The final part of the story. I'm so proud I didn't give up on this. And I'm really glad you guys love it so much! Thank you! I'm just sad that it's over. *sniffle*
Well, I hope you guys enjoy the end! :)
Part 5
"Theodore… I'm sorry… for…for everything…"
The phrase echoed through Theodore's mind as he lied on his bed, hands folded under his head, his brain aching as he replayed everything that had happened over the past few weeks. As much as he hated how Brittany treated him in the past few years, he just couldn't stop thinking about her. She was just so cute, and she really seemed to care about him. But he was hesitant because of one thing: his current girlfriend, Vanessa, who didn't like Brittany quite as much as he did.
Well, not at all like he did.
But that didn't stop him from liking Brittany. She had apologized to him. She'd even admitted to loving him.
But could he trust her again, after everything she put him through over the years?
Brittany, Theodore thought sadly, why did you have to like me now? Why couldn't you have just been my friend from the beginning? Why?
He sighed and focused on the ceiling, his eyes crossing as he focused harder and harder on the cracks in it. What should I do? He asked the ceiling. Which one should I choose? Then the cracks started to cross and float, and they formed into two beautiful faces: one dark-haired beauty, and one fiery redhead. Both of the images whispered, "Pick me, Theodore…"
He blinked the images away. What was he doing? He was talking to a ceiling, for God's sake.
Maybe if I make a pro-con list… Theodore dragged himself to his desk, opened up the notepad in his desktop computer, and started to type. After fifteen minutes of staring at his blinking cursor as his fingers flew across the keyboard, he had created a list similar to this:
Who is the better choice?
Brittany
She's the most beautiful and popular girl in the whole school
I've known her since I was eight
Even though she's really mean sometimes, she's a nice person deep down
She busted her butt to make me a really attractive-looking guy
She apologized to me for everything I went through, and even offered to help me
She's really cute and sweet, and she really seems to want to be my friend now
Vanessa
She's very pretty
She's a sophomore
She encouraged me to be a better person
She's very nice and sympathetic to my problems
She's only dated a couple of other guys before
We slept with each other
After mulling over the list endlessly, Theodore still couldn't seem to choose. He was just way too overwhelmed by all of this to pick whether which girl was right for him.
Brittany's really beautiful, Theodore sighed, thinking about her slender body, beautiful, long, light auburn hair, sparkling ice-blue eyes, and cute pink nose that wrinkled whenever she laughed her tinkly little laugh. She may be really mean, bossy, controlling, manipulative, and vain, but she's also really sweet and nice when she wants to be, and she's really trying to be a good friend. Maybe I should give her another chance…
Pick me, Theodore, he could practically hear Brittany murmur in his ear. I need you. I want to be your friend again. I know I haven't been a good person, and I've been really selfish lately, but you have to forgive me. Please forgive me, Theodore. I'm sorry…
But what about Vanessa? He asked himself, his vision of Brittany dissipating into one of a pretty human girl with soft, pale skin, alluring navy-blue eyes, glossy brownish-black curls, and a sweet smile. I mean, she's been such a considerate person, listening to me complain about my past life. She's such a beautiful person, inside and out, and she's just so sweet. If only she didn't hate Brittany so much…
Theodore, you have to pick me, Vanessa's shrill voice rang in his ears. I've been there for you, listening to you whenever you didn't like something that Brittany did. Please, Theodore. We've been through a lot. Please don't let it got to waste. Please…
His headache grew as he stared fixedly at his computer screen, getting more and more frustrated. Was it really this hard to pick between two amazing girls?
Theodore, Brittany's sultry voice whispered. Vanessa's a bitch. You shouldn't trust her. Trust me. I've known you longer. Please, just stop before you get hurt.
Theodore, Vanessa's soft voice cooed, Brittany's been a bitch to you your whole life. Can you really live with that? I understand your pain. Forget about her. Please pick me.
No, pick me, Theo…
Teddy, pick me…
Pick me…
Pick me…
The two voices blended into one that kept whispering those two words, repeating them over and over until they blocked out all of his other thoughts.
"UGH!" Theodore groaned, banging his head on his keyboard. Even in his own mind, he wasn't safe.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Theodore looked up to find his brothers standing at the door. He shook his head sadly. "I'm just so confused right now, that's all."
"What about?" Simon asked.
Theodore turned the computer monitor toward them, showing the list.
"Since when do you still like Brittany?" Alvin asked, making himself comfortable on Theodore's bed.
"Since she apologized to me for being mean all those years," Theodore said.
Alvin raised an eyebrow, waiting.
Theodore shifted in his seat. "…and we might've made out in her kitchen a few days ago…"
A surprised expression crossed Simon's face.
"…and she nearly clawed Vanessa's face off at school today fighting over me." As an afterthought, Theodore added, "And she looked pretty drunk, too."
After a pause, Alvin said with a smirk, "Wow. You sound like you're in pretty deep, huh?"
Theodore nodded. "Yeah. But what should I do?"
"Maybe you should just talk to them," Simon suggested. "Then you can decide which one is better for you."
"Boring!" Alvin yawned, sitting up in the bed. "Come on, Si, you've gotta be more creative than that."
Simon rolled his eyes. "Well, we can't all be heartbreakers like you, Alvin."
"What would you do, Alvin?" Theodore asked.
Alvin stood and strode across the room confidently. "Well, if I were you, I would break it off with the one that's more attached. That way, she won't be clingy in the future."
"That doesn't seem very nice," Theodore pointed out.
"It isn't," Alvin said, "but it gets them off your back. Girls don't have as big of egos as guys do."
"Yeah, but they have feelings, Alvin," Simon replied, crossing his arms. "I don't think they would appreciate just being dropped off like that."
Alvin shrugged. "You eat your pie one way; I eat mine a different way."
"Man, I wish it was just as easy as picking pie," Theodore sighed.
A sound like bells chimed from his phone.
He picked it up and saw that he'd gotten one new text message.
"What is it, Theodore?" Simon asked as Theodore checked the message.
"It's from Vanessa," Theodore said. "She wants to know if we're still going out tonight. What should I do?"
Simon shrugged. "You should think about it. I mean, Vanessa's cute, but do you really like her?"
Theodore sighed. "I…I don't know." He turned to Alvin. "Would you be jealous if I started dating Brittany, Alvin?"
"Go for it, Theodore," Alvin smiled, but his smile dimmed a little as he stared at his brother. "Just be careful, Theo. Okay? I know you're kind of caught up in the middle right now, but girls can be tough. Brittany…she's a bit of a handful. Don't let her control you, okay? I don't know what's going on with you two, but… just don't get hurt, okay?"
Theodore nodded, his older brother's words sinking in. "Okay. Thanks, Alvin."
Simon nodded appreciatively. "Spoken like a true elder brother."
Alvin shoved him as he went out the door. "Shut up, Simon. And don't expect a speech like that when you get in between girls."
Simon smiled at Theodore. "Don't worry about it, Theo. Whoever you pick will be really special."
Theodore gave him a small smile. "Thanks, Si."
As Simon left, Theodore stared at his cell phone. Did he really want to be with Vanessa? Or was his heart still set on the beautiful Chipette?
I need a sign, he pleaded with the universe. Anything to know which girl I can choose. Just one sign…
He sat there, thinking about it, but was interrupted by his phone ringing. Checking the screen, it was Vanessa calling. For some reason, he was filled with disappointment.
Was this his sign?
He let it ring, but saw that Vanessa had left a message.
Suddenly, his head filled with an idea. If he couldn't have either one, then why not have them both?
Theodore flipped open his phone and opened a new text message. All he needed to send was a single text…
"You know, I thought you were a really great person, Brittany. I though we could be really great friends. I thought you were above acting superior to others." He shook his head sadly. "But, I guess I was wrong about you…"
Pinkish-orange sunlight poured through Brittany's bedroom window that afternoon, rippling on her walls and reflecting off her magenta bedspread. Usually, Brittany would watch the pretty light show sparkle through her window pane, thinking that it was the only thing prettier than her. But today, she was cannon-blowing snot into yet another Kleenex as she leaned against her headboard, surrounded by fluffy pillows and small stuffed animals, wondering what had gone wrong just only three hours ago.
He doesn't love me, she thought sadly, stuffing chocolates in her mouth and chomping in frustration. He loves her. I pour out my heart and soul out to him; give him everything he needs to be just like me, and for what? Some tramp that wants to steal him away from me? I don't think so.
She absently grabbed a small brown teddy bear and stroked its ears, staring fixedly out the window. Fine. If he wanted her, he could have her. He's so dead to me…
Brittany grabbed more chocolates and popped them into her mouth. She could feel her thighs thicken and her face fatten. Her whole body felt heavier, but she didn't seem to care. All she knew that he was gone, and she'd blown her chances. That weight alone made her heart gain twenty pounds.
Her stomach gurgled, and she gagged a little. Her stomachache was gone, but the pain in her chest wouldn't go away…nor the massive migraine that came with the slight hangover. No Advil could make any of it go away. On instinct, Brittany grabbed the little pink waste basket next to her desk and stuck her head in it, trying to retch in it. She put her middle finger on her lip, contemplating, but she sighed and put the waste basket back in its place. Making herself throw up wouldn't solve her problems, and it wouldn't win Theodore back, either. Amanda had told her that, right after the little incident that had gone down in the classroom…
"Brittany, please open the door!"
Brittany lifted her head from inside the trash can, wiping the bile from her lips and screaming, "Leave me alone!" she lifted her finger, getting ready for another round, but she heard the door being unlocked, and the next thing she knew, Amanda, a janitor, and the school nurse, were standing in the doorway, staring at the girl in disgust.
Amanda cocked her head sympathetically. "Brittany, we need to talk."
Brittany huddled on the far edge of the Meditation Room, the trash can held close to her chest. "Stay away from me!"
Amanda leaned down to the floor. "Brittany, I don't know what you're going through, but I can help. I understand—"
"Oh, what?" Brittany spat at her. "Just because you think you're some kind of peace and love guru you think you're able to handle my issues? The world isn't all rainbows and butterflies, Amanda. The guy I love just rejected me, I'm drunk, I'm throwing up into a trash can because I'm drunk, and a psycho girl wants me to go rot in hell for hurting her boyfriend, who just happens to be the guy that rejected me. So yeah, it all comes full circle, and everything is all grapes and peaches in the Romeo and Juliet tragedy that is my life." By this point, tears streaked down Brittany's cheeks and her voice broke.
Amanda blinked for a few seconds, and then said quietly, rubbing Brittany's shoulder, "Why don't you tell me everything?"
Brittany didn't know why at that moment, but she confessed. She told her story to Amanda, and Amanda listened to every word, not interrupting and not judging.
"I used to have that same problem," Amanda replied after Brittany finished.
Brittany's eyes widened. "You did?"
Amanda nodded. "I had a crush on this really cute guy once in college. He was my best friend, and he was the sweetest, nicest, cutest boy I knew. I was really shy to talk to him, but I knew I liked him and he liked me. But then my best friend, one that was really close to me, stole him from me. She dangled him right in my face, and I couldn't help but fight back. There was hair pulling, catfights, manipulating and scheming. Then, at the end of college, when I found out they were getting married, I was still in love with him. I smiled at him like it was nothing, but it felt something in me kind of just…snapped. And some where along the line, I developed a little bit of an alcohol problem. I was really jealous, and the more I thought about them together, the more I tried to drown my worries away. Three bottles of wine later during the wedding, I was checked into the hospital to have my stomach pumped."
Brittany blinked at the thought of her teacher getting alcohol poisoning. "Really?"
Amanda pursed her lips at the memory. "It was a low point in my life. I'd never been so depressed. After that, I never got near any more alcohol. I realized that I'd nearly died…over a boy. How stupid was that?"
Brittany looked down at the floor in shame, unable to answer. She suddenly smelled the trash can she was holding, and pushed it away. Maybe making herself puke wasn't the best habit to develop.
"You know, Brittany?" Amanda said softly, putting a hand on Brittany's shoulders. "You remind me of myself when I was a young girl. Clever, beautiful, only cared about my own life and my own needs. All I wanted was for that one guy to like me, and look what happened. I'm a miserable, hopelessly optimistic cooking teacher that's still ignoring the couple that broke my heart five years earlier." She sighed. "Look, Britt, I know that you're really feeling hurt, but there comes a time that you have to forgive and forget, you know? After you cry out your feelings for a little bit, you usually have to come to terms with your feelings. If he wants to be with her, you have to let go."
"But…but what if I can't let go?" Brittany murmured. "What if I realize that he's the greatest guy I'll ever meet in a very long time, and I want him to stay with me?"
Amanda didn't answer for a long time. But after a long pause, the corners of her mouth turned up into a sympathetic smile. "If I knew the answer to that question, I still would have been with the guy of my dreams. But, I think, eventually, you would have had to let go, anyway. Guys don't stay long."
Brittany smiled a little, letting the last sentence sink in. "Thanks, Amanda. I…I think that really helped."
Amanda returned the smile with a relieved grin. "No problem, Brittany."
Brittany felt lighter. Freer. More calm and serene. It felt really good to tell her about the issues in her life, and have someone listen. It kind of felt like…
Well, what Theodore used to do. He would listen to her complaining and not judge, not counteract, something that Alvin did all the time. Theodore was so sweet to her, and kind, and so painfully shy it was adorable.
What happened to that Theodore?
For Brittany's sake, she hoped it wasn't too late for apologies.
Brittany couldn't help but think about how things would have been different if she'd been nice to Theodore. Why did it always to be the sweet guys that turned out to be the hottest ones?
She looked at the small bear in her hands, a small pink ribbon tied around its neck. She cocked her head, shyly thinking about how Theodore had given it to her as a thank-you gift when he won it for her at a fair. She thought about how he smiled admirably at her, and how he shyly blushed when he held it out to her and whispered, "For you." She smiled, her fingers tingling as she thought about how his fingers brushed hers as he pressed the plush object into her manicured hands, as if it were something fragile and precious. She could still feel her heart lift as she thought about the soft smile and the glowing green eyes that peered into her soul.
She sighed and kissed the little toy on its furry head. If only she had a little more time…
Brittany's bedroom door creaked open. "Britt? Can we talk to you?"
Brittany looked up to see Jeanette and Eleanor staring at her with big eyes. She nodded them inside.
As soon as they were settled on Brittany's bed, Jeanette blurted, "Why didn't you tell us you liked Theodore?"
Brittany's eyes widened.
Eleanor elbowed her sister. "You were supposed to be more subtle, remember?" she hissed.
"Sorry, Britt," Jeanette murmured, rubbing the back of her neck. "But I just couldn't believe it. You…and sweet old Teddy… It just doesn't make any sense to me. I mean, you don't seem to like boys like him. It just seems weird."
Eleanor pursed her lips in agreement.
"Not that you should be offended, or anything," Jeanette quickly added.
Brittany slowly nodded. "I understand. I mean, I know that I haven't been a very good person to Theodore in the past, but…but I realize that he's actually a really sweet guy inside, and that he felt pretty lonely inside. All he needed was a friend, and all I did was just selfishly push him away. And now he's with her, and all I can do is sit here, wondering what could have been."
Eleanor and Jeanette stayed quiet, as if waiting for more.
Brittany sighed. "Whatever. I ruined it for myself, anyway." She paused and took a breath, preparing for the worst. "So…how bad is it? And don't even try to tell me you don't know, 'cause I know you do."
Eleanor and Jeanette exchanged glances, and then turned back to their elder sister. "Do you really want to know?" Eleanor asked carefully.
Brittany shrugged nonchalantly. "I've been through worse."
After exchanging another set of glances (which was majorly starting to annoy Brittany), they pulled out their phones and started typing something into them.
"Well…first, Vanessa tweeted about it," Jeanette said, holding her phone towards Brittany.
"And then she posted it on her wall on Facebook," Eleanor added, showing Brittany as well.
Brittany muttered some expletives. "I can't believe that little twerp. She just can't stop making my life miserable just so I'll leave Theodore alone, can't she?"
"According to the tweet she sent almost immediately after school, she called you a, uh, quote-unquote 'desperate, skanky-ass bitch that can't seem to stop binging and purging to try to steal my bf.'"
Brittany groaned, leaning back on her pillows. "Anything else I should know about?"
After a pause, Eleanor showed her a video playing on her phone. It was of the drunken Brittany yelling at Vanessa, and the hard slap Theodore delivered to her cheek. She softly rubbed it, still feeling the slight sting. She cringed as she watched herself throw up, then desperately try to talk to Theodore from her position on the floor. After Amanda came into the room, she saw herself go pale and scurry to the closet, grabbing a trash can. The video ended there, but it didn't seem to stop, as it immediately started to loop over and over again on the screen.
Brittany could feel the tears spring to her eyes. "Where did you get that?" she whispered.
"Vanessa sent it to me," Eleanor stated. "…And to the rest of the school."
Brittany closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying not to break into one of her world-famous temper tantrums. After a while, she whispered softly, more to herself than to her sisters, "Why? Why did this happen to me? Why did I have to like him this way? What did I ever do to deserve this?"
"Well, maybe it's because—" Jeanette started.
"It was a rhetorical question, Jean," Brittany sniped in annoyance, glaring through narrowed eyes.
Jeanette bristled. "Sorry, Britt. Maybe I should go…" She started to get up.
Brittany exhaled softly. "No, Jeanette, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. I'm just a little stressed, that's all."
Suddenly, her phone chimed eagerly. Leaning on the nightstand, she took her cell phone. One New text message, it said. Brittany rolled her eyes. Vanessa probably wanted to tell her off for ruining her dress, and demand cash for the dry-cleaning. Or, maybe she wanted to apologize to her for being so mean and wanted to start over on a cleaner slate.
Brittany didn't know Vanessa well, but she knew a kiss-ass when she saw one.
She angrily pressed Open, her fingers itching to send a retort back, but scanned the message to find that it wasn't Vanessa at all.
Hey…it's me, Theodore. I was kind of wondering if you wanted to come and talk about…well, this whole mess. We can figure something out, Britt. If you're interested, meet me in the parking lot of the old diner on 79th Street. If you come, that's OK, and if you don't and you're really mad at me, that's OK as well.
I really want us to be friends again.
I just want to make things right.
I hope you do come. Love, Theo.
A tear rolled down Brittany's cheek.
He hadn't forgotten her.
He missed her.
And, maybe…
Maybe he even…loved her.
With hope in her heart, she dropped the phone on her bed, leaving two perplexed sisters to stare after her as she rushed around her room, pulling stray hairs, putting on makeup, and dressing in non-vomit-coated clothing.
Brittany pulled on her shoes, her mind buzzing busily. As she grabbed her jacket, she stomped out of her room and made her way down the stairs, calling to the house that she would be back later. As she started the car in her driveway, questions bounced in her head:
Was it a date…or was it just a talk?
Would he accept her…or just lay down the line?
Would he forgive her for the past…or just delve into his future with Vanessa?
She had to know… because she wouldn't give Theodore up without a fight.
Brittany's car rolled down the street, searching for the small sardine box of a diner down the road on 79th Street. As she spotted the silver-painted building, her heart pounded, her legs shook, and her clammy hands started to slip from the wheel. She couldn't stop thinking about what had happened earlier today, and what will happen in the parking lot. She could feel her gut churning, ready for fight or flight. Could she keep it together…not just for her own sake, but for Theodore's as well?
She honestly hoped that she could handle it.
Her heart pulsed as she turned into the vacant parking lot, spotting Theodore leaning against the hood of Dave's ancient blue Mustang, hands in his jean pockets. Theodore's leather jacket shone under the tangerine glow of the streetlamp, his sandy hair curling on his forehead, his expression stoic and unreadable.
Brittany saw him eye her as she pulled into the space next to him and park. This is it, she thought, yanking the keys from the ignition and trying internally to pull herself together. It's now or never. I can't hide from him forever.
She climbed out of her car and slowly crossed over to where Theodore was standing. She took in his strong frame and his soft green eyes and the cute way he crossed his arms over his chest casually. She just wished every little thing about him didn't drive her so crazy.
As soon as she leaned against her car, directly across from him, she murmured, "Hey."
He didn't take his eyes off of his gray Converses. "Hi."
After a moment, she glanced up without moving her head. "You heard about Vanessa posting all that stuff on the internet, didn't you?"
He lifted his head, staring at her with wide eyes. He nodded.
Brittany pursed her lips and forced herself to look into his eyes. "Thought so." She breathed in deeply, forcing herself to look into his eyes, letting the words flow out of her. "Look, I'm sorry about what happened today. I… I didn't mean to be like that. I mean, sure I get a little boy-obsessed sometimes, and sure I get carried away when I get mad, but I'm a good person. I barely drink. I try to get at least B's on my report card. I know I shouldn't be obsessed over a guy that likes someone else. It's your choice, not mine. And also, I really do feel sorry about the crap I put over you when we were younger. I guess…I'm not good at keeping friends." She gave a short laugh. When she saw his encouraging smile, she continued. "I don't deserve to be with you. In fact, I don't think that I even deserve to speak to you or be affiliated with you ever again. Even I hate myself right now, for putting you through all that and making you miserable. But, you know something, Theo?"
Theodore looked at her and waited patiently.
"If we were in an alternate universe, or if hell totally froze over and we were the only two people on Earth with well-functioning brains…" She smiled hopefully as she finished, "We would have been a really great couple."
Theodore pursed his lips in uncertainty.
The silence was dense, her words ringing softly in her ears. Is this it? she asked herself, watching Theodore rock back and forth in his place, mulling it over. Will he just tell me that I blew it again, that there's nothing that can fix the bond we once shared? If only I could read his mind…
Theodore sighed heavily, making Brittany's heart pump faster. He spoke softly, which made her feel even worse. "Britt...for as long as I've known you, I know for sure that you are the most arrogant, selfish, egotistical girl I've ever met."
Brittany's heart sank. Here it comes…
"You're vain, cruel, and stubborn. You always want your way or no way, and you throw a temper tantrum whenever things don't go according to plan."
Brittany bit her lip, afraid that she was going to cry. He thinks that I'm an annoying brat. Maybe I should just disappear off the face of the earth and never come back.
"You think you're so superior to everyone else, that you are better than everyone else. And it seems like everyone can see through you because you're so transparent and airheaded."
Just say it, Theo, Brittany thought, closing her eyes, bracing for the blow he was about to strike. I hate you. I never want to see you again. Something…anything…
"But the worst thing of all is that you hated how I looked on the outside, and you never looked in. that hurt most of all."
He was going to ask her to leave.
"But seeing you now…"
He never wanted to see another girl like he as long as he lived…because he was in love with her…
"I wanted to say…"
He hates her now...and she could never fix it.
"Thank you."
Brittany's eyes popped open, and her jaw dropped. "WHAT?"
Theodore smiled at her expression. "Britt, I know that you're not the most perfect person in the world. I know you try to keep it together for the sake of everyone's sanities. But everyone has flaws. Even though you're really vain and prideful, I also know that you're clever and kind, even though you don't show it often."
Brittany's eyes widened. "Really? You think that about me?"
Theodore nodded. "I don't care that you're pretty. I don't care that you're popular. I saw through all that. I've seen how sweet you can be, and how much you helped me. Vanessa helped me through my problems because she wanted to. She listened because she cared about other people and tried to help. That's all I wanted from you, Britt. All I needed was someone to talk to, to help me through these things. I'm glad now that you can finally see things my way. So, I guess you really helped me for the better. Thanks."
Brittany beamed. No one had ever said such nice things to her. But then again, that's the way Theodore was. His compassion would never change.
She never wanted that to change; it was his best quality.
Brittany leaned into him, touching his face softly. "So…does this mean I'm forgiven?" she whispered hopefully.
Theodore smiled and stroked her long hair. "Yeah, Britt. I forgive you."
Brittany grinned, giggling, and Theodore grinned back.
A soft, cool breeze floated in the air between them, and they realized that they were staring into each others' eyes. Brittany subconsciously started to lean into Theodore, imagining the sweet taste of his gentle lips. Closer…closer…closer…
Until she found Theodore's finger on her lips.
She stared at Theodore in disbelief. "Theo…"
Theodore gave her a knowing look. "I have a girlfriend now," he said firmly, letting his finger slip away from her lips and onto her cheek. "Do you even remember all that trouble you caused earlier today?" He eyed her suspiciously, as if he thought she was still drunk.
Brittany blinked, feelings of dejection starting to invade. "But Theo, I—"
"What Vanessa said was still true. Just because I forgive you doesn't mean I fully trust you again." He stared her down with his big green eyes. "You have to earn it back. If you can't, I won't forgive you as easily next time. Do you understand?"
Brittany bit her lip, but nodded. She could tell he meant business. "Oh. Okay."
The seriousness washed away from his face as he ran his fingers through his hair, blushing. Brittany exhaled, as if just realizing that her breath was held for that whole talk. They laughed quietly, staring into each others' eyes again, and then looked away again shyly.
A silence followed, but it wasn't awkward. This time, it felt comfortable. Familiar. As if the conversation had filled the empty holes, creating a fresh, new blossom of friendship.
Theodore and Brittany smiled at each other for a while, until his phone buzzed.
Taking it out, Theodore inspected it, his smile fading. Brittany could feel her heart deflate in her chest. Couldn't that girl just give her five seconds of happiness for once?
He put his phone back in his jacket pocket. "Sorry, Britt, I gotta go. Vanessa's waiting for me at the library. I should get going before she starts asking questions."
Brittany nodded sadly, not wanting him to leave so soon. "Sure, Theo…I, um, should get going as well."
Theodore stepped closer to her and stroked her long, shiny hair. "I'm really glad that we got to talk, Britt."
Brittany smiled softly. "I'm really glad, too, Theo."
Theodore stared at her, enraptured in her calm blue eyes. Brittany stared back into his bright green eyes as well.
They leaned into each other again, until their lips touched.
Brittany could feel her body burn and her brain melt. She kissed him a little harder, pushing herself into his warm arms and against his lean frame. Her mind kept thinking about his body, even though the words just friends echoed in her brain. Theodore kissed back, realizing how much he missed her soft lips, her hourglass figure against him, and her small frame in his arms. He tried to keep his brain functioning, to tell her that they were just friends, but his body was the opposite, craving her presence, wanting more than just friendship.
After nearly ten minutes of rubbing against his car, Theodore put his hands on Brittany's cheeks and pulled away. Both were breathing hard, but Theodore tried to keep his cool as he warned, "Brittany, we can't do this. I'm sorry, but… I have to go."
Brittany stared lustfully as his lips, wanting to feel the soft pressure again on her own. But she still hesitantly replied, "Okay. Do…do you really have to go?"
Theodore responded by kissing her forehead slowly. "I'll see you at school tomorrow, okay?"
Dread filled Brittany as the YouTube video replayed over and over in her head. "Oh…I, um…well…"
"Brittany," Theodore said softly, seeing her facial expression, "if anyone can get through this, I know it's you. If you have to walk those halls alone, just know that I'll be by your side the whole time. I can even talk to Vanessa for you to take those posts offline, if you want to."
Brittany gaped at him in awe. He was so sweet! "That would be so great! Thank you so much!"
Theodore smiled sweetly. "No problem." He started to head to his car. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Brittany crossed her arms over her chest and nodded slowly. "Yeah. See you."
Without another word, Theodore gave Brittany another quick kiss. Before she could respond, he got into his car, started it, and drove off, making sure that Brittany never saw the mischievous grin on his face.
Brittany got into her car, too, grinning uncontrollably. For once, she felt like she was floating in the clouds. For once, it felt like nothing could hurt her. For once, she actually listened to her teacher's great advice on boys. For once, she'd discovered that the perfect guy for her had been there in front of her all along, and that she needed him just as much as he needed her.
And for once, she realized, despite the undoubted rumors that would definitely be swirling, that she actually couldn't wait for school tomorrow.
Aw! Britt and Theo made up! And they learned a few lessons about each other along the way!
Did you like the ending? Did it satisfy you? Or were you disappointed and expected some huge romantic make-out session in the rain where Vanessa got "accidentally" hit by a car while watching in jealously?
Well, not everyone can have a happy ending. And who knows? I might not be done yet... ;)
So, is it possibly sequel-worthy? Or does it fall flat? Your choice! Review! ('Cause reviews make the world go round!)