My essay on Sky and Leo's relationship

I understand how some of Sky's actions toward Leo may have been intentionally hurtful. He wanted to push him away to decrease the chances of Leo falling for him and eventually becoming heartbroken (or so he assumes). But even then his actions were extreme.

First of all, Sky placed Leo and the manager on equal footing. Whenever he mentioned how he cared about one of them, he'd mention the other as well (ex. wanting to see both of them during the cafe). In my opinion, it was kind of disprespectful to his and Leo's relationship. They had been through so much, and now after knowing the manager for a month or so he cares for him to a similar extent as Leo?

Also, the parts where Leo was warning Sky about the manager, it was as if Sky just brushed his words away. This is your best friend we're talking about! Even if he wanted to push Leo away, doing so by essentially not caring about his concerns for him was a shitty thing to do. Sky mentioned how much he appreciated Leo actually being there for him and comforting him when others blamed him. Now, it seems as if Leo's opinion holds no worth, and he's seen as essentially crazy. That's frustrating as a reader.

It was also frustrating to see Leo not get more upset about Sky ignoring him and almost choosing the manager over him. A close friend is picking someone who you're warning them about, over you. Who wouldn't get upset at that? So to have Leo say "oh, I was never angry at him" is upsetting. I think Leo needed to be angry to understand his emotions. He needed to be upset with Sky so that he could reflect on his feelings for him, and either choose to continue pursuing him or just ditch their friendship to end his emotional suffering.

It also would have been good character development for Sky if he saw Leo drifting away from him. It would make him realize how much Leo meant to him, and would probably even push him to confess to Leo because at that point, what else would he have to lose? I kind of wish that was how it went, especially considering the flashback of Sky where he was talking about how much it would hurt to have a close friend/lover leave. The distance would make him realize that his feelings for Leo were strong, and he wouldn't want to lose him like that.

Overall, I can totally see where Sky is coming from in wanting to push Leo away with certain harsh words or actions (he doesn't want their close relationship to end due to Sky's "cursed" love). However, even with that understanding, I still think Sky went overboard and was too selfish at times.

Also, I wish the story had progressed in a different way with Leo becoming more upset with Sky, distancing himself from him, and with Sky realizing how much Leo meant to him and maybe confessing.

(Also, the manager is so infuriating!! Since I don't understand why he is the way he is, there is no way for him to be redeemed. He's just been creepy and troublesome so far! I can't get over how he was toying with a minor. Nothing can excuse that. It was like he was grooming Sky.)