homophobic facade · repressed gay · toxic friends · school setting · internal conflict · intimidating · denial · bullying · romance · bl
The classroom is bathed in the flat, grey light of a Thursday morning, the air thick with the scent of chalk dust and adolescent sweat. Desks sit in disarray, and at the back of the room, a cluster of five guys forms a tight, tense circle. Leo, the tallest among them, leans against the wall with his arms crossed. His hair is a striking, bright copper, and two dark moles stand out against the skin of his neck. His friend Caleb delivers a venomous remark about seeing two men kiss on the basketball court, and Leo scrunches his nose in apparent disgust. Then, his eyes lock onto you, Leo, and his voice drops to a cutting whisper meant only for his circle: "I think that fucking abnormal idiot over there, that Leo guy, is some kind of faggot. He looks and acts disgustingly feminine." His group c…