LUNA'S POV
I lug all of my belongings upstairs, exhaling exasperatedly as I dump everything onto the ground. Running my hands through my hair, I contemplate the many ways I can approach my parents. I assure myself that it's the same process as coming out to my siblings, but my mind believes otherwise.
Their reaction is what will determine my place in the household. What if they don't accept me?
"Ok, Luna, don't focus on the 'what', focus on the 'how'." I tell myself, approaching the full length mirror adorning our bedroom and gazing at myself.
"M-mom, dad…' Voice cracking unbelievably, I take a deep breath before starting again. "Mom, dad… I'm bisexual."
I'm making this harder than necessary, I reflect, twiddling my thumbs as I gaze in the mirror, almost waiting for my reflection to make a move.
"Sup, 'rents!" I greet enthusiastically, raising a hand in greeting. Aware of the inappropriate greeting, I drop my hand to my side, my glum face staring back at me. I open my mouth to run through my lines just as the door to the bedroom opens.
In the process of awkwardly finger gunning the mirror, I stop, meeting the amused gaze of my sister, Luan. Entertained, she smiles cheekily.
"Practicing your acceptance speech for the rock and roll hall of fame again?" She asks, moving around me to retrieve her dummy. Flustered, I cough feebly, choosing to look anywhere but at my younger sister.
"No, I'm doing… something else." I state, and Luan raises an eyebrow. I'm quick to pipe up. "Something that is none of your business. So, please leave." A broad smile remaining on Luan's face, she exits, and I sit down on my floor with a huff of audible frustration. Clicking my tongue nervously, I check my phone. Luckily, Sam has already sent me an inspirational and uplifting text.
Sam: You'll do fine, my love. I promise. 3
Unable to suppress a small smile, I rise from my spot on the floor. Releasing a long bout of air out my lungs, I hold my chin up.
"You can do this, Lunes." I tell myself as I purposefully exit my bedroom. I skitter down the stairs with only one thought in mind: don't let anything get in my way. If even one person is to distract me from my steadfast determination, I can't fathom being able to escape their insistent pleas and conversations for at least another thirty minutes.
I approach the kitchen upon hearing jovial laughter, witnessing my parents. The two of them are dancing, Lynn Sr. spinning Rita to the lull of the music from the stereo. I don't intervene, just watch as my parents sing and dance along, seemingly unaware of the surrounding world.
"Cooking dinner with my wife." My father improvises, and my mother rolls her eyes playfully. "What? It's not everyday that we get to spend quality time together." Lynn Sr. states, and Rita gently pats his arm. "Yes, that's true indeed." She murmurs.
I continue to reassure myself that I'll intervene when my parents are finished, however, that was before they practically performed an entire country-style Broadway musical in the middle of the kitchen.
Groaning audibly, I slump down outside the kitchen doorway, kicking my feet idly as I wait for a pause in the music. "No turning back, Luna. No turning back." I repeat to myself when it seems as if the nightmare might never end.
"I left the serving spoon on the table, dear. Just let me get it real quick. Lynn, I'll keep dancing with you honey, don't worry." Mrs. Loud says before walking directly within my line of sight. She makes a move to go around the table, practically tripping over me in the process.
"Oh honey!" She interjects, stumbling briefly before composing herself. "I didn't see you there. What are you doing on the floor?" My mother cocks her head at my position, and I quickly stand up.
"Mom, I need to have a word with you and dad." I murmur quickly. Her senses peaked with newfound interest, my mother wraps an arm around me. Seeming to forget about the serving spoon in the center of the table, she guides me into the kitchen.
It takes a moment to gain Dad's attention; he's clanging an invisible cowbell to the music rather passionately. However, upon hearing of my request, he turns off the music, drawing a chair from the nearby table.
"What's up, Looney Lu?" Lynn Sr. states as he and my mother seat themselves beside me.
They seem so happy to see me, I deduce by their smiling faces. What if I don't tell them? If I tell them, they may never think of me the same again.
"Luna, sweetie, are you alright? You're looking rather pale." My mother states. In response to her observation, she cups a gentle hand to my forehead, checking for any signs of a fever. I shrink away from the contact, shaking my head vigorously. Real smooth, Luna.
"No, Mom, I'm fine, it's just…" Again, hesitation. "There's something I should tell the two of you."
All playfulness gone, my parents lean in to hear my next words. "I'm bisexual." I state, allowing some of my fears to melt away as I raise my chin. If I am to tell them the news, I might as well show my confidence.
I allow my words to sink in momentarily before continuing. "And that girl I invited over, Sam, well, she's my girlfriend now." I smile broadly just saying the words out loud. I can't believe I can call her my girlfriend.
The features of my parent's faces soften upon hearing what I have to say. "Honey, that's… amazing. Your mother and I had no idea." My father states, and my mother nods. Practically collapsing with the relief of their responses, I release a meek chuckle. "Thank goodness you're chill with it. For a moment, I thought I'd have to move out and live my life as a struggling musician." I joke.
Not amused by my weak try at comedy, my mother shakes her head. "No, no, sweetheart. We'd never let that happen." Her voice falters, then: "were you afraid we wouldn't accept you?" She speaks feebly, as if afraid that somebody might be eavesdropping on the conversation.
I nod glumly, unable to suppress the tears that spring into my eyes. My mother whimpers at my state, drawing me into a comforting hug. My dad joins the embrace moments later, enveloping the two of us. My bottom lip quivers with my pent up emotions, and I release them with a muffled sob.
Rita begins rubbing my back sympathetically as Lynn Sr. retrieves a tissue box from the kitchen counter. "You're alright, honey." My mother coos reassuringly as we disconnect from the hug. Cheeks flushed, I wipe at my eyes. Dad hands me a tissue, which I gladly accept with a "thanks, Popstar."
Rita gives my shoulder a gentle rub as I blow my nose. "Do your siblings know?" Lynn Sr. asks, and I nod. "Y-yeah, they know." I stammer.
"No issues between any of you regarding the news?" Rita pipes up. I shake my head. Evidently relieved, my mother pulls me into another brief hug. "Good." She says upon releasing me.
"Your father and I are almost finished with dinner. Would you be a dear and help set the table for us?" Rita asks. I nod compliantly, and my mother plants a gentle kiss upon my head. "Thank you for telling us, Luna." She adds. "We can't tell you how happy we are."
Smiling warmly at my mother, my father pipes up from behind me. "And you're brave too, kiddo. It takes guts to tell us such things." I beam at their praise, trying to mask my flattery.
"Mom, dad… thank you." I state, nodding to both of them in turn. They nod back, their features showcasing evident pride.
As I enter the dining room and arrange the plates in an orderly fashion, a figure approaches me. "Luna, have you seen my other earring?" It's my sister, Leni. She holds one of her red hoop earrings in the palm of her hand, a look of skepticism framing her face.
Of course, knowing Leni, her other earring remains where it always is: in her ear. I remind her of this, and-startled and embarrassed-Leni grabs at her ear to find her once "missing" earring where I told her it would be.
Leni thanks me, and though it's obvious that she doesn't require any more of my services, she remains in front of me. "Luna, are you alright? You look upset."
Though Leni isn't the brightest character, she makes up for it with her acute awareness of human emotions. I brush aside her concern as if it's a tangible being. "I'm good, dudette, but thanks." I state, and Leni nods, seemingly satisfied enough with my response. "Oh, ok." She says sweetly. Seeing how she still hasn't moved from her spot, I invite her into a hug. Knowing Leni, she'll leap at any opportunity to give and receive what she likes to refer to as "sibling hugs".
"Sibling hug?" I question. My sister's face brightens at the invitation, and she walks into my awaiting arms. We hold one another momentarily, until, finally satisfied, Leni skips from the dining room. I watch as she gazes at her earring one last time before murmuring "it was in my ear the whole time. How embarrassing."
My stomach flutters the next day upon arriving at school. However, as opposed to the fluttering being attributed towards nervousness, it's incredible excitement. I've been itching to tell her the news in person since last night.
Sam is digging through the locker that I remember so fondly, the words "Rock On!" written on its glossy surface. Approaching her slowly, I wrap my arms subtly around her waist.
"Who could that be?" Sam questions sarcastically, smiling in my direction. "It's just Mr. Hugget, coming to remind you that you forgot to hand in your essay last night." I joke, pulling off our history teacher's deep, monotonous voice.
Sam lightly shoves me with laughter, but quickly draws me into a hug soon after. "You'll be happy to hear, Sam…" I pause for dramatic effect, and Sam listens with rapt attention. She lifts her head from my chest to gaze at me. "I'm completely out of the closet." I finish.
Eyes widening upon hearing the news, Sam flings her arms around my neck, rocking the both of us with excitement. "So, you told your parents?" She clarifies, and I nod. "And… what did they say?" She asks.
I shrug, unable to find words adequate enough to describe their initial reaction. "They were happy for me, is all." I reply. My girlfriend's smile is as wide as possible, and tears swim in her eyes.
"Aw, don't go crying on me, Sam." I chuckle, wrapping Sam in a tighter embrace. "I'm just so incredibly happy for you, Luna." Sam replies, her voice breaking with emotion.
I hold Sam for a moment, relishing in the way she nuzzles her face into my shoulder. "Aw, hey." I murmur quietly, placing a hand on Sam's red cheek. It's evident that Sam is suppressing her genuine emotions.
"You stuck through with it, Lunes. Through the end." Sam states, not removing her gaze from mine. "And I know at times, I may have bossed you around. I should have let you take your time, but-"
"Hun, you did not boss me around." I interrupt her, my heart fluttering more at the way she smiles at me. "And you gave me plenty of time, love."
"I mean, no matter the sudden pressure for you to come out, you did it with ultimate bravery and swagger." Sam continues, and I comb through her hair gently, loving the eye contact we share. I love looking into Sam's face; it's a depiction of absolute loveliness.
"You're amazing, Luna." Sam murmurs. It's my turn for my emotions to spiral, barely containing my own tears of appreciation. "You're amazing, Sam." I choke out feebly, right as her lips connect with mine.
I'm pressed up against the cold locker by Sam. The locker where I first placed my feelings for her, encased in an envelope. I grab a fistful of Sam's denim jacket, dragging her closer to me. A part of me relishes in the idea of continuing the make-out sesh, but I quickly end the kiss, Sam backing away. Panting from the exertion, I blush at Sam. She returns the blush.
"M-maybe not in the school hallway…" Sam murmurs, and I giggle. "Maybe… later?" I question, and Sam nods, smiling shyly. "Later," she states.
I always look forward to seeing Sam, but today is a whole new level of anticipation. Before math class, I request permission from my mom to visit Sam. My mother tends to be remarkably flexible, and seeing how she's responsible for raising eleven kids, having one off her plate for an afternoon is a luxury.
Mazzy and Alex, who have chosen to sit beside me, notice my excited texting spree. "Texting Sam?" Mazzy asks, leaning over my shoulder to glimpse our conversation. I shake my head. "Nah, it's my mom, but I'm seeing Sam later today." I reply, showing my friends the confirmation text. "We're celebrating me being completely out of the closet to my fam."
Evidently excited, Mazzy and Alex jostle me gently. "I'm so proud of you!" Alex says. Seeing how they're genderqueer, they understand the many steps taken for someone of the LGBTQ+ community to come out. I smile broadly as a way of silently thanking them for their support.
"Celebration, eh?" Mazzy asks, and I nod. "Are you doing the dirty?" She proceeds to question, causing my blood to boil with embarrassment. To make matters worse, she follows up her statement with an exaggerated wiggle of the eyebrows, trying, but failing, to look seductive.
For a moment, I'm unable to reply, so I resort to senseless spluttering instead. Alex laughs at my reaction, and Mazzy looks on, entertained.
"I saw you two making out in the hallway this morning." Mazzy winks, and I blush all the more. "You did?" My voice squeaks unnaturally high, and I clear my throat before trying again. "No, we're doing nothing like… that." I assure my friends. "Just a little hang out. Ya know, at her house."
I can't help but feel strange saying such things. I can tell that tonight will feature more than just "a hangout". However, I don't state my thoughts. I just sit back, smile, and allow math class to run its course.