Leanne's voice snaps me back to reality.Of course, I hadn't heard a thing.
I was too busy gawking at the guy who's definitely out of my league and straight.Definitely straight.So unfair.
"Uh..."I try to play it cool, my gaze drifting back to him before I can stop myself.He catches me looking this time before I even get a chance to check him out properly.He’s with a pretty redhead girl who’s bored out of her mind with her attention glued to her phone.I scoff under my breath.
Leanne turns to look behind her, catching my wandering eyes.She smirks knowingly as the waiter brings our orders.
"Oh, I see what's going on," she says with a grin.
I nearly roll my eyes."I don't know what you're talking about."
She arches an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced."You've got the hots for Fox Wilder, huh?"
"What?No!"I almost choke on my coffee."I don't even know who that is!”
Leanne laughs."Relax, I'm not judging.He's pretty hot—objectively speaking”
I push my glasses up my nose, trying to maintain some composure."I don't know what you're talking about."
Lying.Totally lying.
I sigh, trying not to glance in Fox's direction again.What happened to the promise I made to myself?Stay away from jerks and hot guys.And yet, here I am, checking out a hot straight guy, fully aware of my weakness.The reality of being gay hits me hard.
"Trust me, you don't want to fall for Fox Wilder,” Leanne warns, taking a sip of her milkshake.
Fox Wilder?
My roommate’s name is Fox.Obviously there are many people on campus named Fox.This guy can’t possibly be my roommate.
Whoever this Fox Wilder is, I need to remind myself that I'm not interested.
He's just eye candy.But even as I think it, I know I'm lying to myself.
"Why's that?"I ask, taking a bite of pizza.
"He's one of the most popular guys in school.Hot, frat king, throws one of the biggest frat parties on campus, and practically every girl and guy wants to hook up with him."
Great.Another arrogant jerk who probably changes partners like he changes clothes.
"I'm not interested," I say firmly, hoping it sounds convincing this time.I finish chewing my pizza and down it with a gulp of coffee, feeling more exhausted by the second.
"So...you got a boyfriend?"Leanne asks casually, and I nearly spit out my coffee.
"Excuse me?"
She smirks, clearly enjoying my embarrassment."Come on, you're cute as hell.I bet people fall all over you for that dimple alone."
I blush, feeling awkward."Nobody wants to date this guy.People like assholes and I’m complicated.Plus, my parents...”
I trail off, wondering if I should open up about this to someone I just met.
Leanne leans in, her tone soft."You can tell me.I'm your friend now, and I promise your secret is safe with me."
I take a deep breath."They're homophobic.They think the LGBTQ+ community is responsible for, like, hurricanes and natural disasters."
Leanne snorts."That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."
"Agreed.It's messed up," I reply, cringing as I remember."In high school, I kind of outed myself by accident.Didn't think it through.I got bullied for it all through senior year."
