I'm Sure You've Heard It All Before

coming out

"Top 3 favorite movies, go!"

I start racking my head for all of my favorite movies.

"Oh uh, Stand By Me, Perks of Being a Wallflower, and..."

Franco looks at me waiting for my third answer.

"The Breakfast Club."

"Hm," he says.

"What?"

"No, it's just that your favorite movies perfectly capture your essence, you know?"

I don't get it but I don't say anything.

"It's like when you told me you were a writer, it just made sense. It's so you."

"Honestly, I don't know what is your obsession with people's essence is but it's kind of interesting to hear you go on and on about it."

He shoves my arm and laughs.
We're at my front doorstep and I'm about to unlock my door when I stop.

"Oh, um, my parents are probably not even home if that's a thing that matters to you or whatever."

He shrugs.

"It's fine."

I nod and unlock my door.

We put our stuff down and I take him upstairs to my room.

I'm nervous about this for some reason.
The only people that enter my room are myself, my parents, and Aleeah.

It's just kind of intimidating to let a person inside your own personal space.

"Welcome to my favorite place on earth." I say when we enter my room.

"Sweet," he says.

"So what do you want to do?" I ask him.

"Honestly I'm down to just lay down and watch Netflix. It's been a long day."

I look at my watch. It's 7:30. I guess that's when people like to retire for the evening so I turn on my TV and go to Netflix.

He climbs onto my bed and I feel his eyes on me while I scroll through my Netflix queue and stand in front of my television.

I hate the feeling of a person staring at me so I climb into bed right next to him.

We smile at each other and I continue scrolling.

"Dude, make a decision already."

"Shut up, let me take my time."

I stop at the John Mulaney special and look at him for approval.

"Hell, yes. I love John."

"Me too! I think he actually made me cry because I was laughing too hard which never happens."

"Same! And it kind of helps that he's cute and funny."

I stop breathing for a second.

"You think he's cute?"

"Well, hot is more a correct way to describe him but yeah I think he is."

I have to fucking ask him. "Off topic question but are you...?"

He looks so amused.

"I'm not gay but I am bisexual."

I feel the smallest amount of thrill go through my body right now. He's into guys. And so am I.

"Does that... bother you?"

His face kind of falls. Like he's worried.

"No! Oh my god no!"

He looks relieved but still on the edge somehow.

"Look," I take a deep breath, "I'm gay."

He smiles a little at that. But my heart is still racing.

"Awesome. Now we can talk about cute guys."

"Or just about how cute John Mulaney is."

"Yup. That's way better."