Learning Curves ✔ (bxb)

Chapter 20

Michael's POV

I feel so bad for Theo.

It must feel like hell having your parents despise you for something you can't change about yourself.

It makes me so infuriated knowing that his parents are so willing to throw such an amazing person out of their lives for one stupid thing. 

I know I was contemplating my feelings for Theo before because of my parents, and it only makes me more anxious for when I have to come out to my parents.

I've decided that I'm not going to come out to my parents until much later because I know if they reject me too, I won't be able to be there to support Theo, and that would just end in disaster to both of us.

At least Liam is here. He's such a caring kid, and he knows Theo much better than I do.

We finish up dinner, all 3 of us splitting the bill, since we refuse to let Theo pay any of it.

Liam and Rowan bid us a goodbye, and promise to check up on Theo in the morning to make sure he's okay. Theo told me to tell Ethan what happened, so I texted him. Ethan said he couldn't come over until tomorrow morning, but he would come to see how Theo's doing as well.

Theo and I walk back to the hotel, getting ready for bed and snuggling under the covers.

"Tell me your thoughts. Let it all out." I prompt, spooning Theo. My arms are wrapped around his torso, our legs tangled together. I hope he feels safe like this, since that was my intent.

"I'm sad, I guess. I'm also pretty shocked that they'd... throw me out." Theo's voice breaks at the end of his sentence. I give him a soft kiss on his head.

"If you need to let out your feelings, let them out. If you'd rather keep your mind off the topic, let me know and I'll keep your mind off things." I murmur quietly into his hair.

"I don't want to think about them anymore." 

"That's fine. Tell me some more about Ethan and Liam. Don't know too much about them yet."

"Well... Ethan's a goofball, and a foodie. We met a really long time ago. He's probably the most outgoing and athletic out of the three of us, but he can't play sports to save his life. He also has terrible luck with his dates. He's had so many exes I can't even count, and his breakups are usually pretty bad. Ethan's pretty into music and dancing, although I'm sure you already know that. Um... He grew up in a pretty good home. He has a younger sister named Sasha. She's currently 16 I think. He loves her so much. I think Ethan really likes being a big brother, although he won't admit it." Theo lets out a small chuckle.

"And what about Liam?"

"Liam, I met in secondary school, year 10 to be precise. He was so shy and nervous, and always came across as cute, although he denies it. Liam's never been interested in anyone romantically, and has always had a difficult time making friends. That's why Ethan and I got pretty excited when he clicked with Rowan so well." Theo explains. It's really interesting listening to him ramble on about his friends. He really cares for them.

"Liam also really loves music. He plays the piano and is pretty good at singing. He really loves animals because his pet cat Bella was really special to him, although I can't say much other than that because it's personal to him. He's really smart, but isn't very confident about himself. Ethan and I always feel like we need to give him the best, because he's so sweet and caring to others but he's pretty harsh on himself. Liam's also the mom friend, always looking out for us no matter the circumstances. He's good at comforting people." 

"And the girl? You said there was one more friend, Brianna?" I ask. I haven't met Brianna yet, so I'm curious about her.

"Oh yeah! We call her Brie. She's really pretty. You haven't met her right? She has long, wavy blonde hair with really blue eyes. She's about the same height as Ethan, and she's pretty slim. Brie goes to the same university as us, but she lives at her home close by, and she has a boyfriend named Sean. He's nice. All three of us like him, and Brie's really happy with him. She works part time as a model sometimes, which is crazy, and really cool. She's pretty stubborn, so Ethan and her clash quite a bit, but overall everyone gets along well. Brie's outgoing and not afraid to say whatever she needs to. She's studying a business major." 

"You know your friends so well." I chuckle. 

"Well, yeah. They're my best friends. I'm sure you know Rowan really well. Tell me about him." Theo replies. I give him a fond smile before speaking.

"Well, Rowan's the same age as me. He's studying his masters to become a physiologist. He's pretty good at basketball, biology, chemistry, and math. Rowan loves to work out, like going to the gym or go on runs, which we do together. We met in 6th form - year 13, he also doesn't live far from my house, so we saw each other often.  He has 2 older sisters." I inform. 

"See? You know a lot about Rowan too." Theo pouts, turning around and tucking his head into my chest.

"Guess so. It looks like you and your friends are a lot closer though. At least you act like you're closer than Rowan and I."

"No offence, but you two seem like the kind of guys who are all like 'no homo' or something." Theo murmurs sleepily. 

"Yeah. I know what you mean. We did act like that for the longest time. I didn't even know I was bi until I met you." I mumble into his ear quietly. We're both pretty tired at this point, the day's events taking a pretty big toll on us.

As time passes, I can hear Theo's breaths getting slower and deeper, meaning he's fallen asleep.

I still haven't slept yet, so I ponder things. Anything.

I think about how I still feel terrible about Theo's situation, and how stressed I am about coming out to my own parents. 

I also think about happier things, like how Rowan might have finally found someone who truly captures his interest, and someone who will care for him.

These thoughts are the ones that slowly lull me to sleep.