As Theo watched Mrs. Dunbar drive away in her nice sports car, he could not help but turn back to Liam, who was staring longingly at his mother as she drove off. Theo had remembered that Mrs. Dunbar had told him she and her husband would travel a lot, but he did not realize that meant leaving their son home alone for days on end. Theo may not have had a big house or nice car, but he had a mom who loved him and was always there for him. For the first time ever, Theo actually felt bad for Liam.

After finishing his work, Theo noticed that Liam was sitting out by the pool. Theo placed all the equipment back in the shed and walked over to the pool area. Liam must have heard him, because he turned to Theo and asked, "Can I help you?"

"Well actually," Theo paused for a moment, trying to figure out how he wanted to say it. "Your mom told me that part of my job would be to complete any miscellaneous tasks at their request. You are technically my boss, so that extends to you too. If you need anything, just ask." Theo was trying to extend a hand of friendship, knowing it must be heard on Liam being home alone all the time.

"I know," Liam snapped back bitterly.

Theo took the hint and nodded, "I was just letting you know. I will be on my way."

Liam nodded in response, his face less angry, which Theo took as Liam's way of apologizing for his rudeness. Theo then grabbed his things before walking off the property and to the bus stop.


Not much had changed since Theo had begun working at the Dunbar mansion. Liam's parents still weren't home and Liam did not acknowledge Theo at school, nor did he speak to Theo at his home either. Theo had started to believe that the brief discussion they had on the first day of work was just an anomaly and probably would not happen again. This did not, however, stop Corey from trying to pry into Theo's business about his job.

"What's his room like?" Corey asked Theo while they sat together at lunch.

"I work outside, i have only been in the house one time, and I did not go into his room," Theo laughed a bit as he ate his lunch. He had been working for there for a little over two weeks now, and everyday at lunch with Corey was the same.

"Well, has he atleast spoken to you again?" Corey asked him curiously.

Theo shook his head, "No, he usually just comes home from lacrosse, and goes inside, doesn't even make eye contact." In honesty, it kind of bothered Theo that Liam did not acknowledge him, at work or at school. Theo knew that he was the help, but ever since that first day, Theo thought maybe there was more to Liam. However this lack of communication proved to Theo that Liam was that same asshole Theo always thought he was.

"Well I guess it doesn't matter," Corey responded, disappointed from the lack of drama or romance that Theo had to report. "Its Friday and we should have some fun. Movie night?"

"I can come after work, its hedge trimming day," Theo chuckled and nodded to his friend.


Theo was working to get the hedges done quickly, because the dark clouds suggested that rain was on the way. If he finished this task early, he knew he could leave, and hopefully be at Corey's for movie night before the rain started to pick up. When Theo was finally done with trimming the hedges, he checked over everything one last time in order to make sure everything was all set before he left. He then checked his phone and noticed a notification saying that Beacon Hills was issued a "severe thunderstorm warning". Theo quickly began getting the equipment back in the shed so he could hurry to Corey's place.

After locking up the shed Theo turned around and saw Liam right there, and almost collided with him. "Oh sorry, I didn't even hear you come out here. Is there anything I can do?" Theo asked him, praying the answer was no, so he could be on his way.

Liam stood there silent for a second, and Theo noticed he was different. This was the Liam that Theo had seen on his first day of work, not the asshole Liam that Theo normally say. "Um, we are supposed to be getting some bad storms," Liam said simply.

"Yeah, we have a warning, which I why I was hoping to be able to leave early just this once," Theo replied, hoping Liam would get the message and let him leave, but also, Theo was concerned about Liam's behavior at the moment.

"Actually," Liam said and paused again, it was clear to Theo that Liam was nervous about something. Liam looked at the sky, and at a large crack of thunder, he jumped a bit. Then Theo understood, Liam had anxiety about storms, and he would be all alone when this storm passed through.

Theo did not want to cancel movie day with Corey, nor did spending all night with Liam appeal to him, but the way Liam was acting concerned Theo. He could not just leave Liam alone here. Liam was proud, and Theo knew it would be hard for Liam to ask Theo to stay, so Theo decided to ask himself. "You are right, it seems the storm is almost here, it would be dangerous to leave. Could I stay here?"

Theo noticed a change in Liam's expression, it was not a smile, perhaps it was shock, or relief, or both. Liam then nodded, "Of course, safety first, come on in."

"Thanks for looking out for me," Theo said as he followed Theo inside. He texted Corey telling him that he would have miss movie night, and he texted his mom to tell her where he'd be staying.

In honesty, it was lucky that Theo did stay at the Dunbar mansion, because only a few minutes after they got inside, the down poor of rain began, accompanied by large sounds of thunder.