Luan felt weird going back to the theater after his dramatic exit a couple days prior but no one seemed to be treating him differently. He'd thought about it a lot and he knew he needed to address the rumor that was starting to be spread amongst people concerning him.
The whole thing was childish. He needed to crush the rumor at the source so it didn't ruin his life again.
The first thing Luan did was walk up to his old group mate Bailey who had been the first person to bring up the rumor.
"Hey Bailey, I was wondering if I could speak with you privately for just a sec," he asked and she nodded and walked over to the edge of the stage.
"What's up Lu?" She asked with crossed arms and he sighed before speaking.
"I feel awkward bringing this up so bear with me. But basically... you were bringing back up the stuff that happened my freshmen year of college, with the drama teacher? It was something that was really terrible and it cost me a lot. And well..." Luan knew his face was beet red and that he was stuttering but he needed to say this. "... it has taken me a long time to try and get over what happened. So if you could just not bring it up anymore. Or tell whoever told you to stop talking about it, I'd really appreciate it."
Luan breathed out. He felt like a weight had been taken off his shoulders and now he waited for Bailey to respond.
"I'm sorry Lu, I was being a bitch the other day. I was just mad at the director for Hannah. Sorry I brought that up, it wasn't cool. But honestly if you want to kill the rumor at the source, I'd talk to your ex, Mikey." She said and her words twisted a knot into Luans stomach.
"M-Mikey still goes to school.. here?" I asked and she shook her head.
"No, I mean he was EXPELLED after what happened. He just still comes to parties so he talks. If you want it to stop getting around, you're gonna have to see him. I know that sucks," she said.
Bailey wasn't mean and or a bad person and she patted Luan on the shoulder before dismissing herself back to her group. The theater had started to fill in but Luan was stuck in place.
He couldn't believe his ex was still trying to ruin his life. And the thought of seeing him? Luan wanted to go back in time before he knew what he knew now.
Luan jumps when a hand touches his shoulder and he looks to see Thoma with his hands up and a kind but surprised smile on his face. The same way you'd act towards a skittish animal.
"Oh, hey Thoma," Luan says with a relieved sigh.
"Hey, you seemed to be out of it again. Anything you need to talk about with a friend?" He asks shyly and Luan chuckles.
He debates discussing his problems with Thoma. Telling Thoma his problems would reveal a lot of private things about Luans life, among which was the fact that he was gay. Luan wasnt hiding the fact that he was gay. If someone asked he would never lie and a lot of people knew he'd had boyfriends before. But he didn't know how Thoma would feel if he knew.
Realizing it didn't matter, he nodded his head. If Thoma wasn't his friend because he was gay then so be it. He'd find out eventually anyways.
"I actually do have a lot Id like to get off my chest. If you're free sometime," Luan offered and Thoma nodded enthusiastically.
"Ummm, yeah that sounds great. I-I'll just text you and we can set something up. That's okay with you?" Thoma asked and Luan nodded with a smile. He figured he was starting to like having a wisened older man as a friend.
"Oh, oops. I almost forgot why I even came over here. Everyone is just painting set designs today but if you need a break like yesterday just let me know. Okay, well umm. See you... then," Thoma said awkwardly and walked away.
Thoma mentally hit himself in the face for acting like such a dork. But on the other end he couldn't help but smile. He was happy when Luan would open up to him about himself.
Luan walked over to his private space and started to set everything out to work. Talking to Thoma just now had already made him feel better so he figured he'd done the right thing deciding to confide in him. Plus he knew that Thoma could probably give him some good advice on how to move forward.
Though truthfully the only option he wanted was one that involved him not having to face his ex. But he figured that wasn't going to be a suggestion Thoma would make.
————-
After practice while everyone was packing up to leave, Bailey made her way back over to Luan. She reassured them that she'd told everyone she was sure who knew about the rumor to no longer talk about it.
Luan collapsed into bed as soon as he got back to his dorm. His mind had begun to spiral into a mixture of stress and overthinking since he'd left the theater.
"So Mikey is still trying to get to me, huh?"
Mikey had been controlling the whole time they'd been together. Luan had foolishly believed that being dumped by him and also being expelled would help shape Mikey into a decent person.
Luan started to reminisce through the memories he'd shared with Mikey from the beginning of their relationship to the end.
He'd tried to be an understanding boyfriend. Even as Mikey began to go crazy from all the responsibilities his struggling family was putting on him. But as gracious and forgiving as Luan was, Mikey's obsession with him began to ruin all his other relationships.
And then the final straw.... Luan had done his best to not think about any of it. He'd changed his phone number 6-7 times since then and had to block every new number Mikey would call him from. But since about four months ago he'd heard nothing. Why was all of this coming back now?
Luans phone dings with a text and for a second he fears it could be Mikey. But he reassures himself with the thought that Mikey never texted, only called.
Old Man Thoma - Sorry to text you right as you're probably settling down for the night but I wanted to catch you before you made any more plans for the week. I'm free every day we don't have practice after 4 pm and obviously the weekends though I understand you work. Just let me know what time and place would be best for us to meet.
Luan grinned at the message. He had a lot of friends but none of them he felt close enough to confide in. But Thoma was someone who was so far outside of his college and social life gave him a sense of calm. He wouldn't know the places or even the people he talked about. He could freely express his side in all of this for the first time since everything happened.
How about tomorrow at 6 pm? We could meet for drinks at X bar. I'll make sure you don't drink too much :)
Luan felt this was the most appropriate setting for two guys having a rather serious discussion. Plus nothing like a little liquid courage to spill really intense stuff to someone he barely knew.
Old Man Thoma - Sounds great. I'll pick you up at your dorm at 5:45.
Luan settled into his bed with his mind a lot more settled than it had been before he got Thoma's messages. He was already asleep when Thoma sent his last message.
Old Man Thoma - Goodnight Luan.
YOU ARE READING
Sincerely, Yours
RomanceLuan was doing well in his life. He had a stable job, a good circle of friends, good grades at the college he attended. His goals were bright and simple in front of him, all it was gonna take was time. Thoma had had a rough hand in life. He'd lost...
