Thea

I can hear some of my classmates groaning at the gibberish that's on the board. If you're curious, look up Discrete Structures online, you'll feel the same that way we all do right now.

I do my best to absorb and write down all the information Doctor Leonard is droning on about when my phone vibrates on the table with a text, interrupting my train of thought.

: Kari texted about movie night at your place. You going to be home for it?

Movie night? Oh shit, I completely forgot about it. Kari mentioned wanting to plan a little thing last week but I've been too busy trying to catch up with my school work.

My heart races at his message and my palms get sweaty. It's been a few weeks since I've crashed at his place and we've hung out a handful of times. He's never made me nervous in the past but it's like a switch has been turned on in me.

It's not necessarily a bad nervous, more like an excited nervous. Butterflies tickle my stomach whenever I so much as get a text from him and although I feel giddy spending time with him, I know in the back of my head that nothing would ever happen between us.

We just made up for christsake, there's no way anything could happen. It feels just like old times when we're together (minus my growing attraction for him).

Like putting on that old, comfy, familiar sweater for the first time when the first chill hits in the fall. The sweater might be a little worn out, but it's just as comfy as it was the year before.

One of my biggest concerns is getting a little too attached to him. I told myself that I would never allow any man to destroy me the way Zach did. I've already been emotionally intimate with him and I trust him with all my secrets. Adding anything physical to us could mess up our friendship and I can't lose him again.

It feels like the universe is giving us a second chance and I don't think I can handle another emotional meltdown.

Despite all this, I still find myself being so drawn to him. I just need to have that mental boundary and not show that I'm attracted to him or things will get weird. I checked him out that one time during out impromptu sleepover but that was when I wasn't in control. Now I am (kind of).

: Totally forgot about it. What time are you and the guys coming over? Invite Maddox and Dani if they don't already know! c:

: Kari said to come by around 8 and will do. See you then, T

I get through the remainder of class looking forward to tonight when Professor Leonard switches to his final slide that shows homework that is due tomorrow afternoon. I sigh like the rest of my classmates. I swear, I can't catch a freaking break. I just submitted an assignment for this class yesterday (when we didn't even have the damn class) and now he's making something due tomorrow? I have to work tomorrow afternoon.

I check my phone for the time even though I already know it's going to be around 7pm. This class is suppose to end at 6:45 but of course he went over time today to surprise us with another assignment.

Great, I won't even be able to watch the movie now. I'm a little bummed out since this is our first little get together with our old group since the end of freshman year? Beginning of sophomore year? can't remember but it was basically when Zach and I first started dating and I was "allowed" to hangout with my own friends.

Sisi's evening class was cancelled today and I ended up driving to campus on my own so at least I don't have to worry about her waiting for me.

I make my way to my car, ear buds in and listening to music when I spot a group of people in my peripheral. Subconsciously, I turn my head to look over at them when I realize it's the lax team and some of their groupies making their way most likely to the school's cafeteria.

My body automatically goes into fight or flight mode and I floor it out of their way, speed walking to a bench, pretending to find something in my school bag to avoid any eye contact.

I'm digging through my bag when I hear a very distinct voice in the group and I swear I feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest in fear that he spotted me.

"Yeah, of course I fucked her. She's easy pussy. Didn't stop me when I was with Thea either."

The dinner that I ate earlier feels about 2 minutes away from coming back out. God, Zach is disgusting. I've semi gotten over the fact that he has cheated on me for the majority of our relationship but hearing the way he's speaking about another woman makes me feel sick to my stomach. I hate myself for being with someone so sickening.

One of his teammates (probably Chase) although I can't really tell from this distance makes a comment and they all roar into laughter. I wonder if it was a comment about me? My eyes get misty at that humiliating thought. I take a deep breath and walk the remaining distance to my car trying to remove those negative thoughts from my head. Who cares if they said something about me? Fuck them.

I do my best to stay strong but I was so deeply hurt from the situation that it's difficult to separate myself from the humiliation. I know it's not of my fault but I'm still a little insecure over the whole thing.

Before getting home, I stop by a local grocery store to pick up some snacks and popcorn for everyone even though I'm unable to enjoy it with them.

I paste on a fake smile before walking into the house. I don't want anyone to know that I almost bumped into Zach and that I overheard his horrible words.

The smell of pizza wafts in from the kitchen and I realize that most of our guests are here despite it being a little earlier than 8. From the different voices, it sounds like they're all dispersed in my small home.

"Hey, Thea." Devon says with a small flick of his chin and grabs my grocery bag from my hand

I'm actually surprised to find him here, I figured he would be avoiding Sisi. Then again, she's probably preoccupied with Cleo and another friend she invited over for tonight.

"Hey guys!" I greet everyone in the living room with a smile although it feels like a grimace now. I'm sure I'm overdoing it but I don't want to be a night spoiler.

Devon carries my snacks into the kitchen when Will walks into the room from our bathroom.

He comes up to greet me with his charming grin but one look from my face and he frowns. I swear the man can read me like a book and knows all my subtle emotions that I try to hide. It's only been a mere few weeks and he's been able to jump right back into knowing me so well.

"What's wrong?" He asks

"Nothing. Just tired. I'm a little bummed out too. I have some homework that I need to get done since I have to work tomorrow so I won't be able to watch the movie with everyone tonight."

His facial expression gives off that he knows that's not all of it but I do my best to reassure him.

"Seriously, I'm fine. Stop worrying about me and go enjoy the movie. I'll be in my room working but I'll come out as soon as I finish." I say, while poking him in the stomach

"If you wanna feel my abs, you can just ask." He responds, trying to lighten my mood

I roll my eyes, "If I want to feel some abs I can go to any of the other men in this room. I've seen Quinn shirtless, he's stacked." I say jokingly

"That's right, baby! Come to me anytime you want!" He shouts from the other side of the room

Will's eyes darken for a moment. Was that a little jealousy I saw? But it's over in seconds and he tugs on my ponytail playfully. He may be able to read me easily but it's the opposite for me. I can only read him in certain situations.

"I'm way hotter than Quinn and you know that."

"Yeah, yeah." I say, waving my hand in a whatever motion.

In my mind, I know he's right.

Moving to the kitchen to steal some pizza and candy, I then make my way upstairs to get my work done.

About an hour into working on my assignment, I hear a light knock on my door.

"Come in!" I yell without looking to see who it is

I'm almost done, I just need to check my formulas again then I can submit my work.

For a moment I'm so lost in my math problem that I forget someone's in my room until I feel a large presence and two arms trapping me between my desk and body. There's only one person who would feel like they can step into my personal bubble like this.

"You almost done?" He asks, while his body presses up against my back and he looks over my head to see what I'm doing

Tingles spread through my body and I forget which problem I'm on. I'm in a little Will cocoon and I would die to just lean my body into him. Feel him press his face into my neck kissing all my sensitive spots. But I can't do that.

Doing my best to sound unaffected by his presence I say, "Almost. Maybe another 30 minutes or so."

I get back to work when I feel his large fingers playing with my hair. I swear I almost moan as I feel him pull my pony tail loose and comb through it, massaging my head. If I didn't know any better I would think he had a thing for my hair.

"So, you gonna tell me what bothered you today?"

His fingers still trail through and I'm grateful that he's not able to see my frontal view or he'll notice my hardening nipples poking through my shirt. My panties dampen even more when I feel his breath at the back of my neck. Fuck, one touch of my clit and I'm gonna go off like a fucking rocket ship.

I clear my throat when I realize that I've been silent for too long.

"I told you, I was just bummed out that I couldn't hang out with you guys today."

I avoid eye contact by finishing up my work and hoping that he believes me.

Unfortunately, he steps away from my space and stops playing with my hair. I mourn the feel of him against my back when he abruptly pulls my chair and spins me around to face him. His arms are crossed and I'm immediately ready for confrontation from him.

"Try again, Chan. I'm not leaving until you tell me what's up."

I can see in his stern face that he's being serious.

My shoulders droop in response.

"I saw Zach and some of his friends today on campus. I overheard him say some really nasty stuff so it just messed with me. I'm okay now though, I promise."

Will's eyes harden in anger. I bet if I gave him the go, he would take Devon, Quinn and Maddox with him to take out the lax team. The anger that he has for me makes me feel a little better, like he's taking off some of the weight on my shoulders. I would never put him into any situation like that though. Especially one that could cost him his ticket to the combine.

He bends down to eye level with me placing his huge hands onto my cheeks.

"You're amazing and beautiful, Thea. Don't let some loser who wants to spend the rest of his life partying away put you down. You deserve the world."

His tender words make the tears that I've been holding drop into his hands.

My lip quivers, "I can't help it. It's just so hard to get out of this mindset but I'm doing my best. The girls really helped me get out of that horrible fog that I was in and you help me so much too."

Once the tears start coming, they don't stop. More streak down my face as he uses his thumbs to wipe them away.

The torturous look in his eyes makes me feel like he's feeling my pain.

"I'm always here for you sweetheart. Now, let's dry up those pretty eyes and see if we can catch the end of the movie. Unless you want to stay up here?"

"No, I won't let him ruin the rest of my night. Let's go." I say, while wiping the remaining tears with my hands.

He places a heart stopping gentle kiss to my forehead that almost makes me break out into another sob.

"That a girl."

Remember what I said about not getting too attached to him? I think it's a little too late.

xxx

Hi friends! Over the past few days I've gotten so much love and support. I can't thank you guys enough for reading. Y'all really give me the motivation to write more.

What do you think of this tender moment between Will and Thea? The tension between them makes me want to scream. Anyway, till next time! Leave your comments and upvote if you liked this. Byeeee