Learning Curves ✔ (bxb)

Chapter 21

Michael's POV

I wake up to the sound of sheets rustling. When I open my eyes blearily, I see Theo quietly getting out of bed.

"Morning." I mumble out. He turns to face me.

"Sorry, did I wake you? I'm just heading to the washroom. I think E and Li are coming with Rowan in about an hour." Theo replies quietly. I give him a nod to show him I heard, and he heads off to the bathroom as I sit up and try to clear the sleepiness from my mind.

I slide off the bed and head to the washroom too. The door is open and Theo's just brushing his teeth so it's not like I'm invading his privacy or anything.

We simultaneously got ready for our visitors, since they would be coming soon.

"What are our breakfast plans?" I ask Theo as we get dressed. He's kind of shy about changing around me, insisting that I need to turn around. It's cute. I, on the other hand, am not really shy about my body at all. At least not around Theo.

"Ethan wanted to go out for breakfast with us. Liam said he was okay with it. I think Rowan is too." Theo murmurs quietly. Once we're both dressed, we sit on the bed next to each other.

"Where are we going? And we have to check out of the hotel before 12 pm. I'll be returning my stuff back to my home. Are you going to bring your stuff to your aunt's house?" I ask. Theo bites his lip nervously, glancing down at his lap.

"I... I'll bring my stuff to my Aunt's house, if that's okay. If she tosses me out too..." He trails off.

"You can bring your stuff over if my parents allow it. I'll just tell them that my friend needs a place to stay." I say quietly. It's not ideal being under the guise of "friends", but it's for our safety. Who knows how my parents will react to our relationship.

Theo nods, although I can basically see the gears turning in his head with worry.

"We'll figure something out, okay? Don't worry so much." I try to comfort him. He just sighs. It causes my chest to ache. I'm not sure how to comfort him when he's in such a fragile state, and it pains me that I'm almost useless.

Ethan texts Theo and lets him know that he's here. We meet him in the lobby, with our stuff all packed. Liam comes 5 minutes later, and Rowan enters 10 minutes after Liam, apologizing for being late.

Theo and I put our overnight bags in the trunk of my car, and we drove to this cute little breakfast place. There, the 5 of us chat our hearts out about completely random topics. Of course, they all check up on Theo at the beginning of the meet up to see how he's faring. I'm so glad Theo has such compassionate friends who know him so well and know just how to cheer him up and keep his mind off the pressing issue.

It breaks my heart to see Theo upset or depressed, especially when I can't really do anything. Sure, I could comfort him and maybe get him to accept the fact that his parents basically kicked him out, but that would not completely heal the wound in his heart.

Out of the corner of my eye I can see Rowan giving Liam sneaky glances. He's so infatuated with the younger boy it's ridiculous. They still haven't started going out officially yet, but they've been on "friend dates" where it's just the two hanging out. Theo seems to notice too, because he sends Rowan a cheeky smirk.

"How long do you think until they're together?" I murmur into my boyfriend's ear.

"Depends on how confident Rowan is. Liam won't ask him out. He's too nervous and has several doubts on if Rowan likes him back. He's also trying to deny his feelings." Theo informs quietly, making sure I'm the only one who can hear him.

"A few weeks maybe, then? A couple of months?" I guess. Theo smiles.

"As long as they're happy." He says softly. I attempt to hold his hand, but as soon as his hand is clasped in mine, Theo looks around nervously, and his palms start sweating.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask quietly.

"People." He mutters, glancing down in shame. I grimace, but let go of his hand. He's feeling insecure since his parents made him leave for having a boyfriend. I don't blame him, I would probably feel the same.

After breakfast, Liam and Ethan spend some time chatting with Theo and they call Brianna to talk to her as well. Rowan and I talk a bit while they do that, giving the trio some privacy.

Theo and I are going to head to his aunt's house to see if he can stay with her. I'm not going to lie, I'm absolutely terrified. If this plan fails there isn't really a place to stay. My parents wouldn't want Theo staying over several night at my house on such short notice, even if we would be "just friends" there.

There's always the option of Liam or Ethan, but I know Theo wants to avoid that because he doesn't want to trouble them.

We say our goodbyes to Liam, Ethan, and Rowan when we're all done talking. While in the car, Theo bites his lip nervously. I hold his hand, trying to comfort him. It must work a little because he gives me a small smile and relaxes just the tiniest bit as we drive over to his aunt's house.

He tells me a bit about his family on the way. Mainly about how his parents have expressed their disdain on the LGBTQ+ community, but his aunt never partook in the conversations. So, we really have no way of judging how she will react.

We pull up to the house. There's a car in the driveway so I would assume Theo's aunt is home. Theo gets out of the car and heads towards the door, and I nervously follow him.

This is it. This is the moment I've been dreading.