Things seemed to be going ok for Theo and Liam, all things considered. Hayden was now officially out of the way, and neither of their families of Theo and Liam's relationship, which was a good thing. In fact, their relationship had remained a secret from almost everyone, except a select few of their close friends, including Lydia, Stiles, and Cora, to name a few. However, Theo knew that he had been neglecting his friend Corey, and thought he should share all the details. So, before Saturday swim practice, he met up with Corey at the school.

The pool area was empty, as practice hadn't started yet. Theo sat on the bleachers wearing a hoodie and sweatpants, with his skimpy swimsuit on underneath. He understood the purpose of the tight and small swimsuit, but it was still awkward for him to wear in public. Theo heard the door open and saw Corey walk in, "Please tell me the reason you invited me here is to drown me," Corey said as he walked over to sit next to Theo. The swim team was also somewhat of a secret to the school. Although the team was small, and would likely need more members going forward, Jackson, the team captain, wanted to keep the team small to start with. This was because Jackson wanted to hardcore train the team so they could get good and then hold proper tryouts without feeling like they needed to take everyone. "Because surely the only reason my best friends would go days, no, weeks without having a meaningful conversation with me only means that he's turned against me and now wants to kill me."

Theo laughed, having missed Corey's sarcastic comments, but he also felt guilty. He hoped Corey would understand. "No, I don't want to kill you. I am sorry, but I do have some pretty good excuses, if you want to hear them." Theo then went on to explain everything that happened. Corey knew bits and pieces, but not the whole story, so Theo wanted to let Corey know about all of it.

"Wow." Corey said. Theo expected him to say more. Corey always had something more to say, but this time, he fell silent.

Theo had to laugh a bit, "I do not think I have ever seen you speechless like this."

"I am just taking it all in," Corey responded and then laughed a little. "Normally I'm the one tangled in drama, but now you're kind of like a local celebrity. The famous other son of the Talbots. How are you handling all of that?" Everyone knew who the Talbots were, and so now, everyone knew who Theo was. However, Theo had not really felt the effects of that yet, but he suspected it would all come in due time.

"Honestly, it's been ok. Brett and Lori are actually kind of great," Theo confessed. Part of him was glad for all of the drama, because he could see himself creating a genuine kinship with his newfound siblings.

"Do NOT mention Brett's name to me," Corey grumbled.

"Why not?" Theo asked, remembering that while Corey did not hear from Theo, that Theo had also not heard from Corey.

"I thought Mason and I were going to start dating, but I saw him with your brother at the mall and they were practically sucking each-other's faces off," Corey scoffed. "He and I never made anything official, but i thought we were going there. I am just slow to open up, and he said he understood."

"Oh..." and suddenly, Theo felt even worse. His friend had practically gone through a teen love crisis, and Theo wasn't there when Corey needed him the most. "I am sorry to hear that. Maybe it was just a stupid mistake, or... I don't know. There are plenty of fish in the sea, that hot senior Danny is single I think. Or did you want me to talk to Brett? I think he'd back off if i asked him too. He's not really into commitment anyways."

Corey smiled a bit and nudged his head against Theo's shoulder teasingly, before resting it there. They both knew they were lucky to have each other as friends, even if they were a bit more distanced lately. "Don't worry Theo. I know relationship advice isn't your thing. I'm mostly over it. Don't worry about me. Just hug me when i start crying about it, and then kick his ass when I need you too. That's how our friendship has survived." They both laughed with each other. "I am just a bit lonely and wanted some eye candy."

Then, the door to the pool area opened as Jackson and Ethan walked in, dressed in sweat suits and holding hands. Theo grinned a bit, "Then you're really going to love why I invited you here." The two boys pulled off their clothes and were just left in their tight swim shorts. Corey's jaw almost dropped as his eyes were glued to the two boys who were jumping into the swimming pool.

"Since when do we have a swim team here?! This is so much better than watching the soccer team!" Corey said with a smile filled with his excitement.

"And you're really going to love this part," Theo said a bit embarrassed before standing up. He pulled off his sweat suit so he was just in his swimsuit, "I am also on the team."

"Oh my god! Theo!" Corey said with a laugh. "If this is your way of confessing you love for me, then by all means, I accept." They both made teasing comments like that to each other ever since they met. Even though they both liked boys, there was never anything romantic between them. They both thought the other was great, but their love was just platonic.

"Now enjoy the show, I have to practice," Theo laughed as he stepped down from the bleachers and joined his team in the pool.


Theo had only been on the swim team for about a week. When he started he was the slowest out of the three guys, and honestly, most of the girls too. The only one he could beat was Lydia, sometimes. However, after learning the proper techniques, he was quickly improving. He had the raw strength and a lot of his yard work had taught him endurance and grace, which were both needed for swimming. Now, he was in the same skill level as the others, and the only one he had not been able to beat at least once was Jackson. The rest of the team had commended Theo for his natural talent.

"Alright team, listen up," Jackson announced, gathering the team together after practice. "We have our first swim meet coming up soon. I know we are new, but since we are new, we are placed against the lowest ranking schools first, so we could win this meet. Its against some school I have never even heard of. We can win this!"

After that brief announcement, the team was dismissed. As Theo was getting his things to leave, Jackson came over, "Hey Theo, you ready for this swim meet?"

"Um, yeah, I guess," Theo was king of nervous, no reason to hide that. He did not want to let his team down.

"Ok, I am just checking. I know you're living with Mr. Talbot now, and we all know how much pressure he places on Brett, so I was worried you are getting intense pressure from him too. Don't let him rattle you," Jackson assured Theo, but Theo's face dropped. He had not considered that Mr. Talbot would care about the swim meet, but after hearing Jackson mention it, he knew he would. That was the whole reason that Theo was here in the first place. "Theo? You ok?"

"I-I gotta go," Theo said, quickly grabbing his things and running out.


He ran and ran and ran. His mind racing with thoughts. Part of him thought he should not be worried. Mr. Talbot had no power over him. He was, after all, not his legal guardian, so he had no authority. However, another part of Theo knew the kind of man he was. If Theo disappointed him, what was he capable of? Brett, Lori, Erica, His mother, and many more warned him about Mr. Talbot. With more and more of the public knowing that Theo was Mr. Talbot's son now, the more and more that man will want to control him. Also, part of him did not want to cut ties with the Talbots. He liked Brett and Lori, and he did not want to stop getting to know them.

Before he knew it, he was gasping for air, and his run slowed down to a walk. He looked up at his surroundings and he realized where he was. He did not even realize he had come here, but he was at Liam's house. As he approached the all too familiar mansion, he noticed a car was missing from the driveway, leaving him to believe that Liam's parents were probably gone. Liam's car, on the other hand, was still there, meaning Liam might be home alone. Jogging up to the door, he reached his hand out to knock, but before he could, the door opened.

"He's not here," Mrs. Dunbar said with a sympathetic smile. "He's out with his father. They went to run lacrosse drills, or something. I don't know when they will be back, and truthfully, when they get back-" She could not finish, but he understood.

"I can't be here. I understand. I'll be on my way. If you get the chance, tell him I stopped by," Theo smiled and turned around to leave. He knew Mrs. Dunbar did not want to turn him away. He could tell her demeanor was different, kind of like Liam's had been since his father came back into town, so he did not hold this against her. Deep down he just hoped that Liam's dad would love soon and things could go back to normal, or whatever it was.

As Theo made his way down the sidewalk and back to the road, he watched as a convertible sports car pulled into the driveway, with Liam in the passenger seat. The driver's seat was occupied by a man that Theo could only assume was Liam's father.

A/N: Hi Guys! I am going to try and start updating this again! I know this chapter was not great, but i am trying to get back in the swing of things and hopefully revive this story! As always, comments, messages, and constructive criticism is always welcome! :)