Whirlwind || Bob's Burgers

1- School's Out

Tina's POV:

School's out today, and I'm walking on the sidewalk where Gene joins me.

"Pphh!" Gene scoffs. "Freshman year is gonna be easy! Maybe not as much when you're a freshman queer though."

He just officially finished middle school, and in a few months, he'll be a freshman.

"You have to tell everyone eventually. Do you really think mom and dad will care?" I try to persuade him for the millionth time this year.

"You're the only one who knows about me being...gay." He whispers the last part.

"Besides the bullies...and Alex Papasian." I point out. Him and Alex went to the school dance together and played it off as if they were going as friends. That is, until they kissed in the hallway, where nobody saw. Except me.

I remember not seeing Gene when I was supposed to pick him up, and looking for him, only to find him locking lips with Alex. The two fourteen year olds at their first dance, sharing their first kiss. It's sweet, really.

So now, they are dating. The dance was in April, and now it's early June, and Gene still hasn't spoken up about his sexuality to mom, dad, or Louise.

"And Alex's parents." He adds. "I went to their house last week and Alex let it slip."

"How'd they take it?" I ask.

"His dad was kinda stunned but then he hugged him. And his mom cried at first but I think she's good with it. Just surprised." He replies, smiling as Alex walks up next to us.

"Hey Gene." He blushes. "Hey Tina."

I wave, but his eyes are glued to my brother, absolutely love struck. "So I was thinking maybe...we tell your parents today. And your sister."

"No! No I'm not ready!" Gene panics.

"Gene...listen." He stops Gene in his tracks, holding his face. "I...really like you. And I want to shout it from the rooftops. I've got your back. I promise."

Gene nods. "T?" He gestures to me. "I've got your back too." I confirm. The two boys smile.

Ahh, young love. Speaking of, Jimmy Jr. was supposed to walk me home today, but I guess his dance practice ran late again.

We pick up Louise at Wagstaff, who's now twelve years old. She wears her usual pink bunny ears, but now likes to wear her kuchi kopi hoodie over anything, every day.

It's a lime green hoodie with kuchi kopi face on the front. Pretty basic. And today, she's wearing jean shorts and a tee shirt with the hoodie over it, her usual white canvas sneakers on her feet, which she hand painted with her favorite hawk and chick monster characters.

She only became sassier with age, strutting between Gene and me, Alex joining us at the door of the restaurant.

"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Belcher." Alex greets them politely. Mom smiles at him warmly, wiping the counter casually.

Alex and Gene go downstairs to play their wizard hopscotch game, and probably make out. Hey, I'm not judging!

Three hours later, at about 6pm, Mom invites Alex to stay for dinner. Gene groans nervously.

"Gene?" Dad questions.

"I'm fine, father!" He shouts, obviously not fine.

"Tina?" Dad turns to me, knowing I'm horrible liar.

Just as I'm about to make something up, Jimmy Jr. bursts into the restaurant.

"Tina! I'm so sorry I'm late! I meant to pick you up I just...dance practice ran long!" Jimmy Jr. explains.