True Colors

Chapter 3: Secrets Revealed

IM SOOOOOO SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT!! I WAS WORKING ON MY SECOND BOOK (CROSSING OCEANS)

Chapter 3: Secrets Revealed

Avery's fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted her hair in the mirror. She had chosen her favorite vintage dress for dinner tonight—a soft, flowy number with a delicate floral pattern. It was a comfort item, something that made her feel confident and secure. Tonight, she needed all the confidence she could muster.

"Avery, are you ready?" her mom called from downstairs.

"Coming, Mom!" Avery took a deep breath, gave herself one last encouraging smile, and headed down to the dining room.

Her parents, deeply rooted in their traditional values, were already seated. Her dad was reading the evening newspaper, while her mom was setting out plates of steaming lasagna. Her younger brother, Ethan, was enthusiastically chatting about his latest soccer game.

"Hey, everyone," Avery said, sliding into her seat.

Dinner began as usual, with light conversation and laughter. Avery watched her family, her stomach churning with nerves. She had rehearsed this moment a thousand times in her head, but now that it was here, it felt overwhelmingly real.

"So, Avery," her dad said, looking up from his plate, "how's school? Anything interesting happening?"

Avery swallowed hard. This was it. She glanced at Ethan, who was obliviously stuffing his face with garlic bread, then back at her parents. "Actually, there is something I want to talk to you about."

Her mom and dad exchanged curious glances. "Go ahead, sweetheart," her mom said gently.

Avery took a deep breath. "I... I want to tell you something important about myself. I've been thinking about it a lot, and it's really important to me that you know. I'm bisexual."

The room fell silent. Her dad's fork hovered mid-air, and her mom's eyes widened slightly. Ethan looked up, confusion etched on his young face.

"B-bisexual?" her dad repeated, his voice unsure. "What does that mean exactly?"

"It means I'm attracted to both girls and boys," Avery explained, trying to keep her voice steady.

Her mom's face softened, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "Avery, honey, are you sure about this? It can be... confusing at your age."

"I'm sure, Mom," Avery said firmly. "I've known for a while. This isn't just a phase. It's who I am."

Her dad set down his fork and leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "We just want you to be happy and safe, Avery."

"I know, Dad. And being honest about who I am is part of that."

Her mom reached across the table, taking Avery's hand in hers. "We love you, Avery. No matter what. It's just... a lot to take in. We need some time to understand."

Avery nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Thank you. That's all I ask."

The rest of dinner passed in a blur. Her parents asked a few more questions, but the tension in the room was palpable. When Avery finally escaped to her room, she collapsed on her bed, the emotional exhaustion washing over her.

She reached for her phone, needing to connect with someone who understood. She texted Jules, her fingers shaking slightly.

Avery: I did it. I told them.A few moments later, her phone buzzed.

Jules: How did it go?

Avery: Better than I expected, but still really hard. They need time to process.

Jules: I'm proud of you, Avery. That took a lot of courage.

Avery: Thanks, Jules. I really needed to hear that right now.

The next day at school, Avery felt a mix of relief and anxiety. She had taken a huge step, but the journey was far from over. During lunch, she found her friends gathered at their usual spot in the courtyard. Jules, Max, Lila, Kai, and the rest of the group welcomed her with warm smiles and open arms.

"How did it go?" Lila asked, her eyes full of concern.

Avery took a seat and sighed. "It was tough, but they didn't freak out. They just need time to adjust."

"That's a good start," Max said, patting her on the back. "Parents can surprise you sometimes."

"I just hope they can really accept me for who I am," Avery said softly. "I don't want to feel like I'm hiding anymore."

"You don't have to hide with us," Kai said, his voice gentle but firm. "We're here for you, no matter what."

Avery looked around at her friends, feeling a swell of gratitude. "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you all."

As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Avery felt a sense of hope. She had taken a brave step towards living her truth, and with the support of her friends, she knew she could face whatever challenges lay ahead. The path to acceptance and understanding might be long, but she wasn't walking it alone.