I needed to put Julie on silent. Nothing personal, I just wished she wouldn’t text every time I had Theo where I wanted him. He sighed and buried his face in the pillow still between us.

My phone had gone off again halfway through taking his shirt off… Julie would pay-

Begrudgingly, I rolled out of his bed and checked my phone.

“Should I take you home?” Theo asked. “What time is Julie coming over?”

Her message just said see you…

I glanced over my shoulder to see Theo was watching me. My heart fluttered at his gaze.

“Soon I guess,”

My eyes fell to his chest and when I looked up again he was smiling at me. It was different. Somehow. Theo smiled with his want-eyes, because that’s how he was feeling. And it’s pure honesty. And I loved it.

“Want some help with that?” I giggled, leaning over and reaching for him.

He pushed me away playfully and started buttoning his shirt.

“No, now where the hell are my shoes-”

I rolled my eyes again and stood up, once the poor boy was fully dressed he took my hand and led me back down the stairs and outside.

Unfortunately this was Oregon, and it rained ten months out of twelve… we’re drenched in seconds. I screamed. Cursed nature!

Theo just laughed, picking me up and spinning me around a few times before tossing me into the car.

I shivered, frowning at my wet clothes. But even as my teeth started chattering, Theo was there in the driver’s seat turning the heater on. I couldn’t stop my smile at how the rain had plastered his hair back on his forehead. He looked years older. Like he could be in college-

Ugh! Why must I keep reminding myself?

I crossed my arms over each other and tried not to think about The Game-

“Hey,” he said, handing me his phone and hooking it up to the car speakers.

“Pick a song you like. I want to hear it.”

What? Really?

“Seriously, Mr. I Hate Lyrics?”

Theo smirked and then gave me a look. It was almost ridiculous how he could make me go speechless so easily. I never imagined I’d be so… infatuated with someone like this. I guess you never know ‘till you know.

“You’ve changed my mind,” he admitted, grinning.

I was beaming on the inside as I YouTubed the perfect song. The Theo Song.

When I hit play the lyrics filled the car, and I watched him quietly listen. He knew I was trying to tell him something. That’s why he asked. Theo could tell this was my favorite way to speak…

She said, where'd you wanna go?

How much you wanna risk?

I'm not looking for somebody

With some superhuman gifts

Some superhero

Some fairytale bliss

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

Just something I can turn to

Somebody I can kiss

I want something just like this

I looked over at him curiously as the melody made my heart race. I loved this song. And I think I loved this guy.

I watched Theo’s eyes widen slightly as he listened…

Oh I want something just like this

Then he smiled.

And my heart practically exploded when he turned to me again. His expression was priceless. And then I knew he felt the same way. Fuck James, sorry Julie. Even if I never tell Theo, and he never tells me… at least I had now. I had right now in this steamy car, totally soaking wet, with the guy I’ll never admit to loving. And Coldplay. A girl’s dream.

“I like this,” Theo nodded, and I knew he meant the song.

I smiled. “This is your song.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Really? I have a song?”

I bit my lip. “Yes,”

He paused, thinking.

“I’ll have to find one for you,” he shrugged nonchalantly. “Or a couple.”

Alright Ravina. This was it. The true test of your strength… don’t blush.

I really had to try hard. Here he was; Theodore Kim, telling me he’s going to dedicate a song to me. Maybe a couple.

“I’d like that… ” I blurted out.

“Then I will,”

As the song drifted away I didn't dare put on another one when I’d already said everything I needed to tell him. A few minutes later as we neared my house Theo turned to me again.

“I know this is a longshot,” he said. “But my family reunion is this weekend and I hate going every year.” He blushed bright red and glanced away shyly.

Oh, sweet lord. He’s handsome.

Shut up brain!

No, he’s handsome.

God damnit brain get a grip-

“Are you busy Saturday night?” He asked.

I shook my head.

“No, but you want me to meet your family? Your parents?”

Seemed a little… relationship-y.

He shrugged. “I don’t mind if you do. I’d just rather have you with me, no matter what.”

That almost-confession startled me, and I nodded along without thinking.

“Okay,”

Yeah. I wanted that too. Wow.

Theo smiled. Thank you, he’s saying.

Family reunion. Was I insane? What does one do at a reunion? Never mind that, one does one wear to a fake-boyfriend’s-much-hated family reunion?

We arrived outside my house and I sighed sadly when I saw the rain hadn't stopped. Damn Oregon.

I heard Theo start taking his jacket off and I quickly reached over to stop him.

“No, no!” I said, embarrassed. “You’ll be cold!”

He scoffed. “Bullshit Ravina, here-” he handed it to me.

Suddenly I felt like such a teenager. With a nice, caring boyfriend, who was going to make me a mixtape. Gosh, I’m spoiled.

“You’re too nice to me.” I smiled shyly.

“You deserve all of it, and more.”

I blinked. Did I though? I shook my head and laughed.

“See you later Theo,” I grinned, hopping out of the car.

“Wait-” He said, and I look back at him, the door still open. I held his coat above my head to block some of the rain…

He smiled at me. Then he tapped his lips.

I giggled, climbing back in and grabbing him quickly. I kissed him. Just once. Blushing and laughing like an idiot, I pulled away to see that his want-eyes had returned.

“Love you,” he said.

And that’s when I realised; Theo’s always said it first. And I’d only said it back because of The Game…

I still needed to think about all of this, but right then I was too happy to care about the consequences of those words.

I blushed, staring into his eyes. “I love you too.”

Who knew (who cared) if it was a lie or not? Not me. Not anymore.

I scrambled out of the car awkwardly, closing the door and running through the rain, up the steps and into my house. My heart was still fluttering… okay calm down!

I smiled. No. Cut it out.

Hugging Theo’s coat close I practically skipped all the way to my room. Time for some art and some music. But sitting in my room, at my desk, is Julie. She was staring down at my sketchbook, at the drawing of Theo.

And she’s scribbling it out with a marker.