I'm straight aren't I?

Aaron's POV

As I sat there, idly flipping through the pages of his journal, a myriad of feelings washed over me with each line I read. His lyrics had a raw beauty, filled with emotions that seemed to resonate deeply within me. A part of me yearned for the melodies and words to be about me—to be the muse inspiring such heartfelt creations. But what was I even thinking? I am straight. I've always been straight.

Yet, when he casually mentioned that the song was about a girl, a profound sense of disappointment settled in the pit of my stomach. Why did that hurt so much? Was it irrational to feel a pang of sadness over something that should not have affected me at all? After all, he didn't know what I was thinking, and I certainly didn't have any romantic feelings for him. But in that moment, upon hearing about the girl, it felt like a tiny piece of my heart was being squeezed tight.

Shaking off my thoughts, I took my seat next to him, trying to push aside the conflicting emotions swirling in my mind. I focused on the mundane routine of school, waiting for the bell to ring and the day to officially begin. The anticipation in the air felt electric as students began to trickle into the classroom, their laughter and chatter filling the space around us.

Suddenly, the sharp clang of the bell echoed through the halls, and a rush of students barreled into the classroom, eager to settle down and dive into the day's lessons. The energy in the room shifted as everyone found their seats, and moments later, the teacher made her entrance.

"Good morning class," she greeted us with a warm smile, instantly commanding our attention.

"Good morning, teacher," we chorused back, our voices melding into one unified response.

"I would first like to say that Aaron Dalton has the highest score in this class, and I would like to speak with you and Liam Salazar after class," she announced, her tone both serious and celebratory.

As my mind processed her words, a mix of pride and envy welled up in me. The teacher continued to share the day's agenda, but my thoughts wandered back to the lyrics in Liam's journal. The minutes ticked by swiftly, and I felt the delicate cord of my emotions intertwining more tightly with every passing second. Would I ever understand what this connection truly meant?

[Time skip]

"Aaron, I would like you to tutor Liam." The teacher's voice echoed in the now-empty classroom, her words hanging in the air after the usual clamor of students had dissipated. The last few chairs scraped against the floor as everyone else filtered out, leaving only me, Liam and the teacher to discuss this unexpected assignment.

"Okay, ma'am," I replied simply, but internally, I was bursting with excitement at the prospect of tutoring Liam. I had always admired his knack for curiosity and enthusiasm, even if he struggled with some subjects. The idea of spending more time with him, to help him succeed in a way that would also allow us to bond, made my heart race.

"Why not ask someone else to tutor me?" Liam interjected, looking slightly flustered. I could see a hint of red creeping up his cheeks, and I couldn't help but think he looked cute; the thought caught me off guard. Did I really just call him cute?

"There was no one else who could help you, and it seems like you two boys get along well, so it will be easier," Ms. Peters explained with a reassuring smile, her eyes glancing between us as if she sensed the underlying tension.

"Okay, ma'am. It is fine." Despite his initial reluctance, Liam's voice softened as he accepted the arrangement. I could see the internal battle he was waging, but his acceptance also filled me with hope.

As we both walked out of the classroom together, I felt a playful urge to tease him a little. After all, it wouldn't be tutoring without some light-hearted banter, right?

"Do you hate me that much? You don't want me tutoring you," I said, clutching my chest in mock despair, pretending to be deeply offended by his hesitation.

Liam's eyes widened, and before I could react, he blurted, "No. I love you." The words slipped out before he could catch them, and the moment hung in the air like an exquisite tension. He quickly glanced at me and then down at the floor, his cheeks now a brilliant shade of crimson.

My heart began to race, pounding loudly in my ears as I tried to process what he had just said. Did he mean it? But reality soon set in as he quickly added, "As a friend, I mean. If that's okay with you."

The atmosphere shifted, a mix of embarrassment swirling with an unexplainable thrill. I had to play it cool. "I would love to be your friend," I responded, keeping my tone light and cheerful despite the whirlwind of emotions boiling inside me.

And just like that, what had started as a simple tutoring arrangement took on a new depth, filled with the promise of friendship and perhaps something more, leaving me excited and slightly nervous about what was to come.