^ Thank you kindly
I managed to make my way home on my own in the cold with my tuba. I probably looked like the silliest kid going but no one passing even stared at me. I guess my commuter face after finding out my supposed bestie's weird around people like me is a little terrifying. When I got home, everyone in my house seemed to be doing their own thing, thank goodness. I wasn't in the mood for anymore 'How was your day sweetie?' questions.
I walked by Chase's room on my way to mine to hear he was on the phone with someone, probably Luna telling him the big news. I groaned softly as I passed by. I hadn't even thought about how I was going to come out to the rest of my family; heck, I thought this whole thing was a phase I just kept denying until tonight, when I realized just how real it was. I stuffed my tuba in my closet and flopped onto my bed thinking of what I was supposed to do now.
"Hey Marina, can I come in?" Chase said poking his head into my doorway. He seemed like he was full of mixed feelings and walking in a montage of thoughts.
"Ya sure," I muttered, my comfortor making it sound almost inaudible. I sat up and hugged my knees as Chase sat down on the bed beside me. He didn't say anything for a few minutes but I didn't really mind. I just waited as he gathered his thoughts.
"I just got off the phone with Luna, she was worried about you since apparently you left her house in a huff," he said softly.
"Well you would too if she reacted to something you've been hiding," I said gruffly. I didn;t really want to say anything but I knew he'd find out sometime anyways.
"I know, she told me what happened except for what it is that you've been hiding, she wanted me to find out from you instead of another source. Is it alright if I ask what it is Marina?" he said and crossed his legs in anticipation.
"You're going to find out anyways sooner or later. Chase...I'm not straight," I said looking down in fear of seeing his reaction. In my peripherals, I saw him nod and he wrapped an arm around my shoulder with a nod.
"I know," he said softly.
"You do? How?" I asked incredulously.
He just shrugged and jostled me slightly.
"Well I've never seen you with a boyfriend or even with a guy crush. The only one I've ever seen you turn pink around is Luna which as your best friend is totally normal, right?" He asked looking to me for confirmation. Unwilling to hurt his feelings, I nodded silently. He seemed to relax a bit and smiled.
"Everything'll be ok, you'll see," he said and stood up to leave. I just looked down quietly only wishing it were that simple.
A few days later, I noticed Luna wasn't with Chase as much as usual. She seemed to hang out on her own and occasionally waved my way if she caught me looking at her. She apologized for the other night, saying she didn't intend to offend but was just caught offguard. Understanding her standpoint, I let it go and talked with her more. Although things had patched themselves up between us, she still seemed reserved; as if there was something she wasn't telling me. In English, a note was passed to me from a few rows over. I hid it beneath the lip of my desk and unfolded it to read what it said:
Meet me on the bleachers after PE.
There was something I didn't get to tell you last time that you need to know.
Noticing the familiar writing, I looked up to see Luna looking at me for an answer. I gave a small nod and returned to my work. I plugged through the rest of the day with my mind filled with thoughts about what it was that she had to tell me. I surpressed the obvious theory my mind didn't want to abandon yet and thought of some other possibilities, but none of them seemed feesable enough to warrant a separate meeting. The only one that was completely possible was that she wanted to end our friendship because of my difference but I tried not to dwell on that one.
After PE, I sat on the bleachers patiently for Luna to return. Sure enough, she did after a few minutes. She looked like she had the worst thing she could tell me, and that sent me into thinking other theories until her voice caught my attention again.
"Marina, there's something you should know about how your secret connects to mine" Luna said before sitting beside me and taking a moment to breathe. "The other day when you told me that you weren't straight, it changed the way I thought about everything and I finally stopped denying the way I am."[/color]
"What do you mean?" I asked a little confused.
"What I mean is, I'm not weirded out by the fact that you're a lesbian, not at all. Actually, what I was going to tell you before you left was that I have feelings for you," she said quietly and looked up at me. After hearing those words, I was in complete shock. She was dating my brother but she liked me? How?
"I always have but I denied them thinking that you'd never return my sentiments, and when Chase asked me out, I thought maybe I could change my ways but I was wrong. That's why I asked you to keep an eye out if he wanted to develop things further because I don't want to lead him on anymore.""I understand," I said quietly until what we were saying actually hit me.
"So wait, you're completely serious about me...and us? Because I kinda always loved you," I said trying to contain my excitement.
Luna nodded smiling happily and took my hand in hers.
"I realized that after you left and I'm just as serious as you are about me and us."Feeling so ecstatic, I hugged her tight and sighed in happiness and relief. Everything I had ever hoped for was finally real and coming true. The only catch was, my brother was caught right in the middle of all this.