5’7” wasn’t exactly the shortest, all things considered, but it made the short, intellectual boy that was Alex much more timid. It wasn’t short enough to challenge the world, like those 5’4” football bros that barreled down people taller than them, but it was short enough to be bullied. Even when Ty, now close to his height (a really strange thought to Alex), grabbed Alex’s hand to lift him up, Alex flinched, still expecting to get hit, punched, made fun of. Something that usually happened after people tried to pull him up.
Ty looked at Alex closely, more observative as he ignored Alex’s reservations. God, was Ty hot, Alex thought, the slight AC breeze lifting up Ty’s pristine blond hair, the chiseled jawline, the perfect crystal clear blue eyes- No! He was straight. But Ty definitely made him consider bisexuality at the least, if only for Ty.
“You’ve never… well damn.” Ty was not only inspecting Alex’s figure, now more appealing in his eyes, even if he wasn’t interested in homosexuality (though he could make himself homosexual in an instant, if he was keen on it), but also Alex’s life and soul, his personality, and his trauma.
“You know what? Let’s get you to do something fun. As our first time as roommates.”
“Huh?”
Ty ushered Alex forward with a both strong and gentle push, leading the bewildered, newly growth spurt boy out the door.