A/N: Sorry about the long wait on this... I have not been motivated to do this at all but I think I did something decent here... and this is the last chapter there will be an epilogue if you want it... tell me what you would like to see in it. maybe by the time I sit down to pen it I will have your suggestions handy. Enjoy- S.K.


Out


As we sang the last notes in the musical, my nerves finally hit me. I broke down and cried in front of the entire congregation. Tori rushed to me and wrapped her arms around me.

This only intensified my pain. "Don't hold me please don't hold me." I whispered in her ear.

"I love you Jade, I can't let you go through this alone." She whispered back.

"Jade… What's wrong?" The pastor said coming up to me and placing a hand on my shoulder.

"This will be my last Sunday at this church. I want to let you know that I have come to love it here. But I can't stay." I swallowed another sob and I looked out at a waiting and concerned congregation that included my confused mother. "I can't live a lie any longer. I am in love with someone, that I should not be in love with. I have prayed about it, and in my heart I know God understands."

I took a deep breath and looked around the room and my eyes landed on Trina's smug look. She had the phone in her hands as I spoke and she flashed me a picture of Tori and I. "I am bisexual. I am in love with a girl." I stated and watched her press delete.

I looked over at their mother and father. David did not look surprised, but Holly went a little ashen. "I'm sorry to all of whom I have deceived. Especially my best friend Tori." I turned to face her. She looked at me with all the love she had behind her eyes.

She clenched my hand to her and refused to let me go. Then Andre walked closer to us and they made a Jade sandwich out of me. Their embrace brought newfound tears to my eyes. And I felt Tori kissed the side of my face and neck.

As she did so, I looked up and saw Mr. Vega approach us. He looked at me, then at his daughter, and he took us both in his embrace. "Don't worry I'll stop hanging out with Tori." I said.

"Nah." He whispered, "just no more sleepovers. Tori isn't supposed to date."

"What?"

"That was really a brave thing you did," Mrs. Vega said from behind me and I turned to face her. "You need friends now more than ever. Jade we love you… but if you feel uncomfortable in the church, find another, don't leave because this makes you uncomfortable. God loves you no matter what."

I smiled at her, and her eyes were kind. I hugged her; she squeezed me. "Thank you."

"Do you love her?" She whispered in my ear.

"More than anything." I whispered back.

"Good… because she loves you so much." As she said that I turned to my girlfriend and smiled. Behind her was my mother. She was stoic, still in shock. I don't know I thought she would be more open-minded. I never worried about her reaction to this.

Behind us the Pastor prayed and released the congregation. And before he could get to me Andre, Tori, her parents and my mother swept me out of the church. Once we were outside Mom gave me a hug nice and tight. "That was a hard thing you did… but where will you go now?"

I looked up at her and smiled. "I know a really great church in Alexandria." I said softly.

"Well that's a bit of a commute…" She said then kissed my forehead.

"Jade…" I heard from behind me. I turned to look at Tori. "I love you, see you tomorrow at school."

"You bet!"