There was something up with my cousin. She was quieter than usual, spacing off, deep in thought. And I was blasting All Too Well 10 Minute Version on the way to school! Something had happened in the parking lot yesterday, because she didn't even try to retort my teasing about her being slow. Ever since then, she had looked like she was always thinking.

While I was worried for her, I couldn't admit it, she'd never let it go. But I kept sneaking glances at her on the drive to school, seeing her with the same dazed out expression each time. I was seriously starting to debate asking her if she was okay.

Before I could, I pulled into our usual parking spot and she leaped out of the car before it was even parked, speed walking as fast as her little legs could carry her. I tried to catch up, but by the time I even just grabbed my backpack and shut the door, she was gone.

You know what, who cares? I literally live next to her, I'll jump through her window and annoy her until she talks to me.

Sophie had her earbuds in and her head down the entirety of history class. I could faintly hear the Spongebob rap by Glorb playing on repeat. And even though her hair was up in a messy bun, showing her earbuds in full display, our teacher couldn't have given a bigger crud about it. I think she was just happy Sophie and I weren't talking really loud.

I didn't even get to see her for the rest of the day, which I wouldn't admit, but I was worried and wanted to watch over her, make sure nothing happened. Because if I was there, nothing would be able to happen to her.

Although, during French class, I got a little bit distracted.

Okay, maybe more than a little bit.

Fine, I didn't think about Sophie the entire period, sue me.

I was a bit preoccupied.

Story time.

"Hey, mind if I sit here?" A boy my age asked. I didn't recognize him from my first semester, so I figured he was put in that class after the schedule change.

"Not at all." I moved my stuff over so he'd have more room. "I'm Dex."

"Oh, one of the new kids that came in November. I'm Tanner. I wasn't here yesterday so I've been trying to figure out all my classes today. Literally all of my friends are in the other French class." He let out an over/exaggerated groan and I laughed.

"I hate when that happens. Granted when I first got here my only friend was my cousin, but still." This time, he laughed. I almost couldn't comprehend the amount of joy that sound gave me-

What. The. Heck. No. Thank. You.

Where did that come from? Why did I feel like I was blushing? Sophie's the only one that's supposed to blush!

The rest of class continued and I took sneaky not-so-sneaky glances at Tanner. Why did I laugh so hard when he joked? I usually only acted like this around-

Aw shucks. But, I felt like that wasn't the type of thing you randomly realized one day. I thought you kind of knew your whole life.

But, had I known my whole life? My parents liked to constantly remind me of my best friend from kindergarten, Timmy, and how close I was with him, how much I talked about him. Did I, was I?

Yes, I was. I just never fully realized it, mainly focusing on girls instead, maybe I never found anyone else.

Maybe Tanner is my anybody else.

"I think I'm bisexual." I told Sophie when she got in the car. That finally snapped her out of her spaciness.

"You are?" I nodded, worried about what she would say. "I could see that."

I slammed on the brakes and turned to her, shocked.

"What do you mean you can 'see that?'" Then I was really worried. What did she mean by that?

"I saw you talking with that guy, Tanner. He's in health and our history class. You only laugh like that when you're really interested in something, fully enraptured by what they're saying. And you and Fitz are basically the definition of enemies to lovers." It's safe to say, I was stupefied.

"So, you're cool with it?" She raised her eyebrow, left, then right.

"Of course I am you dumby. Love you no matter what." She grumbled the last part under her breath, but I still heard it. I leaned over the console and hugged her as tight as possible.

"Thanks Soph, love you too." She shoved me away, but I could see her smiling.

"So, what do you want to do about this?" She rubbed her hands together maniacally.

"What do you mean?"

"Obviously I'm the first person you told. So, do you want to tell our families? Our friends? Do you want me to see if Tanner's a lil' fruity for you? Scope out the land, see if he's interested?" To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I mean, obviously I would tell her first, who else would I tell? But I hadn't thought past that. Did I want to tell others? My family? Did I want to see if something could happen with Tanner?

The answer was yes to all. But I've heard enough about what Eternalia is like, full of racists and homophobia. So, probably just my friends and family, who would hopefully love me anyways like Sophie. But I had way more pressing matters to attend to.

"Yes. To the last one." This time, my cousin smiled for real.

"I've gotchu. I'll see tomorrow during health, then text you before french." I hugged her again before starting to finish the drive home.

That night, at our whole family dinner (including Sophie, Grady, and Edaline) I told them. Well, first I sent the triplets away and told my parents and aunt and uncle. My mom told me she already knew, my dad just hugged me and told me he was proud that I came out to them, and he'd always love me. He also told me I'd always be in his top three favorite sons (ha ha ha very funny).

Grady and Edaline also told me they still loved me, and they'd always suspected Jolie was bisexual.

Wait, Sophie never told you about Jolie? Oh well, I guess it's up to me.

Jolie was Grady and Edaline's first daughter. She had long blonde hair and blue eyes, and she was arguably one of the most beautiful girls in existence (not in a weird way coming from me, it was just a fact). Grady and Edaline had been trying to have another kid, without prevail. Eventually, the age gap would've been too big between Jolie and the baby. So instead, Grady and Edaline signed up to be foster parents. It took a long time for everything to work out and them to get approved as foster parents. Jolie was eighteen, and engaged to her eighth grade and high school boyfriend, Brant Alger. I really liked him, he was chill and treated her well. Even Grady approved.

Brant was going through a rough patch with his parents, so Grady and Edaline let him stay with them for a while. That's when they finally got to become foster parents, and Sophie arrived. She was really shy, she didn't want to talk to me much. She didn't really want to talk to anyone. Edaline was heartbroken, thinking she was doing something wrong. But Jolie helped her. My older cousin wouldn't stop talking to Sophie, asking her the most random questions, like who her favorite actor was, why she enjoyed reading so much, simple, not deep questions like that.

They both warmed up to each other, started acting like sisters. Brant was the next one that she let in. He would joke around with her, ruffle her hair to the point of no repair, just overall act like a big brother. Those two got Sophie to talk to the rest of us. After half a year, Grady and Edaline decided to adopt her. A year after that, everything went wrong.

Sophie had grown so close to everyone, she started actually talking to us about past experiences, crying to us on days that were important in the Foster house, like her mom's birthday. She loved Jolie the most. Granted, everyone did. She was always happy, always willing to help, she just radiated positivity and peacefulness.

Then the fire came.

Sophie had joined our school's volleyball team and it was her first game. Grady and Edaline wanted to be there, but Jolie was sick. Brant stayed home with her.

When they came back, the house was in flames and there were fire trucks and ambulances all over. When they asked the fireman in charge what was going on, they said they were looking into it, but a young man had been retrieved and they were looking for others.

The next day, they found out that Jolie had died. Brant was making her some tea for her sore throat and one of the appliances malfunctioned, blowing up and knocking him away. Jolie had been upstairs in her room while the kitchen Brant was in was right next to the front door, making it easier to get to him.

After being deemed emotionally and mentally unstable, Brant was moved to a hospital, where he still is. Grady and Edaline were trying to get him transferred to one in Eternalia, since they cared for him more than his own parents ever would.

Thinking back, it was only two-ish years ago. It made sense that Sophie still wouldn't talk about it. It also made sense that Sophie smiled a little too fake when Edaline told me she thought Jolie had been bisexual.

I told the triplets later that night, and they could not have given a bigger crud. It made me so happy that they were acting normal, like they hated me. Brought tears of joy to my eyes.

I told Sophie and I's friends the next day and they all had about the same reactions as my family, still loving me.

I couldn't have been happier.

I got a text during fifth period of a bunch of different fruit emojis. Oh Sophie, always so weird. But that meant I just had to wait until next period.

Sophie texted me again.

Devil child: i tried flirting with him and he immediately acted all grossed out and said i wasn't his type. he's gay gay so you don't have to worry

Me: thanks soph

French couldn't possibly arrive any faster than it did. In all my nerves, I forgot to plan what I was going to say. So I just decided to wing it.

"Hey Dex." Tanner said when I sat down.

"Hi." I squeaked out, my voice five octaves higher than normal.

"Doesn't your cousin have a boyfriend?" I started to get a little concerned.

"Yeah, why?" He laughed.

"She was flirting with me last period. Hate to tell her, but I'm gay."

"Yeah, umm... About that." I bit my lip, nervous. "She did that for me. To see if you were gay." Now he was the one looking worried.

"Do you have a problem with that?"

"No! Not at all. I'm actually bisexual. And I asked her to do that because... I was hoping to go on a date with you. But if you weren't interested in me then I didn't want to completely embarrass and out myself but also if you're still not interested that's totally fine-"

"I'd love to go on a date with you." He cut me off.

It was safe to say Sophie and I did a lot of squealing after school.

Dex. is. gayyyyy. Convince me otherwise. Also i love Jolie and feel like her and Sophie would've been best friends so sue me for making it that they knew each other. Also tbh kinda love brant too, sue me again. take all my money. i will die on this hill. anyways, i hope you've enjoyed! i'm too lazy to actually use upper case anymore so i'm not, but please still vote and comment for my ego! bye!

Avery, out ->

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