Between the lines (Spinoff)

Intro/Chapter 1: Flash Back

He looked up, smiled that slow, calm smile, and waved me over. "Hey," he said, like nothing about the day could touch him. "You survived the halls so far?"

I laughed nervously, shrugging. "Barely."

He laughed too, but soft, easy, and it made me relax. We sat together, side by side, with no one else around for a while. Just us. And for the first time that day, I felt comfortable enough to let a thought slip out—a thought that had been swirling in my head all summer, all the way through eighth grade, and into this first day of high school.

"Theo..." I started, voice low, like I didn't want anyone else to hear. "I... I think I might... like guys."

He blinked, tilted his head slightly, and smiled softly. "You mean... you're gay?"

I shrugged, looking down at my tray. "I don't know. I think I might be. I... I've never said it out loud before."

Theo leaned back slightly, casual, calm, reassuring. "Okay. Well... I mean, it's fine. Honestly, I don't really care about gender like that. I'm bisexual. I just... hook up with whoever I want, or like whoever I want, and it works for me."

My chest tightened, a mix of relief and nerves. "So... it's... okay?"

He smiled, warm and knowing. "Of course it's okay. Don't stress about labels. You'll figure it out. No one's gonna judge you if you're careful with who you trust."

I nodded, feeling some weight lift off my shoulders. Lunch went on, quiet and comfortable. I noticed the subtle way other students glanced at him, sometimes whispering, sometimes staring, but Theo didn't care. He just existed—himself—and it felt safe to exist right there beside him.

For the first time, I realized something big: being around Theo wasn't just comfortable. It was exciting. It was confusing, in a good way. And maybe that was okay. Maybe this was just the start of... figuring out who I was, who I liked, and how I wanted to show it.

The bell rang, sharp and sudden, dragging students out of their conversations and toward the next class. I shifted in my seat, stomach tightening—not because of the hallways, but because of what I'd just said.

"Hey," I whispered, catching Theo's arm as he started to stand. "Uh... please don't tell anyone about this. Not yet. I... I don't know how the guys will react."

Theo's eyes softened, calm and steady. "Cam... relax. Everything's gonna be okay," he said, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "The guys won't care. They already know I'm bisexual—it's not a big deal for them. Your secret's safe. Seriously."

I exhaled slowly, letting some of the tension leave my shoulders. "Thanks..." I muttered, feeling a little lighter.

He smiled, that easy, teasing grin, and ruffled my hair gently before stepping back. "Go on, get to class. Don't be late."

I laughed softly, watching him walk away—but then a girl came running up from across the courtyard, waving and calling his name. She practically collided into him, chatting animatedly, and I felt an unexpected pang in my chest.

Well... fuck. Why am I jealous?

I shook my head quickly, trying to shove the thought aside. I'd just told him something personal. He was supposed to be reassuring, not... making me feel like this. But no matter how much I tried, my stomach still twisted every time he laughed with someone else, every time that grin lit up his face.

The bell rang again, signaling the end of lunch, and I forced myself to gather my things, following him down the hall. But that thought—why I felt jealous—lingered, stubborn and insistent, even as the crowd of students surged around us.