The weekend came and went so it was back to work and back to reality for Theo. He and Liam barely acknowledged each other at school, and once again, it was just Theo and Corey at the lunch table. It seemed all was just as it used to be, all except one thing. Theo had been texting Cora Hale the past couple of days and the two were going to go on a date soon. Theo grinned as he ate his lunch, "I can't believe Cora Hale asked me out!"
"I can't believe you said yes," Corey grumbled and ate his lunch. Theo knew that deep down, Corey was happy for him, but Theo also knew that Corey still fancied the idea of Theo and Liam getting together eventually. "I am sorry," Corey continued," I am happy for you, really I am, but you have to admit this is weird. Just two days ago you were telling me how in love with Liam you are, now you are going out with someone else, I can't help but think that you are just going out with Cora to try and erase your feelings for Liam."
"First of all," Theo began as he looked at his friend who was sitting across from him, "I never said I was in love with anyone, he and I just kissed, thats all, and he is the one who initiated it. Second of all, Liam cannot like me back, he's straight, I am only fooling myself by thinking that we might have a chance together. And lastly, Cora is beautiful and so far seems really nice, maybe I'm not head over heels for her right now, but I can see myself liking her eventually."
Corey glared at his friend, obviously unconvinced. "You do realize everything you just said is bullshit right? First of all," He said in a tone to mock his best friend, "It doesn't matter who kissed who, the kiss happened and you know you felt something. Second of all, if he was straight why would he kiss you? And lastly... well I have nothing for that last part, Cora does seem very nice."
"Come on! The poor boy was confused and in a heightened state because of everything that happened. You weren't there, he was not thinking clearly, the kiss was obviously from the adrenaline rush of the situation, just let it go," Theo responded, trying to shut down any thoughts of something more.
"Fine," Corey grumbled then turned to look at the lunch table where Liam usually sat. His seat was filled, but not by him. In Liam's normal seat, the one next to Hayden, sat Nolan, one of the many preps in the school, usually seen as Liam's biggest rival. Corey narrowed his eyes to look closer, "Holy shit, she moved on fast. You would think she would need some time to process it, I can't believe she is already with someone else."
Theo turned and looked at the popular table, where his own sight confirmed Corey's statements. "Yeah that is odd," He replied, and his dislike for Hayden grew more. Liam cared about her, and yet she moved on so quickly after they broke up. His eyes then went to Liam, who was coming out of the lunch line, looking around for a place to sit like a lost dog. He glanced at his usual table, but it was full with no sign of accommodating him. He sulked away and sat alone.
"Mason must be out sick today. The timing is horrible, he does not have anyone to sit with. Come on, invite him over here, I won't say anything," Corey said to Theo, genuinely concerned that Liam was eating alone.
Theo nodded and turned to look at Liam, right before the two male's made eye-contact, their line of sight was blocked by someone who said, "hey handsome!" Theo looked up and saw Cora Hale approach the table and sit down next to him.
Theo smiled and made room at the table for Cora, "Oh, uh, hi, I did not know that you had lunch this period." Theo smiled at her before noticing another familiar face sit on the other side of the table, it was Stiles. "And I did not know you had this lunch either."
"Yes we do, we usually sit over in the back of the cafeteria, but I figured why not sit with you from now on?" Cora said and held Theo's hand. Cora was known around school for her case of resting bitch face, and for the fact that in her school career she is one of the best soccer players to ever attend beacon hills. She also had a nasty reputation of getting in fights with boys who would say or do something sexist.(She usually won those fights, and in honesty it only made Theo like her more) However, since he'd been texting her, Theo got to see a different side of Cora, a softer side. "This is Stiles by the way, he's kind of dating my brother, and none of his friends have this lunch period so I let him sit with me."
Stiles, with a handful of French fries in his mouth looked up at Cora, "I thought we were friends too?"
"Oh yes, of course we are!" Cora said and laughed a bit, with Theo joining in a bit at the end. Cora then turned to Theo, "So, we are still on for our date right? The night walk by the river?"
Theo nodded with a smile, he and Cora weren't dating, they were just going on dates to see how compatible they were, which could perhaps lead to dating. "Yes of course, when I get off work ill have to go home and change and then I'll meet you over there."
Theo was doing his normal Monday work at the Dunbar's, which mainly included trimming the hedges and making sure all of the pool furniture was spotless. However, many times when he'd show up, Mr. or Mrs. Dunbar would always leave a note, suggesting what more Theo could to to take care of the yard. In honesty, Theo did not mind, the job paid extremely well, and he wasn't doing anything to bad. When he was in the front yard, trimming the hedges, he heard the stereos of Liam's car and turned to watch the male park his car and get out. He offered a polite smile before Liam stopped to talk to him a bit. "I, uh, I saw you with Cora Hale at lunch today, and at the game on Friday."
Theo raised his eyebrow, confused about why Liam was even bringing this up. Perhaps he was curious, Theo knew that the richer families enjoyed gossiping about each other. "Yeah, we are actually going on a date tonight."
Liam nodded, with an emotionless expression, "Oh... Well if you needed to leave early to make it on time, I won't tell my parents."
Theo chuckled a bit, "Thank you, but I should have time," he replied and paused for a moment, "I heard that you and Hayden broke up, I hope everything is ok there."
"Its fine," Liam said and looked down, " Honestly, what you said really stuck with me, thats why I broke it off. I just wish that she hadn't moved on so quickly, thats all."
"Well its her loss," Theo said assuringly, "Besides, she's with Nolan now? I think she is just trying to get to you. He's a complete downgrade." Theo then offered a teasing smile. Liam chuckled a bit at the joke and then he walked inside.
Later that night, Theo had dressed in a semi casual button up with some black jeans for his date with Cora. He knew it was just a walk by the river, but he also knew that Cora always wore make brand. As he got off the bus, he smiled as he saw Cora waiting on a bench for him. "I am sorry I'm later than I meant to be, the bus was running late."
Cora stood up with a grin and laced her arm through Theo's as they began to walk together, "It is no problem at all, I understand." She continued walking before she looked over at him, "You clean up nice, but you didn't have to get all dressed up for me."
Theo laughed a bit and nodded, "I just wanted you to know that I am serious about us, thats all. Which reminds me, sorry we couldn't go to the movies like you had wanted, its just, money is tight right now at home and..."
Theo was interrupted by Cora, "Do not apologize Theo, the movies were just a suggestion but this idea was much better. I know you may think I am some type of way because of my family, but growing up with money only made me realize that I don't need money. I just need someone who I care about and who cares about me. I don't need fancy things or extravagant dates, I just want you." She then leaned in and kissed Theo softly. It was the perfect moment, a nice kiss under the moonlight, it was almost straight out a romantic movie. It felt nice to experience such a romantic and sweet moment, which was almost perfect. It was not entirely perfect because of the one thought that kept pestering Theo's mind. The thought that, no matter how beautiful this moment was, it did not give him the fireworks. The thought that this kiss did not gave him the same feeling that this was the start of the rest of his life. Theo was plagued by that though that, he'd rather be kissing Liam.
