*sorry, only just saw your message, feeling kind of hungover so I'm just going to chill at home today, see you in class tomorrow:) *

"Ugh!" I threw myself onto my bed. Why is this so confusing? I'd rather Theo spoke about what happened instead of us completely ignoring it.

I decided to text him, I said I'd send him my timetable so that's exactly what I'm going to do.

I took him a minute to open my snap but when I did I go to two in return, one with a smile across his face with a thumbs up, labelled *looks similar to mine*, the other a picture of his timetable, most classes at the same time as mine.

Looks like we can avoid conversation but not each other.

We snapped normally that evening while I packed my school bag and ate dinner.

I was lay in bed when my phone began to ring and every fibre of my body prayed it was Theo. But it wasn't.

"Hey." I answered.

"Hey, I've just left work and I'm passing by your neighbourhood in five, do you want to get ice cream or something?"

"Sure, let me get changed and I'll meet you out front."

"Cool, see you then."

"Bye." I hung up the phone before throwing it onto my pillow. Shit, shit, shit. Part of me regrets saying yes but the other part is excited. I stripped out of Theo's clothes and changed my underwear, soaking myself in perfume before putting on a soft blue t-shirt and jeans.

I brushed my hair through and grabbed my phone and purse before rushing down the stairs. "Zo! I'm going out for ice cream, I'll be back in half an hour."

"Be safe!"

The door closed behind me and I made my way to the entrance of our estate to wait for him, and seconds later he pulled up in a blue Toyota. I'm no good with makes and telling the difference so I didn't mention it.

I opened the door and climbed in beside him.

"Hey."

"Hi, how are you feeling?"

"A lot better, I just needed a few hours rest this morning."

"Glad to hear it." He smiled. He had a black hoodie on over his work clothes, his work pants full of mini tools.

We pulled out of the estate and down the street to a small shop called 'Lacey's' that sells ice creams, pancakes and waffles.

"What's your favourite ice cream?" I asked him as we made our way into the shop.

"Guess."

"Vanilla?"

"Am I that predictable?"

"Mhm." I nodded.

"You're definitely a chocolate person."

"How'd you know?"

"Wild guess." We walked up to the counter and he ordered us two ice creams. "You ready for tomorrow?"

"Yeah you?"

"Yeah."

I can't deny, the conversation is dead. He's so nice but all we have to talk about is school. He refused to let me pay and we sat down outside the shop on a small pink bench.

"Have you talked to Joey since?"

"Nope, no word, probably grounded again."

"Shit."

"Yeah, I'll probably get the full story tomorrow."

"What classes do you have?"

We exchanged timetables and I have a couple classes with Matt as we finished off our cones.

He told me about how he was considering joining the sports teams but nearly every topic we discussed my brain found a way to relate it to Theo. Fuck.

"I've been talking all night, tell me about you. What's your favourite things to do?"

"I like art and design, I do volleyball um... I'm not that exciting really."

"I think you are. I think there's a lot more to you than what meets the eye."

"I'm not sure if there is."

"Will you give me the chance to find out?"

My eyes met his and my body stung but I couldn't find the words to speak. Instead I found the strength to nod slightly. Butterflies are stirring in my stomach and I feel like a nervous little girl.

We kept eye contact as his hand reached for my face, holding my cheek as he leant forward. I closed my eyes and filled my mind with everything Theo has taught me. I felt his breath against my lips and I prepared myself just to be interrupted by his phone ringing.

"Fuck- sorry."

"It's fine, you should get that."

I let out a sigh of relief as he let go of my face. Saved by the bell?

I don't understand, 12 hours ago I wanted him to kiss me, I wanted to kiss him. But now I don't? But I do... I think.

"Hey, you ok, man?" He stood up from the bench and walked a few steps away. "No I left about an hour ago, I'm at Lacey's... I'm kinda busy right now... sorry mate- haven't seen it... yeah... ok, see you later- yep, bye."

He came back over to me and I stood up to meet him. "I'm so sorry about that."

"It's fine don't worry, I think I should get home now, I told Zoe I'd be back about half an hour ago."

"Sure, I'll drop you back."

You could cut the tension in his car with a knife. We stayed quiet and I tried not to flinch when his hand met my thigh. His fingers rested heavily and I glanced down at his veiny hands covered in wristbands and bracelets.

"Thank you so much for tonight." We pulled up outside my house. It's still light outside but the street lamps are on now.

"No problem, I had fun." He smirked, his hand falling to the seat as I climbed out of the car.

"Me too, drive safe."

"See you tomorrow."

I mentally beat myself up as I walked into my house. I should try it with Matt, he's nice and smart and attractive- I can actually be with him, so why am I letting Theo cloud my mind? He's my best friend, just that.

"Who'd you get ice cream with and why didn't you tell Theo?"

Zoe sat accusingly on the kitchen island, sipping on a glass of white wine. I barely had a chance to close the door before she was jumping down my throat.

"The poor boy I thought you were getting ice cream with came knocking for you, wondering if you wanted to get hot chocolate. I told him you went to get us ice cream because something's up if you didn't tell Theo about it."

Theo came over? He wanted hot chocolate? Or did he want to talk about what happened?

"It was last minute." I slouched onto a chair across from her. "Matt texted me, he was in the area so we just got ice cream. I was going to tell Theo after."

"Mhm alright. What happened with Matt then?"

Zoe turned from my mother to my sister in a second as I talked her through what happened.

"...And he almost kissed me but then his phone rang."

"Shit- So close, Cam. At least you know he's into you."

"Yeah." I nodded on the outside but I'm not sure if that's what I want anymore...