Him and His Hoodie

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

       I was actually wanting to tell my parents about how I really was and how happy I had been the past couple days, but I couldn't get the perfect opportunity to talk to them alone without worrying about my siblings eavesdropping.

       And they eavesdropped a lot.

       It felt like forever before the day finally came. The day I was going to come out to my parents and tell them how happy Jerome made me.

       Both Orchid and Alan had an after school activity and didn't stupidly tell Mom not to pick me up. Not only that, but Tulip also had dance rehearsal after school and Dad didn't have work today . It was the perfect day for me.

       I really hoped I didn't chicken out.

       To make sure I didn't, as soon as Mom picked me up from school and I was in the passenger seat of the car, I asked, "Can I talk to you and Dad when we get home? About something important?"

       "Yeah, of course," Mom said, thankfully not questioning what it was about. I still had to build up the courage to do it, but I was determined to do it today.

       I hoped I would do it today.

       At least I had a lot of time to build up the courage since Mom had to drop Tulip off at her dance studio first. The drive was feeling a lot longer than it normally was whenever Mom had to drop Tulip off, but that was only because I really anxious right now.

       When we finally got home, my heart was starting to beat a lot faster and I was tempted to just make up something up. But they would be able to tell if I was lying and I really did want to tell them. I didn't want to hide my relationship with Jerome anymore.

       As soon as we walked into the living room, Mom said to Dad, "Nolan wants to talk to us about something. He said it was important."

       "Okay," Dad said, reaching for the TV remote to pause the TV as Mom sat on the couch beside him and I sat on a chair somewhat facing them. "So what is it?"

       I literally felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest.

       "I, uh..." I began, but I didn't know how to continue. I was trying to just say those two words but I couldn't. I thought I had the courage to say it but something was stopping me, and I hated it.

       "Nolan, what is it?" Mom asked, starting to sound worried. "Is everything okay?"

       "Y-yeah, it is," I said. "It's just, uh..." I still couldn't say it. Come on, Nolan. Everything is going to be fine.

       "Does it have to do with why you've been so quiet recently?" Dad asked. "You said you'll tell us if things get worse but... We don't think it had because we've noticed how happy you've been lately."

       "Uh, it's why I've been happy that I want to talk to you two about," I said,looking down to avoid their eye contact. "The thing is..." Come on, just say it... "I have a boyfriend."

       I still avoided their eye contact so I couldn't see their expression, but it definitely didn't help that the room was in complete silence after I said that.

       It took a long time for one of my parents to say something. And of course, the first thing that was said was my dad saying, "Are you being serious?"

       "I'm a horrible liar, Dad," I said. "You would have been able to tell if I was lying..."

       "So when do we get to meet him?" Mom asked, and that was what made me look at them again.

       "You're... you're not mad?" I asked.

       Mom furrowed her eyebrows. "Why would we be mad?"

       "Because I... It's not normal," I said.

       "Well, it should be," Mom said. "And who gets to decide what is and isn't normal? Come sit here." I got up and walked over as Mom scooted a bit so there was room for me to sit between the two of them. "All your father and I want from our children is for you to be happy, and if it means you dating a guy, then of course we're going to support it. Like your father said, we noticed how happy you've been lately."

       "Your boyfriend makes you really happy, doesn't he?" Dad asked. "Because I don't think we've ever seen you smile so much."

       "He does," I said. "He really does."

       "Then I don't see why we would be mad," Dad said. "Love is love. Nobody should ever judge who other people are in love with. And since I know your mom is going to ask this again so I might as well do it, when can we meet him?"

       "You've actually already met him," I said. "It's Jerome."

       "Awe, that's so cute," Mom gushed. "And honestly, knowing that it's Jerome makes us support it even more. We know he'll treat you right. It always seemed like he had a soft spot for you. Are you wanting to tell your siblings?"

       "Yeah, hopefully soon," I said. "Ryder already knows. I didn't even have to tell him that I'm... That I'm gay. I did tell him but he said he already knew."

       "Of course he did," Dad said. "How did he know? You're very good at keeping it a secret."

       "Well, not good enough for someone who claims to be the love expert," I said. "Apparently, it was too obvious for him that I had a huge crush on Jerome. Anyway, I really hope I can tell everyone else soon. I'm just worried about Orchid."

       "What? Why?" Mom asked. "She supports LGBTQ+."

       "I know," I said. "But she was upset that she doesn't have a chance with Jerome so she might kind of get mad at me that I'm dating him."

       "Oh, well, she'll get over it," Mom said. "Seriously, though, we're proud of you for telling us. We know it's not always an easy thing to come out to your parents so how about we go get some cake to celebrate."

       "How about some rainbow cake?" Dad suggested, and that just made me smile. I had the best parents in the world.

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i type cake, i think of luke and calum. i'm cake af

(even in valentine i think of them. FULL PLATE DON'T WAIT HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO)

anyway this book is coming to an end soon enough since it was only meant to be a short story (and i wanna start canter's book)