Roman's daughter

Chapter 10

I woke up to a phone full of notifications and parents and brothers arguing loudly about something. I put my ear to the door. I didn't wanna miss whatever they were talking about, so I decided not to leave my room. I caught a glimpse of what was happening. It was Ryan and Dad. Adrian was down there trying to stop the fight. Not fist fight, it was an argument. "So what if I'm gay dad? I'm happy!" I gasped. Ryan was gay. Was this a realistic episode of Empire. "You're my son! I don't want a gay son!" Dad yelled back. I couldn't believe this was happening all in my kitchen. My brother was gay, my dad hated him for it and Adrian,well I don't know what he was doing. "Dad, please!" Adrian said. Oh, Adrian was on Ryan's side. I am too, Goddamit. I continued to listen as I paused the tv so I could hear better. "Dad look, if you don't want me, I'll move out!" There were gasps, including mines. "Move out?!" I shrieked to myself. "Go ahead, but you have no where to go! Once you see how twisted and hard the world is, you'll be back" shouted dad. Adrian where are you? Defend Ryan. Help him! "Dad you can't let him move out. He has to pay bills for things! He'll never survive alone!" I rolled my eyes. Not the response I wanted, but it may help, I guess. I was about to burst down the door and go testify with Ryan, but I didn't want to make it as if I'm nosey. "Adrian go tell Jazz to come here" commanded dad. "Shit" I mumbled. I went back to my bed, unpaused the tv and pretended to be sleep. Adrian opened the door sniffling. He shook me softly. "Jazz, dad needs to see you" Even his voice was soft. I got up and trailed behind Adrian. I had heard everything, but I had to play clueless. Once we made it down the stairs, dad got right into it. "Why don't you tell Jazz your secret" Ryan's eyes were watery. "I'm gay" I gasped. "Ryan." I started. "-it's ok. We'll still love you the same. But are you happy?" I asked. He nodded. "Then that's all that matters" I stated. Ryan's eyes held hope now, but the hope quickly vanished. "See dad, Jazz loves me the same. Why can't you?" He asked. I walked over to dad. "Daddy? You don't accept him how he is?" I asked. Dad stayed silent. Whenever I called him 'daddy' he always gave into me. This time, I wasn't so sure. "Ryan you need to change your perspective on boys" dad said after 5 long minutes of silence. Ryan shook his head angrily. "You will never change will you?! How many times do I have to tell you, I'm not you, and I don't want to be!" He shouted with a lot of force. Dad had had it at this point. "Ryan" I shouted. Ryan turned on his heel and went to his room. I called his name and sighed. "Dad, he just admitted himself to you. Do you know how much courage that took?" I sighed and shook my head and chased after him. I made it to his room to see Ryan packing. "Ryan" I say. "-what are you doing?" I ask. I hope he isn't packing. This was stupid. Dad needs to accept Ryan. He held this secret for I'm sure a long time, and he finally admitted it. I was happy for him. "I'm leaving" he stated blankly. "Leaving?!" I shrieked. He nodded. All those things Adrian said were true. Ryan couldn't survive out there alone, and I'd be fucked before I let him make this decision. "Ryan, I know you're upset but-" he put a finger up to my lips. Symbolism which means be quiet. "Jazz, this is what I'm going to do. No one's is gonna stop me. Not even you" he gave me a hug and zipped up his luggage. In a quick reaction I pushed him down and took his luggage. "Sorry Ryan." I tried unzipping the luggage, but it had the stupid passcode thing on it. Ryan chuckled. "I know you want me to stay, but was all that necessary?" I sighed and shed some tears. " it's not funny" I reminded him. He walked over me and I had to look up. "Don't cry mama" he teased. I still didn't smile. Ryan could think this was funny all he wanted to, but it wasn't. "Jazz don't sweat it. This is what I want" he said. "Where will you go" "a friend's house" "which friend? Where do they live" he answered those questions. "Will we ever see you again?" I cried into his chest. "Of course Jazzy" he said. I smiled a bit. "Okay" was all I could say. I released him from my grasp and let him go. I felt hurt and sad. On empire, they didn't care that Jamal was gay. They went on about their lives. Why couldn't that happen. We walked down together. "Dad, please don't make Ryan leave. Talk him out of it. Please!" I begged. I was crying and my makeup was all over my eyes. "No Jazzmine, he has to go." Stated dad. "But why? Who cares if he's gay? I'm on his side!" I stood by Ryan. "Jazz-" I stopped him. "NO!" It was loud and firm. Dad pointed to the door and Ryan gave me and Adrian hugs. I walked him to the door. "Text me when you get there" he nodded and turned to look at the house one more time. Slowly he made a left and walked. I watched him until I couldn't see him anymore. I slammed the door. I walked up to my room and slammed the door. I locked it, and began to cry. Ryan was gone. Probably forever. I didn't believe he was going to 'a friend's house'. There was a knock on my door. "Go away" I said crying. They wiggled the doorknob. Once they saw it was locked, they knocked again. "Go.Away" I told them once more. It got quiet. Then a key was slid through the keyhole, and the door was opened. Dad walked in. "Go away" I told him for the third time. He came and sat on my bed besides me. "Jazz, stop crying. It's not the end of the world" he stated calmly. "Yes it is. For me at least. How could you send him out?! Where's he gonna go?" I asked a bit loudly. Dad gave me a hug. "Jazz, I know you care, but this is how it should be" I gasped and shook my head. "This is how it should be?! No dad. No it's not. Two fifths of our family is gone. Is this really how it should be?" He sighed. "Yes it is" I scoffed at him. "Dad, our family........ It's partly gone, and at the end of the day, when everyone else around is gone, you have family. Whatever you had down there, you need to fix it" I said. He was on my dresser and quickly turned around. "I can't fix that! I don't want a gay son and that's final! If he wants to screw guys, let him do it! I really don't care! Stop acting like the problem can go away, Jazz. It can't!" I stood up quickly and wiped away my tears. Dad was being stubborn. This could go away, dad just needed work this out with Ryan. "It can go away" I yelled. "-If you work this out, it'll be over!" He nodded in a fake way. "You don't understand, Jazz" he simply stated. I stood with my mouth slightly opened. I couldn't help the situation anymore. This hurt dad and Ryan. It hurt the whole family. "I don't understand what?" I asked quietly. Even though I couldn't do anything, I wanted to at least hear him out; give him a chance to talk. He sighed and covered his eyes. I could tell he was crying. He and I both desperately needed a good cry. One way dad and I are alike is that we hold our emotions inside of us and let them build up like a beaver builds a dam. "How hard it is. Ryan was supposed to be my fearless and brave son. He just gave me possibly the worst news of my life. Just wait; until you have kids. You'll understand." I smirked to myself. Worst news ever huh? I'll show you worst news ever. I balled my fists and slid them together. "I'd hold off on calling that the worst news ever" dad raised his eyebrow. "Really? What could be the worst news ever?" He asked. I bit my fingernail, just to keep from laughing. If I laughed I'd spoil the surprise. "I'm pregnant" I stated blankly. Dads' eyes grew wider with anger. "By?" He asked. "Steven" the thought of me and Steven having kids wasn't bad. Where was all this Steven and Jazz shit come from. Jacob was loyal and I loved him. But the bad thing is, I think I might be growing feelings for Steven. No it's just a puppy love. When he comes to the dinner, we can talk. "I'm gonna kill him...... And you" he held his hand. Like when he does his Superman punch. "Dad I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding" I laughed but dad didn't. "Come with me" he grabbed my hand and carried me to his bedroom. I visually forgot what it was like in here. I remember coming in here after Adrian and Ryan kicked me out whenever I had a nightmare. And when that happened, I knew mom and dad's loving arms were open. He led me into their bathroom and began searching under the sink. He pulled out a pregnancy test. I gasped. "Um. I was just kidding. I'm not pregnant" I informed him. "Well I don't know that. Why are you denying it so much?" He asked stepping closer to me with every question. Ok, so that's how you wanna play, huh? "Why do you have pregnancy tests?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. He blushed. I'd never, in my fifth teen years, seen my dad blush. "Your mom and I thought she was pregnant, so we have them. Just go, pee on the stick" he pushed me deeper into the room and left out the bathroom. I didn't have to pee. I took the stick out of the box and noticed the red negative sign on it. I smirked evilly. I stayed in the bathroom for ten minutes to make it believable. I wrapped it in toilet paper. Mom had her pee on it; I wasn't touching it. "Dad look" I said sounding terrified so he'd still believe me. He rushed up to me... Fast. He sighed in relief and hugged me. I laughed and he chuckled. I got a text from Ryan at 7:30 pm. "I'm home Jazz. I'm with my boyfriend. 💚 you little sis" I smiled but cringed at the same time. "💙 you too big bro" I replied. As long as he was safe, that was all that matters. Dad walked into the living room where I was catching up on Empire. "I'm going out with some friends for the night. Can you stay here with Adrian? Just for a couple of hours" he added. If dad left, me and Adrian could go find Ryan and at least talk to him. "Yeah that'll be great. Have fun" I stated. I turned my attention back to Cookie and Lucious. Dad walked in front of the tv. I moved so I could see. "I swear this generation is weak." He shook his head disapprovingly. I shrugged. "I blame Steve Jobs" dad smiled and gave me a hug. "I love you, Jazzy" he sighed in the hug which made me ponder. "What's wrong?" I asked. I knew he'd lie and say nothing like I always did. Another similarity we shared. "Nothing. I'm good. I love you so much" I knew it! And he added the 'I love you' crap at the end! Something was up, but I needed Adrian to come with me. Without a car, we'd have to walk. We had no idea who Ryan's boyfriend was and it was almost 8. Dad walked out of the house. As soon as I saw the car disappear into the dark night, I ran up the stairs to Adrian's room. I burst the door and saw 'Andrea from physics class' I slightly gasped and walked out. I heard my name being called numerous times, but I ignored them. I was halfway down the stairs when I felt a tug on my shirt sleeve. "Jazz what's wrong?" Adrian asks me. I begin to cry. What is it with me and crying. I don't cry and I don't need anyone feeling petty for me. "Adrian. You and I are all we have. It starts off just talking and hanging, the before you know it, the h turns into a b!" I said through tears. I probably was a hot mess. "How do you know?" He asked eyebrows raised. Is raising eyebrows a habit we inherited? Mom and I were the only ones who couldn't do it. But back to the subject. Yeah not to brag, I banged a few guys back when I was 14. Just a few. (1)." I just know ok. Now tell her to leave. Let's go visit Ryan. Dad's gone" Adrian wipes my tears. "Ok little sis. If it'll make you feel better" I smiled at him. Finally we could go talk some sense into Ryan. Andrea left five minutes later, Adrian used the restroom and we headed out. I texted Ryan to see where he lived. We were walking. In the dark. All alone. Adrian held me close, in case someone tried to hurt me. The big brother stuff. My eyes widened when I saw where Ryan was living. "Um Ad. Ryan lives in the bad areas on Tampa" I said. Adrian looked down at my phone screen. "Aw shit. Hollywood Drive?" I nodded. Hollywood drive is where the clubs and gangs were. I was warned and told never to go there by mom and dad, but I had to. "Jazz, when we get there don't say anything. Which address is his?" I asked. "5701" Adrian sighed. "This better be worth it" I smiled. "It will" Adrian pulled me even closer to him. "Adrian I'm fine. Loosen your grip" he did and when we finally arrived, I saw why mom and dad told me not to come. Once we turned into the neighborhood, I saw beer bottles in the grass, people smoking, gambling and people making out. No, more like sucking faces. "Don't stare" Adrian nudged me. "Ok ok" I told him. This neighborhood gave me the creeps. The fact that someone could rape anyone because there were no lights scared me and sent chills up my spine. Ryan wasn't staying here. We walked up to the door and I knocked on it. I looked down and noticed a dead rat. I screamed and jumped into Adrian's arms. He laughed. "It's not funny" I say blankly. "You're right. It was hilarious!" I rolled my eyes. The door swung open. I immediately knew this was Ryan's housemate. "Hi. Is there a Ryan here?" I ask politely. He nodded and opened the door wider for us to come in. I observed my surroundings. The house was small with looked like juice on the floor. There was a beat up navy blue couch and a black blanket on it. The tv was really small and had on Criminal Minds. The carpet needed shampooing and cleaning was a necessity in this house. If this was how the foyer and den looked, imagine their rooms. I looked up at Adrian, who looked down at me. "So. Are you friends of Ryan" I shook my head. "Brother and Sister" I told him. He poured some milk in a glass. The man's hair was strawberry blonde and he had little facial hair. He was buffed but not too buffed. "Boyfriend" he told us. "Oh" Adrian finally said. Ryan walked down the stairs in nothing but a towel around his lower areas. Adrian covered my eyes. "Jeez Ryan, for the love of God, put on some clothes." I complained. I'd never seen Ryan without a shirt on and I hadn't realized that he was so well built. He had a 6-pack. An actual 6-pack. "Sorry little sis, I didn't expect you. I'll be right back" he ran up the stairs and Adrian removed his hands. The five minutes Ryan was gone were quiet. I didn't want to say anything until Ryan got back down, because I didn't know this guy, and didn't want to tell him too much. "Ok. Adrian, Jazz. What are you doing here?" Ryan asked us. Obviously we were here to take him home. Why would we come to Hollywood Drive? We, well, I wasn't allowed to come to this neighborhood. "Look, Ryan we came to talk to you. Why are you living here? In Hollywood Drive! Are you crazy?! Living with these freak shows here!" I yelled. "No offense..... Whatever your name is" he turned to me. "It's Mitchell" I grabbed Ryan's arm and pulled him over to me and Adrian. "Dude" Adrian chuckled lowly. "-what were you thinking?" I hit Adrian. "Stop" I turned my attention back to Ryan. "You have to come back home. I'm not letting you stay here" I crossed my arms over my chest. This place was horrible. I wondered what the bathrooms looked like. More rats on the floor?! "Jazzy. This is what I want. You'll get over me, I promise" Ryan told me. My eyes began to water. "Liar! Don't make promises you can't keep and, and, scome back home! I will never get over the fact that you're gone" Hot and Salty tears were streaming down my face. I was beginning to feel like Sponge Bob when he was informed that he cried too much. Now I worried that was me. "Jazz, Jazz, Jazz calm down. Come, come out here with me for a bit" Ryan cooed. Ryan was my big brother. I looked up to Ryan, and if he wasn't there, I knew I wouldn't get any good advice from Adrian so the simple fact that Ryan wouldn't be there to help me like I needed him to, hurt me. Physically and emotionally. He closed the door behind us. I was sniffling and whimpering and crying all at the same time. "Jazz, I'm sorry it hurts you so much-" I jumped up. "Then move back in!" I suggested. He looked down on me. "Ok" I smiled and gave him a hug. A bear hug. I was happy but was he. "Are you sure?" I asked eyebrows raised. "Yep. Oh and Jazz one more thing" he said. I nodded. Nothing he had to say could be better than this moment. "I'm not gay!" He shouted. My eyes and mouth opened. "I'm sorry what?" I asked again. Did I hear him right. What was this? A prank a joke or something? "I'm not gay" he chuckled.

TWIST AT THE END. HEY GUYS TORI HERE. I JUST WANNA SAT THNX TO EVERYONE! I LOVE WRITING MY STORIES AND I ENJOY VOTES *HINT HINT* OH AND EMPIRE! ANIKA IS A LIAR 💔 POOR LUCIOUS, HE WAS GONNA MARRY HER. BUT ANYWAY, UNTIL THE NEXT CHAPTER, STAY LOYAL AND COOL.
------TORI💋💜