AN: Sorry it's so short, I'm not very good at making very long chapters. Plus I think it's easier for people to read when there's less of it. Please review when you read, it's so nice for an author to read comments about their work, it can help them to continue! If no one reviews, how do we know anyone is really enjoying the story? Thanks for my comments. :)
Chapter Seven - The Outing
The next morning I woke up early and made my way into the kitchen to find Lena, Carmen and Tibby already awake and dressed. I took a deep breath and sat opposite my friends.
"Lena, Carmen, Tibby," I muttered, preparing myself to admit the truth.
"Are you alright? We know Jane left yesterday," Carmen announced, I just nodded and let their conversation unfold.
"Is she coming back?" Tibby asked at the same time as Lena asked, "What happened between you two?"
I looked from one girl to the next and finally down at my hands. I could hear the intake of breaths, a synchronised nervousness that we all felt. It was like they knew I had something important to say.
"Jane wasn't just my friend," I blurted out, avoiding the gaze of my best friends.
I could feel the confused looks staring at me. "What do you mean?" Tibby asked.
I found courage that made me look into their eyes. " Jane was my girlfriend."
"Girlfriend...or girl...friend?" Lena asked, unsurely.
"We were in a relationship. I, I was in love with her," I told them, my confidence growing.
"What about Eric?" Lena questioned, curiously "and every guy you have been with?"
I smiled, thankful for Lena's honest reaction. "I'm bisexual."
"How long have you known?" she asked, filling a silence that followed the complete confession.
"About a year."
Carmen's face, which was previously neutral, folded into a very harsh frown; she rose from her seat and glared at me.
"A year?" she gasped. "You have lied to us all for a whole...year?"
I took a deep breath, not expecting any hostility. "Carma..."
But she quickly interrupted me. "No, don't Carma me, I cannot believe you. It's not right, you can't just tell us something like that and expect us to be okay. You kept this from us."
"I didn't..."
"No, don't even try to explain yourself," Carmen shouted, pacing across the kitchen in obvious distress. I held myself together long enough for Carmen to continue her rant, then proceed to slam the door of her room in anger. It took me a few minutes to look up from the table. I was thankful for Lena's softened expression staring back. Her hand reached out and gave mine a squeeze.
"We still love you Bee, you're still you. So, Jane, she's pretty!"
I smiled and sniffed back a few tears. "She is, thank you Lenny. I love you too."
"Tibs?" Lena whispered, pulling Tibby out from a reverie. I took a deep intake of breath wondering where Tibby stood: on the side of Carmen, or Lena?
She looked nervous and despite it being awkward, Tibby smiled.
"Of course we still love you."
I smiled back and thanked them for being so calm. I stood up and made an excuse to leave them alone, to let them gather their thoughts.