Theo woke up at the shrieking of his alarm. Everyone else in the house was still asleep as it was still too early for them to have to get up. However, Theo had to get up and get ready so he could catch the bus to Liam's house. In what seemed like a groggy blur, Theo was ready, out the door, and on the bus without waking a single soul in the Talbot mansion. On the bus Theo's mind began to wake up and get flooded with everything that was happening in his life. His mind raced with thoughts of his first day in the Talbot house, and then about Liam's problems too. It seems like they've exhausted every option to get Hayden to come clean, and they have gotten nowhere. They may just have to cut their losses and wait for the child to be born.

As the bus stopped, and Theo got off to walk from the bus stop to Liam's house, he tried to push the negativity out of his head. There was so much going on, but none of it would be fixed with a negative attitude. As Theo approached the house, he could see Liam walking out the door, but his mom stopping him and handing him his lunch before hugging him. This made Theo smile, he was glad to see that Liam finally had his mom back.

Liam walked off the porch and smiled as he caught sight of Theo, "Good morning!" He said with a pure sense of happiness that Theo rarely saw from Liam. This only reinforced to Theo how much Liam's mom being back really affected Liam. Liam unlocked his car and tossed his back pack in the back, "Get in, lets go."

Theo put his back in the back as well, before getting in on the passenger side. "So, your mom made your lunch?" Theo asked teasingly as Liam put the car and gear and made his way out of the driveway.

His face flushed red slightly from embarrassment, "Yeah, she has been very attentive like that lately," Liam explained to Theo, "I think she feels bad for being so absent all that time. She is making up for lost time. Honestly, its just nice to not come home to an empty house." Theo nodded in agreement, glad Liam was finally getting the parent he deserved. Theo was still curious on Liam's dad, the almost mystical man that seemingly controlled both Liam and his mother, but he would not ask now. "Speaking of parents," Liam continued, "How was the Talbots'?"

"Weird," Theo confessed, but laughed a bit to ease the tension of his night there. He had told Liam about some of if, but not all of it. "Right after we hung up yesterday I got to talk to Brett and Lori. I know you don't like Brett, but they both seem very nice." It was still weird for Theo that Liam's lacrosse arch rival was now his half-brother. "You two probably butt heads a lot in lacrosse because his father has crazy expectations for both of them."

"I don't dislike Brett as a person, in truth, I hardly know him, but in lacrosse, he is my biggest competitor," Liam replied, and Theo noted how similarly he spoke about Brett, as Brett had spoken about Liam. "So I am glad that you like him, he is your brother after all, but I more curious about Mr. Talbot. What about him?"

"He was how he always is, but maybe he is just trying to scare me off," Theo replied. In truth there was a small part of Theo that thought behind closed doors, maybe Mr. Talbot was a good person, but he was beginning to think he was wrong. "He is like a drill sergeant with his children. He pushes them so hard. He even told me that I have to join a sports team if I want to be treated like his kid. So I guess I have to try out for something."

"You have to join a sports team?" Liam asked with a small laugh. "You're timing could not be better, because there is a new team being started up and they need one more member. So, you are guaranteed a spot!"

"And what is it?" Theo asked raising his eyebrow, curious as to why Liam had gotten all smiley all of a sudden.

"I will just have Lydia meet you at your locker after school," Liam replied, still with his mischievous grin.


After school, Theo waited for Lydia at his locker. He was still curious on what kind of team he was joining, and what Lydia had to do with it, but he trusted Liam. Theo saw Lydia approaching and he waved. She walked to him and waved for him to follow her, "We do not have much time, we are already late for practice!" They walked together in the hallways, but Theo was confused as to where they were going. "Jackson is going to be so excited, we needed three boys and three girls for our school to qualify for any tournaments, and now we have the third boy."

Theo nodded as he walked, glad that he could help a team qualify, he just wish that he knew what he'd be doing. "I am glad to help out, but what are we doing exactly. Is this something that Liam thinks I will be good at?"

"I do not know if Liam thinks you will be good at it," Lydia said and laughed a bit to herself, "But I definitely know why he suggested you do this."

Before Theo could question more, Lydia opened the door and led him to the school swimming pools. The pools were often used for recreation time or gym time, so that students could exercise in more fun ways. That was really their only purpose. Lydia led Theo to a group of four more people. There was Jackson, who had quit lacrosse because the pressure was not good for his mental health, but competitive as always, he probably formed this new team to give him something to do. Next to Jackson, and holding his hand, was Aiden, twin brother to Lydia's previous boyfriend Ethan, and Jackson's boyfriend. Then, there was Allison and Malia, who Theo already knew kind of well. "Guys, this is Theo. Liam had told him we needed a last member so here he is."

Jackson smiled and shook Theo's hand, "Nice to meet you Theo! Welcome to the swim team!"

The swim team?! Theo thought to himself Why on Earth would Liam suggest this? Theo thought. However he had already committed to Jackson and the team so there was no turning back. Besides, as Theo thought about it, it kind of made sense. The team was new and had the bare minimum members, meaning Theo did not need to be good to participate, he just had to be there. Besides, it was the cheapest sport, as the school even paid for the swimsuits, so Theo did not need to worry about money. Perhaps this could be fun, after all, he liked Lydia and Allison, and Malia, Jackson, and Ethan all seemed nice as well.

"So really, there are no requirements to be here other than showing up to practice and to tournaments," Jackson explained to the team. "I know we probably won't be great at first but if we work for it we can improve. Now, everyone, lets get in the water and see what we can do!"

As Theo went into the locker room and changed in to the swimsuit, he began to see why Liam might have been secretly loving that Theo would be on the swim team. The swimsuit was not a speedo, but they were not trunks either. Theo might as well have only been wearing super small, super tight, rubbery boxer briefs. He chuckled to himself, perhaps Liam was a bit naughtier than he let on.


After swim practice ended, Theo made his way to the parking lot, as Liam was his ride back to the Dunbar mansion, because Theo still had to go to work too. He walked over to Liam's car, but noticed that Hayden was standing near it, probably waiting for Liam to get done with lacrosse practice. Theo turned to walk away but he stopped when he heard her voice call out to him, "Why are you off in such a hurry?" His back still turned to her, he was frozen in his spot. He could hear her footsteps get closer to him. "Aren't you waiting for Liam? We can wait together." Theo turned around but said nothing to her, he did not really understand what she was up too. "Maybe you are right, take the bus home."

"And why should I do that?" Theo asked her and raised his eyebrow, knowing that he did not like what was going on here.

"Because your little game with him, is over," She replied and crossed her arms, staring daggers at Theo. "Your interference in my life has been nothing but a small annoyance, until now. You had Nolan come talk to me, trying to ruin my life with these crazy theories."

"Are they really that crazy?" Theo asked, he knew he should feel intimidated, but he was actually invigorated by the fact that Nolan had followed through. "I trust you know where babies come from right?"

She gave him a cold laugh, "You know, you are funny. I see why he likes you. See, we have a lot in common, you and I. I am funny too." She said and her smile vanished, as she gritted her teeth. "Here's a funny joke, but mind you, its a long one. Once upon a time there was a bastard, whose mother worked as the maid in a home where a beautiful young girl lived." Theo's eyes widened and his heart sunk at this. "Yes, thats right, I'll admit, it took me a while to figure it out, but then I realized, you both have a thing for going after taken men." Theo's mom had worked for the Romero's ever since the Hale house burned down, but up to this point, Theo tried to keep that separate from the drama with Hayden, fearing she may find out, but now she knows. "Any ways, back to the joke. The girl hated the bastard, and wanted to punish him, so she took some jewelry, slipped it into the maid's purse, before accusing the maid of stealing. After all, who were the cops going to believe? A worthless maid, or the wealthy heiress. Now, heres the real funny part, because of this, the maid gets fired, and goes to jail. Funny enough for you?"

Theo could not say anything, instead he just stood there with gritted teeth and clenched fists. What was he supposed to do? His mom was already lucky to have this job, and even if somehow she did not go to jail for theft, she would be hard pressed to find another job due to her connection with Mr. Talbot and even the accusation of theft, if Hayden ever went through with this. The rich families liked it that way, they got to keep all of the power. "Thats right, the Hale's can't protect either of you anymore. Stop talking to him, stop filling his head with ideas, if I so much as see you talking to anyone that isn't your pathetic sidekick, Corey, or those backstabbing bitches Lydia and Cora, than your mom gets a new home behind bars, and you get to live with your dear old daddy full time."


After the talk with Hayden, there was no way Theo could ride home with Liam or even go the Dunbar's today, so instead he took the city bus to the Talbot's neighborhood and texted both Liam and Mrs. Dunbar that he was sick and just needed to go home. His mind spun with the thought of his mother framed for theft due to his own actions. Her reputation was already ruined once, and was only saved because Thalia Hale hired her, but now Thalia was dead, and the Hale's were all but completely gone, leaving only Derek and Cora who remain. His mom was right. He never should have taken the job at the Dunbar's. He never would have fallen for Liam and gotten mixed up in this drama, and he could have lived the rest of his life not knowing that Mr. Talbot was his father.

He stepped off the bus and walked a few blocks to the Talbot mansion before noticing a familiar car in the driveway. He made his way to the front porch where he saw Mrs. Dunbar standing, in her usual bright colored sun dress with the matching sun hat. "Oh Theo, I was just about to knock on the door!" She said with a smile, and he noticed she was carrying something. "The mom blog I followed said its important to do nice things for you child's friends, so when i heard you were sick i made some chicken noodle soup and wanted to bring it to you." Her warm demeanor turned to sadness as she got a good look at Theo, "You're not... sick... are you?"

Theo shook his head, "No ma'am," He said softly, unsure of what to tell her about why he was not going in to work today.

She nodded slightly and everything was silent for a moment. It seemed they were both thinking about what to do next. Finally, Mrs. Dunbar broke the silence, "You're also not just friends with my son are you?" Theo did not have the emotional strength to deny it at this point, so instead, he just looked down. Mrs. Dunbar placed the soup on a table that was on the porch and hugged Theo lightly. "Thank you. For being there for him. Now that we are honest with each other, tell me what you really think of Hayden."

Theo and Mrs. Dunbar sat outside on the porch swing and Theo told her everything he knew. He probably should have left a few things out, but he told her every single detail, needing to get it off his chest. He was tired of the secrecy. He told her about the kiss, both of them for that matter, the conversation with Lydia, the gala, all leading up to his conversation with Hayden today. "She wants to get your mom arrested?" Mrs. Dunbar asked in complete shock.

"She said if she sees me talking to Liam or really anyone of his friends that she would plant jewelry in my mom's purse," Theo replied.

She nodded as she thought something over. "I will take care of this. In the meantime, do not stop talking to Liam, please. You should see how he lights up when he talks about you." Then, the sound of a car pulling up the driveway, drew their attention to see that Brett and Lori were home from school. Mrs. Dunbar stood up, "I should get going," She paused before turning back to Theo, "I do not know what Liam has told you about me, or his father for that matter. I do not blame him for speaking poorly of either us, but I want you to know, that I am telling you this now. I want my son with someone who makes him happy, no matter if they are male or female, or rich or poor. I would be overjoyed if he brought you home, as more than just friends."

Theo smiled, feeling a lot better after his discussion with Mrs. Dunbar. He did not know how she would handle this, but if she was anything like Liam, he knew she would keep her word. Meanwhile, Brett and Lori joined Theo on the porch, "Everything ok?" Lori asked him, "You seem a little down." Theo nodded to her and smiled, surprised either of them even cared.

"Come on Raeken, Lori and I were going to go for a swim out back, come with us," Brett told Theo was smile. He was surpised that Brett was being so friendly after last night, but it felt nice to come home and have these people care about him. He had felt so isolated at the Talbot home, even though was there for just a day. Perhaps it would not be so bad after all.

"I have had enough swimming for today," Theo replied and chuckled, "But I will go hang out with you guys."

This chapter is a mess, I know, but I just felt like writing! I know Hayden's threat seems out of nowhere, but it was in my original notes for this story, which I lost a while ago, but found a few days back. This was always the plan, but I apologize for not laying the proper foundation for it.