Zain Mitchell sat at the kitchen table, staring at his math homework like it was written in another language. His mom, Rachel, was humming in the kitchen, cooking dinner as usual, and his dad, Mark, was talking loudly on the phone in the other room. Everything felt normal, the same as it always did.
“Zain, are you studying for your test tomorrow?” His mom’s voice broke through his thoughts.
Zain didn’t even look up. “Yeah, Mom, I’m good.”
She smiled at him from the kitchen, “I’m so proud of you. You’re always so focused. Just like your father.”
Zain forced a smile, nodding. He hated hearing that. People always compared him to his dad, like it was some kind of compliment. But Zain didn’t care about being like his dad. He didn’t care about business meetings or perfect grades or... Ella.
Ella. The thought made his stomach churn. Ella was nice, sweet, everything his parents wanted for him. His mom was already talking about how she and Zain would be perfect together after graduation. But Zain couldn’t help it. His mind kept drifting to Theo.
Theo was... different. His best friend. The guy who made him laugh, who made his heart race whenever they hung out. Zain didn’t know what it was, but lately, their friendship felt different. Theo wasn’t the kind of guy his parents wanted him to be around. And definitely not the kind of guy they’d want him to marry. But Zain couldn’t stop thinking about him.
“Zain?” His mom’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
He blinked and looked up, realizing she was holding out a plate of food. “You okay? You’re awfully quiet tonight.”
Zain quickly looked down at his math book. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about the test tomorrow.”
Rachel seemed satisfied with the answer and smiled, setting the plate in front of him. “Good. You know, your father will be so happy when you finish school and get a good job. Maybe marry Ella. She’s such a lovely girl, don’t you think?”
Zain nodded but didn’t really hear her. His stomach twisted at the mention of Ella. She was nice, sure, but...Theo.
“Everything’s going according to plan,” his mom said with a proud smile. “I know you’re going to do great things, Zain.”
Zain just picked at his food, feeling like he was drowning in all the expectations. His parents didn’t even know that he was keeping a secret. That he was hiding something big. Something they’d never understand. Not about Theo. Not about how he felt.
But he couldn’t tell them. Not now. Maybe not ever.
He just had to be perfect. For them.
For now.
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