My Secret Valentine

Chapter 6 - Farewell To The Queen Bee; It Is Now Me

"You did what?" Trinity damn near shouted. "Say it ain't so," her jaw dropped.

     The silence around us was uneasy and Trinity's body language was puzzling. She acted as if she discovered all holiday patrons were a myth. Bryan comfortably sat slanted in my beanbag seat holding his phone upward while he rocked his right leg. She tried to gesture to him for his participation when he purposely missed his cue. She groaned and Bryan snickered.

"Are you not gonna put your two cents into this shit," she annoyingly signified as she threw her arms in the air.

Bryan avoided eye contact with her as he was deeply invested in his phone, "I ain't even know she was gay," he causally said as I shushed him.

        He moved his head around his phone and apologized for almost accidentally outing me in my home. It was officially official now, I came out to my friends and they were taking it quite well. I knew for some duration of my sexuality despite myself running from it. The amount of fear that infiltrated me when I shared this sensitive secret with my friends was staggering. They accepted me with both their mouths and arms open. Different emotions hit me all at once while I kept my poker face.

       Trinity was more so concerned with my assumption that Alicia was the admirer and how this would make that other person feel if my assumption was incorrect. I was adamant it was Alicia because who else would it be? Bryan on the other hand was glad he didn't have to ward off any guys since I came out. He didn't hold back when it came to his questions and asking me to rate girls with him. I went from being his little sister to being his "bro" and Trinity was appalled. She glared at the two of us.

"What," I innocently asked, "She is a ten," I said shyly.

"Ugh!" Trinity groaned as she threw her hands up surrendering. She sounded like a frustrated mother.

     It was clear where Bryan stood as far as Alicia goes whereas Trinity felt I was becoming big-headed, and I assured her I was not. I was stepping outside of my comfort zone which is something she always expressed I should be doing anyway. It confused me as to why the sudden change of heart from her and I was curious to know what the real issue was. So what if my ego boosted a tad bit, it's well deserved and my best friend should be on board with it not against it. This should've been a great thing for me, yet it felt like I was being interrogated.

     "How do you feel about it," I asked her, she looked puzzled at first before I hinted why I asked the question.

She caught on and responded, "I'm happy for you. I'm glad that you trusted us enough to be open and true to yourself just–"

I interrupted since I knew where she was heading, "I know. I know. Be careful."

Bryan intervened as he sensed tension building between us. "Trin, she's gonna be alright. Just let her rock."

Lowering her defenses as she sighed, "I worry about her."

     It warmed my heart to know how much she cared, but there was no need for her to worry about me. I gravitated toward her and grabbed her by her arms as I gazed into her eyes, promising her that I would be okay. She gave me a small smile which I acknowledged. Bryan began to tease me about my first date and questioned where our date would be. I thought the movies would be a great spot, but he suggested otherwise.

      He threw out a few ideas that I declined until he recommended the new arcade downtown. I pondered on it for a few seconds before agreeing with his idea. It would be the perfect place for us to hang out, talk, and have fun all at once. Bryan and I were so invested in the conversation I failed to notice how quiet Trinity has become. I thought about checking in, but I'm ashamed to admit I didn't.