1
Sabrina –
As Knox walks me to my dorm, he finally speaks up. “So, Phoenix and Phoebe huh? I could have called that from the beginning. They’re obviously meant for the long haul, you know?” he asks. I know what he’s doing. He’s trying to distract me, seeing that I’m visibly nervous. I’ve been twitching and keep re-tucking my hair behind my ear nervous for what my dad came to tell me. I know it’s something big since he drove from Nashville to tell me in person.
I nod silently, unable to find the right words to respond. I can’t help but get lost in my thoughts, remembering when I came out to my parents after my high school graduation.
I’m sitting with my parents across from me in our living room. I’m staring at the spot in the floor thinking if this is really a good idea. Kennedy, my girlfriend, is on standby should things go south, and they kick me out. I’ve been with Kennedy for a year now and I know I love her. And she loves me. I want to stop lying to myself and my family so that I can give her the love and acceptane she deserves.
I figure now is the best time because I’m going to college this fall and the added distance would serve as a buffer if things go wrong.
My dad snaps me from my thoughts bringing my attention back to them. “Rina? What’s going on sweetheart.”
I look up to see him and mom looking at me with concern. I slowly nod my head before standing up and straightening my spine. I’m proud of me even if they won’t be.
“I’m bisexual.” I announce. The room falls into silence as my parents’ eyes widen, their speech momentarily stolen. I wait patiently, observing my mother as she stands up, shaking her head with a slight laugh. “She’s obviously going through a phase. This doesn’t mean anything.”
It feels like someone stabbed me in the gut with a rusty spoon. I shake my head ready to tell her that I have Kennedy, but she stops me putting her hand up. “We need to call the pastor and have an emergency home visit.”
Determined to make my voice heard, I speak over her. “This isn’t a phase mom. I’m bisexual, and I have a girlfriend.”
Her hand, holding the phone, freezes in the air, and she slowly turns her head toward me. “You have a what?”
Before I could say anything else my father jumps up and attempts to calm my mother. “Let’s hear her out, Diane.”
Knox places his hand on my shoulder pulling me from my thoughts. “Are you okay?” he asks, genuine concern etched in his hazel eyes. I blink, taking in my surroundings, and realize we’ve stopped in front of my dorm building. I meet Knox’s gaze and force a fake smile that I’ve perfected over the years. Knox was unexpected when I first met Phoebe but he’s just being nice. He doesn’t think about me the way I think about him.
Before I can thank him, I hear my name called from behind me. I turn on my heel and see my dad in the distance. My fake smile melts into a genuine one, and I can’t contain my excitement as I rush toward him, wrapping my arms around him in a tight embrace.
“Hey, Daddy.”
He pats my back before holding me out at arm’s length and smiles nervously down at me. “Hey, Pumpkin.”
His demeanor immediately puts me back on edge. Right, he came here to tell me something. I step back and point towards the building. “Do you want to come up?”
He nods and follows behind up the steps. As I glance back, I see Knox still standing where I left him. I give him a small wave, his lips turn up and he gives me a head nod before turning and walking back to his apartment, leaving me to face whatever new awaits me with my father.
