“Yeah, Nick,” he whispered. “We’re more than okay.”
“Um. Yeah. Fine,” Charlie squeaked, immediately cursing his own voice. Nick and Charlie
Then he kissed him. Right there. In front of everyone. The rugby lads. Harry Greene. A gaggle of Year 9s who gasped. It wasn’t a movie kiss—it was messy, a little desperate, and full of relief. “Yeah, Nick,” he whispered
The first crack came when Nick refused to hold Charlie’s hand in front of Harry Greene and the rugby lads. Charlie saw the flash of panic in Nick’s eyes, the way his hand twitched and then dropped. He understood. Coming out wasn’t a single event; it was a thousand small decisions, repeated daily. But understanding didn’t stop the cold, familiar ache in his chest. ” Charlie squeaked