Page 74 of Theoretically Straight

can we hang out after school tomorrow?

Caleb

sure!! We always hang out at Wren’s on fridays. you can join us!

if that’s cool, of course.

Theo

definitely. Can I give you a ride over?

Caleb

*thumbs up* I’ll meet you and eileen in the parking lot.

Theo

sweet. <3

Friday, September 22

Friday comes, and I can hardly focus on any of my classes. The dull droning of my teachers all blend together into a monotonous background noise of homogenized sameness. At lunch, I let Wren know that Theo is coming, much to their excitement. Freddy cancels his date with Andrew because he wants to be there, too, even though I tell him not to.

“Please! Andrew will understand, and to be honest, it gives me an excuse to bug out from the church event he wanted to take me to tonight. I refuse to go to any potluck dinner, no matter what religion they affiliate with. You won’t see me eating green bean casserole.”

“Things sound like they’re getting pretty serious between you two,” I say, happy to steer the conversation away from me and Theo for a change.

Freddy pokes at his lunch. “I guess so. He’s a good kisser, at least, but he wants to take things so slow. I feel like I’m getting bored already.”

“It’s been, like, less than two weeks,” Wren reminds him.

“Yeah, which is like a week longer than my last two relationships. I like the thrill of the chase, but once I catch them, what am I supposed to do with them?”

“Uh, get to know them?” I suggest.

“Form a lasting bond?” Wren adds.

Freddy makes a face. “I don’t know if I’m cut out for all that. I just like making out with hot guys and sometimes having sex with them. And Andrew is adorable, in his own sweet way, and I don’t want to dump him or anything, but the couple of times I try to take things to the next level physically, he shuts me down.”

“Maybe he’s just not into you?” Wren suggests with a chuckle.

Freddy smirks. “I mean, I don’t like to be crass–”

“Since when?” I interrupt.

“Whatever,” Freddy continues. “But Andrew is definitely into me. At least when we’re making out in the backseat of his car. Trust me, I’ve seen the evidence. The hard evidence.”

“Well, maybe he’s not ready to take it that far?” I suggest. “Aren’t you the first boyfriend he’s had?”

Freddy nods.

“So, maybe he’s not ready for anything like that. For him, everything must feel so new. Every first experience is stacking up on the last, and he’s probably overwhelmed.”

“Are we still talking about Andrew?” Freddy asks, “Or have we swapped back to Theo?”

“I think they both apply,” Wren concludes. “You boys need to make sure you’re listening to your boyfriends when things get hot and heavy. And I mean listen with your ears, not your dicks. If they say stop, you stop. If they say pause, you pause. If they say I don’t want to do this, then you back the fuck off.”

“Of course,” Freddy says. “That’s like the bare fucking minimum. I always do that. Consent is non-negotiable.”

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