“Hey boyfriend!” I called out, skipping over to him and his friends.

Theo grinned at me but his friends just stared like I’d lost my mind. And yeah, I have. I was a freaking mess but what else is new?

“We haven’t met,” I said to, was it Lee and Jack?

“James,” the other boy told me.

“And I’m Lee. You’re Ravina Dobs right?”

I nodded, “Yep.”

I looked back up at Theo. He was staring at me with his hands in his pockets. It was our second official day together, and bitch I was making it all up as I go. The literal only fun part was that I knew Theo was doing the same thing. It was pretty great. I could make fun of him all I wanted in my head and he was none the wiser.

He kept smiling at me, then suddenly came over to throw his arm around my shoulder.

Theo looked back at his friends as if saying, she’s with me. Lee and James shared a look with each other and then awkwardly walked away.

I glanced up at Theo who was almost crushing me with his arm.

“What are we doing today?” He asked, staring down at me with a half smile.

I nodded. I’d already thought about this and yes, I had quite the plan.

“You’re coming to my house after school,” I told him.

Theo raised an eyebrow and I smirked. I’d shocked him again.

“I am?”

I nodded, “Yes.”

Then his arm was sliding down my back to my waist and he pulled me closer.

“Think you’ll get lucky or something?” He said, his smile infuriatingly cute.

Theo’s smile was so cheesy. I mean, it was beautiful, but really obvious. I only actually liked it because his eyes softened when he smiled. That made it seem more genuine than it probably was. The Love Game was getting to me a bit more than I thought it would…

I forced myself to smile back at him.

“Think you will?” I teased.

Theo laughed and shook his head at me, but his eyes were dark and sparkling with something that I was discovering was unique to him. A certain kind of glow that made him truly enchanting.

I’ll admit it, that dark, soulful gaze did something to me. It wasn’t that I liked him, hell no, he was still a cheater. Not my type. No it was just the fact that someone was staring at me that way. To a girl like me, that look is irresistible. I must try drawing his eyes someday-

Ravina. Focus.

I was determined to win this, and I must already have a head start. Theo Kim was clearly interested in me or why would he even agree to do this? Nobody was that bored.

“I gotta go,” I said to him, but he was still staring at me.

My heart raced as I realized what I should probably do.

Maybe he wouldn’t like it? Eh, screw it-

I reached my hand up to wrap around the collar of Theo’s jacket. He could tell what was happening, and before I could stand up on my toes he was leaning down. Our lips met softly and instead of last time, this time Theo kissed me back.

Just keep your eyes closed, it’ll be over soon…

What the-

My face was getting hot. Shit that’s awkward! I pulled away first, shocked at my reaction.

God damn him, he was right. I was just as susceptible as he was when it came to The Game. Not that that existed, of course not. We were a real couple. Duh.

Ahh! My brain was starting to ache… I could feel the migraine coming on and it didn’t help matters that Theo was straightening my backpack on my shoulders as if he’d done it a million times before.

“I’ll text you my address,” I said to him, managing to make my voice come out normal and not like a mouse squeak.

I started to turn away, and then suddenly-

“Love you.”

I stopped dead in my tracks as if someone had pressed the pause button. Blinking in surprise, I tried to calm my breathing. Yeesh! Just pretend he’s your mom, pretend he’s your mom that you’re saying goodbye to on the phone…

“Love you too,” I forced out.

Walking away, I realized that I really had to get my shit back together before Theo showed up at my house later.

Come on, what the hell Ravina? You’re stronger than this! You’re a badass chick that don’t need no man and you can spend one month of your life flirting with some crazy guy! It shouldn’t even matter that he’s… like… really hot. Or a good kisser.

I made it through the rest of the day without even thinking about Theo once. Good job me! Unfortunately there are only 24 hours in a day, so school ended eventually and then I was once again faced with The Love Game Conundrum. Hehe, that’s what I should title my blog. If I had one. Which I don’t.

Anyway, Charlie was skateboarding in the driveway when I got home and he grinned at me from facedown in the grass as I walked past.

“Math?” He mumbled.

Shaking my head, I went to open our always unlocked front door.

“Not today Charles.” I smiled, swinging my backpack off my shoulders.

My brother was now attempting to skate down the incline of our driveway on his belly… I debated warning him about the potential danger, but figured this might be one of those lessons-to-be-learned that adults are always preaching about, so I let it slide. LOL, get it?

“If you see a guy my age with black hair show up, gimme a shout.” I told him.

He gave me a thumbs up. “Sure, who is it?”

Currently my #1 problem…

“My boyfriend.” I sighed dejectedly, stumbling into the house and closing the door behind me.

Alright Ravina. It’s time to get your acting on!

Twenty minutes later Theo still wasn’t there… I knew he’d gotten my text. Hmm, maybe he was just screwing with me and this whole thing was a prank. That would be novel.

I started pacing nervously around my living room, until I heard Charlie suddenly shriek from out front.

“BOYFRIEND!”

Like a character in a slap-stick, my hand went straight to my forehead in sudden obvious horror, as I remembered that Charlie Darwin Dobs is eight years old and has the brain to mouth filter of a drunk monkey.

I ran out front, the door swinging wildly behind me as I raced to lessen the emotional damage that was about to occur…

But what did I find? Truly, a sight to behold and not one I ever thought I’d see.

My little baby brother in his puffy blue coat, pushing Theodore Kim down the street on a miniature skateboard. That’s what.

Wow they were going fast-

“Charlie!” I called, my hands going to my hips in that familiar older-sister-rage.

They were down the street a ways and I figured when they saw me they’d walk back with their heads hung in shame. Nope, not even close. Charlie let out a giddy laugh as he ran even faster, pushing Theo towards me.

I realized I was smiling. Like a mirror effect of the grin on Theo’s face-

“Careful!” I cried, gasping as Charlie tripped over his shoelaces.

Oh for crying out loud…

Charlie tumbled into the grass in our front lawn and lay there panting and giggling. Theo managed to lose his balance at the exact same moment too, and I watched as he fell, catching himself with his hands out and rolling onto the sidewalk. The skateboard continued on and then stopped as soon as it crashed into the wheel of Theo’s car parked on the street.

Both Charlie and Theo were staring up at the sky and laughing like idiots. No need for me, why don’t you two date-

“Ugh.” I saw Theo wince as he sat up.

I blinked, and before I had anything useful or cute prepared to say to him, I was standing on the sidewalk and scanning him for broken bones…

Theo squinted in the sun as he stared up at me.

“Hi,” he gave me a thin smile.

Charlie finally ceased giggling long enough to jump up and give Theo a high-five.

“Ravina your boyfriend is awesome!” He gasped, staring at Theo with childhood wonder.

“You’re lucky neither of you died,” I sighed, reaching down.

Theo took my hand and I hauled him to his feet.

“Well…” he shrugged, showing me his palms.

Ouch-

“What?” Charlie bounced over like a puppy.

When he saw the dusty red scrapes on Theo’s hands he went pale. Oh. Charles-

I put my hand on Charlie’s blond head and turned him to look at me.

“Hey can you go get me a water bottle and the first aid kit?” I asked.

Poor Charlie looked so worried, but he nodded attentively and ran off into the house.

I smiled and glanced at Theo.

“Charlie pretends he’s tough but he can’t stand the sight of blood,” I clarified.

Theo dusted his hands off on his pants and I grabbed his wrists with a hiss-

“Hey! Don’t do that, you’re bleeding.”

“It doesn’t hurt.”

I pointed at the curb. “Sit,”

I think Theo had figured out by then, it was better not to argue with me. Smart boy. He did what I asked. Charlie came back in record time, no doubt worried about his new best friend. Stung just a bit to think about how disappointed my brother will be when Theo stopped showing up in a month….

“Bye!” Charlie waved.

Theo smiled and waved back. “See you Charlie,”

Charles ran back inside, no doubt moving on to his next distraction.

I frowned and sat down next to Theo with a sigh.

“Here,” I reached out and he gave me his hands. “This might hurt.”

I slowly poured some water over them, letting it wash away the dirt and some of the blood. It wasn’t too bad, but see, this is why I don’t skateboard. Or play sports. Or go outside-

“Your brother is funny,” Theo chuckled as I dabbed off the water with some gauze.

“All I say is hello and suddenly he’s telling me you refuse to date anyone who won’t play with him.”

Charles Darwin you shall pay…

“Sorry about that.” I blushed.

Theo smiled. My head spun.

“No, it’s great.” He grinned, shaking his head.

I stared into his dark eyes a second too long and felt my heart start beating faster…

“You’ll be fine,” I gestured at his hands. “But no more trusting eight year olds.”

“Thanks,”

I stood up and he followed me.

Theo seemed a little hesitant about just barging into my house so I decided I might as well try to make him more comfortable, after all he’d never fall in love with me if he was nervous all the time.

“You can just leave your stuff here,” I gestured at the couch.

Theo nodded, setting his bag down neatly. Part of my subconscious stirred and I half wondered if within that bag he still kept his cheat sheet. Sigh. Better not.

I took him back to my room and closed the door behind us.

“Truth or dare?” I asked him, falling ungracefully onto my bed like a starfish.

I don’t care. This is my space. If I can’t be myself here, Earth itself might as well be a lost cause.

When I flipped over to look at him, Theo just blinked.

“You wanna play truth or dare with me?” He asked, as if I suddenly told him I wanted to see him naked.

I shrugged. “Like you said, we don’t know much about each other.”

And you said you like games….

Theo was standing there awkwardly, so I moved some stuff around and told him he could sit in the beanbag chair I’ve had since I was nine. He looked hilarious in it with his crazy long legs. Bonus.

I heard my mom’s door open. She was across the hall from me and Charlie next door. How mom hadn’t heard us all in the front yard screaming was beyond me, but maybe she had her headphones on…

“I pick-” Theo started, but then I heard a knock on my door.

I jumped up and went to open it. I never really had friends over, well except Julie but even she didn’t come over very often. Mom knew I liked to keep my room sacred.

She smiled when I opened the door.

“Don’t worry about dinner tonight honey I’ll-” she began, but then she saw Theo sitting in my room.

Mom’s eyes went wide and her smile became a full on supernova. Okay, wait. Please don’t actually embarrass me Claire…

“Oh!” She exclaimed. “You have a friend. He’s a boy.” She whispered to me, as if I didn’t have eyes.

“No mom it’s Julie, she’s crossdressing as a man today.” I deadpan.

I wasn’t sure if Theo could hear me-

My mom smirked like she knew the punch-like to a joke that hadn’t been told to me yet.

“Okay Ravina,” she smiled. “Friends are fine. But leave your door cracked please.” She said, walking away.

I left it open slightly and then turned back to the boy in my room. He still looked awkward. It was friggin gold. Theo Kim was nervous! How cute…

“Just my mom,” I explained, jumping back on my bed and kicking my shoes off finally.

“So, truth or dare? Surprise me kid.” I sighed.

Theo suddenly frowned. “How old are you?”

“June 11th 1998,”

He blushed. Hah I win!

“October 21st ‘99,” he smiled shyly.

I bit back a grin. Yeah whatever… kid.

“Okay,” Theo shook his head, his hair falling into his eyes. “Truth.”

I leaned back to stare at the ceiling… better start easy.

“Siblings?” I asked him.

“Sister,” he replied. “Emma. She’s older, already moved out.”

I nodded. “Okay, your turn. I pick truth.”

Theo pursed his lips together, thinking.

“Favorite color?”

I twirled a strand of my hair between my fingers and gave him a look that said he should have already guessed by now.

Theo smiled, “Black?”

“Wow, a true genius.” I teased.

Theo just smiled. “Alright, truth again…” he said.

“What’s your favorite class?”

He shrugged. “Does track count?”

“Oh right, I forgot about that. How long have you been running?”

“Only a year and a half. Mostly just do it to relieve stress. Sometimes it’s the only thing that helps.”

“That’s what music and art is for me,” I smiled wistfully.

Theo sat up a little. “Do you draw?” He looked genuinely interested.

I felt myself blush. “Yeah…” I glanced away from him.

My fingers were fiddling with my shirt. Ugh, I was getting twitchy. Must multitask! There’s that Gemini energy-

And, thus, my plan…

“That’s really cool. I couldn’t draw to save my life.” Theo smirked.

“Not even a stick figure?” I said, getting up and going over to my desk where I’d left my sketch book.

Theo watched me as I grabbed it and then turned to him-

The book flew out of my hands and onto the floor near his feet. He reached down and picked it up. I’d put a paperclip on the edge of one of the pages and I knew exactly which one it had opened on.

He peered closer at the page and I suppressed a small cheer of victory when I saw his face turn red. Theo’s eyes widened a little and then he looked up at me.

“Ravina, what is this?” He blinked.

The book was open to the page where I’d drawn him. No, not the stabby-drawings. I assumed that would be more of a turn off. It was a portrait of him. I’d worked hard on it, he looked handsome. I used color for his dark brown eyes but everything else was pencil. Amazingly, I’d managed to remember what he looked like with no reference photos.

“You weren’t supposed to see that.” I mumbled shyly.

I hoped I sounded shy and not like I was activating my evil plan…

I tore my sketchbook out of his hands and quickly slammed it shut, tossing it on my bed and out of his reach. Don’t look at my drawings, I don’t want you to know I’m thinking about you.

Theo stared at me and swallowed. Hehe, yes! I made myself blush on purpose by holding my breath for a few seconds.

“Ravina…” he said, as if my name is the only thing he could remember.

Theo was leaning forward in the bean-bag chair. He still looked ridiculous. A tall guy like him, stuffed like a giant foot in a tiny sock… but I don’t know, suddenly there was something about him that made me pause.

Oh yeah, it was his eyes again. It was the look he was giving me, that intense beautiful one where I wasn’t sure if he wanted to kiss me or tell me a deep dark secret.

I mean I’d prefer the kissing…

Hang on, what? Wait-

Theo reached out. I held my breath as he grabbed the edge of my sweater and tugged, so that I didn't have any choice but to stumble forward towards him. As his eyes still viewed me with what I could only describe as intense curiosity, he managed to draw me so close I lost my balance and actually tumbled into his lap-

Get away, I wanted to shout. Stranger danger!

But suddenly, it wasn’t just that I was playing a game with him. It was that I actually genuinely wanted to see if I could stay. Could I really do this?

Not love him. I mean, ew. And that wasn’t an option anyway, but Theo was looking at me with want-eyes and I think I actually was curious what would happen if I let myself give in a bit.

My door was open but I could hear my mom in the kitchen still. Let’s just pray she doesn’t get curious about what I want for dinner…

My hands had just naturally fallen on Theo’s shoulders. I was sitting practically on his knees, and I realized that while he was super tall and skinny- lamp post- he was also pretty strong too.

“Did you seriously draw me from memory?” Theo asked out of nowhere.

He had both of his hands around my waist and I decided I didn’t hate it. I mean, I was kind of stunned because I sorta liked it.

I blushed and this time it was real. Ok, my plan went to plan up until now. I guess I hadn’t expected him to be so impressed. Or whatever this is.

I shrugged. “Yeah,”

“You’re very talented…” Theo said softly, but it felt out of context.

We weren’t almost laying on each other because he wanted to have a serious conversation about my art skills. Nah. Dude was staring at my lips, and despite feeling confident that I was obviously winning The Game already, I also kinda maybe wanted to kiss him just ‘cuz. I mean he was freaking adorable, and he was here, and he clearly wanted it too… so I did. I kissed him.

Unlike earlier, where I’d pulled away from fear before we’d even had a chance to figure anything out, this time I let go a little. And it was wow. Theo wasn’t just a great kisser, he was god damn superb! Great score, eleven out of ten, award winning-

I had no idea where my mind had gone but I let it go, I let it all go, because he was kissing me and his hands on my waist were pulling me closer.

My fingers had somehow drifted into his hair, and for a second I wanted to laugh because I used to think kissing was something you had to do in a relationship, not a grand event worthy of beating baseball as the national pastime…

I sighed. Theo made some sort of gasping/groaning noise in his throat that caused my heart to nearly leap from my chest. Well damn, that’s a sexy sound-

Frick. We’re positively making out, my blood beginning to boil as my breath came in short gasps. I needed to pull back, pull away. Stand up and sort through these traitorous feelings. I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay here forever, in the warmth and the taste of him…

I felt Theo’s eyelashes flutter against my cheek and for some reason, that single sensation was the trigger that had my rational brain careening back into my skull.

I sat back, dropping my hands from his hair suddenly.

It took a few moments, but Theo blinked his eyes open slowly, and then I almost smiled because he was smiling. If I had smiled I would have been completely fucked.

Can’t let on that I actually liked that!

So instead, I looked away and focused myself on breathing. In and out, in and out. Calm yourself-

“Ravina?” He said, and I nearly melted back into his arms because his voice was deeper…

“Yeah?” I squeaked.

I risked a glance back up at him and saw he was trying desperately to hide his smile. My heart warmed in a way that almost felt real, like he’d lit a match and held it up to my bare skin. Theo blinked a few times, looking like he was searching for the right words.

“Ravina, I really hope you did that because you wanted to.”

I ended up nodding as I stared into his eyes that I swear, were now a hundred times darker.

“I did,” I admitted shyly.

Let’s be upfront about this at least. Consent is important…

Clearly it was what Theo wanted to hear because he sighed in relief and slumped back into the chair. I just stared at him… well fuck. Now what?

Theo’s lips twitched like he wanted to keep going, but then he smiled like he was highly amused with me.

“Truth or dare?” He asked.

I did smile that time, “Truth.”

I moved to sit on the floor next to him, and we continued to play for an hour like we were super comfortable with each other. Like we’d been together for years.

Neither of us chose dare. Not once. I think we were both too afraid of losing ourselves to The Love Game.

I decided then and there. No more kissing. He was just too… talented.

Score, Ravina: 2 Theo: 0.5