Everyone laughed because I couldn't be taken seriously as a romantic lead or a lead at all. Everyone laughed because the idea of the flamboyant gay kid kissing a girl is apparently hilarious. [He sighs bitterly, still avoiding actually looking at Rachel.]

You don't have to stay with me, Rachel. I'm okay. [He's usually a lot better at lying about being okay, but this ache is new. This isn't about getting pushed around. This is about realizing he may have no future as an actor.]