"Your dog did what?"

I scratched the back of my neck bashfully, my eyes on the black lab's polished, shiny eyes and wet nose, his pink tongue hanging out of his mouth. He was laying on a metal table in a clean, white room, the walls furnished with glass cabinets holding a multitude of medication. Milo was watching me expectantly, waiting patiently for an explanation. "The neighbours were having a barbecue so he tried jumping over the fence and ended up landing...landing on a toddler and...and they both rolled into the pool and I think his leg's broken."

Milo's brows shot up in surprise as he suppressed the urge to laugh, "Right." He replied, biting his lip.

"It's okay, you can laugh." I sighed in defeat. "He's an idiot."

Milo chuckled, his eyes drifting between Bugsy and I. "As long as I've got your permission."

"Is this gonna cost a lot?"

Milo tilted his head to the side in contemplation, "Yeah, probably. We'll send the bill to your parents, we've already got them on the system." He glanced down at his watch, "My Mother should be here soon. She'll fix him up, don't worry."

"L-Luca?"

We both spun around at the sound of the door creaking open. I smiled warmly at a shy looking Theodore, wearing one of his usual baggy jumpers, a box of supplies clutched under his grip. "Hey." I greeted politely.

"W-What're you doing here?" He asked, fiddling with his sleeves after dropping the heavy box onto the worktop.

I jerked my head towards my dog, his tail wagging frantically as he licked Milo's hand. "My dog...he, uh..." I wanted to laugh just thinking about how absurd Bugsy's accident was. "He's just a little clumsy." I said.

Theodore scratched Bugsy behind the ear, then glanced back up at me with those big green eyes of his, "At least he's cute, right?"

"Teddy, what are you doing here anyway?" Milo interrupted, "It's your day off."

"Dad wanted me to d-drop off some stuff." He responded shyly.

"Well, get out of here." Milo shot back, "You too, Bakker. Your dog's in good hands."

"You're sure I shouldn't stay?" I asked, messing with Bugsy's floppy ears.

"Nah. You can pick him up in a couple of hours. Go do something with Teddy while you wait-"

Theodore blushed violently, "Y-You don't have to-"

"Sounds great." I chirped. "C'mon." I didn't wait for a response before giving Bugsy one last scratch and turning on my heels, leaving Theodore with no choice but to follow me. "What'd you wanna do? I think there's a bowling place round the corner or a-?"

He tugged on my sleeve, pulling me back before I could leave the store, "L-Luca, you don't have to do this." He told me softly. "M-Milo just...he thinks I-I need friends, but seriously, you don't-"

"Do you?" I rose a brow, "Need friends, I mean."

He looked down at his feet, and shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know, I-I just...I..."

"You turning me down?" I asked sarcastically, changing the subject, "You don't wanna hang out with me, is that it?" I teased.

"What...? No! N-No, it's just that...t-trust me, y-you don't want to spend your time with m-me-"

"And why not?" I challenged, my arms folded tightly over my chest as I waited for an answer that didn't end up depreciating his self worth any more.

"I-I just...people like you...don't usually hang out w-with people like me."

I rolled my eyes, dismissing his comment and pushing down the feeling of guilt growing in my chest. He really thought that? "Stop that." I snapped, realising just how angry his words had made me. "Stop thinking that because people have treated you like shit, it means you deserve it. You don't, alright?" I demanded roughly. "So, where do you want to go?"

He watched me, dumbfounded, his eyes wide, his fingers fiddling with his sleeve in agitation, "B-Bowling sounds g-good." He squeaked out quietly as the pair of us finally left the shop. I felt that familiar feeling of guilt crawl up my throat for snapping like that, but I couldn't help it.

I'd never before had a problem with sitting at the sidelines whilst bullies did their job and 'nerds' did theirs. I had my own job; football, jock, popular kid. Whatever. But recently, my entire viewpoint on the school's cruel food chain and the messy set of rules relating to social status, had changed. I didn't want to stand by and do nothing any longer. Theodore needed help, I gave it to him. It was about respect and decency. And yet, people treated it as some weirdly out of this world gesture.

We didn't bother driving as the bowling alley was just round the corner from the store. It was uncomfortably silent between us, so once we reached our destination, I couldn't help sighing in relief.

It was sweaty, hot and stuffy inside. Arcades singing, little kids running and overpriced food being sold at the grotty cafe. But neither of us seemed to mind the dim lights and cheesy loud music as we made our way up to the front desk. I paid the blonde girl, ignoring Theodore's plea to pay half and she directed us towards the last lane, pushed up cozily against the wall.

"You any good?" I teased, fiddling with the scoreboard as I typed our names in.

He shrugged, "N-Not really."

I grinned, picking up a smooth, heavy ball, and handed it to Theodore. He stumbled back at the sudden weight, hugging it close to his chest so he didn't drop it. "You go first." I urged him.

He gulped, his cheeks colouring as he walked forward, towards the thick red line. I grinned as I watched him, falling back onto the metal bench as he cradled the ball before swinging his arm back and tossing it onto the smooth, hard wood. It wobbled as it rolled, knocking down three of the pins, the rest vibrating but remaining upright.

"Not bad." I chuckled, watching as the score appeared on the scoreboard. I then grabbed a different ball, a bright green one with larger holes.

He laughed faintly, "P-Pretty bad." He corrected.

I shrugged as I held the ball to my chest, swapping positions with him. The ball fell from my grip, rolling smoothly down the lane, knocking down all but one pin. I smirked, turning around triumphantly as I glided over to Theodore. I grabbed his wrists, pulling him up from the metal bench, "C'mon, you got this."

He laughed as he grabbed another ball, walking shakily back towards the red line, "I-I haven't bowled in years." He admitted.

"Here." I mumbled, moving to stand behind him, my chest pressed against his back. He tensed and I realised just how small and delicate his frame was. "Put this foot out." I instructed, my voice a little strained. He did as told as I helped him guide the ball in the right direction. My breath was fanning across his neck, my fingers lingering over his skin, his scruffy white hair falling into my face. He released the ball and it tumbled down the lane, knocking down every single pin. I leant back, smiling widely at him, "Hey, you got a strike!"

He blushed again, taking a small step away from me, smiling gently, "You got a s-strike." He laughed lightly.

I rolled my eyes, "Too modest." I mocked.

We finished the game through laughter and chatter, mostly conversing about light topics. I made sure to steer clear of any subjects relating to school, his bike or the so called rumours Milo had mentioned. Once we finished the game, we settled at one of the small, sticky tables at the cafe as I grabbed us a large pizza to share. Theodore, once again, tried to pay, but I insisted.

"Hey." The girl greeted me at the counter, twirling a strand of purple hair around her finger, "What can I get you?" She asked, smirking as she leant over, exposing her chest through her low cut shirt.

My lips parted, my eyes falling involuntarily to her cleavage, "Uh...a pizza please." I coughed awkwardly.

"That all?" She giggled playfully, her eyes scanning me hungrily. "You know...I get off in half an hour." She whispered huskily.

I was about to agree before my mind was tugged back to Theodore, waiting for me. I sighed heavily, "Sorry, I can't."

Her brows twitched up in surprise as she glanced over my shoulder, her eyes landing on the blond boy, "You gay or something?" She questioned bluntly.

I frowned, "What?" I snapped. "No."

She rose her hands in surrender, "Hey, I don't judge." She declared, turning around to deal with my order. I was about to argue when she turned round and spoke again, "It's just that most straight guys don't cuddle their friends while they're bowling." She teased.

My eyes flew wide open, my entire face turning a violent shade of crimson, "Well, that...I...we were..." I struggled. She was right. I was acting weirdly recently, especially around Theodore. I barely knew the kid and he was turning me into a completely different person. I wasn't sure why I'd touched him like that, it was like I couldn't stay away from him. Like I needed to feel him, touch him, maintain constant physical contact with him.

"That'll be eight pounds ninety nine, please." She requested smugly.

I grumbled as I dug my hands into my pockets, pulling out a ten pound note. After she handed me back my change, I headed back towards Theodore. "Sorry I took so long." I sighed, falling into the hard, plastic chair opposite him.

"Th-That's okay." He smiled, his green eyes drifting behind me, "Do you know her?"

I shook my head, "Nah, she was looking for a hookup."

His eyes widened a little before he forced his gaze onto his lap, "Oh." He acknowledged. "W-What did you say?"

I snorted, "What'd you think?" I asked sarcastically. "I'm here with you."

"Oh." He said again, smiling.

"Hey, I don't know if this is really rude to ask, so feel free to not answer, but...have you always had that stutter?" I started curiously. I'd been wondering ever since I met him and the words just fell out abruptly.

He looked taken aback as he watched my interested expression, "Uh...n-not always." He gulped. "S-Some stuff happened and...I-I don't know, apparently it effected my c-confidence..." He informed me nervously. "I-It's kinda stupid."

I nodded along, already starting to regret asking him such a personal question, "I don't think it's stupid." I pointed out, my mind whirling with possibilities. He must be referring to these rumours Milo had told me about. My curiosity only grew further. "It makes sense." I continued. Your stutter's actually kinda cute.

The purple-haired girl appeared before our table, placing a box of pizza between us, "Enjoy your date." She grinned, walking away before I could even try and justify myself.

I turned to Theodore, "She only said that because I turned her down." I explained hastily, making sure not to freak him out.

He just chuckled, nodding in understanding, "Sure."