AN: I do not own anything recognizable.

Chapter 8

The rest of the summer went by like a flash of lightning. Everyone's relationships over the summer remained intact, and one could argue that they even got stronger. Marty and Buffy continued going strong with a lot of common ground between them. Marty got to know the rest of the group better, and his meetings with Buffy's friends became less awkward over time. Jonah was able to rekindle the flames of his relationships with his friends. Everyone took solace in the realization that Shadyside Academy of Visual Arts was not a boarding school and that Andi would still be living nearby. TJ and Cyrus spent a lot of time together, and they seemingly couldn't get enough of each other.

Cyrus still hadn't come out to his parents. He hadn't mustered up the courage to do it yet. He took a knock when Cece so vaguely yet obviously dismissed the legitimacy of his relationship with TJ. In fact, she continued to offer a few more passive aggressive comments until she realized nothing was going to change. Cyrus didn't argue either; he changed the topic every time she brought it up, sending the clear message that this was not something he would negotiate with her. He did tell TJ about it, though.

"So she doesn't like me?" TJ had asked, annoyed in the wake of the information from Cyrus.

"I don't think it's that," Cyrus had responded, "she's just not supportive."

This brought TJ down a bit, too. Nobody had talked about this with Andi and Buffy. Cyrus didn't really want to bring that on Andi since it wasn't really her problem to deal with.

It was about time for high school to start, and even though SAVA wasn't a boarding school, it hit hard that Andi would be going to a different school and this group of friends wouldn't get to see each other every day like they used to. Buffy, Cyrus, Jonah, TJ, Amber, and Marty would all be attending the same high school as each other. That tremendously growing group would be able to stick together. They just wouldn't have Andi with them.

The day before school started, all seven of them agreed to meet at The Spoon to be able to hang out once all together before Andi went off on her own way. Thankfully, Amber didn't need to work that day, so they could all sit and talk.

The group had become so big that they needed to push tables together in order for all of them to hang out. The couples sat next to their partners, and Jonah sat in between Andi and Amber.

The mood was bleak.

"Guys, this doesn't have to be sad," Andi said, trying to break the tension.

Buffy, Cyrus, and Jonah were more affected than the other three were. The mood was just kind of contagious.

"You're leaving!" Cyrus reminded Andi.

"I'm not leaving! I'm still going to live where I do right now!" Andi clarified.

"Yeah, but we won't get to see you at school anymore," Buffy said disappointedly.

"It's not like I'm going to forget about you if I don't see you on a daily basis," Andi assured.

"I'm still sad," Cyrus said decidedly.

"Let's focus on the positives," Jonah chimed in, having shifted from his previous thoughts on the matter. "Andi is going to art school. This is huge for her!"

"Thank you, Jonah," Andi said with a confident smile.

"We're just going to miss you," Buffy said.

"I'll miss you guys, too," Andi replied.

The other three friends, while feeling empathy for the rest, did not have as close a connection to Andi. They understood, but they desperately wanted the conversation to move forward to something else.

"What types of classes will you be taking?" TJ asked in order not to veer too far from the topic, so as not to seem suspicious.

Andi told them that she would be taking some of the usual general classes that she would have had to take at their high school. She would still have to take English every year, and she would still be subject to the requirement of a four-year math progression. The main difference was that she would only have to take one science class and two history classes; the rest of her classes were based on art. The program consisted of requirements such as an art history class, a philosophy of arts class, private studio lessons, and a variety of unique electives. Some of the electives included sculpting, pottery, landscaping, cinematography, photography, and painting. These are just a few of the wide variety of electives offered by the school.

"That sounds so cool," Marty said in awe of Andi's future program.

"I know, I'm really excited!" Andi replied.

"Did you meet anyone you might get along with?" Amber asked. Andi had been to an orientation the week before where she met some of her classmates.

"I didn't really have a lot of time to make conversation," Andi responded, "the orientation and tour went pretty fast."

The group stayed on the topic of SAVA for quite some time, as they were all genuinely interested in the prospect of a magnet school with different programs. Once Andi ran out of things to say, everyone started talking about their excitement for high school.

"I can't wait to play basketball in high school!" TJ said excitedly. "I need more of a challenge!"

"Me too," Buffy said, "It's too bad I have to leave the girls' team at Jefferson behind, though."

Cyrus shrugged, "Well, look at it this way – you left your legacy at that school."

"You sure did," TJ replied with laughter.

"At least I don't have to worry about this one trying to beat me in track," Marty motioned towards Buffy.

"Oh really?" Buffy replied. "Don't underestimate me. I'm multitalented," she said smugly.

Marty laughed this off in a sort of smug competitive way.

"I just think it's cool to be starting a new chapter," Cyrus brought up.

"I agree," Jonah said, "I can't wait to see what this year is going to bring."

Cyrus and TJ didn't talk about their relationship at all in this discussion. The only friend in the group who they had not told was Amber. They hadn't talked to each other about whether or not they wanted her to know yet, so neither one of them said anything.

They finished lunch as the Good Hair Crew said a heartfelt non-goodbye to Andi – since they never say goodbye. It was more of a 'good luck on your journey and we'll miss you' type message.

Not everyone walked out at the same time. TJ, Cyrus, and Amber were the last three to leave. As they all walked together, Amber began to speak.

"So," she said suggestively, "have you two figured out what you're going to do yet?"

TJ and Cyrus exchanged a puzzled glance.

"What do you mean?" Cyrus asked Amber.

"About your relationship," she clarified, "are you going to be open about it?"

"Wha-," Cyrus couldn't even get out a full word. He hadn't told Amber. TJ hadn't told Amber. He didn't believe any of his friends had spoken to Amber about this particular subject. He was confused as to how Amber knew.

TJ was equally as confused, "How did you know?" he asked, hesitantly pausing between some words.

Amber laughed, "Relax, no one told me. I figured it out on my own."

"But how?" Cyrus asked.

"It wasn't hard," she replied, raising her eyebrow to suggest that it was a pretty obvious observation. "Anyway, have you guys talked about whether you want to be open about it?"

"No," Cyrus said.

"It might be good to talk about it," said Amber.

She was right. She was only trying to help Cyrus like Cyrus had helped her when she wasn't in such a great place in her life. Amber wanted to make sure that Cyrus and TJ were aware of the additional obstacle they might face for being a gay couple. They hadn't talked about it, but each of them knew that they needed to. They had avoided the topic for weeks, but school was about to start the very next day. They couldn't put that off anymore.

"I'm okay with being open," said TJ. Then he asked hopefully, "Are you?"

Cyrus hesitated. "Can we talk about this in private?" He appreciated Amber's push, but he didn't want her heavily involved in business that was his and TJ's to take care of.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make it awkward," Amber said. She then realized that she wasn't being clear about her thoughts on the matter. "Just so you know, I fully support both of you. I think you make an adorable couple."

TJ and Cyrus both smiled at each other and at Amber at that remark.

"Thanks," said Cyrus with some hesitation, "Could you please not tell anyone until we figure out what we're doing?"

"Of course," Amber assured.

The rest of the day went by. TJ and Cyrus had agreed to hold their conversation about whether or not they would be out at school the next day. Cyrus wanted the evening to collect his thoughts on the matter; the truth was that he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do.

The school day came on Monday, and it was quite the ride. The six friends, excluding Andi because she was at her first day of art school, dispersed into their separate classes. During lunch, they met up with each other again and talked about how their first day was going. They found it unusual that all of their teachers for the day had already given them homework. It was the first day. They had homework in middle school, but never this soon and never this much. It was the day that they all figured out that high school would rock their world more than they thought it would.

TJ and Cyrus discovered that they had their next period together. They would sit next to each other in English.

Since TJ and Cyrus hadn't yet had the conversation about whether they wanted to be out and proud in their relationship, TJ decided to test the waters. On the way to class, he walked with Cyrus and remained close to him. He reached slightly towards Cyrus's hand. Cyrus pulled his hand away. Cyrus didn't just inch away from TJ's hand; he pulled away with a jerk of intent. The message was clear that Cyrus didn't want to hold TJ's hand in the hallway, and TJ immediately started to wonder. Cyrus had just decided the previous night that he didn't want to be out to the public yet, but the way in which he pulled his hand away had TJ thinking of other more serious scenarios.

What's wrong with Cyrus? TJ thought. Did I do something wrong?

During their next period, they had some free time, but Cyrus seemed to avoid TJ. TJ was disappointed about what happened in the hall, but when Cyrus didn't talk to him in English, he got even more upset. He didn't show it; he moved on with the class and struggled to finish the rest of the day.

When school was over that day, TJ found Cyrus walking out quickly, seemingly trying to get away.

"Hey!" TJ yelled out loudly enough so that Cyrus couldn't ignore him. He caught up to Cyrus and pulled him aside where there weren't people standing nearby. "What is going on with you?" he asked, showing his frustration.

Cyrus stood and stared blankly.

"Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. You yanked your hand away from me in the hallway, and you wouldn't talk to me in English today. What's up?"

Cyrus sighed. He wanted to avoid having this conversation with TJ. He knew that TJ wanted to be out in the open, but Cyrus not having come out to his parents yet was enough for him to want to keep his sexual orientation among his close friends. He wasn't sure if TJ would understand.

"Can we talk later?" Cyrus said, "I've had a rough day."

"Why can't we talk now?" TJ demanded.

"It's just not a good time, okay?" Cyrus started to raise his voice.

TJ didn't want to get into a fight with his boyfriend. He decided he would let Cyrus be. "Alright fine," he sighed. "Do you want me to leave you alone for now?"

TJ knew that Cyrus needed space from time to time if he got upset about something, so he would always ask if he was unsure if Cyrus wanted company.

"For right now, yes," Cyrus replied more calmly than before, "I'm sorry; I'm just really tired," he lied.

"Alright." TJ took off to go home, feeling frustrated and upset that Cyrus wouldn't talk to him.

Cyrus sat down on a nearby bench by the school and texted Buffy.

Have you left yet? he asked.

Lucky for him, Buffy hadn't left. He asked her to meet him at the bench where he was sitting.

Sure. I'll be over in just a minute.

Buffy said goodbye to Marty for the day, and she made her way over to Cyrus. When she got there, she saw Cyrus just sitting and staring into space.

"Hey," she said gently, "what's going on?"

Cyrus was visibly shaken. He sighed. "I don't know how to tell TJ that I'm not ready to be out at school yet."

"You're not?" Buffy asked puzzled.

"Well, not exactly. I haven't told my parents about TJ yet, and if I'm out at school, it's only a matter of time before it gets back to them."

Buffy nodded in understanding.

"What do I do?" Cyrus pleaded for advice.

"Whatever you feel is right to do," Buffy said. "You shouldn't be pressured to come out to anyone before you're ready."

"I know," Cyrus said, "but how do I tell TJ that that's how I'm feeling?"

"Just tell him," Buffy answered, "he'll understand."

"But what if he doesn't?" Cyrus asked nervously.

"Then you cross that bridge when you get to it. But I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"Thanks," Cyrus said. "What do you think?" he added.

"About what?"

"About whether I should come out."

Buffy looked directly into Cyrus's eyes. "I think that the people in your life who love you aren't going to think any differently about you, and that you should be able to be yourself."

Cyrus sighed.

"But like I said before," continued Buffy, "you shouldn't have to feel pressured into coming out if you're not ready. That's your decision to make."

"You're right," Cyrus responded after an affirming nod, "I just need to tell TJ how I feel. Thanks, Buffy."

The two of them went on their way after hugging and comforting each other after each of them had a stressful first day. Buffy was alright with Marty, but the sheer amount of stuff that she had to do overwhelmed her.

The next day at lunch, Cyrus pulled TJ aside to talk about their relationship. They found an open area where there weren't a lot of people, and they started to chat.

"I'm sorry about yesterday," Cyrus said so that TJ wouldn't resume his frustration.

"It's fine," TJ forgave Cyrus, "What is going on, though? Is everything okay?" At this point, TJ wasn't so much frustrated as he was concerned. He didn't like seeing Cyrus defensive because that usually meant there was something wrong.

"I was thinking about our relationship," Cyrus started.

This worried TJ, and before Cyrus could continue, he asked, "You don't want to break up, do you?"

"No! Of course not!" Cyrus replied. "What on earth made you think that?"

"You just seemed distant. I was worried you stopped liking me or something."

"That's not possible!" Cyrus assured, to which TJ responded with a relieved half smile. He continued, "I don't think I'm ready to be out."

"Why not?" TJ asked.

"My parents don't know that I'm gay, and I don't want it to get to them before I tell them. And I'm just not ready for them to know yet."

TJ sighed. He paused. Although he was disappointed, he understood. "Okay," he conceded concisely.

"Okay?" Cyrus repeated, as though he was surprised that TJ did not push back against this.

"Yeah, okay," TJ assured.

"You're not disappointed?" Cyrus asked.

"Cyrus," TJ said comfortingly, taking Cyrus's hand since they were in a place where people couldn't see them, "I do want to be open, but I don't want you to be uncomfortable. If you're not ready to come out, then don't. Remember that I care about you and wouldn't force you into anything you're not ready for. It's okay."

Cyrus smiled at TJ's understanding. "Thank you," he said.

When no one was looking, TJ kissed Cyrus, making him turn red and also comforting him.

They went on their way to English when the bell rang. As Cyrus held comfort in the fact that TJ wasn't going to try and force him out of the closet, TJ sat by in a rather solemn state. He understood Cyrus, but he was disappointed that he would not get to be openly cheerful about his relationship with Cyrus. He wanted people to know how much Cyrus meant to him. He also worried that he wouldn't be able to spend as much time with Cyrus like he did in the summer if Cyrus didn't want people to know they were a couple.

As Cyrus felt relief, TJ's concerns lingered.

Chapter 9 Coming Soon!