Teddy's POV:
I wanted Gwen to move in with me but I didn't want to pressure her. She wanted to take things slow and I was prepared to wait forever if she asked me to. But once we graduate, maybe even a little before, I wanted to be at least engaged. I wanted to protect Gwen a hell of a lot more than her parents did.
School came naturally to me. I understood the material but it just felt like endless studying. I studied when I wasn't with Gwen and I knew that by paying so much attention to Gwen, I was losing out on my schoolwork. I've been keeping a steady B in most of my classes. When Gwen left, I stayed up studying. I don't want to sound cocky, but I knew that I could get a job regardless of where I graduated from. Getting a degree just upped my chances of getting a higher paying job.
I was waiting for Gwen back at my apartment. She had a lab or something that she needed to finish so I sent Zack to pick her up.
"Yo Teddy," Mac knocked on the door.
"What?" I asked, not even bothering to look up.
"Vince and I are thinking of throwing a party at our place this Friday and-."
"No."
He shut my book closed, "Come on man. It's one night where everyone can cut loose. And who knows, you might even get laid."
Vince and Mac still couldn't understand why I was a virgin; especially by choice. I didn't think I was better than anyone, I just didn't want to make a mistake and knock a girl up and then have the burden of marrying someone I didn't love. I wanted the relationship my parents had. They argued sometimes, but which couples don't? Other than a few arguments here and there, they were still as obsessed with one another as they were when they first got married.
"I'm not going to force anything on Gwen. When she's comfortable enough, then she and I will discuss it; ourselves."
"Just let me know if you need a girl. I know a lot of girls who would more than happily..." Gwen's head appeared behind Mac.
"Hey Gwen," I smiled.
"Hey Mac," she eased by him uncomfortably, "Hey Theodore."
"I'll let you two lovebirds talk about whatever it is lovebirds talk about," Mac shut the door.
I pulled Gwen onto my lap, "How was your lab?"
"It was okay," she played with her hands, "You didn't have to send Zack to pick me up. He's your driver, not mine."
Rolling my eyes, I brought her hands to my mouth, "How many times do I have to tell you that what's mine is yours?"
"I'm just uncomfortable because I don't pay him, you do, or your parents do and they pay him to drive you."
"That's sweet and all but they don't really give a rat's ass, just as long as I'm safe."
She leaned into my chest, "Okay. How was your day?"
"A lot better with you here. I have some homework and notes to look over; you can stay and start your work."
"I don't want to get in your way," Gwen pursed her lips.
God, why was she so damn cute? I kissed her and melted. Her taste was intoxicating, I drunk it all in. Gwen's moan sent me into a frenzy. I leaned her onto my bed and stared into her beautiful green eyes.
"What?" she blushed.
"I got you a present for our three week anniversary," I told her proudly.
"Did you make that up? I've never heard of anyone celebrating their three week anniversary."
I walked towards my closet to pick up her iPhone, "Darling, I just love giving you presents. Can't you just accept them and kiss me?"
"It depends what it is," she eyed the bag.
I shrugged, "Guess you'll have to open it."
Cautiously, Gwen took out the tissue paper and then the iPhone. She looked at me in pure confusion.
"Before you say that I shouldn't have gotten it or that its too expensive or you don't need it, you should just kiss me instead of arguing with me. I'm allowed to buy my girlfriend nice things."
"This is too much, you're right, but I know that I need a cell phone; not necessarily this one though. I'd be fine with a track phone or something."
"You did need this phone because without it I can't text or call you to know that you're safe, we can FaceTime, and you can easily find anything you need or want on the Internet," I opened the box for her, "Now would you like me to show you how to use it? My number is already programmed into it, and so is Sabrina's."
Gwen's POV:
I hadn't planned on listening to the conversation between Theodore and Mac, it just happened. Theodore tried to defend the fact that we weren't sleeping together and like a good friend, Mac told him that he could do better. It was true, Theodore could do so much better than me. I didn't want Theodore to leave me for any slut that opened her legs for him because believe it or not, I really liked and cared for him.
Even Sabrina thought I needed to take a leap of faith in my relationship with Theodore. He needed more from me and I wanted to give him more but I was afraid of getting hurt. What if after I gave him all of me, he left me high and dry? I couldn't take heartbreak again.
Theodore looked so excited about his gift to me. I always wanted an iPhone and the thought of having one seemed so surreal. Luxury gifts were never part of my plan. Everything I bought had a purpose.
"Do you like it?" Theodore asked hopefully, "We can find another color or phone if you don't."
I kissed him, "I love it, thank you."
"Good, so have you found a place to live yet?"
He knew I hadn't. Every room on campus for freshmen was full this semester. Apartments off campus were way too expensive, even if I had a new. great paying job; I needed to save. Sabrina offered to go half and half with me but I knew that she loved hanging with her roommate and I didn't want to come in between that. Kaitlyn tried to get me to move back in, to see more of Theodore no doubt, and I told her over my dead body. These past few nights, I had been sleeping on Sabrina's floor and I knew that her roommate, Zoe, was becoming annoyed with sharing some of her own, personal space.
"No," I admitted, "But I need to find a place soon."
"Just move in with me already!" he begged, "I've already talked it over with the guys, they are more than willing to share their space with you."
"This is your guy pad, I'm not intruding. Plus, what if we were to break up? I wouldn't feel comfortable living with you still. And we can't forget the major problem of where I would sleep."
Theodore groaned, "You're making this more difficult than it has to be. You move in with me and regardless of if we were dating or not, I wouldn't kick you out."
"You say that now," I pointed out.
"Are you planning on breaking up with me anytime soon?" Theodore smirked.
"I haven't decided yet," I tried to act as if his smirk didn't make my stomach do back handsprings.
He grinned and captured me into his arms, "Oh really? What if I beg you to stay and tell you that I would die without seeing your beautiful face anymore. Please don't ever leave me, I don't know how I could go on."
Giggling, I tried to climb out of his arms, "Lemme go Theodore!"
"Not until you move in with me."
"Never."
A tickling war began, Theodore easily overpowered me. He pinned my legs down with his and used his hands to tickle the rest of my body.
"Say it, say you'll move in with me," Theodore tickled my stomach.
In between gasps of laughter, I said, "Alright, alright! I'll move in with you!"
Satisfied, he stopped tickling me, "Perfect, now we'll go and get your stuff then we can figure out sleeping arrangements."
"I thought you had to study?"
He shrugged it off, "I'm fine with whatever grade I get."
The guys packed up my room in less than an hour and a half. Kaitlyn was thankfully not there or the situation would have been more awkward. Mac, Vince, Zack, and Theodore's other bodyguard whose name I constantly forget, made moving look like child's play.
It wasn't until eight o'clock that I had everything situated in Theodore's room. He made space for me in his closet and drawers. Unlike most girls, I didn't have hundreds of clothes; all of the guys seemed genuinely shocked. I was sitting in the main room watching television while Theodore studied for his test. He needed his space but he refused to admit it.
"Are you coming to dinner with us Gwen?" Mac shrugged his jacket on.
Vince and Mac went out of their way to make me feel part of their group and I appreciated that.
"Thanks, I think I'll wait for Theodore though."
"You two kids have fun," Vince winked at me.
I could feel myself blush, much to their amusement. They walked out laughing at my expense. I walked into Theodore's bedroom to see how far along he'd come with his homework.
"-Well I can't wait to meet him during Thanksgiving, that's if you two last," Theodore said to someone on the phone, "Yeah, I'm sure. Tell everyone I said hi. Bye, I love you Phoebe."
He grinned at me once he saw me at the door, "Hey, what're you up to?"
"Was that your sister?"
"Yeah, she has a new boyfriend. His name is Blaine, he works for my dad."
I sat next to him, "Why don't you think that they're going to last?"
"Because my sister is crazy," Theodore laughed, "There's no way anyone can keep up with her."
"We'll just have to wait and see. How's studying coming along?"
Theodore set his books on the ground, "Fine, come here."
I crawled next to him and cuddled into his chest.
"I'm so glad that you're here," Theodore kissed my hair.
"Thank you for letting me stay with you."
A moment of silence.
"Gwen?"
"Hmm?"
Theodore pulled my face away from his chest, "Do you trust me?"
I nodded.
He smiled, "Sleep with me tonight," noting my hesitance, Theodore shook his head, "Not like that, just sleep in the same bed as me tonight. I like having you here."
"I don't think that's such a good idea."
"You're right, it's a great idea."
My boyfriend was a funny guy, "Fine."
"Your hair smells good."
I turned to kiss Theodore's neck, "You smell good all over."
He let out a small groan and tilted my head towards him. I let myself relax in his arms as I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back. Theodore's hands rested on my hips, lightly massaging them. His hands travelled under my shirt and cupped my chest. Okay, that was fine. We weren't doing anything wrong. I let Theodore climb on top of me, never breaking our kiss. From above, I could feel his breathing quicken as our kisses became more intense. Maybe I could do this, maybe I co-. Theodore pinned my arms and I tried not to flinch or overreact but it brought back bad memories.
"Shit," Theodore pulled away, "I'm sorry, I forgot."
I nodded.
"Gwen, look at me," he tilted my head towards him.
I stared into his warm, beautiful blue eyes.
"I'm really sorry, please don't be mad."
"It's alright, it's not your fault."
"Then whose fault was it?"
That was a good question. Over the years I had heard it was my fault, or my parents, or even a higher power.
"No ones, I'm fine."
Understanding that I no longer wanted to talk about it, Theodore cuddled me back into his chest, "You're lying but when you want to talk about it, I'm ready to listen."
