A World Reversed

Part 6

"So this is kind of hard for me to say, Clary..." Jonathan muttered, and I could hear the shaking in his voice, the nervousness he was feeling. I leaned as far forward as I dared, looking into his eyes the entire time.

"Whatever you have to tell me, Jon, I am always here for you," I said, patting his knee. He took a staggering breath and closed his eyes, preparing himself.

"They didn't kick me out because I let a jig into our band. They kicked me out because I'm straight." He said nervously at the end and held his breath, waiting on my reaction. I blinked and frowned. How could my dads' have known before me?

"What?" I said just to make sure I heard correctly. His lips lifted into a cautious smile, and it was clear to me he was exactly as he said. "You chased Isabelle..."

He grew a quirky smile that had been known to make boys blush, but to me it was my brother being his goofy self. "She'd been this close to outing me to the school. I just..." he trailed off and tilted his head, growing serious again. "I know I joked about your sexuality, and I don't know if you even are sure what you are. But when you decide, don't let anyone else out you. It's a scary thing, and most people won't agree."

I steeled my eyes, searching to see his emotions. It was so hard; he looked so much like my father. They both hid their emotions like their lives depended on it. Finally, the pain protruded behind those green eyes. I grabbed his shoulder and pulled him forward onto his knees, squishing him in a hug.

"Oh Jon," I sighed happily. There was a good feeling in my heart knowing he felt open enough to come out to me. "This changes nothing, but obviously I still love you. Our dads..."

Jonathan pulled away with a grim smile. "Our dads can't see past the physical, and that's their fault, Clary, not ours."

I nodded, agreeing, but then I heard his last word. "Yours, you mean." He smiled knowingly at me. I frowned. He was definitely implying something I didn't like. He snickered and I hit him in the arm, only half playing. He smiled happily and I could see his shoulders relaxing. "So what are you doing now?"

He sat back on the stage and cracked his knuckles, "The Lightwoods offered to house me, free of charge and everything. They and Alec, who is quite persuasive, really believe in the band. We could go big some day, Clary."

I had a tough time believing him. They were very good. Their songs were off the chart, but Will's voice always had been too soft for their music. I believed Isabelle would definitely help, but would it be enough to get them truly noticed? It would be a struggle, one I was surprised the Lightwoods would fund.

"You have no idea how much we've already been noticed in the west coast, Clary. They love my lyrics," he groaned, grinning like a wild man. I chuckled.

"It's not going to be easy, Jon, I hope you know that," I said. He nodded, still unable to wipe the smirk off his face. "What about school?"

"I'm dropping out," he shrugged. I figured he would. To write songs – good songs – he had to be focused. School was probably the greatest distraction anyone could ask for. "It's a gamble, but one I'm really confidant in."

I sighed. It scared me. But Jonathon was always a laid back go with the flow type of guy. If he was okay not being sure where his income would be coming from in five years, then that was good for him. I just hoped he could do it. He deserved some goodness in his life after suffering a full eighteen years on his own as a jig in a house with two heterophobic dads.

"Then you better get to practicing," I swatted at his head. He grinned. "Jace!" I shouted. Jon frowned in confusion so I held my feet up. He cringed. "He's promised to nurse me back to health." I giggled.