The room explodes.
"Oh my God, are you?—"
"Who is it?!"
"Is it someone we know?"
"How long have you been questioning?"
"Guys!" I laugh, holding up my hands. "It's a theoretical question!"
"Theoretical, my ass," Max snorts. "That's the most specific 'theoretical' I've ever heard."
I risk a glance at Doc. He's staring at his laptop, ears pink.
"Fine," I admit. "Maybe not entirely theoretical."
More chaos. Someone, Elliot? Actually claps. I keep my eyes on Doc, who's definitely not looking at me now.
"Okay, okay!" Leo takes charge. "First crush on a guy. Classic signs include: thinking about him constantly, getting nervous around him, noticing weird details like how he holds his pen?—"
"Or how his hair does that thing when he's frustrated," JP adds dreamily.
"Finding excuses to be near him," Luca contributes.
"Getting jealous when other people flirt with him," Max says.
"Memorizing his coffee order without meaning to," Elliot chimes in.
They're all looking at me expectantly. My face feels hot.
"That's... very comprehensive."
"Sebastian, you're being quiet," Haru says innocently. "What do you think? How do you know when you like someone?"
Doc's laptop screen reflects off his glasses when he finally looks up. "I wouldn't know. Too busy with school."
"Liar," three people say in unison.
"Remember coffee shop guy?" Leo starts.
"Or EMT Brad?" JP adds.
"We don't talk about EMT Brad," Doc says firmly.
"Who's EMT Brad?" The question's out before I can stop it.
"Nobody," Doc says at the same time Max says, "Gorgeous paramedic who broke Seb's heart last year."
There’s an ugly twist in my chest. "He broke your heart?"
"Can we please?—"
"Total fuckboy," Leo spits. "Led him on for months, then suddenly 'wasn't ready for anything serious.'"
"Leo—"
"With a man. Wasn't ready for anything serious with a man."
