Page 86 of Theoretically Straight

“Sounds like a plan,” Theo says, knocking his shoulder into mine. “I’ll pick you up?”

I can’t help but grin at him. “Yeah, thanks.”

Freddy wraps an arm around Wren’s. “Will you be my date? Andrew has choir practice or something church-y.”

“I’m always here for you, Frederick.”

“Yay!” Freddy bounces up and down in his seat. “You can buy me cotton candy and win me a prize at the dart-throwing game. I always try to win the unicorn but end up with some dinky little teddy bear.”

Wren rolls their eyes.

“What do you like to do at the fair?” Theo asks me while Harrison and the others continue their planning in the background.

“I love the rides,” I answer. “We always ride the Ferris wheel at sunset, so as long as we do that, I’m down for anything else.”

Theo smirks at me. “Ferris wheel at sunset, huh? Who knew you were such a romantic?”

“I have my moments.”

“Eighty-three!”

Oliver jumps up from his chair, “Bingo!”

The rest of us laugh as he goes to retrieve his pizza.

Saturday, October 21

I can barely sleep the night before the Pumpkin Fair.

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. The colors, the holidays, the flavors, the weather—well, during the two or three weeks that Georgia allows us nice weather in October or November—everything feels new and exciting during fall. Halloween has always secretly been my favorite holiday, too. Or at least it used to be a secret. I used to feel a twinge of guilt that I enjoyed the spooky season more than Jesus’s birthday—a stark contrast to my Christmas-loving family. It feels nice to be around people who unapologetically adore Halloween as much as or more than I do. I’m especially excited to share this season with Caleb for the first time. I feel a burst of warmth in my chest every time I think about it.

Since we’re not meeting at the Pumpkin Fair until noon, I have to find ways to pass the time all morning. I saunter downstairs around 9:00 a.m., where both my parents and Nathaniel are eating breakfast at the kitchen table. We rarely all catch each other at the same time this early in the day, so I hesitate at the pantry before ultimately deciding to grab some cereal and eat at the table with them.

“Good morning,aroha,” Mom says brightly.

“Good morning, Mom,” I reply with a smile.

“Morning, Theo,” Dad says, barely looking up from his iPad. “You’re up early for a Saturday.”

“It’s Pumpkin Fair Day, Dad,” I say as I pour my cereal and milk into a bowl in the kitchen. “I’m meeting up with friends at noon.”

Mom’s smile drops. “The Pumpkin Fair? Are you sure it’s not going to be too crowded?”

I try not to roll my eyes. “I’ll be fine, Mom. It’s outside. I can just walk away if it gets to be too much.”

“Are you sure?” Dad asks sternly.

“I’m positive,” I insist. “Plus, my friends are going to be there. They’ll look after me.”

Neither parent says a word. Instead, they glance at one another for a moment, exchanging some kind of parental telepathy or something before returning to their breakfasts. That seems to have done the trick, so that’s enough for me.

Once I’m seated at the table and eating my breakfast, Nathaniel finally glances up from his Switch to look at me. “Oh, yeah, can I get a ride to the Pumpkin Fair today?”

I freeze, trying to suppress the panic. “Uhh, sorry dude, I’m meeting up with the crew and some other friends from school. Plus, I’m already giving Caleb a ride.”

“Dante and Ian are going. I was gonna meet up with them. I just need a ride there and a ride home.”

Shit. If Nathaniel rides with us, I won’t get to hold hands with Caleb while we drive. Or sneak a kiss or two at the red lights. It’s the only chance we’ll get to touch at all since we’ll be quite literally surrounded by everyone in town. I can’t stand the idea of missing a single opportunity with Caleb. We already have to be so careful all the time.

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