Chapter 7
Again, I don't own any of these characters
Cody and Bailey finished up the dishes and went back into the living room to relax. As they sat back on the couch, Bailey laid her head on Cody's shoulder.
"This feels nice..."
"Yeah, it does."
"Cody?"
"Yeah, Bails..."
"I've been thinking..."
"About what?"
"Maybe there is something we can do about Theo..."
"I'm all ears."
"Well, Mr. Tipton said if we ever got into any trouble to give him a call..."
"Yeah, that crossed my mind too..."
"If Theo has so many resources, maybe we should fight fire with fire..."
Cody sighs. "I know that makes sense, but I'd prefer not to..."
Bailey looks up at him. "Why not?"
"Bails, we've only been on our own for about a month now. I'd feel like I failed if we had to run for help this soon..."
"Failed what?"
"My job of taking care of you..."
"Cody, you do take care of me. You always have. Do I have to mention Tokyo and everything with Moose?"
"That was different though..."
"How so?"
"We were still in school, but we still had Moseby and our families to fall back on. But now, I'm your fiance and future husband. We're out on our own now, and I should be able to take care of us..."
"But aren't you the one when dealing with Moose was ready to use all of the resources at hand including using Mr. Tipton's capabilities?"
"I know. But to me, that was different. I mean, if I can't take care of this now, what happens in the future when we have kids? If I can't take care of my family when its just you and me, why should I think I will be able to then?"
"They will have us both to take care of them. And its not just your job to take care of me. Its my job to take care of you too. Its our job to take care of each other."
"That's all I'm trying to do, Bails..."
Bailey looked into Cody's eyes. "I know you are. And there is no one I trust with my life more than you. I know you would do whatever it took. But I also know you are smart enough to know when you are in over your head. Cody, there's no shame in asking for help when you need it."
Cody sighs. "I know. I guess I'm doing it for my own self confidence so I know I can do it. It may sound macho or I'm doing it to prove I'm a man, and there may be some truth to that. But Theo was a bully that I never stood up to. I was very non-confrontational and didn't want to rock the boat. But, now, he's already rocked it and I don't want to back down again. I know it probably doesn't make any sense..."
Bailey smiled. "It makes sense to me. Its kind of like how I was with the hurricane. I let it get to me at first because of the tornado, but I had to make myself deal with it..."
Cody smiled. "Thank you for understanding...That's one of reasons I love you so much. You get me."
"And you get me too. But remember, I was able to overcome the hurricane because I had you there to help me. And I'm here to help you too. We're a team, remember."
"I know...and an unbeatable one at that."
Meanwhile, across campus. Max has walked into the outdoor cafe and taken a seat at an open table. She ordered a hot beverage from the waitress and pulled out her textbook to do some studying. If Theo is anything like she thinks he is, he will be unable to resist approaching her. So, she just focused on the textbook in front of her.
Soon, her gamble paid off.
"European History, huh?"
Max looked up and saw Theo standing on the other side of her table. She smiled. "Yeah, one of those pre-requisites I have to take..."
"Don't you just love those?"
"Every Tuesday and Thursday..."
Theo laughs. "I see you are by yourself, may I join you?"
"Please..." She grins. "Anything is a welcome distraction from the Hundred Years War..."
"I'm not sure if I should be offended by that or not..."
"Your choice..."
"I think I will give myself some time to decide..."
Max could definitely see how some people would think he was a charmer. If she didn't know what a disgusting creep he already was, she thought she could have fallen under his spell herself. But, she knew exactly who he was and continued to play along.
"That sounds so...Yale. Not rushing to a judgment and giving yourself the time to find out the truth..."
Theo laughed. "That's why I'm here. So, where are you from?"
"Philly..."
"Boston here originally..."
Max decides to try something and sighs. "There's more of you here?"
"I take it you've met more of us?"
"Just a couple and they have gotten on my nerves beyond belief..."
"Well, we aren't all that bad...I promise..."
Max thinks to herself that he is definitely one of the bad ones. "If you say so..."
"May I ask if you caught any names? I may know them."
"No, just met them in my orientation group. One is a blond guy, kind of tall. The other is a blondish brunette girl who talks with a country accent. Neither one would shut up!"
Theo nods. "I think I know exactly who you are talking about."
"Friends of yours?"
"Of course not. Personally, I'd love to get rid of the both of them..."
Max sighs. "That would be nice. Turns out they're in one of my classes too. Both constantly ask the professor questions..."
Theo smiles. "Well, if there is any justice in this world, we'll both be done with them soon..."
"From your lips to God's ears..."
Theo laughs. "I like that..."
Max smiles. "Well, I am here at Yale, aren't I?"
"True. You know, I haven't caught your name yet."
Max pauses. "Lex. Well, really Alexis, but I hate that name..."
"I know how you feel. I was named Theodore after my grandfather, but went by Theo when I was younger. But now, I prefer to be called Teddy..."
To be Continued...
Author's Note: If you haven't read Senior Year, this chapter may not make the sense it should.
