I’m really sorry, Daniel. I didn’t want to ignore you, but my dad never would’ve let me hang out with you, and he would’ve found out, and-”

“Wait, found out what?”

“I’m bisexual. I...was in love with Debbie. My dad’s homophobic, and he would’ve found out if I kept hanging out with you. When my parents divorced, I told my mom, and she was okay with it, but I still couldn’t talk to you. I knew you were mad, and I deserve that. I’m sorry.” 

He blinks. “I...that might be the most I’ve ever heard you say.”

She smiles. “Can we still be friends?”

“Yeah.” He says after a moment. He smiles. “Sure.”

She sighs in relief. “Thank you.”

They start up to Angel’s room.

“How’s TJ?” She asks him.

He smiles. “He’s fine. We’re dating now.”

“Seriously? I knew you liked him.”

Angel’s door is open. She looks up at them. “Everything’s good?”

“Yeah.” Daniel nods, smiling. “Everything’s good.”

“So you’re talking again?” TJ asks over the phone.

“Yeah. I’m still a little mad at her, but I guess I get it.” 

“Is she the same as she used to be?”

“Actually, she talks a lot more. Seriously, I’ve never heard her say so much.”

“Angel! Daniel! Dinner!” Catherine calls from downstairs.

“I’ve got to go.” Daniel says. “See you tomorrow?”

“Course. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

He hangs up, and goes downstairs. Zuri and her kids are still here, and they’re all sitting around the table. Kaden and Taylor are beside each other, talking quietly.

Catherine made tacos, and they all pile the food she brings over onto their plates. 

In the middle of dinner, Catherine gets up to answer her phone. She goes into the living room, and when she comes back, she looks sick.

“Daniel?” She says, gesturing for him to follow her.

When they’re away from the table, she sighs. 

“Your father just called. He’s looking for you."