Swallowing My Pride

                                    

                                          
Ryder's POV
                          
NJ and I were standing in the kitchen, a million thoughts swarming through my mind. I glanced out to the living room, feeling my stomach turn. 
                          
"They're gonna think I'm a freak..." I mumbled. 
                          
"No, they won't." NJ replied. "They don't think I'm a freak! At least... not to my face. I'm not helping, am I?" 
                          
I laughed at his comment. He always manages to lighten the heaviest of moods. 
                          
"Your support is enough." I shakily sighed with a smile. "Here goes nothing..."
                          
We walking into the living room as I felt my stomach drop. I'm not sure I'll be able to do this...
                          
I took a deep breath, looking at NJ. He saw straight through me, as usual. This wasn't that hard when I had to tell Harley, but now, it feels almost impossible. 
                          
NJ stopped the music, grabbing everyone's annoyed stares. 
                          
"Sorry, sorry!" He said. "But, um, there's a reason we threw this party. Ryder has something important to get off his chest..."
                          
Wait to put the spotlight on me, babe! They all looked at me, sticking utter fear throughout my body. I never thought it'd be this hard. 
                          
"Y-yeah, I, um, I do... W-well, you see, I um... I'm... kind of... Bi." I stuttered, keeping my head down. 
                          
"Bi as in Bisexual?" Eddie asked, to which I nodded. "That explains some stuff." He giggled. 
                          
"And... there's more." NJ added. 
                          
"Yeah," I lightly chuckled. "NJ and I are, a thing." 
                          
There was a lot of silence. I looked back at Harley, who was sitting at the back of the room. She smiled at me, almost as if to say, I'm proud of you. The others were speechless... This isn't good. 
                          
"Well, could you kinda say something... You guys are the first people I've come out to." I said as I nervously rubbed my arm. 
                          
"I'm sorry." Eddie replied. He's always the first to speak up, but at least someone did. "I'm just trying to even picture this, it's a little shocking, but you guys know we're always here for you." 
                          
"Y-yeah... Thanks... Wait, really?" I asked in shock. 
                          
"Of course, dude!" He smiled. "Who you love doesn't change who you are." 
                          
NJ moved closer into me, whispering in my ear, "Told you." 
                          
I grinned, feeling him lean away. 
                          
"I thought you guys would hate me or something..." 
                          
"Dude, why would we hate you?" Aleks asked. 
                          
"I've seen some things..." I muttered. "I'm just glad you're all cool with this."
                          
"Of course, man." Kevin said. "You're still human, after all."
                          
"Just, after everything we've been through... thanks." I softly smiled. 
                          
"No thanks needed." Eddie replied, then the party returned to normal. 
                          
They all started talking again as I returned to NJ's side. "So, does this mean we can finally have some PDA?" He asked. 
                          
"I... have to ease into it." I responded. 
                          
"Oh, stop being a baby!" He laughed as he smashed his lips into mine. 
                          
My body locked up for a moment, remembering there's people around, then I forgot them and kissed him back. 
                          
He pulled away, grinning ear to ear. "See, not that bad, huh?" 
                          
"No, not at all." I snickered, seeing it didn't even phase the others. 
                          
"I'm happy." NJ said as he placed his hand over mine. "I feel like this huge weight has finally been lifted off our shoulders!"
                          
"Yeah, now the people who really matter to us, know. Just one more person to tell." I muttered, thinking of my father. 
                          
"Three more." NJ sighed, reminding me he had his parents. "I... Talked to my dad. I'm going to visit him tomorrow, and I, uh, I'm going to tell him... about us." 
                          
"I'm sure he'll take it well. Don't he nervous, babe." I reassured. "Just, focus on everyone here and now, okay?" 
                          
"Same goes to you, too." He winked. 
                          
I laughed as I leaned down and kissed him. NJ is so much smaller than me, I always worry I'll hurt him. 
                          
"GET A ROOM YOU TWO." Eddie yelled from across the room, to which I carelessly flipped him off. 
                          
I pulled away from NJ, both of us laughing. 
                          
"Eddie, if they make each other happy, let them be." Arianna said. 
                          
"You're only saying that 'cause you make out with Kevin in the middle of parties!" He giggled. 
                          
She began to blush brightly. "It's not like we have sex in front of everyone or something!" 
                          
"You don't even do that in private." Harley joked, making her blush even redder. 
                          
Kevin's POV
                          
Arianna buried her face in my chest out of embarrassment. There's nothing wrong with harmless joking, but she doesn't see that. She's genuinely embarrass as hell. 
                          
"I'm like, the only virgin in our whole group of friends!" She muttered. 
                          
"That's not true." I whispered back. "I am, I'm sure NJ is, and Eddie and Genesis probably are." 
                          
She looked up, studying both NJ and Eddie. "Well, maybe not Eddie. NJ's probably, you know." 
                          
God, she loves to dig her claws in whenever he's mentioned. She's got a real hang up about him that I'll never understand. 
                          
"He's only sixteen." I said. "And I think he's too scared to commit to that." 
                          
"You're probably right. How come everyone acts so much more mature than us?" She asked. 
                          
"Because... They've seen shit way worse than you and I." 
                          
"Yeah..." She sighed, looking across the room to where Harley was. 
                          
The pour thing was falling asleep on Eddie. I really feel sorry for her, but she's got some good guardian angels. As she laid there, barely awake, I saw NJ walk over and help her up. He's about her size, so Eddie had to help as they walked her upstairs, probably to crash in the guest bedroom or something. 
                          
I really do hope she can handle this. Harley is a strong woman, I know she can survive.