Chapter 10
In my family's home, it was very rare for us to have a dinner without someone arguing. That only made me very moody because all I wanted to do was eat in peace, but my siblings just had find something to argue about.
It was even worse for this dinner because my grandparents, Jerome, Mae, and Ryder were over and a certain person was adding fuel to the fire.
My grandpa was probably the world's biggest shipper. He shipped people like crazy so once Orchid and Tulip started arguing about boys, he just had to jump into the conversation.
"Tulip, you're only nine years old," Orchid said. "There's no way you're going to get a boyfriend before me, a sixteen year old."
"You can't even admit you like Atticus," Alan spoke up. "So Tulip probably will get a boyfriend before you."
"Ha ha," Tulip said. "I told you."
"Uh, you can't say you told me just because Alan agrees with you," Orchid said. "He knows nothing about relationships."
"Hurtful," Alan said. "Just for that, I'm definitely siding with Tulip. She'll be the first one in the family to get a boyfriend."
Yeah, sure, Tulip would.
"Ryder, can you please side with me?" Orchid asked. "Tell Tulip I'll be the first one in this family to get a boyfriend."
"You're not the first," Ryder said. "Mom had a boyfriend before you."
"I'm talking about the kids," Orchid said. "Tulip is only nine so clearly, I'm going to be the first to get a boyfriend."
"No, I'll be the first," Tulip said. "Tell her, Grandpa."
"Tulip, I'm sorry to tell you this, but Orchid will probably beat you," Grandpa said. "She is sixteen."
Tulip scowled. "You're a disgrace to shipping, Grandfather... I'm still going to be the first."
"Oh, be quiet, Tulip," Orchid said. "I'm going to be the first one in the family to get a boyfriend, so get over it."
"I'll get over it once you get a boyfriend, which won't happen until I do," Tulip said.
I was getting so annoyed with my sisters that I was actually considering ending the argument if it went on any longer because technically, they were both wrong.
The argument still wasn't ending. At all. They were just going back and forth, saying how they would be the first one to get a boyfriend in the family.
I was doing it.
I needed them to shut up so I could eat my food in peace and not get a headache.
"You're both wrong," I said.
"Excuse me?" Orchid asked. "What, you think Rose is going to be the first?"
"No, I am," I said. "I have a boyfriend, so I beat you both to it. Now can you shut up and let me eat in peace?"
"Wow, you're so funny," Orchid said.
"What makes you think I'm joking?" I asked.
"...You're serious?"
I shrugged and went back to eating my food now that my annoying sisters weren't arguing.
"No, you can't do that," Orchid said. "You can't just say something like you having a boyfriend and expect everything to be fine."
"Hold on a second," Grandpa said, looking over at me, and Jerome since he was sitting beside me. "I can sense the spark between you two." He gasped. "Nolan, is Jerome your boyfriend?"
That right there was definitely a reaction that made me even happier about coming out to my family. I should have known my grandpa would be so accepting and even excited about it.
And I, of course, couldn't help but smile when Grandpa got so excited. "Yeah, he is," I said.
This time, it was Tulip's turn to get excited. "I knew it! I shipped Jerlan from the start!"
"You... what?" I asked.
"I shipped Jerlan since Jerome said he liked boys," Tulip said. "I just knew he would date Nolan, otherwise I'd be sad."
How was a nine year old more accepting than a lot of other people in the world? Tulip didn't even know I was gay and she was already wanting me to date Jerome. I definitely wasn't complaining about it or anything. I was just so lucky to have such a supportive family.
"And that reminds me..." Dad said, getting up from the table and heading to the kitchen, pulling out the rainbow cake we got from the bakery since most of us were almost done our dinner. "There's cake for dessert."
"Nolan and I get the biggest pieces since we're the gay ones, right?" Jerome asked.
"But I want a big piece," Alan said. "I'm hungry."
"Not everything is about you, Alan," Ryder said.
Having my family act like me having a boyfriend was normal made me feel like all the weight was lifted off my shoulders. Of course, I was still going to have to deal with other people knowing whenever Jerome and I went somewhere public, but I didn't think it was going to bother me as much. They're going to be opinions from people I either didn't know or care about.
I think I was going to be able to handle it.
When everyone finished eating, there was going to be a family game night in the living room, but I wanted to help my mom clear off the table and do the dishes. Even Jerome was helping.
"You two don't have to help, you know," Mom said as Jerome and I brought the dishes to the sink. "I'm fine doing this alone. Go enjoy the game night."
"It's going to take a long time to pick out the game," I said. "And I wanted to thank you."
"For what?" Mom asked.
"For what you said when I came out," I said. "I was really, really terrified to but you said exactly what I needed to hear."
"And it's the truth," Mom said. "All we want is for you to be happy, and we can tell that you really are genuinely happy. But Jerome..." She then looked over at my boyfriend. "I swear, if you ever hurt him, you won't just have to deal with me and Grayson, you'll also have to deal with my dad. And Tulip. And definitely Ryder."
"Don't worry, all I want is for him to be happy too," Jerome said. "And I'll do whatever it takes to make sure he keeps a smile on that face."
I couldn't help but smile as he said that. I didn't know how I was so lucky to get someone like Jerome; someone who always tried to make me happy no matter what.
I really didn't think I could get happier.
__________________
nolan ily so much you stay sassy "i beat you both to it"
he's me though. all i want is to eat my food in peace but my family is annoying during dinner >:(
ANYWAY i'm guessing there will be 2-3 chapters left. i just wanted to get to nolan coming up, but i think it would be fair to get some jerlan fluff before it ends.
YOU ARE READING
Him and His Hoodie
Romance*cover by darkgalaxies* Nolan Prince has always felt different from his family. They would want go out to socialize and he would rather stay in the comfort of his room. They would want to be the centre of attention and he would rather stay qu...
