Page 128 of As You Walk On

Everyone laughs like they already know. Like Luca and I are so obvious when, I swear, we’re not. Yes, we hold hands in the halls. Meet up between classes whenever possible. Chaste kisses in Sonic’s parking lot. A handful of make-out seshes behind the bleachers too.

What can I say? Creature of habit.

We haven’t made any formal commitments. Luca doesn’t need to rush into another relationship. I just want to enjoy whatever this is.

The doorbell rings again.

Darren howls when I hurdle over the sofa. I reach the door before Dad. I need at least five minutes alone with Luca before the Meet the Parent thing happens.

“Wow.” Luca almost steps off the porch, openly admiring me.

“Uh, same,” I reply.

If Aleah’s arresting, Luca’s a word not yet invented for beautiful. We didn’t coordinate outfits. A few texts here and there about what we wanted to wear. He’s in a maroon three-piece suit, white shirt with a navy bow tie. His hair’s styled exceptionally high.

I want to kiss him.

His tongue flicks across his lower lip like he wants the same thing.

We stand silently. Wide-eyed, smiling, words unnecessary. I’ve learned to like this about our time together. It uncoils the tension in my muscles.

“Oh, hey. Almost forgot.” He lifts a clear, plastic container with a boutonniere inside. Two roses, red and black, twined by ribbon and ivy. “My sibs helped me pick it out.”

“Nice” escapes my lips first. Then, “I got you one too. It’s inside.”

He grins bashfully. “My mamá helped too. She wasvery directwith the florist about her expectations.” His chest puffs out. “She helped me get ready too.”

Another downward glance reveals Luca’s nails have been repainted. A subtle, clean matte black.

We haven’t discussed what his family thought about him going to prom with a boy. I didn’t know if he’d even told them. I almost ruined everything assuming things about him at the party. I’m not making the same mistake twice.

His free hand tugs on his collar. “About what you said outside Chloe’s...”

My jaw clenches when he brings it up. I wish he wouldn’t. I still feel nauseous thinking about that moment. But if we’re going to be together, we need to be honest. I’ve ruined too many relationships with lies.

“You weren’t totally wrong.” He shuffles a little. “Families say the wrong things. Do awful shit. They can be there for you. They can also make you feel unloved for being yourself. I know I don’t have to forgive mine. I’m not excusing them either. But they’re still... blood.”

I nod once.

“We don’t choose our family,” he asserts. “We choose friends. Relationships. What underwear to wear.”

I avoid glancing down. This isn’t the time to guess whether he’s wearing those SpongeBob boxer briefs again.

I focus on the twitching corners of his mouth.

“My mamá istrying. My tías and tíos too,” he continues. I don’t mention him leaving out his dad. He shrugs. “If they fuck up again, I might feel differently. Maybe I’ll move across the country to get away from them.”

“Please don’t.”

His lips spread into a full, irresistible Luca smile that, yes, even in this very serious moment, I want to smash my mouth against.

“You’re not forced to make the same choices, Theo.” The handnot holding the boutonniere grabs mine, loosely tangling our fingers. “Do what’s best for your own situation.”

“Finally,” I huff mockingly, “I was wondering when we were gonna make this about me.”

Luca’s lips pucker. Yup, kissing needs to happen soon. He says, “Arrogance isn’t charming.”

“I don’t think you know what charming means.”

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