Page 111 of Theoretically Straight

Theo glances up at me, and for the first time, I get a good look at him. Dark circles under bloodshot eyes–the poor thing needs a nap in the worst way.

“I’m sorry,” he says, looking down at his shoes.

“No, don’t be. I didn’t mean it like that.”

He nods slowly. “It’s bad, Caleb. Like, really bad. My dad won’t even look at me. We got into a shouting match last night, and he just–he won’t listen. Then Grace came home in the middle of it, and that only made things worse.”

I don’t know what to say, so I just hug him again, hoping it at least gives him a little comfort.

“They don’t want me to see you,” Theo continues. “But they can’t keep me from school, so I’m under strict orders to come home right after, and I’m not allowed to go anywhere else, but Cathy’s for my shifts and church.”

“But we can still see each other here,” I say, trying to focus on the positives. “So that’s something. And maybe, with a little time, they’ll come around.”

Theo barks a broken laugh. “Yeah, maybe.”

The hallways are almost empty now as the next chime sounds, signaling the start of the period.

“We should get in there,” Theo says, sniffling as he rubs the end of his nose. “I think my dad will have an aneurysm if he has to deal with my sexualityandbeing tardy twice in one day.”

I squeeze his hand.

“We’re going to get through this,” I say as we walk towards Mrs. Hyung’s room. “I know everything sucks right now, but it’s going to get better.”

Theo pauses at the door, turning back to me with a timid smile. “I hope so.”

* * *

The school day comes to an end, and I make a mad dash for the parking lot. Freddy catches me in the hallways, but I just spout something closely resembling an explanation on my way to find Eileen.

Theo’s car is near the back of the lot–as he was probably one of the last people here this morning–and he’s waiting inside, music drifting from the cracked windows. I swing around to the other side, open the passenger door, and climb in. Theo jolts, sitting up straight in his seat with half-lidded eyes.

“Oh shit, did I wake you up?”

“‘Isfine,” he slurs, rubbing his eyes. “I must have nodded off.”

“How long have you been out here? I thought for sure I was going to beat you.”

“Mr. Laugherty let us go ten minutes early.”

“Did he have to make another court appearance?”

“That’s the rumor. To be honest, I was only half listening.”

We both laugh, and for a moment in time, nothing outside this car matters. There’s only me and Theo, and I couldn’t be happier.

But then reality seeps in along with a breeze, and I figure I’ve put it off long enough.

I reach over, taking his hand in mine. “I know we don’t have a lot of time, but do you want to talk about last night?”

Theo sighs, reaching over to adjust the volume on the stereo. “There’s not really much to say. Sienna told my parents, and they freaked out. I’m grounded for the rest of my life, and who knows what else they’ll do? I’m stuck, and I don’t know how to fix it.”

“Do you–” I stop myself, shoving the question back down. It’s a selfish thing to ask, especially when he’s so miserable.

“What?” he asks, his dark eyes pleading.

“It’s nothing,” I say, shaking my head. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”

Theo shifts in his seat, turning his body towards me. “Tell me.”

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