Theo woke up the next morning to the buzzing of his alarm clock. He sighed a bit before getting up and turning his alarm clock off. Today was the day, after school Theo would start his new job at the Dunbar residence. He didn't know if he was excited, dreading it, or indifferent. It really depended on what it would be like once he got there.

Theo sat up, and stretched a bit before getting out of bed. He walked into the bathroom and began his morning routine. Shower, brushing his teeth, etc. Once he was dressed and ready to go he walked into the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast for the bus ride. As he was grabbing a granola bar he almost dropped the box when he heard his mom say, "Good morning Theo." He could tell by her voice that she was annoyed by something he did. She had that 'I am mad but we won't talk about it' tone, which was probably the worst punishment Theo could imagine.

"Good morning mom," He said, trying to be cheerful to lighten the tense mood, "I won't be home until later today."

She sat down at the table and began reading her newspaper. Without looking up she replied to him coldly, "Because of work? At the Dunbars?" Then Theo knew why she was in this mood. His mother did not want him to work for the Dunbars, or any of the families. She wanted more for him than that.

"Yes," he said simply as he rummaged through the fridge to find stuff to make his lunch with, "You should be happy, I can finally buy you a mother's day gift thats actually worth something."

His mom slammed the paper on the table making a semi loud noise that made Theo turn to look at her. "I do not want a mother's day gift Theo, I want you to better off than I am, and that means not working for those people. You don't need this job, just wait, when you graduate you can go to a trade school and get out of this damn town."

Theo sighed and sat down at the table across from his mother, "Mom, that is still possible. I haven't ruled anything out yet, but I want some extra money, and maybe with enough money save, I could actually afford community college."

Theo's mom nodded a bit, it was clear she still wasn't happy, but she had accepted it. "Fine, but if your grades start slipping, you're quitting. Now you better go, you'll miss the bus. I love you."

Theo nodded, and was glad that was over. The war wasn't over but he'd one this battle. He stood up and hugged his mom, "Love you too, ill see you later." He then grabbed his backpack and rushed out the door.

Later that day, at lunch, Theo sat down at his usual table alone. He wasn't popular, but most of the time people did not mess with him because he was quiet. Thats not to say he didn't have friends, but most of them had better friends. Theo sat there silently eating his lunch before Corey, his best friend, joined him at the table. "Geez, we need to get you a girlfriend or boyfriend, this whole moping in the corner thing is just pathetic."

"You're hilarious Corey, really," Theo said and laughed a bit. Corey was Theo's best friend. Corey was one of the rich kids at school, but he did not act like it, Theo and Corey had been friends since elementary school and have been like brothers ever since. "Who do you suggest anyway?"

Corey smiled as he thought for a moment, "Well you can't have mason, because I already have dibs on mason." Theo laughed a bit and nodded, Corey has had a crush on mason ever since Theo could remember. " What about a senior? Stiles maybe, or Malia? You could go to prom with one of them!"

Theo was bisexual, and most people at the school knew that, and they were accepting of it. "Isn't Stiles dating that one guy who graduated, like, forever ago? And, well, I give Malia a maybe." Theo teased. Corey was always trying to set him up, so might as well play along.

Corey smiled then he looked over to then entry of the cafeteria and smiled, "But none of those compare to your old middle school crush, Liam Dunbar." When Theo played lacrosse in middle school, he had gotten know Liam a bit, and had a small crush on him, but Corey was the only one who knew that.

"No, we will not bring up middle school again," Theo said and looked as Liam and his girlfriend Hayden walked in to the cafeteria and took their usual seat at their table. "Besides, that was before he was an asshole."

"I am just saying, you work at his house now, rumor has it he and Hayden are on thin ice, the pieces are just falling together," Corey laughed and shrugged a bit, "be open to it at least. You will be at his house everyday! And I mean, look at you, he will see you outside working and stuff, theres no way he won't fall for you."

"Corey, shut up," Theo teased and then finished his lunch, "There will be no Theo and Liam, I am sure he won't even pay attention that I'm there."

After school Theo made his way to the Dunbar Mansion by taking the city bus. He had changed into more working friendly clothes in the bathroom of the school just before leaving. When he arrived he went to the shed where all of the supplies and tools were, and there was instructions written by Mrs. Dunbar laying out exactly what needed to be done and when.

Theo was no stranger to yard work, so as soon as he read the instructions, he got what he needed and got to work. About two hours later, while he was in the front lawn, Theo saw a nice sports car pull into the driveway and he saw Liam get out, probably coming home from lacrosse practice. Theo kept his head down, and just kept working, like he was supposed to do. Do not speak, unless spoken to. He was surprised when he heard Liam's voice, "You working here now?" Liam asked curiously.

Theo looked up and nodded, "Uh, yeah I am, just the yard work and stuff." Theo was unsure how to address this since Liam's parents were his boss, meaning Liam was kind of his boss to.

"Oh, wow." Liam said simply. Theo could tell a sort of pity in Liam's voice, which he despised. Theo did not want pity, but still it was odd to hear such an emotion come from Liam. "You're best friends with Corey right?"

Theo was caught off guard by the random switch in subject, but he nodded because he liked talking about Corey more than Liam pitying him. "Yes, we've been best friends since elementary school."

Liam nodded, "I thought so, I know more about Corey than I'd like, considering Mason is like, obsessed with him." Liam then laughed a little bit.

"Well tell Mason to make a move because Corey is obsessed with him to," Theo responded and smiled a bit at Liam to. However, Theo was mostly confused on Liam's attitude. He was much different than Theo had ever seen him, almost shy and timid, but why?

Liam smiled and nodded, "Well I better head in." Theo nodded to Liam, and then Liam began to walk to the door. Before Liam reached the door, it burst open, with Mrs. Dunbar rushing out, while talking on her cell phone, in some language Theo didn't understand. Italian maybe?

When she and Liam crossed paths on the side walk, she covered her phone, "Honey, theres an emergency and I am needed in Milan for a bit, I will be home as soon as I can." She kissed his forehead then rushed off to get into her car and drive away.

Thats when Theo understood. He now understood why Liam was different at home. It was because Liam was alone most of the time. Liam was still an asshole, but Theo couldn't help but feel sorry for him.