NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Chapter 6
Lip sat down next to Ian and asked first: "Hey, did I miss anything?"
"It's nothing too important. Fiona and Vi went to the bar to hang out and borrowed my deodorant."
"So, you feel bad?"
"How can it be? I'm not that stingy."
"Did something bad happen to you? Tell me quickly and make me happy."
"Screw you!"
The two brothers fought playfully for a moment before stopping.
Looking at Ian, who seemed hesitant to speak, Lip realized that his brother was still embarrassed to share his secret.
Lip decided to take the initiative and share his own secret first.
"Ian, I'm a real man now," Lip said casually, as though stating an ordinary fact.
"Lip, you mean you said goodbye to your virginity?" Ian stared at him in disbelief.
Lip nodded.
"Tell me what's going on."
Ian was clearly excited and eager to know.
Lip briefly recounted his experiences from the day.
"As expected of my brother. Excellent!" Ian silently gave a thumbs-up after listening.
"Ian, has anyone… played Xiao for you?" Lip asked cautiously, deciding to clarify things directly.
"Occasionally."
"Man or woman?"
"Well…" Ian froze at the unexpected question.
Lip stood up, walked to the cabinet near Ian's window, reached for a corner, and pulled it slightly.
A magazine Ian had hidden fell to the floor with a crisp sound.
Lip picked it up, dusted it off, and handed it back to Ian.
"Lip, this… I…" Ian stammered, panicking as his hidden secret was revealed.
"It's okay. This is normal. I know and understand," Lip said, raising a hand to stop Ian's attempt to explain. "Whether you choose a man or a woman, that's your own business.
"I just want to tell you that no matter what you choose, I will support you unconditionally.
"No matter what kind of troubles you have or what secrets you can't tell others, don't keep it all in your heart and make yourself uncomfortable. You can tell me anything.
"I don't want you to be unhappy.
"We're brothers! This will never change."
"Three grams of oil, Lip." Ian's eyes grew moist.
"Would you like a beer?"
"OK."
Lip got up and went to the refrigerator downstairs to grab two bottles of beer.
"Bang~" The bottles clinked as the brothers toasted. Ian seemed ready to talk.
"Lip, I… fell in love with the male owner of the convenience store where I work part-time."
Lip knew how much courage it took for Ian to admit that.
Because even in the relatively open United States, orientation was still a sensitive topic. Many people hid their true selves out of fear of discrimination.
"Well, don't worry. I'll keep your secret," Lip said, taking a sip of beer and joking, "That's not a big problem. The problem is to pay attention to safety."
"Safety?"
"The group with the highest HIV carrier and prevalence rates in the U.S. is your 'attack alliance.'"
"What??"
"You'll learn more about it in senior grade. So, take safety measures. Don't play around with your life.
"If something happens to you, Fiona, Vi, and I—hell, the whole family—would be devastated."
"Well, I get it."
Lip could tell from Ian's expression that he felt less troubled and more at ease.
"Lip, three grams of oil!" Ian opened his arms, hugged Lip, and said seriously, "With your support and encouragement, I feel so much more relaxed now."
"Silly boy, there's no need to thank me between brothers!" Lip smiled and patted Ian's shoulder.
"Okay, I'm going to do the laundry." Lip carried their dirty clothes bags downstairs.
Though unsure whether his small actions would ever matter, Lip simply wanted to keep improving things.
Lip started loading the dirty clothes into the washing machine, one by one.
The old, problematic machine rattled and shook like it was on its last legs. If the family had the money, Lip would've replaced it long ago.
"But we should have a new one soon," Lip thought, smiling. "After all, by tonight, Jimmy will be tripping over himself to chase after Fiona."
After Lip added a few heavier items to the machine, he went upstairs.
He didn't want to waste time sitting by the washing machine—he had more important things to consider.