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April 2018
A few weeks slipped by like nothing at all.
Luke was still getting used to calling Noah his boyfriend, and even more used to the fact that everyone else now knew it too, including his parents and his brother. What surprised him most wasn’t the teasing or awkwardness he was expecting. It was how normal everything felt.
His hand in Noah’s? Completely second nature now. At first, he would tense up, hyper-aware of every stare from the other pupils in the school walking the hallways, terrified someone would say something. But Noah was always calm, always steady… always the one to squeeze his fingers when Luke’s mind started spiralling out of control like it often did. Eventually, Luke stopped worrying about who saw. He liked holding Noah’s hand at school or at the mall. He liked the closeness. He liked being his.
Eli hadn’t made it weird either, aside from the occasional dramatic gagging noise whenever they kissed in his line of sight. But he was supportive in his loud chaotic way, and that was enough.
They still attended the GSA meetings every week, Noah’s arm comfortably thrown over the back of Luke’s chair, sometimes resting his hand on Luke’s shoulder or absentmindedly tracing circles onto his palm. Luke would still blush stupidly at the attention he was given because he really wasn’t used to it at all, but he didn’t pull away anymore. He liked that he had gotten to this stage too. The confident stage.
People noticed. Of course they did. It was hard not to notice when they’d walk down the hallway hand-in-hand or when Noah would lean down to kiss Luke’s cheek before splitting off for class. But no one said anything nasty. No slurs muttered behind their backs. No locker vandalism. Nothing. Luke had a sneaky suspicion as to why.
No one messes with the principal’s kid.
Noah wasn’t exactly intimidating (he was more popular than feared) but Luke had seen the way people stepped aside for him, the way teachers adored him, and the way the administration practically worshipped him. Being openly queer wasn’t a ticket to social exile when your dad was in charge of the entire school. Luke didn’t know if that made him feel relieved or a little guilty. Maybe both.
Mostly? He was just happy. He had a boyfriend who made him laugh. A best friend who didn’t feel betrayed. A school that didn’t treat him like a joke. Parents who loved him despite all this constant flaws and mood swings. Luke felt like things were finally going right.
But tonight… everything felt terrifying again.
He was sat in his car outside Noah’s house, gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. The porch light was on, a warm glow spilling across the driveway like a spotlight aimed directly at his anxiety.
Noah’s parents wanted to “meet him properly.”
Not Luke, the quiet senior who sat in their son’s car after school sometimes. Not Luke, the kid who borrowed their guest bathroom once during a study session. Not Luke, the trans kid who people whispered about sometimes. No, they wanted to meet Luke, Noah’s boyfriend.
His stomach twisted.
He checked himself in the rearview mirror for what had to be the twentieth time. His hair was okay, his shirt wasn’t wrinkled, his binder was hidden well enough under his thick navy hoodie that matched his hair, and most of all his expression wasn’t currently screaming help me. He swallowed hard, the familiar insecurity rising like a wave he couldn’t control.
What if they don’t like me?
What if they think Noah can do better?
Or that I’m not… enough?
It wasn’t just that they were adults or parents. It was who they were. Noah’s dad was the new principal, and that meant Luke had built his entire future around trying to impressing whoever fit into that role. He was also the man who signed recommendation letters and scholarship forms. And now Luke was dating his son.
He’s going to hate me. He has to. There’s no way he looks at me and thinks—
A tap on his window made him jolt so hard he whacked his head on the roof.
Noah stood outside, grinning like an idiot.
Luke hurried to click the button that would unlock the car, rubbing his head. “I swear you’re going to give me a heart attack one day.”
“You already had one,” Noah teased as he climbed into the passenger seat just enough to kiss Luke quick and soft. “You okay?”
“No,” Luke admitted immediately.
Noah laughed and then softened, cupping Luke’s jaw. “They already like you, you know.”
“As a student,” Luke reminded him.
“No. Not just as a student,” Noah corrected, brushing his thumb gently along Luke’s cheek. “As the boy who makes me obnoxiously happy.”
Luke’s heart did a somersault he wasn’t consenting to.
“And if my dad gives you a hard time,” Noah added, leaning in to whisper conspiratorially, “I’ll remind him that you’re going to be valedictorian and his favourite student ever.”
Luke snorted despite himself. “Favouritism is unethical.”
“Eh,” Noah shrugged. “He’ll make an exception.”
Luke exhaled slowly and nodded. He could do this. Maybe.
Noah squeezed his hand before stepping back out of the car. Luke followed, legs wobbling slightly as they approached the front door together. Noah gave him a reassuring look.
The door swung open before Luke could finish a single calming breath.
Mrs. Lowthorp greeted them with a warm, bright smile. “There you two are! Oh, and you must be Luke. Wow, what a handsome fella. Come in, come in. Dinner’s almost ready.”
Luke stepped inside and instantly felt swallowed by the cozy warmth of their home. He toed off his shoes carefully after seeing Noah do the same, trying not to look like someone who had spent ten whole minutes panic-sweating in the driveway.
Noah’s dad was in the dining room, laying out cutlery with that same focused seriousness he used when handing out detentions. Except now he smiled at Luke. It was a real, approachable smile that felt almost unreal to witness outside of school walls.
“Good to see you, Luke,” Mr. Lowthorp said. “We’ve heard a lot about you.”
Luke prayed Noah had only said normal, flattering things like He’s smart and He’s a good driver , not I occasionally shove my tongue down his throat.
“You too, sir,” Luke managed.
Noah nudged his shoulder, whispering, “Relax. They love you already.”
“Barely been here thirty seconds,” Luke whispered back.
“Doesn’t matter,” Noah grinned.
Before Luke could answer, a younger voice piped up from the living room. “Noah! Who’s that?” A girl asked. She was maybe twelve years old and bounded over to them with a curious smile. She had Noah’s eyes which held that same mischievous spark.
“Ames, this is Luke. My boyfriend, remember? Luke, this is Amy,” Noah said to the freshly dyed navy haired boy, throwing an arm around the smaller girls shoulders. “My little sister.”
Luke blinked. “You have a sister?”
Amy scrunched her face up at him. “He never told you about me?”
Noah groaned. “Okay, but in my defense, I forget she exists sometimes.”
Amy elbowed him in the ribs. “You’re so rude.”
Luke smiled, warmth spreading through his chest. “It’s nice to meet you, Amy.”
Before she could respond, something wet and cold nudged Luke’s ankle. He jerked back a little startled, only to look down and find a fluffy golden retriever enthusiastically sniffing his shoe like it was made of bacon.
“Oh! And that’s Sunny,” Mrs. Lowthorp said with a laugh from across the room when she witness what was happening. “Don’t mind her. She’s very friendly.”
Sunny gave one big wag of her tail, then sat politely at Luke’s feet like she had already claimed him. Luke melted. Fully, completely melted.
“You didn’t tell me you had a dog either,” he said accusingly to Noah.
Noah raised a brow. “I guess there’s still a lot you don’t know about me.”
Luke shot him a soft smile, a shy and almost secret one that said he wanted to learn everything.
Sunny barked once, as if in approval.
Mrs. Lowthorp clapped her hands lightly. “Alright, boys. Go wash up and grab a seat. We’re so happy you’re here, Luke.”
Luke’s heart swelled. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be terrifying after all.
Dinner smelled incredible. It was something slow-cooked and buttery with garlic. The plates were steaming as Mrs. Lowthorp set them out. Luke tried not to stare at the perfectly folded napkins because every time his nerves spiked, suddenly napkin geometry became the most interesting thing in the world. Noah took the seat right beside him, their knees brushing underneath the table, a tiny anchor Luke desperately needed.
“So, Luke,” Mrs. Lowthorp began kindly, pouring water into his glass, “Noah tells us you’re quite the artist. Art is your best subject, right?”
Luke swallowed down his food before he spoke. “Uh, yeah. I like drawing sometimes.” He tried to smile. “Although my teacher hates my portraits. She says I pick out people’s flaws too much.”
Mrs. Lowthorp chuckled. “That sounds to me like you’re really good though. Unlike Noah who can barely draw a tree.”
Noah kicked her gently under the table. “Mom, stop exposing me.”
Luke breathed a little easier, but then Mr. Lowthorp leaned forward, elbows resting on the polished wood. “And you’re… transgender, right? Noah mentioned it briefly.” He said it conversationally, not unkindly, just… plainly. Like asking someone if they played soccer.
Luke froze mid-breath.
Amy blinked, confused. “Trans-what? What does that mean?”
Heat flooded Luke’s face, his heart thudding so hard he could hear it. He knew parents needed to know things like that and he wasn’t ashamed of it, but he never liked being reduced to the explanation.
Noah straightened instantly, his voice firm but still polite. “Nothing. Seriously, dad? That’s how you start? It’s barely been five seconds.”
“What’s transgender?” Amy asked innocently.
“Nothing,” Noah repeated sharply. “It just means Luke is a boy. Because he is. Luke is Luke. End of story.”
Mr. Lowthorp raised his palms. “I wasn’t trying to be rude, I just want to make sure I’m using the right language.”
Mrs. Lowthorp shot him a small warning look, then turned to Luke gently. “You don’t need to answer anything that makes you uncomfortable, okay? Excuse my husband. He was born in the stone ages.”
Luke forced himself to breathe again, unclenching his fists in his lap. “It’s fine,” he said quietly. “I just… don’t always like talking about it at dinner.”
Amy frowned thoughtfully. “I’m still confused.”
“Amy,” Noah sighed.
She ignored her brother and continued to look at Luke. “So you’re just Luke?”
That startled a laugh out of him. It was a small one, but real. “Yeah. I’m just Luke.”
“Oh,” she said, immediately satisfied. “Cool.” She went right back to buttering her bread like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Noah nudged Luke’s leg softly—a silent are you alright? Luke nodded once. He appreciated that Noah didn’t push or make a scene. Just stayed right there next to him, solid and sure.
Mr. Lowthorp cleared his throat, clearly trying again. “Well, Luke, we’re very glad you’re here. Truly. It’s an honour to have the valedictorian at my dinner table.”
“Oh, thanks,” he said bashfully. “I appreciate it.”
Conversation eased into safer waters afterward. College plans. Future dreams. Mrs. Lowthorp lit up when Luke mentioned he had applied to NYU.
“NYU would be amazing,” she said. “They have such a strong arts program.”
Mr. Lowthorp nodded. “And it’s far enough to be independent but close enough to visit home. Response should be coming through any day now. Maybe you can talk some sense into Noah. He hates discussing college with us.”
Noah shrugged, poking at his mashed potatoes. “That’s because I’m still deciding whether I wanna go or not. Just because I applied to a bunch, doesn’t mean I’m going. Who says you even need to go to college to live your best life? Maybe I’ll just drop out and run my own bakery instead. Start earning real money by becoming a manager instead of just working weekend shifts pretending to be the next Duff Goldman, ya know? It could work.”
His mother arched an eyebrow. “Noah.”
Luke snickered. “He makes great brownies. I tried them once.”
“It’s my only marketable skill,” Noah said dramatically, earning another eye-roll from his father.
But they were all laughing together and Luke felt his shoulders relax more and more throughout the meal. By the time plates were cleared, he realised he wasn’t nervous anymore. Not really.
When Mr. and Mrs. Lowthorp started discussing kitchen cleanup, Noah caught Luke’s hand and whispered, “C’mon,” tugging him toward the stairs before Luke could say a word.
Luke grinned as he let himself be pulled away, but he still swiveled to say a polite, “Thank you for dinner!” over his shoulder.
Upstairs, Noah shut his bedroom door behind them. Luke barely had time to breathe before Noah was kissing him, hands on his waist, lips soft and eager, like he’d been waiting all night for this. Luke melted instantly, kissing back, fingers bunching in Noah’s shirt. Then he broke away, breathless.
“Hey, hey,” Luke scolded gently, pressing a hand to Noah’s chest. “Your parents are literally right downstairs. I am trying to make a good impression.”
Noah just grinned, leaning forward again. “You already made a good impression.”
Luke gave him a look, the kind halfway between amused and scandalised. “Noah.”
“Okay, fine,” Noah said, though he didn’t move far, just let his forehead rest against Luke’s. “I just… really like you. And you looked so cute at dinner trying not to panic.”
Luke swatted his arm. “You’re not supposed to say that part.”
“Sorry,” Noah murmured, pulling him into a softer kiss. This one was slower and sweeter, like a promise instead of a rush. Luke’s heart fluttered again. He felt nice. Wanted.
He exhaled against Noah’s lips and whispered, “We can kiss. Just… no devouring me until after your parents fall asleep.”
Noah’s smirk returned. “Deal.”
They lay sideways on Noah’s bed, still fully dressed, legs tangled just enough to feel close. Noah toyed absently with the cuff of Luke’s sleeve, a nervous habit Luke was only just beginning to recognise.
“Hey,” Noah said quietly, eyes fixed on the fabric between his fingers instead of Luke’s face. “I… didn’t realise you were actually serious about NYU.”
Luke shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Yeah. Well, I mean, not really. I’m still kinda terrified of college but NYU has kinda been the dream since forever. I put it down as my first choice. They’ve got the best art programs and…” He hesitated. “I want to see what my life could be like somewhere else, you know?”
“And what were your other choices?” Noah asked hesitantly.
Luke gnawed on his lip. “There were a few.”
“Which were…?” Noah pressed.
“Uh, Massachusetts College of Art and Design was my second choice if NYU didn’t work out,” Luke said to him in an unsure manner. “They have a really good arts program too. I did a virtual open day thing. It was great. And then Tuffs University was my third choice, I think.”
Noah nodded his head a little, but his expression shifted, something tight and uncertain flickering through his eyes.
“What?” Luke asked softly.
“Those are in Boston,” Noah said gently.
Luke nodded timidly.
“Harvard is also in Boston,” Noah added.
Luke swallowed thickly. “What’s your point?” he asked, voice low and tight.
Noah’s eyes flickered across Luke’s face wordlessly.
“It might be nice to be close to my brother,” Luke added when he got no response.
Noah opened his mouth but hesitated. Then he sighed softly and shook his head. “Right. Sorry. I just think—” He took another shaky breath, bracing himself. “Sorry. I know I’m being weird about this but I think I’m just terrified of us going to different places.”
Luke’s heart stalled a beat.
“I know it’s months away,” Noah continued. “And I know we’re still new, and maybe I shouldn’t even say anything because it sounds clingy or stupid but—” He paused, forcing himself to meet Luke’s gaze. “I really don’t want to be away from you.”
Luke blinked. Heat rose in his chest and his face. It was a mix of surprise and flattery, and a creeping fear he didn’t want to identify. “You don’t sound stupid,” he said quietly.
“I just…” Noah’s fingers fidgeted again, brushing Luke’s wrist. “When you talked about NYU tonight, it just hit me that you have this whole life you’re planning, and I want to be part of it. I want to go where you go. I kinda want to follow you everywhere.”
Luke stared at him stunned and soft at the same time. It was the most vulnerable thing Noah had ever said. “That’s… a big thing to admit,” Luke managed.
“Yeah,” Noah huffed a laugh, rubbing at the back of his neck. “And I don’t expect you to say ‘cool, let’s plan our entire future together right now.’ I just—” His paused a little. “I like what this is. I don’t want it to end because our colleges are stupidly far apart.”
Luke shifted closer, their knees knocking together. “I don’t want it to end either.”
Noah looked up at him like that meant everything.
Luke’s voice was quiet but sure. “I want you in my future. I just don’t know what that future looks like yet. I’ve spent so long just trying to figure out who I am, and now suddenly I’m figuring out who I am with you. And it’s great. Really great. Just… new.”
Noah gave a tiny nod. “Yeah. It’s new for me too.”
Luke’s chest tightened. He reached out, taking Noah’s hand and really holding it. “But the idea of you not being in my life? That scares me too. You’re my best friend.”
Noah breathed out slowly, like he’d been holding that air for weeks.
“So,” Luke continued, “maybe we don’t have everything figured out yet. But we’ll figure it out together. Okay?”
A smile broke across Noah’s face, relieved and warm. he leaned his forehead against Luke’s again. “Okay,” he whispered.
Luke pressed a small kiss to the corner of Noah’s mouth. “I like you,” Luke said.
Noah smiled against his skin. “I like you too.”
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Luke dropped his backpack onto the carpeted floor of the GSA room and collapsed into one of the beanbag chairs. Noah settled beside him, their knees brushing, a tiny bit of casual closeness Luke was still getting used to. Eli, sprawled dramatically across the sofa, tossed a stress ball into the air and caught it without looking.
“So,” Eli announced suddenly, “I’m officially on the Prom Committee.”
Luke snorted. “Again? Have fun with that.”
“Well, I was thinking that—”
“Hard pass,” Noah added immediately.
Eli’s mouth fell open. “You haven’t even heard the theme yet.”
“Don’t care,” Noah said.
“Still no,” Luke echoed.
Eli huffed. “Wow. Supportive friends you two are.”
Luke gave him a sympathetic tilt of his head. “We can support you from the sidelines. Far, far away from the gymnasium and glitter hell.”
Eli looked down at the stress ball, twisting it anxiously. “I just think it could be nice, you know? To do something like this with you guys. I mean, I would rather do this with Nate but…”
Noah’s expression softened. “Have you asked him yet?”
Eli rolled his eyes. “Kinda irrelevant, isn’t it? He doesn’t even go here anymore. What if they don’t let him in? What if he doesn’t want to go with me at all? He’s probably having the time of his life at his fancy college while I’m stuck here decorating paper stars with straight people.”
Luke leaned forward, trying for reassuring. “Of course he’d want to go with you. He literally sends you good-morning selfies every day. That’s boyfriend devotion.”
Eli’s jaw clenched. “Okay, but that’s over text. You two get to hold hands and walk to class together and kiss between shelves in the library like some sickeningly disgusting yaoi novel.”
Luke blinked. Noah raised a brow.
Eli kept going, voice wobbling with frustration. “Meanwhile, I only get Nate on the weekends. And that’s only if my dad lets me drive halfway to meet him, which isn’t often. And God forbid he gets busy, because then it’s just me and my phone and a stupid buffering FaceTime call that freezes every time he’s making a cute face.” He threw the stress ball at the opposite wall, not hard but enough to make a dull thud. “I’m happy for you guys,” Eli said, quieter now. “I really am. But I’m also so jealous I could scream.”
Luke’s stomach twisted. “Eli…” he said gently.
“No, it’s fine,” Eli muttered, pulling his knees up and hugging them. “Ignore me. I’m being pathetic.”
“You’re not pathetic,” Noah said, firm in that way he rarely was.
Eli shrugged, eyes fixed on the carpet. “I just… miss him. And Prom is supposed to be this big romantic thing. But I can’t even be sure we’ll get a picture together.”
Luke slid off the beanbag and sat beside him on the couch, nudging his shoulder lightly. “Hey. We’ll make it work. If they give you trouble, Noah’s dad is literally the principal. He can strong-arm the entire school board if needed.”
Noah blinked. “Okay, I feel like that’s a slight exaggeration but… yeah. I’ll talk to him if you need me to.”
Eli looked between them, torn between gratitude and lingering bitterness.
Luke offered a tiny smile. “We want you to have your moment too.”
For a second, Eli just stared at them. Luke and Noah exchanged a look, the kind that meant okay, he’s about to either yell or cry, and neither of them knew which one was coming. Eli chose both. His face crumpled, and suddenly he let out a loud, dramatic sob and buried his face in his hands.
“Oh no,” Luke whispered, panic blooming in his chest. “Why is there crying??”
Eli’s voice came out muffled and wobbly. “He’s totally cheating on me.”
Luke blinked. “What? No he isn’t.”
“Yes he is!” Eli wailed harder. “I saw him like, three days ago on Instagram standing next to someone very attractive that he’s never mentioned before! And he was smiling!”
Noah stared. “…He smiled?”
Eli flung his hands out, gesturing wildly. “He never smiles that wide unless I tell a joke! And this guy next to him was wearing a cardigan! A fucking CARDIGAN! Those are seductive and very, very gay. He was totally gay and he’s totally banging my boyfriend all the way in Brown!”
Luke opened his mouth to argue but had absolutely no idea how to counter seductive gay cardigan logic.
“And,” Eli continued, sniffing hard, “he didn’t reply ‘I love you most’ when I said ‘I love you more’ yesterday. He just sent a heart emoji. A yellow one!”
Luke gasped. “Oh damn.”
“What? Yellow hearts are fine,” Noah said.
“Noah,” Luke whispered seriously. “Yellow is the friendship heart.”
Noah’s eyes widened as if this was new, devastating intelligence.
Eli made a high–pitched, tragic noise and grabbed at Noah’s sleeve. “You get it!”
Noah rubbed his forehead. He did not get it. But he got Eli, and that was enough. He was thoughtful now, tapping his finger against his knee. “Okay, hear me out…”
Luke immediately looked suspicious. “That’s how horror movies start.”
“No,” Noah said, leaning forward, energised by a sudden unhinged idea. “We take a road trip.”
Luke blinked. “A what.”
“To Rhode Island. Brown University,” Noah clarified like it was the most obvious plan in the world. “Spring break is next week. We can show up. Unannounced. Catch Nate in the act if he’s cheating.”
Eli gasped, eyes shining like a child who’d just been told they could have a puppy.
Luke stared like Noah had grown a second head. “We’re not… stalking his boyfriend.”
“It’s not stalking if it’s for love,” Eli insisted.
“That’s literally the definition of stalking,” Luke replied, deadpan.
But Noah was already on a roll, probably envisioning some dramatic mission with disguises and walkie–talkies. “We’ll drive up,” Noah said. “Confront him. And if he’s innocent, amazing. We get a fun road trip. If he’s cheating—”
“I get to punch the guy with the cardigan!” Eli finished with far too much enthusiasm.
Luke buried his face in his hands. “You two are actually insane.”
Eli wiped his tears, determination forming like storm clouds behind his eyes. “You’re coming too, Luke.”
“No I’m not.”
“Yes you are,” Noah said, smiling crookedly. “Eli needs us.”
“And Brown is super close to Harvard!” Eli said, clutching at Luke’s arm. “We can go and see Gabe too. Maybe we can even attend one of those cool Harvard parties he’s always raving about. Please, Luke? Please?”
Noah’s eyes flashed with something unknown when he heard the name ‘Harvard’ but he quickly schooled his expression and clutched at his boyfriends other arm. “Come on, Lukey. We have to do this. For Eli.”
Luke deflated instantly. “Fine,” Luke groaned.
Eli squealed and pulled both of them into a chaotic group hug. “We’re going to Brown University,” he declared dramatically, like the lead in a cheesy teen movie. “And we’re saving my relationship.”
Luke sighed, but a small smile tugged at his lips. Because yeah… it was ridiculous. But ridiculous was kind of what made their little trio work.
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