They kept their secret patio rendezvous just that—a secret—until Monday, somehow. They discussed it on Saturday and Sunday, over text, and they'd elected to walk into the meeting on Monday holding hands and just see if anyone noticed. That was where they were headed now—Monday afternoon's meeting.
"Go time," Vaughn said as they reached the third floor. Ryan chuckled and reached out his hand. Vaughn took it.
"I'm nervous," Ryan said. "Isn't that weird?"
"Me too, don't worry," Vaughn reassured.
The door to Ayres' room was open. Vaughn led, keeping a hold on Ryan's hand. They'd made sure to arrive a little late, to ensure that everyone was in the room to make the discovery. Their hopes were realized—everyone was in attendance. And everyone looked right at them, and then their hands. And everyone made the discovery.
"Dude!" Knox exclaimed, a smile on his face.
"You guys are a thing?" Jesse asked.
"Yeah," Vaughn said. Ryan nodded. He felt his ears turning red.
"Finally!" Lindsey huffed. Ryan laughed, along with everyone else in the room, and his nerves were lifted. Vaughn squeezed his hand, and they took their seats. Dallas shoved Vaughn's shoulder, but they were prevented from saying anything by Mr. Ayres clearing his throat from the front of the room.
"I hate to steal Ryan and Vaughn's thunder—" he said, shooting them a grin. He sat down on his desk. "—but I have something to tell you guys, now that you're all here."
Jesse straightened, gaze locked on the teacher. Ryan got the feeling he knew exactly what was about to come out of Mr. Ayres' mouth.
"Go for it," said Lindsey.
Mr. Ayres cast his eyes to the ceiling for a moment, then looked back down, locking eyes with Jesse. The teacher's knuckles were turning white from his grip on the desk on either side of him.
"This is strange for me," Mr. Ayres began, keeping his eyes on Jesse, "because normally it's the kid in this situation rather than the adult."
Dallas took his feet off the desk and set them on the floor, gaze locked on Mr. Ayres.
"And I feel like...this organization being what it is...this should be easy for me," the teacher continued, "but it actually really isn't. I just want you all to know that I wouldn't have admitted this to myself if it wasn't for you."
Mr. Ayres removed his gaze from Jesse, who was smiling slightly, and looked around the room, making eye contact with every one of them. Ryan tried to look reassuring when the teacher's eyes passed him.
"As teachers, we try to inspire our students to come out of their shells and do amazing things and be confident in themselves, but over the past few years, you've inspired me more than I've ever inspired you. I want to thank you for that." Mr. Ayres spoke slowly, nervously. "And I want to thank you for inspiring me to...come out."
Nobody moved, but Ryan could feel the entire room shift. Jesse was smiling wide now.
"I know you've had your...suspicions," Mr. Ayres said, looking at Knox, who grinned sheepishly. He had the entire room's undivided attention. All eyes were glued to him. "And it made me think. It's all I've been thinking about for a while now. So, I've decided..."
The whole room subconsciously leaned forward slightly.
"I'm gay."
"There it is," Knox said.
Ayres glared at him, but the moment had broken. Everyone busted out laughing.
"Mr. Ayres," Dallas piped up, sounding serious for once. Ayres looked at them. "I know I make fun of you a lot, but I hope you'll remember that we love you as much as you love us."
Ayres' mouth opened, then closed, then opened again, then closed again. Finally, he hopped off the desk and walked over to Dallas, who stood up. Ayres pulled Dallas into his arms, and Dallas hung onto him tight.
"Stop, this mascara's not waterproof," Lindsey whispered. Cosmo slapped her arm. Jesse chuckled, reaching out and putting a hand on her shoulder. She put her hand on top of his.
It was then that Ryan looked around the room, a ridiculous smile on his face, his boyfriend's hand in his. For once in his life, he figured from here on out, everything was going to be okay.
