Second Chances

Chapter 11: Unaccepted

I know usually I ramble at the beginning of the chapter, but, like, I'm tired and I still have a bunch of work to do. So, like, heyyyy, I hope you enjoy the chapter. It's a little angsty and sorta fluff. Meh.

Warnings: Google Translate French & Henry Laurens is a Piece of Shit

Much Love, Krissy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Senior Year (One Week Before Graduation):

"Hey, Ana?" John asks, looking up from where he's playing with Nicolette. I look up from my notes, studying for the last final of my high school career. I raise an eyebrow.

"Oui, mon amie?" I reply, putting my notes aside. Studying can wait. He looks back at Nicolette and pauses for a moment.

"I'm uh...I'm gonna tell my family that I'm gay," he says. I fly down to the floor to sit next to him, grabbing his arm.

"Mon chéri (Honey), that's wonderful! I'm so proud of you!" I say, grinning brightly at him. He smiles nervously and nods.

"Yeah, I'm, uh, I'm gonna do it tomorrow, after school," he says. I give his arm a soft squeeze, letting him know I support him. He just looks at me for a moment, his expression slowly turning wary as he looks at the floor.

"I don't know how they're going to react, though. Especially my father," he says. I frown a little and wrap both arms around his arm, squeezing it.

"You know if you need anything, you can come straight here, alright? Our doors are always open for you," I say, hoping to reassure him. He nods and leans on me, tapping the end of Nicolette's nose. My sister giggles and smiles that cute little infant smile, which never fails to make my heart melt. John reaches down and takes my hand, and I chuckle. Yeah, studying can wait.

"Let me know how everything goes, oui? Come to my house if anything goes wrong," I say, rubbing my hands up and down his arms. He nods and smiles slightly, biting his lip. I kiss his forehead, and he squeezes my arms before getting in his car and pulling out of the school's parking lot. I watch him go, then take a deep breath and get into my own car. I silently pray that everything will work out and we'll have worried for nothing. Deep down, I know that's a lie.

I'm laying on the floor with Nicolette, watching her play on her stomach. She smiles at me and I smile back, until there's a very, very faint knock at the door. There it is. I can guess who's behind the door, and it breaks my heart. I sit up and pick up Nicolette, going to the door before I unlock it and open it slowly. Just as I unfortunately expected, John is standing on the other side. He looks dejected, and on the brink of tears. There are no words spoken before I open one arm and welcome him into my embrace. He doesn't hold onto me, only rests his forehead on my shoulder. I lean my head against his and run my fingers through my hair. He doesn't make a single noise, only stands there. Nicolette makes a small gurgling noise, and she reaches up for John's hair. John pulls his head back slightly so he can turn it and look at her. He lifts his finger up, which she grabs. He lets out a small, pained chuckle and I squeeze him tighter.

"I'll put her down for a nap," I mutter. He nods slightly and pulls out of my hold, closing and locking the front door. We go upstairs to Nicolette's room and I stand in front of the bassinet, rocking her slightly and humming. She makes another noise and reaches over my shoulder. I hear movement behind me and turn slightly. Nicolette is reaching for John's hair, which he's taken out of his ponytail. He won't look at me, only at Nicolette. Nicolette doesn't understand what's going on. She doesn't know John is hurting. I can only imagine that she's actually quite comforting at the moment. I let him take her from my arms, and he sits on the floor with her, before laying down and letting her lay on his chest, staring up at the ceiling. I move to the floor next to him, lying on my side and putting a gentle, steadying hand on his arm.