Page 91 of Theoretically Straight

After handing a five-dollar bill to the attendant, I’m determined that this is it. I’m going to get up there this time. I exhale slowly as I approach the bottom of the ladder, steadying my arms and legs.I can do this. I can do this.

I manage my way further up this time, taking my time as the ladder wobbles precariously beneath me. I hear several voices behind me offering advice and feedback, but I have to ignore them to focus on my movements. I’ve got it this time–

The ladder teeters aggressively and flips the other way this time, and I land flat on my back with a bounce. Before I’m even fully upright, I’m reaching for my wallet again.

“Theo, seriously,” Caleb reaches out to hold my arm. “Don’t throw all your money away for this.”

I chew on my lip again. “One more. If I don’t get it this time, I’ll stop.”

Caleb holds his gaze for a second but then lets go of my arm, smiling at me. “Okay. Last one. You’ve got this.”

I grin widely at him as I hand the attendant yet another five-dollar bill. He takes it without making eye contact and leans back against the barrier again.

This is it. I stare at the ladder.I can do this. I can do this.I grip the rungs tightly, slowly moving one hand or one foot at a time, waiting for the wobbling to stop before making another movement. It’s working—I’m so close. Just two more rungs, then I can lunge for the button.

Steadily, slowly, I’m just one rung away.

I slowly glance up at the button. It’s close enough. I can jump for it.

I steady myself, then spring forward–

The ladder immediately flips, tossing me unceremoniously and gracelessly to the mat.

“Noooo!” the crew shouts in unison behind me.

I lay motionless on the bouncy floor, frustration, embarrassment, and disappointment swirling around behind my eyes, tears threatening to make everything so much worse.

Just as I’m about to close my eyes, Caleb appears above me, silhouetted against the bright blue sky. He’s smiling warmly down at me, extending a hand to help me up. I try to return the smile as I take his hand, and he pulls me towards him. The desire to kiss him is overwhelming, but I sigh as I let go of his hand. Together, we climb off the inflatable floor and back to our friends.

“Sorry, Theo,” Elise says as I rejoin the group. “It was fun to watch, though. Thanks for the entertainment!”

“That was a fun little detour,” Harrison mumbles, giving me a weird expression. “But let’s keep going.”

“Uhh, hold up, guys,” Freddy says, still behind us.

I turn around just in time to see Caleb handing the attendant a single bill and stepping towards the ladder.

“Cal, what are you doing?” Wren calls out.

My legs have already taken me back to the booth to watch. A few members of the crew make frustrated groans as they also return, but I say nothing as my eyes are transfixed on Caleb’s attempt.

Caleb ignores everyone, steadies himself on the bottom rungs of the ladder, and begins his ascent. His movements are slow like mine, but the ladder wobbles significantly less beneath him. Each step forward is graceful and intentional. The ladder stays stable, and his grip remains secure.

Within seconds, Caleb has made his way to the top, where he carefully, steadily reaches up and presses the button, prompting a loud buzzer sound to emanate from the top of the booth. Only then does Caleb allow himself to let go of the ladder and fall, landing effortlessly on the inflated ground below.

“WHOA!!” The crew shouts gleefully around me, whooping and cheering for Caleb as he bounces off the mat. I haven’t made a sound—I’m literally frozen in place, eyes glued to Caleb as he makes his way towards me. He’s grinning ear-to-ear, only looking at me.

I almost feel dizzy watching him, heat rising in my cheeks. Am I…Am I turned on by this? Shit. Something to revisit later, I determine, trying to steady my own breathing.

“Holy shit, dude, that was amazing!” Oliver exclaims, clapping Caleb’s back excitedly. “You’ve had to have done that before or something. Nobody gets it on the first try.”

“Never knew you had it in you, Cal,” Wren adds with a smirk.

“Seriously, how did you do that?” Harrison asks, almost suspiciously.

Caleb simply shrugs. “I took gymnastics through middle school. That game is all about balance, like Harrison said.”

“Hey kid, come pick your prize,” the attendant interrupts. Caleb spins around and heads to the prize booth. I watch him in a daze, still reeling.

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