Page 26 of I Can't Even Think Straight

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they were mistaken for a girl.

Sometimes we’d hold hands,

and Vass would pretend

to be my girlfriend.

Pulling my hand away just now

wasn’t intended to be cruel.

It felt involuntary,

like Matt’s paranoia

has rubbed off on me.

Growing up together,

Vass has always been tactile with me.

Yiayia and Bapou

never comment on it.

Neither does Mum nor Theía Estélla.

It’s never felt like a problem

for me, until recently.

“Οχι, I’m not in love with Matt,

but I don’t wanna ruin his life:

if his parents’ reaction would be

even half as bad as he says,

I wouldn’t want that on my conscience.”

I stand and turn to face Vass,

the most out and proud person I know.

“I was just so inspired by you

and how you came out at school.”

“I know, αγ?πη μου,

but you know it hasn’t been easy for me.

It’s different for you;

you’re not coming out as nonbinary.

You wouldn’t believe

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