It was around 5:30 when Connor Ross arrived home. His mother was in the kitchen preparing dinner while Ava was sitting on the couch on her phone.
“Welcome home sweetie!” Diana Ross called from the kitchen when she noticed Connor. “How was your first day in a new school?”
“Good,” Connor said casually, sitting down next to Ava on the couch. He quickly pulled out the Moon Lake Guidebook from his backpack and started to read again. Ava noticed what he was doing and put down her phone so she could see what Connor was reading.
“That’s the guidebook, right?” she asked, to which Connor nodded.
“Figure out what species you want to become yet?” Ava asked. Connor shook his head.
“Do you mind if we talk about this…somewhere else?” Ava asked, glancing over at their mom.
“Huh? Why?” Connor asked.
“I just...want to discuss something with you...in private.”
“Alright then…”
Ava got up from the couch and said “Hey mom, Connor and I are going upstairs to look at the guidebook some more.”
“Alright,” Diana Ross called back. “I’ll call you two down when dinner is ready.”
Connor then got up from the couch and followed his sister upstairs into his room. Once they were inside, she shut the door behind them and took a seat on the edge of Connor’s bed.
“What’s going on Ava?” Connor asked, unaware of what his sister was doing. “Is something the matter?”
Ava sighed. “I heard mom and dad talking to Mrs. Twist yesterday,” she said. “They were worried about you making the right choice on a Were species.”
“Ava, don’t worry,” Connor said. “I’m going to do my research.”
“No, that’s not it,” she said. “They said they were worried because...because...they think you’re in denial…”
Connor didn’t say a word.
“I...I didn’t really believe it at first,” she continued. “But then I realized how you had been acting differently for the past few months. I don’t have a problem if you’re bisexual or gay, but I’m just worried about you. You’re my big brother, and I don’t want anything to happen to you that would make you unhappy.”
Connor was quiet for a minute, unsure of what to say. It was about a minute or two before he laughed nervously.
“What’s so funny?” Ava asked.
“Nothing. It’s nothing,” Connor said. “It’s just...jeez...you were really up front about that…”
“Because I love you Connor. I don’t want anything to happen to my big brother…”
Connor nodded and pulled his sister into a tight hug. “Thanks Ava,” he said quietly. “I….I needed that…”
The two siblings continued to hug for a minute before Ava broke the hug. “So...you’re really not sure?”
Connor shook his head. “Honestly, I can't explain it,” he said. “Sometime after Tad left, things just felt...off. I can’t explain it, but...I just didn’t feel confident in who I felt attracted to anymore. All those female movie stars I liked started to lose a bit of their allure all of a sudden.”
“And then this morning?” Ava asked. “You seemed nervous around Ryan. I’ve never seen you act that way around anyone.”
“I...I don’t know what happened…” Connor admitted. “He’s just...I was…he’s...wow…”
Ava laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you react like that to ANYONE before.”
“Yeah…” Connor said, laughing. “It was...something…”
“But even after that, you still don’t know?”
“I mean, I find women somewhat attractive,” Connor admitted. “But suddenly, men just started to stand out to me. I don’t know if I like one gender or both. It’s just so confusing.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Ava reassured. “Maybe being in a new place is all you need to help you figure it out. My new friend Ashley told me that the town is very accepting of the LGBT community, so you won’t be bullied or shunned anywhere in town if you are gay or bi. Ashley’s dad also told me that all I need to do right now is just to be there for you. After talking with them about you and what I overheard, I needed to confront you about it.”
“I guess I’m glad that you did,” Connor admitted. “It feels really good to get all that off my chest.” He chuckled. “Maybe this will make my search easier.”
Ava smiled and hugged her older brother. “I’m glad I could help you Connor.”