Downtown Idea

36. Talk Fast (Special Jonas Chapter)

When I woke up that morning I fixed my morning coffee and cereal. Like usual.

I pulled out a new mug and left the half and half out as well for Susan when she got up, which wouldn't be long. It never was.

So far it was a normal day. But before I could get my spoon to my mouth it had stopped being a normal day. My phone rang.

"Jo, I think there's a problem." My manager, Jen said. I was confused.

"Problem? With what? Did we lose some recordings? The Album art? I can whip them back up, no problem." I was calm and collected. At least out loud. This was Honest Lies' debut album. We couldn't fail before we got going.

"No, Jo, I need you to look on Lorelei Richard's Instagram page." As soon as the name left Jen's lips I knew this truly was going to be a problem. I just didn't know how big of a problem.

I logged on and saw a picture of me kissing Alex as her most recent post. My throat went dry as I clicked the picture to read the caption.

'Everyone needs a Gay best friend.'

My heart sank.

"Are you okay, Jonas?" Jen asked. I didn't answer as I quickly went to my page and looked at my recent posts' comment section. Breathing was hard right now.

'Oh my god he's gay???? Unstan immediately.' Had over 100 likes. That was a lot for a comment. I scrolled on farther. Occasionally there was a kind comment about how it wasn't okay for people to be assuming that I was gay just because I kissed a boy. And others were mad I didn't come out on my page where they'd see it.

"Jen. What do we do?" I asked in a small voice, finally able to pipe up, "Do I make it clear that I am gay and take the drawbacks, or do I say that boys can kiss boys and not be gay? Oh my god and Alex wasn't out either. Jen I'll call you back." I hung up before she could tell me what I needed to do. I quickly called Alex.

He didn't pick up. So I called again. Straight to voicemail. He was mad at me. I could tell.

"Alex. I'm assuming you saw Lorelei's post about us. I'm just as pissed as you please call me back." I said sadly. Before I could call Jen back Susan came in the room.

"Good morning." She said sleepily. I looked back at her with a pained expression, "Are you okay?" She asked. I shook my head.

"Code Red." I said making her frown and walk over to me. She looked over my shoulder at my computer and frowned even deeper.

"Well that's bullshit and I hate it." She took my cereal bowl and put it in the sink.

"I haven't eaten that yet." I said getting up and watching her dump it down the drain. This was terrible. I was losing fans and yet I was also losing my cereal. I needed a drink.

"You need something better than cereal." She said pulling out the waffle iron. Susan always made the best anti-emotion-waffles. I smiled and sat down at the bar across from her.

"She outed Alex too." I said softly. Susan was reassuring me while Jen was texting me.

I'm assuming you forgot
to call me back and now
you're in a conversation
you can't call during?