Leni and Lori looked at each other rather nervously. Sure they trusted Lynn and ultimately this was her decision, but they felt this was a bit sudden so they asked her "Are you sure about this Lynn. This is quite the bombshell you will be dropping. The confident nod and the awe inspiring smile wiped away their fears.
Lori than turned her attention to Ronnie and said "Ronnie, Lynn is different. Not in a bad way. She has a particular taste in people so to speak."
Ronnie seemed to be perplexed so she looked to Lynn for elaboration. Lynn looked for the right words and nothing came out so she said "I need a minute to think"
Just than Lincoln Loud was walking up the stairs after dealing with Lana and Lola. He thought he heard Ronnie Anne's voice; that could not be right, she was not supposed to be here today. That is what he thought as he headed for Leni's and Lori's room. As he saw his person of interest with a shaking Lynn he was pretty sure he could put two and two together and entered; albeit without permission.
He looked to Ronnie and said "How did she take it, Ronnie is great. Not even remotely judgmental". Just than he felt a pressure on his chest and found that his words made his girlfriend happy "She did not tell me her secret yet, but that makes me feel happy".
Lincoln felt awkward and than scared as Lynn turned to Leni and Lori and said slightly irritated "How...How does he know" pointing at Lincoln to emphasize the point and Lori pointed at Leni and she corrected her "Actually he figured this out on his own"
Ronnie was getting mad about being left out so she yelled "Hello, I am right here lame-o and you have five seconds to tell me what's up or I will be mad"
Lynn looked to her and said "No I need to do it...Ronnie I am gay and always have been. I am in love with a girl on my baseball team". I hope it is not something that hurts our friendship.
Ronnie was upset because she felt left out "I am mad b-".
Lynn could only reply with "Oh..."
Just as everyone else was about to yell at Ronnie Anne she responded with "You did not let me finish. I am mad; because I feel left out. I spend a week as one of your best friends. Even longer as your brothers boyfriend and just as long as Clyde's friend. I am surprised about you liking girls but I am not against it. I find the lack of trust insulting".
Lynn was flabbergasted. Ronnie was right as far as she was concerned. Lynn held off a part of herself and Ronnie gave her everything. She could now see how it could hurt.
Lynn felt terrible and half choked said "I am so sorry. A while ago I discovered how bad homophobia was when one of my friends never spoke to me again and than tried to make me feel like I deserved to burn".
Now it was Ronnie Anne's turn to feel bad. She had never assumed there would be a reason Lynn would keep this a secret so she hugged Lynn and said "I will tell you what if you can trust me to catch you, I promise you won't fall. Stop trying to handle pressure and fear alone. You have allies all around you. I don't know why you have not told Clyde yet.
Lynn nodded and said "I plan on that during my sleepover with Clyde and his parent's; this afternoon into tomorrow".
Ronnie than responded "How many people know"
Lori responded "Leni knows, I know, Everyone here knows, Lisa knows, and Luna knows"
Ronnie said "I would tell Clyde than, and he could help you with the rest of your family"
Everyone seemed to agree with that and what no one in the room realized was that in the vent of the room in the faintest of noise it sounded like a pencil was writing on a piece of paper.
Ronnie asked "Does anyone hear that"
Lori just said "Probably just a rat. She said looking at the vent menacingly"
The noise of the "rat" faded and Lori brought them all up to speed on their plan. Lynn knew about Luna and Lincoln knowing so might as well go all the way with it. "So we'll split the rest of the list up. Lynn I think you should deal with Luan as she seems the most laid back. Lincoln you deal with Lola and Lana. Me and Leni are going to a trip to go see pops. Not that it matters tonight. Lynn have fun tonight because tomorrow we got work to do. When we know who our allies are asking out Margo will be easier because you will be able to deal with your anxiety better".
Lynn nodded and left to change. Lincoln met her at the bottom at the stairs and said "Ready to go"
Lynn smiled and nodded. They headed off to go meet Clyde at his house, whatever looming fear Lynn had was kept on hold the safe environment of Clyde's kind natured party was just music to Lynn's ear. She thought it would be nice to make a new friend and ally in this problem she is dealing with"
They got to Clyde's house and and Clyde welcomed them inside Harold was prepping for safety and Howard was getting him coffee. He came up to Lincoln and Lynn and said I am sorry he can be hyper-active sometimes. We nodded because after knowing someone this long; knowing their quirks is kind of second nature.
Clyde goes back to his room bringing them with him and in the room was the mother-load of snacks, 6, 2 liters of mountain dews. 3 bags of hershey bars and potatoe chips. Lynn was ecstatic because her positive pre-assessment of this party was accurate, fun and inviting.
Lynn told Clyde some family stories. One of which about how Lincoln used to be afraid of lana's exotic pet's since he ate one of her bug's at a young age and animals started attacking him. Everyone laughed; even Lincoln.
The night got longer and the unspoken truth of their situation was ringing true to both Lincoln and Lynn. So Lincoln decided to steer the conversation. "So Lynn you said you had a personal question for Clyde"
Clyde looked to her and smiled "You shoot them at me and I will be there to help you out".
Lynn being far more comfortable telling Clyde was simply straight forward about it "Clyde I am Gay..."
Clyde just responded with a confused "Okay, what was the question. Do You like someone".
Lynn was amused, she could handle rejection or acceptance but this was just hilarious. His response was just do you need a wingman. "Clyde. This is why everyone likes you"
Lincoln added "She is right you know".
Clyde smiled and said "Hey I am the greatest person I know"
Lincoln Jokingly said "Oh crap, you let it go to his head".
After this everyone luaghed and hugged each other while Harold held a crying Howard outside of their door.
Clyde looked to Lynn and said "So you never answered my question, Who is she. Be honest".
Lynn shrugged and said "do you know a baseball player by the name of Margo at my school"
Clyde nodded but said "I don't know if she likes girls because I never bothered to ask her".
Lynn responded with "That is fine with me because I need to get to the rest of my family first".
The rest of the night went on uneventfully. Harold was in his bedroom comforting Howard who was crying so many happy tears he could have flooded Venice.
Lynn was having dreams of Margo and what them dating would be like. She liked the feeling.
Lincoln was texting Ronnie Anne and She was texting him. She told him she would see about Bobbi while we chill here.
Clyde was well past asleep. Lynn decided to go to sleep and she woke up with a single minded determination to come out to her family and build up the courage to ask her love out.