Page 82 of Theoretically Straight

My eyes are glued on Oliver, panic shooting through my veins. I’ve never seen him look like this before. I fully expected him to make some dumb or inappropriate joke at the news because that’s what Oliver does when people bring up anything serious. But he’s silent. He’s not laughing or smirking or anything. He’s just staring—not even at me now, but just past me into space.

Harrison catches on and tries to help. “Oliver? You still with us, man?”

Oliver finally blinks a few times, snapping out of his statue form to look at Harrison, then at me. “Uhh, yeah. Sorry.” He opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out, then he closes it again.

I feel like I might throw up.

“Dude, what is your problem?” Elise asks, waving her hand in front of Oliver’s face.

Oliver shoots Elise an annoyed glare, then turns back to me with an expression that looks—apologetic? “Sorry, I’m–I’m not good at this kind of shit, okay? But like…I don’t know, isn’t that—like, aren’t you not supposed to date guys? As a Christian or whatever?”

Harrison makes a pained noise. “Oliver–”

“No, I’m serious!” Oliver says, frustration clear in his voice. “Like, I don’t know, I’ve heard horror stories of this kind of thing ending badly, so I guess I’m just trying to, I don’t know, assess how big of a deal this is? Make sure we’re all on the same page?”

It starts to click in my brain that this is apparently Oliver when he…cares? It’s strange and uncomfortable, and Harrison, Elise and I keep exchanging confused expressions, seeking help, but no one knows how to proceed.

“Okay, look, sorry, I’m clearly not responding correctly. Let me try again.” Oliver turns and looks at me with an intensity that makes me want to turn and run. “Theo. Thank you for entrusting us with this information. Does being with Caleb make you happy?”

I blink. “Yes?”

“Okay, good,” Oliver continues. “You want us to keep this between us, though. So, do your parents know yet?”

“Oh my god,” Elise grumbles as she rubs her face with her hands.

“No,” I answer Oliver. “They don’t know, and I–I don’t want them to yet. I’m not ready for that conversation.”

“Why not?”

“Oliver, that’s enough,” Harrison says with his Protective Best Friend voice.

“Let him answer the question,” Oliver snaps. “Why not, Theo?”

“I–I mean, you know why,” I say softly.

Oliver has that pseudo-apologetic look again. “Exactly. So that’s why I didn’t immediately get excited. Like, I’m happy that you’re happy, but I’m worried for you. I mean, Theo, you’re like the most goody-goody person I know. You don’t break the rules. You don’t rock the boat. You never break curfew, you always do your homework, and you go to church even when you don’t want to. And now all of a sudden you have a boyfriend, and if your parents find out, they’re gonna go apeshit, and I just–I don’t know, that’s kind of scary to me. So, like, if it’s worth it—if Caleb is worth the risk to you—then I’m on board. I just want to make sure you know what you’re doing and that the rest of us are all on the same page about this if shit hits the fan.”

This was definitely the last thing I was expecting out of today. I stare at Oliver, searching desperately for something to say, but he’s right. I’m terrified that shit is going to hit the fan. I’m terrified that my parents are going to lose their minds if they find out.

But then I remember that it’sCaleb.Caleb, with his soft copper curls, warm brown eyes, and adorable nose. Caleb, with his love of sour candy, horror movies, and lo-fi music. Caleb, with his ever-present kindness, understanding, and patience as I stumble through all of this shit, never hesitating to support me.

Oliver may not get it, but Calebisworth the risk. Being with Caleb makes me happy—happier than I’ve been with anyone else. My desire to be happy with Caleb overpowers my fear of the consequences.

“Wow, Oliver, you weren’t kidding. Youarereally bad at this,” Elise says after a few moments of silence. “Look, Theo, we’re here for you. We all love you and would absolutely fight anyone who has a problem with you being with Caleb. Even your parents.”

I laugh weakly at the thought. “Thanks, Elise.”

“I’m also here for you, and I love you, man,” Oliver says, sounding defeated. “That’s why I’m scared for you. I don’t know, I’m sorry. I just want you to be happy. People suck. You deserve to like who you like without having to worry about it, but it may not be that simple.”

“You have a weird way of showing you care, dude,” Harrison mumbles and slides back to Elise’s side.

I ignore Harrison and put a reassuring hand on Oliver’s shoulder. “I think I know where you’re coming from, Oliver. Thank you.”

Oliver tries to smile at me, but it doesn’t meet his eyes. “Look, guys, I don’t know how many times I’ve tried to warn you that I don’t do serious conversations. Hopefully, now you’ll finally believe me, and we can avoid this in the future.”

“I’ll say,” Elise says. “I’m never sharing anything personal with Oliver for the rest of our lives. Jesus Christ.”

Oliver turns dramatically and grabs both of Elise’s hands, prompting a slightly frightening expression to flash across Harrison’s face, but it quickly disappears. “Thank you, Elise. That means so much to me.”

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