Angel looked out his window, the street below looked cold and unwelcome. Angel didn't want to do what he was going to do next, but he knew that if he didn't then he would end up on that cold and unwelcome street, and that was the thing that Angel really didn't want to happen.
Angel worried that even if he did do what he was going to do he still might end up on that street, without a house and without any family to take care of him.

"Don't worry, from what you've told me about your parents I know that they'll accept you." Angel remembered his friend Claire saying to him on the front steps of their highschool.

"And if they don't take it well?" Angel asked Claire

"Well then fuck them. They don't deserve you then! And you'll always have me." Claire winked at Angel

Angel swallowed and turned around, it was time to do the inevitable, tell his parents.
Angel slowly walked downstairs, his high-heels clacking down the stairs with each step he took.

As Angel entered the living room, his mother and then father looked up at him. Their eyes looked over him and his white short skirt and black stockings with his high heels that Claire had bought him for his birthday.

"What the hell are you wearing?" Angels father asked him "Is this for another of your plays at school?"

Angel shook his head.

"No Dad, this isn't. This is what I want to wear." Angel said nervously, he couldn't even look at his father, he was so nervous.

"What?" His mother said

"Why the hell would you want to wear women's clothing? Unless you're a…" His father stopped and looked Angel in the eyes "Your not a fag are you?"

Angel winced at the remark made by the man that Angel tried so hard to make proud.

"Yes Dad, I'm gay." Angel said looking at the floor

Angel heard his fathers paper crumple and Angel saw it fly to the ground which he was looking at.

"Look at me boy." His fathers harsh angry voice said

Angel looked at his father. His father was now standing, his muscles standing through his shirt like a tiger ready to pounce on the closest victim.

"Tom, calm down. Cant we just talk about this like normal people?" Angel heard his mothers sweet voice say.

Angel thanked her by looking at her briefly then looking back at his father.
His father just kept staring at Angel. Angel didn't know what to do, should he look down, or keep looking his father in the eyes?
His father stepped towards Angels fragile body.
Angel briefly looked at his mother, who saw what was coming before Angel did. But soon Angel felt it.
The slap came quick and not exactly unexpected. Angel felt the sting of hatred in his cheek, left by his fathers hand.

"Dad…" Angel whispered still holding onto his cheek.

"Don't talk to me, I want you out."

"But..Dad…Please…" Angel tried to say but was interrupted

"No, I want you out tonight!"

Angel looked at his mother for help, anytime Angels father was mad at him, Angel always fell on his mothers shoulder for help or comfort.
Angels mother just looked at him and closed her eyes, as if to say "do what he says Angel."
Angel slowly bent his head and walked back up the stairs to his room.

Angel fell onto his bed, and started to sob. He quickly took off his shoes and the drag that he was dressed in and thew the clothing at the door. The heels clanged loudly when they hit the door. Angel reached under his bed and pulled out a bag, he got up off the bed and quickly dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and began packing his belongings.

Tears streaming down his face, Angel walked down the stairs. He stopped in front of the living room and looked at his parents, his father just kept looking at the newspaper. Angel bent his head and kept walking towards the door.

As Angel stepped out onto the cold street, Angel heard footsteps behind him coming from his house. Angel turned around and there was his mother walking calmly towards him.
When she reached him, she quickly grabbed him in a hug. Angel wrapped his arms around his skinny mother and began crying again at the thought of leaving his mother forever.
His mother pulled away from the hug and put a wad of cash in Angels hand.

"Remember that I will always love you, no matter what your sexuality is or how you want to dance."

Angel stood there, as his mother kissed him on the cheek and whispered "be careful."

Angel looked up at the apartment building, and rang the buzzer to Claire's apartment. Claire was a 17 year old girl, with shoulder length black hair with bright red bangs, she lived by herself since she ran away from her family when they found out that she had become pregnant. Claire had the baby 8 months later and gave it up for adoption. Claire also lived on her inheritance from her grandfather.

"Hello?" Claire's voice said over the buzzer

"Claire, its Angel."

"Oh god…Come on up!" Claire's voice became worried and the door was opened.

Angel walked up the four flights of stairs with his bags hanging off his shoulders. He reached Claire's door and as he was about to knock the door was opened and Claire swept Angel into a hug.

"Oh God. I'm so sorry Angel…Come in."

Angel walked into the apartment and sat down on the couch, letting his belongings fall to the floor below him.

"Do you want anything? a drink? food?" Claire said

"No thanks."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No. I'm just tired."

"Oh right, well I have an extra mattress, so I'll set you up in the extra room, it's a little small but it will do."

Angel sat there as Claire set up the mattress. Usually Angel would help her but he just wasn't in the mood to help anyone.

"Its ready." Claire said as she led Angel to the very small room, if you could call it that. It was more like a closet. "sorry it isn't bigger, but its the best I could do."

Angel looked at Claire and smiled weakly,

"It will do, thanks." He said

"Well goodnight. sleep well, I'll see you in the morning." Claire said, she grabbed Angel in a hug and kissed him on the cheek

"Goodnight Claire, thanks for everything."

"No problem sweetie."

Angel shut the door and fell onto the bed, falling asleep almost immediately.

Angel woke up with the sun the next morning, and yawned his clothing was still on since he fell asleep in them.
He slowly and quietly opened the door and snuck into the living room looking for paper and a pen. finding one Angel began to scribble a letter to Claire

'Dear Claire, thank you for everything. I know it isn't your fault that my parents did what they did. I wasn't expecting them to take it well, though I want you to know that you were the reason that I told them and I thank you for that. Otherwise I would be stuck in a life that I would be faking, just to please my dad.
I want you to know that I'll be fine, I have enough money in the bank and from what my mother gave me last-night, I should be able to get a cheap apartment.
take care dear friend. I'll always remember you.
Love
Angel'

Angel grabbed his belongings and walked out of his friends apartment.
Again Angel was on the street, this time wondering where to go. Angel just walked down the street, in search of acceptance.