I'm In Love With A Player

Chapter 7// Love interests

Smiling is good for you.

Jenifer's POV
I sit in Starbucks, my cheeks stained with tears. I can't believe that just happened.

I sit alone for five minutes, just numb. I can't believe that just happened.

Maybe they're right. Maybe I don't deserve to be here.

Bella soon arrives, but instead of going straight over to me she goes to the counter and even in my state I smile a small smile when I hear her ordering our 'Belifer special'. Trust me you won't want to know what's in the drink: all the ingredients don't really sound appealing but believe us it works when it's put together.

But before long the smile is gone.

Bella comes over, places our beverages on the table and sits down next to me. She rubs my arm.
"Hey Jen-Hen." she says.
"Hey Bella-Smella." I whisper back. Those our our nicknames we only use when one of us is down.
"So, wanna tell me what's wrong?" Bella looks at me with her beautiful hazel eyes, and I can see the concern behind them.

I think for a moment. How do I put this?
"I'm gay." I suddenly blurt out. "Well actually I'm a lesbian but same thing." Then I sit there waiting for a response. Bella looks at me and smiles.
"Well done Jen. I'm so proud of you." she says, leaning over and hugging me.
"Proud?" I ask quietly.
"Your so brave to come out to me: that takes courage." she pats me on the shoulder. "How long..."
"I've known for about a year." I say, sniffing.
Bella looks sad for a moment. "Listen Jen, I'm so sorry when I was just on and on at you about having a crush on Jude from Spanish class that time, I feel really bad now because obviously you didn't... and when I assumed you were staring at Tyson and were falling for him..."
I nod. "It's okay Bells. I should have told you ages ago. But I guess I was too scared. And yes, that day you thought I was staring at Tyson I was actually staring at Chelsea. She's so beautiful but I know she doesn't play for my side: she's as straight as a pencil." I smile at my analogy and look at Bella properly. She still looks concerned though.
"Umm Jenifer..? Why were you crying and why were you all upset on the phone? Is it cuz you were scared to tell me or.... Is it something more serious?" She asks worriedly. Then I start crying again.
"Well Bells you aren't the first person I've told...."
"you didn't tell Chelsea did you?" Bella looks shocked.
I rub my eyes and try to pull myself together. I'm sixteen for goodness sake I shouldn't be crying in the middle of Starbucks.
"Of course not."
Bella visibly relaxes, then tenses again. "Then... Who?"
"My parents." I close my eyes and take a deep breath. "I told them this afternoon just before you called. I'd had enough of hiding it, of hiding myself. So I told them. It turns out they're massive homophobics. They both screamed at me and then Dad told me to grab my stuff and get out his bloody house." I recount, shaking. Bella's eyes are wide at this point.
"Oh my God Jenifer I'm so sorry. You don't deserve this." she envelopes me again in a hug, and glances down to see my bulging backpack at my feet. "So... Where are you living?"
"I dunno. The streets? A comfy sidewalk?"
"You idiot, no sidewalks are comfortable. And seriously, of course your not. Finish your drink. Your staying at mine."

***
Bellas POV
I return home with a worn out Jenifer and her bag. I left my keys in my room in my rush to get to Starbucks so Jen digs deep in her coat pocket to get her set. She unlocks the door and we stumble in.
"Hi honey." Mom says, coming into the hall. She looks startled to see Jenifer. "Oh and hi Jenifer." she surveys the scence: a tear stained Jenifer and a bulging backpack at her feet. "What on earth has happened here girls? Jenifer? Are you alright?"
I look at Jen. "Can I tell her?" she just nods and we walk into the lounge. I tell mom everything that Jen told me. Mom looks concerned and shocked. As soon as it's all out there, she goes over to Jenifer and gives her a reassuring hug. "Jenifer, remeber we consider you part of the family and you can stay here for as long as you need." Mom says. "Now, please excuse me. I'm going round to talk to your parents. Bella, hon please tell Dad to bring home takeout."
With that mom swiftly exits the room, shoves on her boots and leaves the house before I can blink.

***
Me and Jen are snuggled on the couch in my room watching Mean Girls and eating the takeout pizza dad brought home. Mom still isn't back, and it's been two hours. I consider calling her but I don't want to disrupt anything.

We're on the part where Cady vomits all over Aaron Samules when I hear mom come in. Jen leaps off the couch and runs downstairs: I follow her down.
"Mom! What's the outcome?" I ask immediately. She looks tired out.
"Firstly I need some food and a drink. And I need to sit down." Mom says wearily. She stumbles into the kitchen and sits down on a chair. Jen slides the pizza box towards her and I fill up a glass with tap water. As mom gobbles her Hawaiian pizza and downs her water, Jen and I slide onto seats and stare at her impatiently until she's finished.
"Okay, Jenifer just remeber you shouldn't feel pressured into this, it's your decision okay?" mum asks, staring over at Jen, who nods silently.
"I went over to your house. Your parents acted like nothing had happened: they didn't know why I was there. At first it was just small talk but then I just came straight out and told them why I was there. And they flipped out. They lost it. I stayed calm and asked them to rethink their decision. They didn't back down. They made me grab the rest of your stuff and screamed that they never wanted to see you again." A single tear slides down Jenifer's face and I put my arm around her. This must be horrible: hearing that the people who have loved and cared for you for sixteen years don't want you anymore.

Mom continues. "I didn't want to upset and anger them more. I went to your room and found every carrier bag and rucsac I could to stuff your clothes, makeup, laptop and memories in. Then I left, screaming that they were horrible parents and didn't deserve you." she blushes. "It wasn't one of my finer moments. Anyway, when I was in your room I saw a contacts book with peoples numbers in. I hope you don't mind but I looked inside and saw a number for an Aunt Tina. I typed the number in my phone, and when I was back in the safety of my car I called the number. Tina sounded so friendly, I hope you don't mind Jenifer, but i told her your situation and she's happy to let you stay with her. And as she Lives five minutes from your school it won't complicate anything."

I have a friend whose been in a similar situation- not as extreme but it has taken her parents some time to come to terms with her sexuality. I have no problems with gay people at all, maybe some of you reading are gay. If you are and you've come out: I'm so proud it must have been hard. And if you've yet to come out: good luck and go for it. I promise everything will be alright. If you need someone you don't know in real life to talk to I'm here.

Lots of love xx