“A bit? It would be a nightmare.” Paige would no doubt try to get rid of me somehow. I have no desire to compete with her over something I could never have.
Stephanie’s eyebrows rise as she looks at me intently. “Should anything interesting happen, I need the full scoop.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. My plan is to avoid him until he moves out.”
“Good luck,” Stephanie teases. “Knowing him, he’ll make it as hard as possible for you.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Think about it. It must be his first time living with a girl his age. He might make a move.”
Doubtful, but despite my best efforts, I can’t quite keep the smile off my face. Unpredictability is one of Theo’s defining characteristics, which more often than not worries me—but sometimes it excites me.
By lunch, I’m starving and ready to dig into my sandwich in the farthest corner of the cafeteria, with minimal Theo interactions. But of course, as soon as Stephanie, Ian, and I settle down, Theo approaches our table, stirring a bewildering mix of dread and anticipation in me.
“Can I join you?” he asks.
“Absolutely not,” I snap. “Go away.”
“You can sit here,” Stephanie says, then goes over to sit next to Ian on the opposite side of the table. I know what she’s up to, and it’s not going to work.
I turn to Theo. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you—“
“Thanks,” he interjects, sliding into the seat beside me.
I scooch away from him, but he follows until I reach the end of the bench.
“So,” Stephanie says, bracing her arms on the table. “How is playing house?”
I glance around us to make sure no one heard before glaring at her. Is she out of her mind? Help me get rid of him, not strike up a casual chat. “You don’t have to answer that,” I say.
Theo looks at me, then at Stephanie. “It’s fine. I feel right at home.”
“Wait a sec!” Ian’s face turns pale like he’s seen a ghost. “You guys live together?”
I shoosh him, looking all around me to make sure no one’s heard. “Are you crazy? I’m trying to keep it secret.”
Ian’s eyes fly wide. “How did this happen?”
I lean in. “His family’s staying with us until their house is all fixed up.”
“We’ve had flooding issues,” Theo chimes in.
“Why are you even here?” I hiss at him. “We’re not supposed to be seen together.”
Theo shrugs. “Who cares. We’re just hanging out.”
Theo’s choice of seating clearly did not please Paige and the rest of the Queen Bees, who saunter over to us with narrowed eyes. This is exactly what I was trying to avoid.
Paige crosses her arms, her gaze fixed on Theo, who never looks back at her. “Why are you sitting withthem?”
Theo doesn’t flinch. “Actually, we’re childhood friends. Our dads are old college roommates.” To my shock, he drapes his arm around my shoulders. “We’re staying with Chrissy’s family until the repairs are complete.”
My jaw drops as the tables around us fall silent, and everyone looks at us as if we had declared our engagement. Paige looks stupefied, like the news hasn’t yet registered.
I wiggle out from under Theo’s arm. “Oh, look, lunch is over!” I grab my tray, tilting my head several times to let Stephanie and Ian know it’s time to bounce.
As we rush out of the cafeteria, I look over my shoulder to make sure Paige isn’t following. She just stands there, listening to Theo as he most likely explains the situation in greater detail than necessary.
