The Next Generation

Chapter 27 - Kas

I took in a breath. I was going to do it. I was going to come out of the closet. I didn't think I could stay hidden much longer. I kinda had to tell them. Because no one knew, except Zara, and telling them would make me feel better. So why was I so queasy?Just do it. It'll be over before you know it. I sighed, my breath hitching, and quietly asked Sammy,

"Could you get everyone in here? I have something I want to say," He looked confused, but did as I asked without a question, and soon, after Emmi pulled over, everyone was staring at me. I took in a deep breath as my thoughts went wild, worried of what they would think of me, if they would look at me any different. But then I looked around at the nine faces staring at me, some in confusion, some in support, and some in slight worry. They did care about me. So I had to trust them, like they trusted me. I climbed up onto the table, stepping over Riley's half eaten lunch carefully, and wrung my hands, trying to get the words out. I had to do this. So I looked out at all of them, and sighed.

"Guys, can we get something straight?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest. They nodded slowly, looking confused. I smiled nervously. "I'm not,"

*~**~*

Everyone's reaction was different. Ethan was just shocked, like standing still with his mouth open, probably just realizing that it wasn't the best idea to kiss a gay person. Well, I was bisexual, but they didn't know that. Lacy smiled brightly, as if happy that I had twice the choices of partners, and then, I knew I would like her. Riley clapped her hands, grinning like an idiot, and Charlie jumped up with a loud 'HECK YEA! LESBIANS FOREVER!!!'. I supposed I should've told them I was bi sooner. But, oh well. Emmi looked over at her brother, concerned. I didn't see why. Zara shifted uncomfortably, and I felt a sinking pit in my stomach. Of course, she already knew, but how can you trust someone who you know won't really support you for who you are? I tried to ignore her, and focus on Sammy, who, thankfully, distracted me. For the most part anyways.

He looked so sad, depressed as he ran a hand through his hair, and slumped in his seat. "Y-you're gay?" He asked in a small voice. I frowned. I didn't know if he was homophobic, or just.... Nah. It couldn't happen. So I jumped off the table, and took his hand reassuringly.

"I'm bisexual, it's alright. Sorry, Charlie," Charlie still looked as happy as ever.

"Hey, what's wrong with boys? I mean, sure, girls are cute, but guys are stupid, and who wouldn't want a stupid guys?" She said sassily, as all of the boys protested. I giggled, but my mood was cut off by Zara, who stood up abruptly. She rubbed her temples, clearly frustrated.

"I-I just can't with you right now, Kas," She spluttered, and stormed out of the room. My chest went tight, and through blurry eyes, I saw CJ stand up and follow her. I pursed my lips. Great. Two homophobes in our little, dysfunctional group. I couldn't move, couldn't stand, nothing. I was silent, numb. I could only register someone grabbing my hand, and dragging me the opposite direction Zara and CJ had gone, towards the driver's seat. I was plopped in the shotgun seat, where I wrapped my arms around myself. Only then did I cry, like, sobbed. Why didn't they accept me? Would they look at me differently? Not even look at me? Would they hate me?

It all came out as I cried, my tears dripping onto whoever had wrapped their arms around me. I didn't even know who had pulled me away from the others until I released from their grip and saw... Lacy? She smiled softly at me, and started the RV, putting us back on the road. We didn't talk for a while, just sitting there, until she spoke.

"Well, congrats on coming out," She said, in a quiet tone.

"Oh-thanks-uh, yeah, you like lgtbq?" I stuttered, not really knowing what to say. She kept her eyes on the road, not looking at me, yet staring into my soul with her kaleidoscopic eyes.

"Yea, Riley came out as pan a few years ago, and I admire your bravery for doing that. It takes a lot of stuff to step up and do that kind of thing, and if Zara doesn't respect or see that, well screw her," I didn't really know why she was talking to me. We hadn't really been with each other, alone, so I didn't really know what she was like. After a moment of silence, she turned up the radio.

"What are your thoughts on Electric Love?" She asked, slightly nervous for some reason, as if I would hate it. I smiled through tears.

"I love it,"

As the music started playing, I found myself singing the lyrics subconsciously, and soon, Lacy's alto voice joined in with my soprano.

"-Thunders getting louder, and louder, and louder

Baby you're like lightning in a bottle

I can't let you go now that I've got you

All I need is to be struck,

By, your electric love,

Baby your electric love,

Electric love,

Drown me,

You make my heart beat like the rain

Surround me,

Hold me deep beneath your weight-"

"You're really good," Lacy said, a little surprised. I blushed. She was really pretty, even if she was a few years older than me. Of course, she was an amazing alto, too. I think she got it from her mom, or something. So, we made excellent harmony together. I'd have to make a note to include her in my next composition. The next song played, though, I didn't know it, and it seemed she didn't either, so that did loosen up on the tenseness of the whole thing.

"Do you sing as like-" She waved one of her hands. "A whole thing?" I chuckled, wiping away dried tears.

"Nope. I've done a little bit, but not that much. Do you sing as like," I imitated her hand gesture, and she laughed, a high, melodic sound. "A whole thing?" She nodded.

"It's actually what brought me and CJ together. I'd known him for a while as a friend, and so many people were chasing me that, when we decided that we were a whole 'thing', it was actually relaxing," Lacy noticed my look of confusion. So maybe her relationship with CJ wasn't as perfect as I thought. "No, he's awesome, don't worry, I just don't know if he's the one for me, you know?" She sighed, blushing a little. "Call me stupid, but I believe in true love, so-" The daughter of Jason and Piper ducked her head, but I shook mine.

"Don't worry, I do too. There's someone out there for you, Lacy. And me, and everyone on this RV. We just, I don't know, have to bid our time before we know they're the one. I mean, if you don't love CJ fully and truly, you should just let him down slowly, just, let him go, try something new," She rubbed her face with one of her hands, still driving perfectly.

"I wish it were that easy. I might do it, but I don't want to hurt him. When someone hurts him, he turns his back on them, and if I hurt him, I don't only lose my boyfriend, I lose my best friend. What if he does something reckless, and it's my fault? What if-" I tapped her arm.

"I'm going to shush you right there, because I know as well as anyone that you can get lost in the 'What Ifs' and it won't take you to a good place. So, maybe sleep on it, give it some time, and come to me if you need any help," I reassured her calmly, and her breathing, which was once high pitched and fast, was now slow, and deep. And calm. She smirked slightly.
"It's hard to believe that you haven't had a boyfriend/girlfriend yet," She commented. I frowned.

"Why?"

"Because you have the best advice," She laughed. I joined in, her laughter really was contagious.

"Oh, that's from my knowledge of relationships in books," I chuckled, before shifting my tone to something more serious. "I don't really know if I want anything to happen in my dating life soon," Lacy blinked in surprise.

"Really? Sammy's not go-" She suddenly swerved, almost hitting a semi truck and a 'Welcome to Colorado' sign. "Welcome to Colorado, folks," She yelled into the back, while I was thinking. What was everyone going to say about Sammy?