Zain pushed his food around on his plate, not really hungry, his mind still stuck on Theo. He tried to shake it off, but it was like that thought was always there, tugging at him no matter how much he tried to ignore it.
The sound of his dad’s voice boomed from the living room, and Zain couldn’t help but feel that familiar pressure in his chest. Mark Mitchell didn’t do "messing up." He didn’t do anything less than perfect. The thought of disappointing him was enough to make Zain feel like he was suffocating.
“Zain,” his mom’s voice interrupted again. “You know, Ella’s family invited us over this weekend for dinner. I think it’s time you two spend some more time together. Don’t you think?”
Zain’s stomach did that weird twist again. He looked up at his mom, forcing a smile. “Yeah, sounds great, Mom.”
She smiled back, totally oblivious. “Good! It’ll be nice to see you two getting along. I know you’re busy with school, but it’s important to have friends, too.”
Zain nodded. Ella was a good friend, but he wasn’t sure if he could pretend like everything was okay anymore. He didn’t even know how to talk to her without feeling like he was lying to her. Or to himself.
He thought back to that morning. Theo had walked past him in the hallway, grinning that cocky, all-knowing grin that always made Zain’s heart beat a little faster. Theo had said something about meeting after school like it was just another normal day. But for Zain, everything had felt different. He hadn’t been able to focus in class, his thoughts constantly drifting back to the way Theo’s fingers had brushed against his when they were grabbing their books together. The way Theo looked at him—like he wasn’t just his best friend, but something more.
“You’re being weird again,” his mom said, pulling Zain out of his thoughts. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Zain smiled at her, forcing his usual calm demeanor. “Yeah, Mom, I’m fine.”
She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know... something’s different. But alright. Just make sure you’re studying for that test.”
“Of course.” Zain didn’t even hear her anymore. His thoughts had already drifted back to Theo, to the way he made Zain feel so... alive. But there was no place for that. Not in Zain’s life. Not in the life his parents had planned for him. The life where he would marry Ella, get a good job, and keep everything clean and perfect.
But then there was Theo. And every time they were together, it felt like the world was falling away like it was just the two of them. And Zain couldn’t figure out if that was what he wanted or if it was just another thing he’d have to keep hidden forever.
“Zain?”
His mom’s voice yanked him back again. “Hmm?”
“Your father wants to talk to you about your plans for the future,” she said, nodding toward the living room. “He’s waiting.”
Zain sighed and stood up. “Okay, Mom.” He walked out of the kitchen and into the living room where his dad was sitting on the couch, his phone now resting on the coffee table.
“Zain, sit down. We need to talk,” his dad said, his voice low and serious.
Zain sat down, his heart already racing. His dad never sounded like that unless something big was coming.
Mark Mitchell leaned forward, hands clasped together. “You’ve been doing well in school, Zain. We’re proud of you. But there’s something we need to discuss.”
Zain braced himself. He already knew what was coming. “What’s up?”
“Ella,” his dad started, his tone matter-of-fact. “Her family’s been talking to me about you two. They think it’s time to... well, take things to the next level.”
Zain’s throat tightened. "What do you mean?"
Mark smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You know exactly what I mean. You two are close. It’s time you start thinking about your future. You need someone solid. Someone you can rely on. And Ella is perfect.”
Zain’s heart felt like it was sinking. He forced himself to nod, but everything inside him screamed no. Ella wasn’t the one he wanted. Theo was. But he couldn’t say that. He couldn’t do anything about it.
He swallowed hard. “I’ll think about it.”
His dad patted his shoulder, the usual firm grip that meant everything was fine. “Good. You’ve got your head on straight. Keep up the good work, and we’ll start making plans. You’ve got a bright future ahead of you, Zain.”
Zain stood up, his mind a jumbled mess. A future with Ella. That was all he had. The future his parents wanted. Not the one with Theo, not the one where his heart was free to be himself.
“Thanks, Dad,” Zain muttered, barely hearing his own words.
He walked back to his room, closing the door behind him, the weight of everything pressing down harder than before. He sat on his bed, staring at the ceiling, trying not to think about Theo.
But he couldn’t stop. Not when it felt like everything was changing, and he was stuck in the middle.
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