Chapter TWELVE

There was somebody knocking on his balcony doors.

It was 9pm and there was someone on his balcony. Caleb, being only 10 years old, was starting to think of the worst case scenario. He thought a thief or a murderer was going to come in.

"Hello?" The person outside spoke up.

Caleb's eyebrows furrowed together. He recognized that voice.

He couldn't see who it was because his dad put up curtains in front of the balcony doors. Caleb skeptically stepped closer and extended his arm, pulling back the dark green curtains. Through the glass, he saw the same boy who talked to him a few hours ago at the sidewalk, the one with the bright blue eyes.

Caleb's own eyes widened. "How'd you get on my balcony?" Caleb didn't really speak up, but the blonde boy must've understood him because he moved aside to reveal the other identical balcony directly across from Caleb's.

Caleb unlocked the balcony doors, opening one and feeling the cool wind sweep across his face. "Sorry if I scared you," The blue eyed kid said, smiling. "I just saw you in your room earlier."

"So you decided to hop over and.. knock?" Caleb tilted his head. The distance between the railings of the balconies were only a few inches. "At nine in the evening?"

Caleb thought it was weird, the way these balconies and houses were built, but now a boy his age was standing in front of him in the middle of the night and it just became weirder. "I didn't get to introduce myself properly earlier," The boy smiled. "You know, since we're neighbors and our bedrooms are literally across from each other." He extended his arm. "I'm Liam Walker."

Caleb stared at the blonde boy in amusement. Liam was dressed in striped pajama bottoms and a white shirt, his hair falling across his forehead. He was about the same height as Caleb. "I'm Caleb," Caleb shook Liam's hand, still eyeing the boy skeptically. "Caleb Novak."

"Your last name is Novak?" Liam's eyes widened. "That's awesome! I wish my name was that cool!"

"You don't like your name?" Caleb asked. Liam shook his head. "Nah, Liam's such a common name. You're the first Caleb I've ever known." Liam said.

"Well you're the first Liam I've ever known," Caleb replied.

Liam just stared at Caleb, a smile on his face. "I like you, Caleb, you seem cool."

"Thanks?"

Suddenly Liam hopped over to his own balcony, both him and Caleb standing on the edge of their balconies behind the railings, facing each other.

"We should be friends." Liam grinned.

Caleb was still a bit freaked out that the boy whose bedroom was beside his just randomly decided to knock on his balcony.

Do normal people do that?

But, Caleb would never admit, he liked that Liam went through the trouble just to talk with him.

#

C A L E B

Coming out to my family was probably the most terrifying thing I have ever done.

Mom and dad's reactions were mixed. I talked with them on FaceTime yesterday when I got back home from the meeting at Dave's office.

When I told them I was bisexual, my mom said that she actually had a hunch because of the time when Liam and I were still kids. My dad was surprised, and he was the one who kept asking how I knew, when I knew, and if I ever had a boyfriend.

We talked for hours and mom ended up crying because she said she was happy I came out to them. Both my parents said they accepted who I was and that they loved me no matter what.

Let's just say that I was also in tears at the end.

Today, I was meeting with Melanie to tell her. I specifically told my parents that I wanted to be the one to break the news to Mel. We decided to meet up at a restaurant not far from the condo.

When I pulled up at the parking lot of the restaurant, I took a moment to breathe.

I got out and locked my car, walking towards the entrance. I was wearing a grey sweater, usual black skinnies, and black ankle boots. When I entered the restaurant, a waitress went to greet me, after she got over her initial shock.

That was something I never got used to. People all over the world knew who my band was.

"Caleb Novak?" Her eyes widened.

It was weird. And yet still amazing. Mind-blowing, actually. "Hi!" I grinned.

"I'm sorry, that was so unprofessional." She shook her head before smiling at me. "Hi, sir." She greeted. "I'm Daphne. Table for one?"

"No," I shook my head, looking over her head; she was quite short. "I'm actually here to meet someone."

"Are they already seated?" I spotted Melanie on her phone at a booth near the back of the restaurant.

"Yes, she's over there." I gestured and Daphne turned around before nodding. She led me towards the booth. I thanked her and she bit her lip, politely excusing herself.

Melanie looked up and a grin appeared on her face. She was wearing light make-up and a simple black dress with a denim jacket. She stood up, engulfing me in a hug. "Hey, how's my little brother?"

"I'm great!" I said, embracing her just as tight. "You didn't tell me you dyed your hair." Her hair was naturally the same color as my hair, but it was blonde now.

"I just wanted to change it." I felt her shrug before she released her grip on me. We sat on opposite sides of the booth. Daphne came back with two menus And handed it to both of us before telling us she'll be back to take our orders.

My eyes were scanning the menu, but I could feel my sister's gaze on me. "I know, right? You're probably thinking how your brother could be so outrageously handsome."

"In your dreams." I could practically hear her rolling her eyes. "Something's wrong," She mumbled. I looked up and saw her sit back, crossing her arms. "You're hiding something from me."

"Okay, how do you even know that?"

"I'm your sister, I can sense when you don't tell me something. Years of practice, believe me." She said. "Well, that and I keep up with the news. Does this have something to do with a certain actor slash model?"

"Yes, actually." I nodded, closing my menu. "Are you sure you don't want to order first? I'm pretty sure this could take a while."

"I have all day," Melanie grinned and placed her elbows on the table before leaning in. "So, what's really going on? What's the truth?"

"Before I get into those things, I have to tell you something." I stared at Mel for a bit, and she narrowed her eyes. "Are you stopping for dramatic effect?"

"No," I chucked, scratching the back of my neck. I think it was a good thing that we haven't ordered anything because I would've felt like throwing up right about now. "I'm bisexual, Mel." I mumbled just to make sure she was the only one who could hear.

Melanie blinked rapidly at first, then she leaned in even closer before whispering. "Does this have something to do with that tweet of yours?"

"Not really," I shook my head. "I'll explain that part later too. I just wanted you to know that I'm attracted to boys too."

"Would one of those boys be... Liam?"

I swallowed. "Yes. He's the first boy I've had feelings for. I wasn't thinking about my sexuality back then."

"That would be understandable since you were only a kid." She shrugged. Then she began to wiggle her eyebrows. "Had feelings for?"

"Mel," I groaned. "I'm serious."

She laughed, waving her hand and tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "So, you've had feelings for other boys, huh? Can I know who?"

"Um," I bit my lip. "One was a staff we had on our last tour, he was really adorable. He was taken though. The other was a guy I met at a bar, we flirted all night but I forgot to ask for his number. And I was crushing hard on this handsome waiter. Like, I used to go to that restaurant at least once a week."

"Aren't you still dating Leila?" Mel raised her eyebrow. Melanie was the only one, besides my bandmates and Patricia, that knew I was seeing Leila.

"Yeah, um, that really didn't work out."

We were both silent for a few seconds until Mel spoke up. "I'm happy that you told me. I still love you, you know that, right?"

"I do." I smiled, but then I was frowning. "You don't know how complicated things have been lately."

"Tell me everything."

So, I did. I started from when Liam and I kissed when we were sixteen, all the way to yesterday. I had to stop a few times for us to order and when the food arrived. There were also some bits I had to leave out since it would've taken us literally all day to finish. By the time I was done explaining things, Melanie had gone wide-eyed.

She exhaled, dropping her fork onto the table. "Let me see if I got this. You posted a tweet that sounded homophobic but you didn't mean for it to be, people hated you for it, your manager made you date Liam to prove that you're really not homophobic, and it's actually working?"

"Pretty much." I nodded, shoving another forkful of pasta into my mouth before sipping on my iced tea.

"But I thought you and Liam were dating?"

"I told you it's all an act," I mumbled, setting my glass down. Both of us have been keeping our voices down. Not that there were a lot of people around in the restaurant anyway.

"No," Melanie shook her head. "I meant I thought you and Liam were already dating before the whole Kayla thing."

I was in the process of chewing food when she said this, and I ended up having a coughing fit, surprised at what she said.

Mel continued. "Weren't you? I mean, it was so obvious that you two were inseparable. Mom noticed it too. I'm surprised you didn't kiss him before you guys turned sixteen."

I didn't know what to say.

Melanie observed me for a bit and I could almost see the gears in her mind working. "Cal, do you still have feelings for Liam?"

"I'm just trying to make things right."

"That's not what I asked," She said.

I sighed, giving up on my food and setting my fork down. "Honestly, Mel, I really am just trying to not make more of a mess than I already have."

"You two have so much history together," Mel brought up. "I could understand why he was so hurt."

I ran a hand through my hair, leaning back. "What do I do, Mel?"

She looked just as lost as me. "What's the next step to this whole thing?"

"We tell everyone that Liam and I are officially a couple. There's a whole plan for it and everything."

"Oh," Mel nodded. "What do your fans think of you and Liam being together?"

"They don't mind it." I shrugged. "I mean some of them do, obviously, because you can't please everybody."

"Oh!" Mel looked like she just remembered something, suddenly leaning in real close. "Have you ever done… you know... with another man yet?

"What? No, Mel."

"Okay, okay," She rolled her eyes then proceeded to grin. "But have you ever thought about doing it with a boy before?"

"That's so personal!" I said, appalled. I leaned in closer. "Why are you even asking?"

"You don't have to answer," She whispered. "The blush on your face is a dead giveaway." And she leaned back, looking proud of herself. I glared at my sister. "You're annoying."

"I'm just curious!" She held up both hands, suddenly smirking. "Is it Liam?"

"Mel!" I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"It is! Oh my God—"

"Would you stop?" I seethed, feeling my face and my neck heat up.

Mel laughed out loud, even catching the eye of the couple seated nearest to us. "You're too obvious."

"You're just vicious."

"I know," She grinned smugly at herself, then that grin suddenly turned softer. "I missed you, a lot."

I pouted but replied, "I missed you too."

"Are you okay with all this? Being forced to date someone? I mean, since you're totally not crushing on Liam again," She coughed, causing me to roll my eyes. "Is it still awkward between the two of you?" She asked.

"Yeah, sometimes the tension can be suffocating," I found myself confessing. A smirk slowly appeared on Mel's face. I snorted. "Not that kind of tension."

She shrugged innocently. "You should've specified. What do your bandmates think of all this?"

"It's not their problem, so I try not to burden them with it." I replied. "They're taking me out tonight to celebrate or something."

"It is kind of their problem," Melanie said. "They're your best friends. If you're not happy about being forced to date Liam, then they're not happy. That's what best friends are for. To get you by these kinds of things."

I nodded, lickinh my lips and lookinh down as I picked up my fork and twirled Pasta on it.

"Caleb?"

"Mm?"

Mel scoffed. "You're not unhappy about being with Liam, are you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." I said, still not meeting her gaze.

"You liar," She scoffed again, crossing her arms over her chest. "You missed being with him, even though you're both still awkward and shit, you love having him around, don't you?"

"You're making stuff up."

"Look me in the eyes and tell me you hate spending time with him."

I sighed and put on an emotionless expression before looking into Mel's eyes. I opened my mouth, expecting the words to roll right off.

Mel raised an eyebrow. "Can't say it, can you?"

I huffed, shaking my head. "You're insane."

"You just don't want to admit that even though this whole thing is supposed to be fake, you still have tiny feelings for him."

"I don't have feelings for him."

"But you've missed him all these years."

I couldn't say no to that.