Maxine Nelson • heartstopper ff

19. aftermath

"Omg, your dating?"
"Your lesbians?"
"How long?"
"I didn't know you were gay,"
"I guess it makes sense,"
"Omg I can't believe it!"
"I thought you liked guys?"
"Imogen and Max? Really?"
"Never would've guessed,"

A million questions were spoke at once. I looked at Imogen. I saw her hand and I grabbed it. I gave it a small squeeze to signal that we were going to be ok.

The two teachers ushered the annoying students away. All of our friends came up to us.
"Oooooh, secret lovers huh?" Nick asked and I rolled my eyes.
"Your a fine one to talk," I said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tao asked.
"Shit," I mumbled under my breath.
"Tao, me and Nick are dating. I'm sorry I didn't tell you and I can explain further, let's just go over here," Charlie said and they moved away.

"Sorry about that," I mumbled.
"It's fine," Nick said.
"Finally! Omg I have been shipping you two forEVER!" Darcy said.
"Ok Darcy, relax," Tara said. "But I'm happy for you two, you are a good couple," she said.

After everyone left us alone to keep exploring, I turned to Imogen.
"Are you ok?" I asked her. I was worried she was uncomfortable and that she might get bullied because of it.
"Yeah, I am," she said. She had a quite determined tone and I smilies.
"What about you?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm good," I said with a smile.

When we got back to the hotel, I was so tired. I flopped onto our bed in the middle like a starfish.
"Move over," Imogen told me and pushed me over. I fell off the bed and hit the floor.

I sat up and I heard a knock on the door. Darcy opened it.
"Hey...can I talk to Max," a voice said.

I got up and walked over so I could see the door. Nick was standing there.
"What's wrong?" I asked him.
"I just want to talk," he said.

I walked out of the room and we went out of the hotel.
"So you and Imogen huh?" Nick asked.
"Yeah," I told him.
"That's cool, she's a nice girl," he told me.
"Yeah, what did you want to talk to me about?" I asked.
"What do you mean? We're talking," he said.
"Yeah, I guess," I said.
"Why did you leave the table the other day?"
"I was embarrassed by everything I did,"
"Embarrassed?"
"Yeah, I kept zoning out and staring at people,"
"Oh,"

We walked a bit past a field of freshly cut lawn.
"Tried to phone dad, he didn't answer, I don't think we'll be seeing him," he said.
"That's ok," I mumbled. I honestly couldn't care less.

We walked a bit more in silence and then I could sense Nick turn his head to face me.
"What?" I asked.
"What?" He asked confused.
"Your looked at me as if you were about to say something," I told him.
"Oh,"
"Don't worry," I muttered.

***

I went back to the room after. Imogen was sat on the bed on her phone. She had one of her earbuds in. I grabbed the other one and sat next to her. She placed her phone of the bed and smiled at me.

I felt her hug me into her side and I wrapped my arm around her back.
"What was that about?" She asked.
"What was what?" I asked.
"With you and Nick,"
"Oh, well he just wanted to let me know that we wouldn't be seeing our dad," I told her.
"Oh, that sucks," she said stroking my hair.
"I guess," I mumbled.

Imogen lifted my head and I looked at her.
"Are you ok?" She asked.
"Yeah," I said. It sounded unconvincing. I could tell because Imogen gave me a funny look.
"I guess I'm kinda relieved. I don't really get along with my dad. He wanted boys...I'm a girl. It was so obvious he never liked me...he's definitely gonna hate me when he finds out I'm a lesbian. Im sure he'll be fine with Nick and Charlie. But me it'll be a whole different story," I said.
"Well, at least you have your mum, Nick and all your friends," Imogen said.
"Yeah, I know," I said with a small smile.
"And you have me, which is a bonus," she said and I laughed.

"So...I was thinking about my sexuality a lot..and I believe that I am pansexual," Imogen said. I smiled.
"That's awesome!" I said.
"Really?" She asked.
"Yeah of course. Im so proud of you," I said.
"Love you," she said.
"Love you too,"

Our lips met and we kissed.