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“It’s just one dinner and then they’re going back home tomorrow, I think you can handle it.” Nico sighed, glancing at Leighton as they approached the restaurant.
“Break is in a few weeks, they couldn’t have waited?” The blonde mumbled in reply, watching her feet as they walked.
“It’s Mom’s birthday, just try to be civil and we can get it over with, okay?” Nico smiled, patting her back in encouragement as they walked inside and greeted their parents before taking a seat and getting caught up with one another.
“So, Leighton, have any guys caught your eye yet?” Mrs Murray asked, taking a sip of her wine.
“Nope,” Leighton answered plainly, itching her neck nervously.
“Well, why not? I’m sure there’s plenty of suitable young men at Essex,” Her mother replied, while Leighton just shook her head.
“Definitely, Essex is full of bright young men. Plenty that would fit in good with the family too.” Mr. Murray smiled while Leighton just rolled her eyes.
“Why does it even matter? Can you guys just chill?” The blonde scoffed, pulling out her phone as Nico started talking about his girlfriend, Maya.
Leighton:
This dinner is the worst. They keep asking me if I’ve found any “suitable young men.”
Save me please.
Alicia:
Yikes, not thinking of replacing me, are you?
Kidding, but I’m sorry babe, hopefully it’ll be over sooner rather than later.
Leighton:
Wouldn’t replace you in a million years. You’re an alright girlfriend.
And hopefully.
“Leighton, get off your phone, we’re at the table and it’s rude.”
“Sorry, Mom.” Leighton mumbled, taking a sip of water and setting her phone down. “I’m going to head to the ladies room, I’ll be back in a moment.”
Taking a few deep breaths, Leighton stared at her reflection in the mirror. Family dinners were always the worst, well, anytime she had to actually have conversations with her mother was the worst. Plus why were they so adamant on her finding a boyfriend, she’s only 18, it’s not like she’s running out of time or something. It was annoying, and her heart spiked everytime they talked about it. The disappointment on her parents' face finding out she still hadn’t found a boyfriend only reminded her how disappointed they’ll be when they find out she likes girls.
After deciding she’d been in the bathroom long enough, Leighton made her way back to the table, her brows furrowing as she sensed the tension, “what’s wrong?” She laughed nervously, watching as her father and mother stared at the table, Nico giving her a sympathetic smile.
“Leighton, what’s this?” Her mother asked, anger seeping from her face as she held Leightons phone in her face, the text messages with Alicia opened, and a new one present along with them.
Alicia:
Just alright? Ouch. You should come over after the dinner and I can show you just how great of a girlfriend I can be.
Leighton felt her heart stop for a moment, chest tightening as her worst fear unfolded at the table. Her mind and heart were racing with what to say, how to cover this up, but it was coming up blank.
“Nothing!” Leighton snapped, snatching her phone out of her mothers hand, gripping it tightly. “Why the hell would you go through my phone?”
“I wasn’t going through it. The phone went off and I looked over to see that, and then opened it and saw the other messages.” Her mother shrugged, face tight with anger. “Now who the hell is Alicia?” Leighton shook her head, glancing at Nico for a way out, but he just sat dumbfounded staring back.
“Leighton, answer your mother.” Her father said sternly, Leighton meeting his gaze as she continued to shake her head slightly. She didn’t know what to do. They already knew, obviously, but she couldn’t say it, how could she? They already seemed angry, and she knew they were only going to get angrier so she took a deep breath and decided to face this head on. She wouldn’t allow them to see her so weak.
“Alicia is my girlfriend.” The words left her mouth sounding a lot stronger than she felt, but the moment she said them she felt sick.
No one said anything for what felt like minutes, but honestly could’ve been seconds until her mother shook her head, her voice dripping with anger, “You need to go.”
“What?” Leighton whispered, willing herself not to cry. “Dad?” She asked softly, looking to her father, hoping and praying to whatever was out there that he would step in. He had always been the parent she was closer to, the man who protected her from her mothers harsh ways.
“It’s your mothers birthday, she doesn’t need this today.” He spoke sadly, shaking his head and leaning back in his chair, “None of us need this.”
“Fine, whatever,” Leighton laughed bitterly, her eyes going glossy with tears as she gathered her purse and jacket before walking out without another glance back.
“Leighton, wait!” Nico shouted, grabbing her elbow as they walked out of the restaurant.
“What, Nico?” The blonde snapped, ripping her arm from him as he sighed sadly.
“Leight, I’m-” He paused, at an obvious loss of words before he pulled the younger girl into a hug. “I’m sorry they reacted like that, and I’m sorry I didn’t say anything.”
Leighton’s lip quivered as she held tightly to her brother, “you don’t hate me for it?”
“No, of course not, you’re my baby sister, I could never hate you.” Nico responded shocked, pulling away to look at her. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked sadly.
“I was scared,” she whispered in reply, shifting her gaze to his shoulder.
Nico nodded for a moment, his face deep with concern, “Do you want me to drive you back to your dorm?”
“No, that’s alright. You go enjoy dinner, okay? I’ll talk to you later.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.” Leighton mustered up the most convincing smile she could before turning away and making her way down the street. Once she got far away from the restaurant she called an uber to pick her up, there was only one place she wanted to be right now.
—
Leighton took deep breaths, her crying finally under control as she texted Alicia she was at the apartment. She turned the corner to see Alicia leaning in the doorway grinning, “Well, that was a fast dinner.” She laughed, still oblivious to the taller girl's breakdown. But as Leighton got closer and her face was more in view, Alicias smile turned into a frown of concern.
“What’s wrong?” The shorter girl asked, which caused Leightons eyes to build with tears once again as she shook her head.
“Well, my parents know I like girls. They know about you.” Leighton laughed bitterly, wiping the tears as she greeted the confused girl with a quick peck before walking into the apartment, Alicia following close behind.
“Oh,” Was all Alicia could utter, anxious with the news mixed with Leightons sad appearance. She could only imagine what the blonde had been through.
“Yeah, they made me leave the dinner before we even ordered,” The blonde laughed, kicking off her boots and climbing into bed. She was trying so hard to keep it together in front of her girlfriend, the last thing she wanted was another person to see her so weak tonight.
“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry.” Alicia frowned, climbing into the other side of the bed and pulling Leighton into a hug, stroking her blonde hair.
“It’s okay,” Leighton whispered, unsure if it was even audible. “I kind of expected it, to be honest.” She added, curling up into Alicia’s side as she began tracing her fingers up and down her girlfriends arm.
“Just because you expected it doesn’t make it okay.” Alicia whispered, pausing for a moment “How are you really? You can tell me. I’m here for you.” She grabbed Leightons hand and placed a soft kiss on it before interlocking their fingers.
Leighton contemplated what to say, she was upset obviously, but didn’t want to seem so weak to Alicia. There was still a part of her that wasn’t fully comfortable with the vulnerability.
“I’m scared of what this means for my relationship with my family.” She admitted softly, biting her lip as salty tears made their way down her cheeks.
“I know honey, but I promise everything is gonna be okay. No matter what happens, I’m here for you and I’ll do everything in my power to help you.” Alicia replied, placing a soft kiss on the girl's hairline and pulling her closer.
“Thank you,” Leighton whispered, unsure of what else to say.
“I know this is a hard situation, and I’m so so sorry you have to go through it, but you are one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. You can handle any shitty thing life throws your way, I’m sure of it. Plus, now the hardest part is over.” Alicia added, staring at their tangled legs.
“Yeah, I guess that’s true.” Leighton sighed, “I never thought I would come out, you know? I’ve never genuinely thought about it. Figured I would just have meaningless hookups and marry some guy named Garreth.”
Alicia chuckled a little at the reference to one of their earlier conversations as she shook her head, “Well, I’m glad you did. I know the bad stuff will work itself out and everything will be okay.”
“Thank you for being here for me. I know I’m kind of a mess right now,” Leighton laughed sadly as Alicia sat up and faced her.
“I’ll always be here for you, you got me” Alicia replied, giving a reassuring smile to the girl as she wiped her tears. “How did you tell them?”
Leighton contemplated telling Alicia the whole story, but decided against it, feeling shy about the idea of Alicia knowing they saw the texts. “I just kinda said it, I guess. They all got quiet then my mom said I needed to leave,” Leighton shrugged, avoiding eye contact.
“Honey, I’m so proud of you. I’m proud you came out. I’m proud you’re starting to accept yourself. I’m proud you were created. I’m just so proud.” Alicia smiled, placing a hand on Leightons neck and stroking her cheek with her thumb.
They stared at each other for a moment and Leighton felt her eyes well up with tears once again, but this time they were ones of joy. She’s had plenty of accomplishments in her life, but Alicia being her girlfriend was the best one she could’ve asked for. There was no other person who made her feel so safe and happy and warm.
“I think I’m falling in love with you,” Leighton admitted quietly, blushing as she looked back at the shorter girl, anxious for her reaction.
“I think I’m falling in love with you too,” Alicia grinned, pulling Leighton into a deep kiss.
It was that moment where Leighton decided nothing could really be that bad, not if she had Alicia to hold whenever things got tough.
There were still many challenges to face with her parents, and the sadness still creeped in her mind, but being with Alicia seemed to calm everything going on in her head. Leighton had never let anyone in like she let Alicia in, and she couldn’t be more grateful for the shorter girl. Sure, her parents very well could disown her and never speak to her again, but right now all she could focus on was how powerful her feelings were for Alicia.
Maybe everything would be okay.