It was Friday night, the usual night for a lacrosse game. The school had been buzzing about it since the season started, because it was going to be against Beacon Hills' biggest rival, Davenforth Prep. Every year this was the most attended game, and it was the one most people cared about. Theo was not usually up for going to this game because of the large crowds, but Cora invited him and he could not say no to her. Through this past week Cora and Theo had been texting and talking non stop, they seemed to be inseparable, not that Theo minded. He was actually happy with her, and he felt this could be the start of a great relationship. The only thing he did not like so much was her friends. Cora was in the rich and popular crowd, meaning her friends included Lydia Martin, Allison Argent, and Scott McCall. It wasn't so much them he minded, in fact he and Lydia seemed to be forming a friendship, but talking to Cora's friends meant sitting with, going to parties with, and hanging out with the other popular people, including people like Hayden.

As the couple approached the stands, Cora caught sight of Lydia in one of the first rows on bleachers, popular territory, so Cora smiled and led Theo over to her. This was the first time Theo had ever sat in this section of the bleachers, let alone with most of these people. "Hello Cora, hey Theo," Lydia said with a smile to the couple. Theo was always impressed about Lydia's grace when around Cora. The whole town new Lydia has a thing for stiles, who is currently dating Derek, Cora's brother, but Lydia never seemed to take it out on either of them. Even though Lydia had feelings for someone she could not have, she always handled it with grace.

"Hey Lydia, where is everyone else? I figured they would be here by now" Cora asked before sitting down in front of Lydia, with Theo at her side. She looked across the massive crowd, "Damn, it seems like there are more and more people each year. No one ever shows up to the soccer games, even when we play Davenforth."

"Well you know, lacrosse runs this town," Lydia responded before looking across the field, "And you know all of them, they are to busy talking to their lacrosse playing boyfriends, promising them kisses, or perhaps more, if they pull out this win tonight. As if winning matters, the party afterwards is still going to kick ass."

"Lydia, do not even make fun of anyone," Cora said and laughed a bit, "You had a lacrosse playing boyfriend too."

"Jackson and I were not good together, trust me on that," Lydia replied and laughed a bit before she perked up and waved at Allison as she came over. "How is Scott? Is he nervous?"

Allison sat down next to Lydia after politely waving to Cora and Theo, "Well he is how he always is, which is honestly hard to understand," She said and laughed, "He is not so much worried for himself, but for Liam. Davenforth's captain always seems to have it out for Liam. He's hoping Hayden can calm Liam down before the game starts."

Theo furrowed his eyebrows as he listened to Allison speak, Theo had never heard Liam mention anything about Davenforth's captain. He was also shocked to hear the mention of Hayden, perhaps Allison was mistaken. Theo glanced across the field and was almost horrified by what he saw. He saw Hayden and Liam, talking together before the game, like they had always done. Theo normally did not get involved with Cora's friends' conversations, but he had to ask, "Wait, I thought Liam and Hayden broke up, wasn't she dating Nolan?"

"You know just as much as I do," Lydia replied, she was known by many to be the person who knows all the details, so it was shocking she could not explain this phenomenon. "This whole situation is odd, Liam and Hayden broke up for god knows why, she moves on to Nolan, but by the end of the week she's back with Liam. I guess when two people are meant to be together they find a way. But I really thought she and Nolan would stay together after.."

"Yeah I guess," Theo replied and stared at the field as they game began to start. Then, when he heard Lydia trail off, he turned around, "After what?"

Lydia smiled slyly and shook her head, "Sweet Theo, I don't open my mouth for just anyone. Some secrets, should just remain secrets."

Joining them on the bleachers was Corey, Mason, and Hayden. Theo tried not to speak to Hayden very much, if at all. He still had a bad taste in his mouth about her from the way Liam spoke of her. So Theo concentrated on the game, and he noticed one of the Davenforth players was constantly after Liam. Theo turned to the group, "Who is that really tall player who keeps knocking Liam down?"

"Thats Brett Talbot, captain of Davenforth Prep's team, arguably one of the best lacrosse players in the state. Thats why he hates Liam, who is arguably the other best lacrosse player in the state," Allison explained at they watched Liam's mood plummet. Theo could tell just by watching his body language that Liam was getting mad.

"Liam needs to calm down, before he does something that gets him thrown out," Theo said, his eyes still on Liam as he played.

"No he is fine, trust me," Hayden interjected as she too watched her boyfriend on the field.

Theo nodded a bit but mostly ignored her. Then he felt a tug on his arm from Cora, "That reminds me, I have been meaning to ask you, will you go with me the Talbot's annual charity gala? Brett's parents throw it and they are awful people for the most part, but the gala does raise a lot of money. You would not need to worry about a thing, just show up in something nice."

Theo smiled at the prospect of being Cora's official date to a formal event. Of course he was nervous, but he considered this moving to a new level in his relationship with Cora. "Sure I would love to!"

"You are going to the gala?" Hayden interrupted as she looked over at him, "Liam is not going to like that, considering that he and Brett are practically enemies."

Theo clenched his teeth and stood up, "Lucky for me, Liam isn't my keeper." He then began to walk away, "I am going to the concession stand."


Beacon Hills won the game, but it was close. Everyone was overjoyed, but in honesty Theo really did not care, he was just glad that Liam did not get thrown out or even hurt from Brett. Before leaving Theo was going to the concession stand one last time, when he passed Liam. He smiled a bit, "Good game."

Liam offered a small smile, which oddly enough, was the happiest Theo had seen him all night. "Thanks, I'm just glad I put Talbot in his place."

Theo chuckled and nodded at Liam, "Yes, you definitely did. Speaking of him, Cora invited me to his family's gala on Friday, will I see you there?"

Liam's face dropped as he heard Theo's news. Theo did not know what, but he could tell that Liam did not want him at that gala. "You shouldn't go, the Talbots are a horrible family."

"But its for charity," Theo replied simply.

"Just don't go!" Liam snapped back, getting a bit heated.

"Why does it matter to you?" Theo shot back. He did not like whatever game Liam was playing, like Liam would only be friends with Theo when Theo was mowing the lawn. Theo was used to dealing with this classist attitude but he did think Liam was different. Then Theo saw Hayden on the bleachers and he then knew why Liam did not want him there. "If this is about that night, I won't say anything."

It was then that Theo knew he did something wrong, because he could tell by Liam's face he should not have mentioned that. "Shut up. That was nothing, I don't care what you think it was!"

"Calm down," Theo responded, trying to cool down Liam's anger. "If I wanted to tell people, I already would have. I know it was nothing, and no one else will know, but what bothers me most from that night is how you talked about Hayden," Theo added, unable to believe what was coming out of his mouth. Why should he care who Liam dates? Why should he care if Liam is in an unhappy relationship? Liam chose to be with Hayden, so why did Theo care? "You said she did not treat you right, yet, here you are, back with her."

"You don't know anything," Liam said, his voice getting more angry and more powerful.

"I know what you told me," Theo snapped back and crossed his arms, he knew he should walk away because this wasn't his business. However, its like his body wasn't listening, and he stood there, continuing to discuss this with Liam.

"Exactly! But you don't know everything!" Liam was yelling now and slowly making his way toward Theo, "You don't know whats its like to grow up in a family like mine, to have a legacy to protect to have everyone's eyes on you! I have certain obligations, certain duties that my family and society expects of me. I have to be with Hayden because she is the one for me! But you can't understand that!"

Theo balled his fists as the two males were standing inches apart, staring at each other, "You are right, I don't understand what its like to put money and legacy over love and happiness, I am glad I don't know what thats like!"

Before the argument could escalate any further, Cora got in between them and pushed them away from each other. "Calm down! The both of you! Theo, come on, we are going!" She said and took Theo's hand, dragging him to her care. After they were in the solitude of her own care she looked over at him, "What the hell was that? I thought you and Liam were friends! Not to mention you work for his parents, he could get you fired! Theo, I know you need that job!" Her tone was a concerned anger, rather than an attack.

"I am sorry, I just got heated and he got heated, we both just escalated," Theo said and sighed, ashamed to have gotten in that state when Cora could see him.

"What were you two even arguing about anyway?" She asked him and grabbed his hand.

Theo shook his head and looked down, "It was nothing important, I promise, just... Guy stuff I guess you could say."


Later that night, Cora dropped Theo off at home, and he noticed the lights still on in his house. It was not like his mother to still be up this late, even on a weekend. Theo walked inside and saw his mom in the living room, "Mom, you're up late."

Before his mother could say anything, Theo saw someone jump out of the next room and yell,"Surprise!" When Theo saw who it was his face instantly lit up. It was Jordan Parrish, Theo's adoptive brother, well kind of. Only a few years older than Theo, Jordan lived in the neighborhood, but came from an abusive home. Though Theo's mom did not adopt him officially, Jordan ran away from his home and came to live at Theo's for most of his life. Therefore, Theo considered Jordan to be family. A couple of years ago, when Jordan graduated from Beacon Hills, he enlisted in the army and has spent a lot of time over seas, but apparently he was back.

"Jordan!" Theo said happily and hugged his brother tightly, " You're back!" It had been almost a year since he had seen Jordan in person, although they frequently wrote letters and video chatted. "How long are you back for?"

"However long they let me stay," Jordan chuckled a bit, "But I am more interested in what has happened with you. Mom tells me that you have girlfriend, a certain, Ms. Cora Hale" Jordan said with a grin, he and Cora's brother Derek were in the same graduating class and were best fiends, so Jordan knew Cora well, "I always had a thing for her myself, Derek always hated it."

"I am going to let you two talk," Theo's mom said with a laugh before beginning to walk out.

"Wait mom, before you do, I need to find something nice to wear, because Cora invited me to go with her to the Talbot charity gala on Friday," He told his mom but then saw her face visibly grow somber.

"Theo, you do not need to go to that," She told him with a serious expression, "The Talbot's are bad people, especially Mr. Talbot, always hiring young pretty maids then dismissing them when his wife finds out of their affairs. Thats the lion's den Theo, you should not go."

"So everyone keeps telling me," he sighed a bit in annoyance, but he knew his mom was tying to protect him, "But I already told her I would go, I can't just bail on that commitment."

"Enough serious talk, we can save that for the morning," Parrish said, lightening the mood, as if trying to avoid this conversation all together.

Thanks for reading, as always, feedback is welcome!