Enter the Fallout Zone
As they had both surmised, it wasn't very long until there was a knock on the door, and Principal Carmichael entered the room. His face was far less red than it had been back in the assembly hall, but both Nick and Jeff could see the anger on it. He quickly turned to Blaine, asked him how he was, and then sent him outside. He found Trent and Sebastian waiting there with Artie. "He didn't look happy," said Trent. "I hope he isn't too hard on them. He can't expel them this late in the year, can he?" None of those around him could answer that with any certainty.
"So Mr Duval, Mr Sterling, it has been quite a year for the Warblers. Disgracing the school by becoming hooked on steroids made last year's incident with attempting to blind Mr Anderson pale into insignificance. I accept that Mr Clarington was behind that and went against the wishes of those on the school board that wanted to see all of you expelled and the Warblers permanently disbanded. I accepted the contrition in your hearts and felt that you, along with Mr Smythe, had suffered so much already that it would be unfair. However, today will probably cause ructions that even I cannot defuse. The school has strict rules on Personal Displays of Affection, as you are well aware - they are to be discrete. What I and everyone else in the assembly hall, including for your information two senior governors, witnessed just now was not discrete - it was a blatant disregarding of the rules, and as such, even at this late stage in the school year, there have to be consequences. But as you know, I am a fair man, so you may try and defend your actions…"
"Sir, I want you to know that Jeff had no idea what was about to happen. He is completely innocent in all of this, and should not be punished for it," began Nick. "I have been here at Dalton for three years, and met him on my first day. I always thought of him as just my best friend, though I think that he might always have been hopeful that something more might develop in time. My parents never really liked Jeff for one reason - his sexuality. He has never once been allowed to stay at my house; I had to fight to get to stay at his, and more often that not I had to tell them I was staying with Blaine. I suppose that subconsciously I picked up on the homophobia that they showed towards Jeff and kept my feeling for him in check. Then, a week ago, I cam home to discover that my father had chosen my college for me, and my plans to go to school with Jeff had been destroyed. I was devastated; when Jeff couldn't even look at me after he found out it only got worse. I realised that the only way I could be happy was to defy my father and stick to our original plans. I just had to find a way to show him that I really meant it…"
"And how better to show Mr Sterling than to very publicly out yourself on stage? It worked. The whole school knows. It will no doubt be out there by now in the social media. Before you say that the video Mr Anderson's friend took will not be going viral, those that were taken on the mobile phones in the hall probably have by now. If what you say about your father is true, Mr Duval, he is going to find out very shortly that his son is gay." Nick could feel the colour draining from his cheeks, and was so glad when Jeff took his hand. "If there is one thing I pride myself on, it is that I teach all of the boys that come through the doors of this school that they have to be brave and take the difficult decisions. You have, Mr Duval, though you did take an undue amount of time. Most of the faculty expected this to happen long before now. After all, Mr Sterling has been in love with you since before young Mr Hummel arrived. I might be old, but I can still spot these things." Both Nick and Jeff were now staring at him in surprise. "The governors that were in the hall today were not best pleased at what they saw, but I have convinced them that if they make a fuss, it would bring our zero tolerance anti-bullying policy in to question. Expulsion on the grounds of kissing on stage would show a lack of tolerance on the part of the school for all our gay and bi pupils. So, I am placing you both on litter duty for the rest of your time here at Dalton. You can also assist with the clean up after the graduation ball. Finally, an invitation to your wedding, should it happen, would be appreciated…." With that, and a smile the Principal left the room.
Nick was more than relieved that things had gone so well. He had feared that his actions might have cost him and by association, Jeff, very dearly. "Did he really just ask us for an invitation to our wedding, Nick? After we basically made out like a pair of love sick animals in front of the entire school, all we have to do is pick up some litter and tidy up after the ball? We are so lucky…"
"I am the lucky one, Jeff. I realised that I loved you before it was too late, before I lost you forever. I don't know if I'm gay, or bi, or it's just you - all I know is that the very idea of being without you was unbearable. I never want to be without you. I am sorry for one thing though - not realising sooner. All that time we've wasted, all those chances to steal a kiss…"
Jeff smiled. "Yeah, Nicky, we have a lot of catching up to do…" before pulling him into another kiss. "But just now, we have to deal with the fallout - our parents. I suggest we start with the easy ones - mine.
The drive from Dalton to Jeff's house was short. As he sat in the passenger seat next to Nick, Jeff couldn't stop himself smiling. If he had known that threatening to go to college in California and hook up with a surfer was all it took to get Nick, he would have done it earlier. Not that it mattered - he thought again about the old saying that his mom often came out with - "Good things come to those that wait." It had been a long wait, but the good thing was finally here. There was just one thing he needed to tell Nick before they went to see his parents - it didn't really matter, but he felt that if their relationship was going to be a strong one, then there had to be honesty in all things from the start. As Nick drew up in front of Jeff's house, he placed a hand on his leg and stopped him from leaving the driving seat.
"Before we go in, there is something that I want to tell you Nicky. It doesn't really affect us, but I want you to know. The only other people that know about this apart from my family, are Wes and the senior staff at Dalton." Nick was looking at him with concern, and so he quickly continued. "I trust you and love you, and I know that you won't tell anybody what I am about to say." He paused and took a deep breath. "I'm adopted, Nick. My mom and dad took me in at the age of 6 after my biological parents abandoned me. I don't even remember much about my life before that, so I'm guessing that it was probably pretty unhappy. My parents have always been so accepting of who I am - their love seems to be pretty unconditional. When they found out about the steroids, they felt sorry for me and blamed themselves."
"Unlike mine, who screamed and raged about my gross stupidity - how I had ruined my life and potentially blackened the family name and reputation. I should have written addicted to steroids on my Harvard application - then all this trouble could have been avoided."
Jeff laughed. "True - but then would I have got my dramatic confession of love? I like things just the way they are. Now, my mom is staring at us through the lounge window and probably wondering why we are just sitting out here. Ready for face the parents mark one?" With a sigh, Nick nodded, and the two of them made their way inside.
Nick was given the usual warm greeting by the Sterlings - Jeff's dad was also at home having left work early. They were in the middle of having coffee in the lounge and they asked the boys to join them. It was the perfect opportunity. They sat down next to each other on the sofa, and the usual small talk was pursued. Then, with no warning, Mrs Sterling spoke. "So, Nick, have you told your parents yet about the fact that you and Jeff are together, or are we the first?" Nick nearly choked on the mouthful of coffee he had just swallowed, as Jeff just stared at his mom.
"My wife has always been very perceptive Nick; the fact that the two of you are sitting much closer together than normal is a giveaway of course - that and the fact that she saw Jeff's hand on your knee whilst the two of you were sat outside."
"We're telling you first, mom, dad, because I knew that you would be calm and rational about the whole thing. That you would accept it. You know Nick's dad, and how he is going to react - he doesn't like me - Nick, I know he doesn't - so his son coming home and telling him that he is a) Not going to Harvard as he demands; b) Is in love with his best friend and c) Showed this by kissing him on stage, during assembly, in front of the entire school isn't going to make him happy. Did I also mention that there will be video evidence of this on line?"
The two Sterlings sat quietly as they digested this, before Mr Sterling started to speak again. "What you are saying son is probably very true. Duval is not the most tolerant and warm of human beings. I have had dealings with him and….shall we just say I don't like him. Nick, if you love Jeff as much as I think you do, then my wife and I have absolutely no problem with your relationship. We couldn't ask for a better match for our boy. And that also means that we will love and protect you as much as we can when, not if, things turn bad. You will always be welcome in this house. I want you to remember that. If things get rough after you tell your folks, then come here. Simple as that." Nick nodded at him, fearing that he would probably need to come back here that night. "So, you kissed him in front of the whole school?" Mr Sterling had picked up his phone and was searching on Youtube. "Ok, Dalton gay kiss as a search…" Jeff was looking at his dad with a mix of amusement and horror. "Bingo." Jeff blushed red as his mom and dad watched the video - Nick had buried his face in Jeff's shoulder from embarrassment. "Well, that got a bit heated in the end," Jeff's father said, before starting to laugh.
Nick left the Sterlings house about half an hour later. The whole thing had gone so much better than he ever could have hoped. They had accepted the relationship without any questions, made him feel welcome and loved. He knew the reaction he was about to face would be nowhere near as warm. That was why he had forced Jeff to stay at home. He had just found the love of his life - there was no way he was taking him into the lion's den for a mauling.