13 13-Welcomed Healing (1/2)

I've stopped sneaking out at night and hiding my texts. All week, everyday after school I go over to Zayne's house to bring him homework and notes. I end up staying for an hour or two helping him figure everything out before I go home.

Arriana and I have had it a little rough this week, we definitely get dirty looks now that I'm out of the closet, but with Conrad gone, no one says anything.

Caira hasn't spoken to Arriana all week, but Tempe couldn't really care less about the whole thing. What happened with Conrad and Zayne really opened Tempe's eyes and made her more accepting.

Tonight is the dinner with my family and Zayne's family together. I can't help be nervous, so I spent my extra energy and actually cleaned my room. Arriana and my mom just about fainted when they saw my floor cleaned up, desk organized, and even my side of the bathroom counter straightened.

Mom takes Arriana grocery shopping to prepare for tonight, so it's just me and dad.

”You ready for tonight?” he asks as I fuss over making my bed.

”No, he's never seen the house before and I'm really worried I'm going to say or do something stupid and embarrassing.”

I flop back on my bed as my dad laughs, ”Tell you what, you cleaned your room so you must want the house nice. We'll shock your mom and clean the rest of the house, we'll do it together.”

I've never seen my dad clean, I didn't even know he knew how to use a vacuum. After I'm sure he's not joking I get up and find where mom keeps the vacuum.

I start vacuuming my room as my dad is sweeping the hard floor in the living room and kitchen. I meet him where the carpet meets the hard floor.

”Do remember meeting mom? Did you do stuff like this when you two started out?” I look up a little embarrassed.

He stops, props himself on the broom and gets a deep concentration face, ”When I met your mom, we were in college, she was actually dating my roommate. He was an idiot, like verge of getting kicked out of school idiot. Your mom was way out of his league and her and I would talk when she came by to wait for him. It took maybe two weeks for me to realize how badly I wanted to be with her. Our dorm had never looked so clean after that, the mini fridge we had actually had real food in it, I started caring about what I wear. Over twenty years later, here we are. It's good to care about this stuff Josh, it shows what you feel is real.”

I really do care about Zayne and I really do think I love him. I want this to be real, I want him to see the effort I'm putting in, maybe it will help him feel safer in his skin to know there's someone who cares this much willingly.

I clean the bathrooms and all the counters and tables while my dad does the dishes. I haven't seen the house look so nice in such a long time. I really hope Zayne and his family like it and feel comfortable.

I look at the time knowing that they'll be here at six, it's almost four. I know my mom is a kitchen wizard and I trust her to get it all done perfectly in time, but I'm so afraid that something will go wrong and there won't be time to fix it.

”Oh shit,” I suddenly dart in my room, leaving my dad behind wanting to get on me for my language.

I run into my room and grab the big box by my chair, close it, and hide it in my closet. I breathe a sigh of relief as my dad comes in to see me close the door.

”Hiding stuff in the closet? I thought we were past that,” I look to see him smiling like a goof at his joke.

”Sorry, I completely forgot I had Zayne's birthday present just sitting in the open. I don't want him to see it.”

He nods, ”What'd you get him?”

”It's a surprise, I put too much thought into it to let it get spilled by accident,” I shrug and give a crooked grin.

We hear the door open and go to meet my mom and Arriana. They look ready to fall over as they put the bags on the counter.

”Geez mom,” I say as my dad goes to help carry things in, ”It's dinner not a buffet. What are you even making?”

”Not telling,” she smiles, ”But you'll love it. Did you guys clean? The house looks amazing.”

I shove my hands in my pocket, a little giddy, ”Yeah, I really want to impress Zayne.”

She gives a sweet pout, ”Oh honey, if he isn't impressed with what you've done for him so far, then you've got to find someone else. You have such a big heart,” she pulls me into a hug.

I leave to let her start prepping to cook, I hear the mixer go not long after settling into my room. Arriana joins me not long after.

She twirls, ”What do you think? Mom let me get a new dress,” she smiles as she shows off the simple black and gold dress, ”I think the sweet heart neckline really suits me, don't you?”

I raise my eyebrows, ”Arriana, I've said it a lot of over the years, I may be gay but that doesn't mean I know what your talking about.”

She huffs, ”Josh, I swear it's a good thing you don't like girls. You would be hopeless when it comes to helping her pick an outfit.”

I laugh, ”You do look very nice Arriana, I like it, and I'm sure it will make a good impression.”

She smiles and twirls as she walks away. My sister has always been carefully modest in her clothes and this is no exception, her small chest allows her to pull off the ”sweet heart neckline” and the thin straps holding the dress up. The gold that lines the top of her neckline and the bottom of the skirt give it enough wow factor to stand out. It hugs her top while hanging and flowing at her waist.

She leaves the doors open and I watch her get ready, looking like a kid at Christmas as she puts on her gold crescent moon necklace I got her for her birthday and throws on some simple flats to pull everything together.

”Arriana, you do know that Zayne and I are gay right? There are no guys to impress here tonight,” I laugh as she glares at me.

”I happen to want to look nice when I finally get to meet his family, and to celebrate what you two have. This is a big deal Josh, you guys took a big risk and already made a big change.”

I hear my phone ring and see it's Zayne.