Straight (bxb)

7. Acceptance

Lucas knew he enjoyed Nathanial's company. He began to overthink their friendship. Nathaniel was a playful person, who made people his game, was he just another one of his little games? What if this was Nate's plan all along? He had a hard time accepting this feeling towards Nate, but maybe only because of rejection.

He could hear a bell ring in the background, and then he gained consciousness again. It was just the bell of dismissal.

"Lucas, stay after class, I need to talk to you," Mr. Barrow says to the sleepy boy. As everyone gathered their items and left the room, only Lucas sat alone in the silence.

"So, tell me," Mr. Barrow starts. "What's wrong? You seem tired and exhausted lately."

Lucas just looks at his teacher, examining him. After a couple of seconds of silence, Lucas spoke. "Hey, Mr. Barrow?"

"Yes?"

"You're married right?"

Mr. Barrow chuckled, twisting the ring on his finger in a circle. "Yes, I am, happily at that."

Again, Lucas was silent and examined Mr. Barrow. Then he spoke. "How'd you know you were into your husband?"

Mr. Barrow's friendly smile dropped. He gulps.

"I don't mean it in a rude way," Lucas apologized. "Like, did you feel weird? Were you doubting yourself about that feeling?"

Mr. Barrow heaved a sigh of relief, then he spoke. "Well, of course. My family had always been religious and when I met my husband, I had all sorts of feelings that felt like it wasn't right." He pushes his glasses higher. "Is this about you and Nathaniel?"

Lucas's heart cracked a bit, but it also felt like so much pressure had lifted off him. "Yeah," he nods. "I like him. Nathaniel gives me all these signals, but then turns around and pretends like those signals weren't even there. He'd flirt with me and make me feel all these things, but I just feel like he's just using me for entertainment."

"I've seen some - well, a lot of changes between you two recently. From what I see, I think you both bring out emotions you both are unfamiliar with. When I met my husband, I denied his love because of my parent's religion and beliefs. I gradually accepted that I was just made this way and I chose love over my family,"

That made Lucas feel more confident as he had someone who also understood how he felt. This conversation with Mr. Barrow had relieved him of such pressure in his life. He was happy he had someone to talk to without judgement or jokes.

"I've also noticed that he shows a childish and playful person to you, and only you. Seems like he's off guard whenever you're with him. I've never seen him like that around Jester," Mr. Barrow smiled a bit.

Lucas and Mr. Barrow talks for a while longer before having to leave. He said his thanks and good byes to Mr. Barrow before opening the door and leaving, but then feels a tug on his backpack. He looks behind him and gets scared.

"Finally you guys are done,"

"Nate?!" Lucas whisper-yelled. "Why are you still here? You didn't hear anything right?"

"Don't worry princess," he yawned. "Even if I did, I'm too tired to even care to tease you."

Lucas flushed with embarrassment, hoping to God that Nathaniel had heard nothing. "You know what, I'm still mad at you." Lucas jokes while walking fast away from the tall man.