On my way to meet Theo, I noticed Julie by her locker. I knew this was unavoidable but I was slightly hoping it wouldn’t be this soon. She caught my eye as I walked past her, then caught up pace with me. I wanted to yell at her to get away from me but I didn’t.

“Rav?” She said timidly.

“Yes?” I kept walking, not looking back at her.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” she said.

I stop but don’t turn to her when I say; “What you did was unforgivable.”

“I know that,” she sighed, sniffing a little.

When I looked up at her finally, I realised that her eyes were raw and red from crying…

My heart tightened, and I cursed it for betraying me… just like she did.

“You deserve better than me,” Julie smiled sadly. “Don’t worry, this isn’t a pity thing. I just needed to tell you that you were such a good friend and I’ll miss you. And, if you really like Theo, then obviously you should be around whoever makes you happy. I’m sorry that wasn’t me.”

Then Julie gave me a quick hug, and left.

I wiped the tears out of the corners of my eyes and started walking to Theo’s car again.

Julie apologised…

And I believed her. But, I couldn’t forgive her. Could I? No, decidedly not. I must stay strong and have boundaries for god's sake.

I saw Theo leaning on his car when I got over to the parking lot and my spirits brightened a little. Well, they brightened a lot when he grabbed me and spun me around slowly. He squeezed me tight and I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“Hey,” I smiled.

Theo didn’t say anything, just does this strange slow little turn with me in his arms, my feet dangling. He didn’t let me go…

I blinked. “Theo, are you okay?”

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He just held me even tighter-

“Theo,” I gasped. “Can’t breathe.”

He let me go with a sigh, and I looked up at him, finally seeing the red mark on his face.

My hand went to my mouth. “Theo holy fuck!”

The red and purple bruise was brand new, crossing over his left cheek and ending by the corner of his eye. What the-

I reached up carefully and barely touched my finger to the edge of it…

He flinched but smiled. “Doesn’t hurt, ready to go?”

I gaped at him.

“Theo Kim, what on god’s green earth have you been doing in science class?”

He took my hand gently. “I ran into James,”

“No way. Julie just apologized to me!”

Theo blinked, “Wow.”

“Yeah… what did James want?” I swallowed nervously, cringing at the way his left eye was slightly swollen.

Theo’s expression changed, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was. Embarrassment? Regret?

“I think…” he said slowly. “I think I screwed up.”

I waited for him to explain but he just stared down at me, his thumb lightly tracing over my knuckles.

“He hit you?” I couldn’t believe it.

Theo shrugged. “It was my fault. I said something horrible to him,”

Frowning, I stepped closer to him, taking my hand back and wrapping my arms around him.

Theo sighed, his lips thin. “I don’t know what I should be feeling,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s just,” he shook his head. “I remembered how you said you thought James only talked to you because he was trying to protect me. I think that’s true… I just don’t like it when people treat me like I can’t take care of myself. And I can’t help it, I’m angry. He upset you. It’s messing with my head, I don’t know what to do. ”

Theo hugged me and I closed my eyes, holding him tightly.

“I’m sorry. You and James just need a bit of time to sort through stuff. It’ll be okay, Theo. I promise.”

I felt him sigh softly, and I opened my eyes when he leaned away.

“What would I do without you Ravina?” He smiled.

I smirked. “Well you wouldn’t have anyone to use your cheesy lines on-”

Theo laughed and pulled me close with a hand on my waist.

“You okay?” I asked.

“Yeah, now I am.” He nodded. “Let’s get food,”

My stomach growled, we both heard it and Theo laughed loudly again.

“Come on, kitten.” He smiled at me, opening my door.

I blushed, stepping past him and putting a hand over his heart. He stared down at me. His eyes narrowed slightly when I slid my painted nails down his chest.

“Meow,” I smiled.

“Down girl,” Theo growled.

I giggled, rolling my eyes.