EXTRA long chapter coming at cha! Hope you enjoy it!

Oh, and by the way-I seem to have lost my reviewers! I miss you guys, so please come back :)

"I keep trying to come out to my parents…" Jeff was saying to Nick. "But I always forget what I'm going to say or I just plain freak out."

He and Nick were grabbing some coffee at the Lima Bean after school together. They'd been officially dating for a few weeks now already, and Jeff knew he couldn't continue avoiding his parents. He had to come out, and he was really running thin on time.

Nick winced. "I know this is hard, Jeff…but if you don't come out to them yourself, then chances are they're going to find out some other way," he warned. "You do not want that to happen. Misunderstandings can get in the way, and they may feel like you didn't trust them enough to tell them yourself…in short, you'll be more likely to get a negative response that way."

"I know," Jeff sighed. "It's been practically the only thing on my mind lately. I've gone over what to say a million times in my head, but when it comes to actually saying it…my mind goes blank."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Nick asked. "I could help out with the details or the best time or something…"

"I have all that figured out, actually. I'm just a coward when it comes to the real deal…" Jeff mumbled.

"You're not a coward," Nick assured. "It's only natural to be afraid."

"It's just, my life has always been so simple, you know? I've never had to do something like this. I have no clue how to deal with a negative response if I get one, and I keep picturing the worst case scenario in my head…"

"You could always come out to my parents first," Nick suggested randomly. "They'll definitely be accepting. And…well, in a worst case scenario, it'll give you someplace to go…"

In other words, if his parents kicked Jeff out, he would be welcomed at Nick's house? That wasn't very ideal…But it was a slightly comforting thought to imagine that he'd have a safety net.

"That actually doesn't sound like a bad idea," Jeff admitted.

"Then you'll come out to my parents first?"

Jeff sighed. "Well, it might be good practice for my own parents…" he said. And they couldn't move forward in their relationship while Jeff was still somewhat closeted. Coming out to Nick's parents would be a good start.

…

Nick led Jeff to the kitchen where his mom was busy searching the refrigerator. She noticed Nick immediately. "Oh, Nick. I was just looking for something to make for dinner…is there anything you'd prefer?" she asked him distractedly.

"Not really," Nick said. "You can make whatever…but I kind of wanted to talk to you—and dad."

She stood up straight to look at him, greeting Jeff with a brief smile. "Your father's working late at the restaurant," she told Nick. "But you can talk to me first?" she suggested.

Nick glanced over at Jeff. "Is that okay with you?"

Jeff shrugged. "I don't care," he said a little stiffly.

Nick offered him a reassuring smile before turning back to his mom, who now looked slightly confused. "Okay. I just wanted to let you guys know that I have a new boyfriend," he told his mom casually.

"Oh, really? But didn't you just breakup with that other boy a few weeks ago…?"

Nick cringed. "Yes, but please don't bring that up," he muttered. "I'd rather just forget all about it."

"Oh, sorry," she apologized. "Who's your new boyfriend, then?" she asked curiously.

Nick reached over to take Jeff's hand in his own, intertwining their fingers. "He's right here," he said with a smile. "Mom, meet Jeff. Jeff, meet my mom," he said teasingly. He knew full well that Jeff already knew Nick's mother.

She blinked in surprise. "Jeff?" she echoed. "I didn't know that you were—err, I mean, I didn't know you played for Nick's team?"

Jeff smiled awkwardly, ducking his head. "Er, yeah…I didn't really know either, until recently…" he said sheepishly. "It's kind of long story. But I am bisexual."

"And he's still working on the 'coming out' part," Nick told his mom. "And he hasn't told his parents yet…so if you could just keep that in mind next time you talk to them, that would be great," he said.

"Why haven't you told your own parents yet?" she asked Jeff.

"I'm working on that, actually," Jeff assured. "I just wanted to tell you first…because, well…"

"If things don't go well with his family," Nick finished for him. "If you get what I mean," he hinted.

Her eyes lit up with understanding. "Oh…I see," she said. She smiled brightly at Jeff. "I'm sure that they will understand…But if there's ever a need to, you are always welcome to stay here."

Jeff sighed with relief. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Romano," he breathed fervently.

"It wouldn't be any trouble," she assured. Her eyes drifted to their holding hands. "Just wondering, though…how long have you two been together?"

"Just a few weeks," Nick answered.

She nodded thoughtfully. "Ah…"

"I've been, um, having a hard time…coming out," Jeff explained. "Nick probably would have told you otherwise…"

"Yes, that's alright," she sighed. "I understand. And I'm happy that it's you and not some other boy. I feel like I can trust you more than any of the boys from your school."

Jeff smiled faintly. "Thank you, Mrs. Romano." He felt better deep down, knowing that he had a safe haven now, and knowing that Nick's mother was so accepting. Maybe his own parents would be the same and all of this worry will have been for nothing…

…

Lily held up her new drawing with a big grin. It was a picture of her and her big brother Jeff and their dog, Zeus. She felt like it was a very good drawing, compared to all her others.

She felt like showing it to Jeff. He usually seemed to like her drawings. She jumped to her feet and dashed to his bedroom, drawing clutched in her hand.

"Jeffy?" she called, peeking into his room from around the slightly opened door. He wasn't there, though. She ran downstairs and checked the living room and frowned when he wasn't there, either.

Maybe he was outside? She skipped over to the front door and dropped to her hands and knees to poke her head through the doggy door. She glanced around the porch and caught sight of him quickly. He was standing by the stairs to the wooden patio with Nick. They were standing very close that they might accidentally step on each other's feet if they weren't careful. Lily looked up and was confused to see that they were kissing.

Weren't only boys and girls supposed to kiss each other? At least, Jeffy and Tyler—her other older brother who was away at college—had only ever kissed girls like that before.

Maybe it was okay for boys to kiss, too. Nicky and Jeffy were very good friends. They knew each other for a long time. Although her mommy said that you only kiss a person like that if you love them. Did Jeffy and Nicky love each other, then?

That had to be it. It was the only explanation her five year-old mind could come up with. She also thought it would be rude to interrupt them, so she ducked back out of the doggy door. She skipped back to her room and put her drawing on the bed. She wanted to make a new picture. She lie flat on the floor and got to work with her colored pencils.

…

Jeff got home that night after spending the day with Nick. It had been a few days since he came out to Mrs. Romano, but he was still having trouble telling his own parents. Nick was patient, but even he was starting to get exasperated. Jeff was delaying this task much too long, and the consequences could be very bad.

Jeff was at home, sitting on the floor doing his homework on the coffee table. He didn't pay much attention when Lily came dashing out, shoving a picture at him.

"Lookie what I drew, Jeffy!" she exclaimed happily.

He barely glanced at it, passing it back over to her. "Yeah, that's nice, Lily," he said distractedly.

She frowned at his response, but perked back up when their mother entered the room. "Mommy! Look at my new drawing!" She held the drawing up to her.

She smiled and took the drawing. "Um, it's lovely, sweetie…but who exactly is it supposed to be?"

"It's Jeffy and Nicky!" she chimed.

"And are they…um…are they kissing here…?" their mother asked slowly, peering at the picture with narrowed eyes.

Jeff glanced up quickly. "What?" he nearly choked.

"Yeah!" Lily said. "Because they love each other. Right, Jeffy?" She smiled at Jeff, completely innocently.

"Uh…" Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap. What the hell does she know? And how does she know it!

Their mother laughed awkwardly. "Lily, honey…Jeff and Nick are just friends. They don't kiss."

Lily blinked in confusion. "Yes, they do," she said. "I saw them the other day. They were kissing on the porch."

Jeff couldn't breathe. Lily saw? How? When? And now what was he supposed to do? He could barely meet his mother's questioning eyes when they fell on him.

"Jeff…? Is that…true?" she asked him quietly.

He gulped back the terror rising in his throat. Come on, get it together! He drew in a shaky breath. "U-um…well…" If he lied about this now, it would be impossible to come out later. Besides, this was as good a time to come out as any, while there was doubt in the air. Although it was unplanned, unexpected, terrifying, and he was totally unprepared. "It…it might be true…"

Her eyes widened in surprise. "You…and Nick?" she spluttered. "But…Jeff, I thought you were straight!"

His heart was pounding and he struggled to control his frantic breathing. "I-I thought so, too," he mumbled. "But, er…I realized that I had feelings for Nick…"

"And you never told us?" She looked angry and maybe even a little hurt.

"It happened j-just recently," he explained. "I've been meaning to tell you…! But I was…so scared…of how you'd react."

"Jeff…finding out this way—" she motioned to the drawing. "just makes it so much worse. You shouldn't have hidden this from us," she muttered harshly.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered.

Lily looked very confused. "Is Jeffy in trouble?"

Their mother looked down at Lily. "Um, Lily, sweetie…why don't do go to your room? I'm sure it needs cleaning."

She frowned with a pout, but still turned to go to her bedroom, leaving Jeff alone with his mother.

Jeff looked up at her warily. "So, you don't…approve…of me and Nick? You don't want us to be together?" he guessed quietly.

"I don't know what to think, Jeff," she sighed. "I'm finding out about it through a drawing of what your five year-old sister saw. How could you expose her to that kind of thing?"

"Wait, what exactly am I 'exposing' her to?" he questioned. "You and dad kiss all the time around her. So did Tyler and all of his girlfriends."

"That's different."

"Just because it isn't gay. That's what you mean," he muttered. "I didn't think you were homophobic, mom."

"I'm not," she snapped. "I just don't think that Lily should grow up around that kind of influence. She'll think its normal."

"There's nothing wrong with it!" Jeff shot at her. "I care about Nick, mom. I've never felt this way about anyone before. I never thought I'd wind up being gay, but I'm so happy when I'm with him. There's no one else I'd rather be with. You just have to understand that, please…" he pleaded.

She sighed. "Honey, of course I understand," she said finally. "I'm just angry to be finding out about it this way. Don't you trust me enough to tell me? I'm your mother."

"I wanted to tell you," he murmured weakly. "I just…couldn't."

She shook her head with a long sigh. "I think it's best if we wait for your father to get home to talk about this," she decided. "Just…go to your room, clean it up or something. I'll call you out when your father gets here."

He frowned. "Okay," he agreed unhappily. If his mother reacted badly, imagine his father? He never took things as calmly as she did.

Jeff went to his room and closed the door. The room was a mess, but he would never be able to focus on cleaning it. Instead, he decided to call Nick.

The phone rang twice before Nick answered. "Hello?"

"Nick," Jeff greeted painfully. "It's Jeff."

"Jeff? What's wrong? Your voice sounds strained," Nick asked with concern.

"Um, well…" He swallowed hard. "My mom knows about us now…Thanks to Lily."

"This doesn't sound good," Nick said in a mumble. "How's it thanks to Lily?"

Jeff laughed bitterly. "I guess she saw us kiss, somehow? I don't know. Whatever, it doesn't matter, the truth is out."

"You don't sound too happy," Nick observed. "Didn't go well, I'm assuming?"

"Not so far," Jeff mumbled. "My mom was kind of angry, mostly for hiding it from her…and my dad doesn't know yet."

"I'm sorry," Nick murmured.

"This is the perfect time for you to say 'I told you so,'" Jeff muttered unhappily.

"No, I understand why you were afraid," Nick reassured. "Maybe they will, too."

"I doubt it."

"You can always hope," Nick said. "And maybe you can try to explain to them why you didn't tell them?"

"Already tried that with my mom," Jeff sighed. "Didn't do much…but she at least says she understands. Maybe she can talk to my dad before he flips out on me."

"I'm sure he'll understand," Nick tried to assure, but he didn't sound so certain.

"Hope so." Jeff couldn't help but worry. His father had the worst temper when he was angry and Jeff didn't know if he could handle being reprimanded because of his feelings for Nick.

Jeff stayed on the phone with Nick for about an hour, waiting for his mother to call him out. They tried to focus on other topics aside from Jeff's current situation, since he didn't really want to sit and anxiously worry about it. It wouldn't do him any good.

Eventually, his mother called for him. "Jeff! Get out here, it's time to talk."

"There's my mom," Jeff sighed to Nick. "I've got to go…"

"Good luck," Nick murmured.

"I'll see if I can call you back later tonight," Jeff told him. "You might need to stay up a little late, though."

"I probably won't be able to sleep 'til I hear back from you, anyways," Nick said.

"Alright. I'll talk to you later, then."

"Bye."

Jeff clicked off his cell phone and put it away in his pocket. He stepped out of his room warily, walking slowly down the stairs, one step at a time. Both of his parents were there waiting in the living room. His mother sat at one end of the sofa with legs folded, while his father stood stiffly in the middle of the room, arms crossed and face stony. Jeff slinked over to sit at the opposite end of the sofa to his mother, eyes down.

It was painfully silent for a few long minutes. His father stared at Jeff unwaveringly, eyes narrowed. Jeff refused to make eye contact with him. He didn't want to feel ashamed under his father's glare. He had nothing to be ashamed of.

"Tell me how this happened," his father ordered finally.

"How…what happened, exactly…?" Jeff asked nervously.

"This…thing between you and that boy," he muttered harshly, spitting at 'thing.'

Jeff flinched. "I…I don't know how it happened. It just did," Jeff answered quietly.

His dad glared. "Oh, really."

"Yes…I can't help what I feel, dad," he said.

"And how long has this been going on behind our backs?" he demanded.

"Only a few weeks," he told them. "I…I haven't done anything wrong, if that's what you're worried about…"

"You expect me to believe that?" he suddenly snapped, starting to pace furiously. "'Only a few weeks'? The Romano's have been living there for six years. I wasn't born yesterday, Jeff."

Jeff blinked in confusion. "What are you trying to imply?" he asked warily.

"You've known that boy for all this time, and only just recently do you start 'seeing him'? I wouldn't be surprised if you two have been fooling around behind our backs for years!" he spat.

"What?" he said with a jolt.

"Jeff, is that true?" his mother demanded.

"No! Of course it's not!" he exclaimed. "How could you even think such a thing? You know I'm not like that!"

"You hid this from us," his father growled. "We don't know what to think anymore."

"I'm sorry!" he apologized. "I didn't mean to hide it from you…I was just afraid of a reaction like this. But I swear it's only been going on for a couple weeks. And we haven't…done anything…"

"People don't just turn gay, Jeff," he snapped.

"I-I'm not…gay. I'm bisexual. And I always have been. I just didn't realize it until recently. You have to believe me…"

"How convenient," he muttered sarcastically. "I always thought you spent too much time with that boy…"

"His name is Nick," Jeff mumbled.

"Excuse me?"

"You keep calling him 'that boy'," Jeff pointed out. "His name is Nick…"

"I know what that damn boy's name is," he snapped.

"Then quit calling him 'boy,'" Jeff muttered. "I get it, all right? I'm involved with a boy. I understand that."

His father glared venomously. "Yes, but I don't understand. You are supposed to be straight! What about all those girls you dated? Was that just for fun?"

"No, dad, I already told you!" he said in exasperation. "I'm not gay, I'm bisexual."

"And I find that to be just a little too convenient," he growled. "Were those girls just your insurance plan? To make sure that we don't find out about your gay lover on the side?"

"That's not what it's like!" Jeff insisted, jumping to his feet. "Dad, whatever you think about me and Nick is way off. We don't 'fool around.' He's not some cheap toy I keep around just to play with. I actually care about him. Why can't you accept that?"

His father glowered dangerously. "Sit down and drop that tone of yours, Jeff," he ordered.

"No. I'm not going to just sit around and let you say these things about Nick and me," he snapped. "And no matter what you say or do, it won't change how I feel about him. I love him—!" Jeff broke off with a sudden forceful flash of stinging pain across the left side of his face. He staggered back with a cry of pain, falling back against the sofa. His father stood with his hand raised.

"No, you don't! You don't know what love is if you think you love that boy!" he snarled. "It's a phase, goddamn it!"

Jeff's eyes widened as he realized what just happened: his father had just hit him. His father had never hit him before. Jeff cupped his hand over his left cheek where the pain was still stinging from the impact and looked up at his dad in shocked disbelief.

"Charles!" his mother snapped sharply. "Calm down!"

"Do you expect me to just take it when my son speaks to me like this? I am not going to just sit idle and watch him do this to himself and to us!"

Jeff couldn't even speak anymore. He was still too dazed, trying to make sense of what had just happened. The thought that his father just slapped him across the face wouldn't sink in. It didn't seem logical. It didn't seem possible.

"Get up," his father ordered. Jeff obeyed, keeping his hand held to his face. "Give me your phone. Now."

Jeff blinked. "Wh-what? Why?" he asked shakily.

"Just give me your phone, boy!"

Oh, so I'm just 'boy' to you now, too? Jeff reached into his pocket and handed over his phone. His father clicked the screen on.

"All texts from Nick. Latest call: Nick," he muttered. "This is what we get for allowing you to attend an all boys school."

"That's not—"

"Shut up," he snapped. "You're grounded from your phone and all video games. No leaving the house for anything but school…And don't be surprised when we cancel your tuition to Dalton. You're going to public school next year."

"What? That's not fair!" Jeff protested. He turned to his mother, eyes pleading "Mom! You can't pull me out of Dalton because of this! Say something, please!"

"Maybe it's for the best," she sighed.

"Obviously, going to a school with all boys isn't good for you," his father muttered. "Besides, your grades aren't near as good as Tyler's were. Maybe you'll do better in public school."

"No! Please, I love being in Dalton. I've been working on my grades—you can't put me in public school, please!" he begged.

His mother frowned. "Your father and I will talk about it," she promised Jeff, sending a look at Charles.

"Don't expect anything, though," his father muttered. "Now get to your room."

Jeff wanted to protest again, but the stinging sensation from his face told him to leave. He didn't want to anger his dad even more than he was already. Without another word, he trudged out of the living room, climbing the stairs with his head down.

Could this have gone any worse? His father had never laid a hand on him like that before. And what was he mad about, anyways? It didn't seem like anything worth getting so angry over…

When he closed the door to his bedroom, he remembered he'd planned to call Nick. Too late now…he didn't have a phone anymore. And for what? For being gay? For loving Nick? It wasn't fair. But what could he do?