[part two of Untitled… *this is over 1,300 words, so happy reading!*]

When we reach the house, I turn around and beam at him.

“It’s so beautiful,” I mention, motioning towards the two-story house. I notice one of my favorite decorations ever.

My jaw drops in a childish manner.

“There’s a _porch swing_?”

I giggle, maintaining the silliness as I rush over to it and plop down.

“Willow.” I barely hear my name over his laughter.

“What did I do?”

“You got it all dirty from the mud,” he strains out, trying hard to stop laughing.

My eyes widen in terror. I catch his and notice he has no fear.

“What will your parents think?” I hesitate, watching as he jumps the steps to the porch and appears beside me.

Theo laughs and offers me his hand.

“You don’t remember my mom? She loved you, probably even more now that we’re older.”

I take it, just before he throws an arm around me. “We’re only four years older than then.”

“Well, 17 is quite a ways away from 13,” Theodore points out, his smile finally reaching his eyes. I stare awkwardly at the wooden door.

“What a lovely door you have…” I fib, the attempt to procrastinate as clear as air.

Theo knocks before grabbing at the door handle. “It’s my house,” he explains.

I must’ve had a strange expression on my face.

As soon as the door flies open, I am greeted by a small Frenchie, barking away.

I crouch down, aware of the friendliness of the dog.

“What’s her name?”

I start petting her soft black fur, smiling as she falls on her side to get more.

I look back at Theo.

He rubs his neck and avoids my eyes.

“Vide.”

“Why are you ashamed of that? What does it mean?” I volley, my interest completely piqued.

I grin as he starts mumbling nonsense.

But out of nowhere…

“A guest?” A light tone shouts out in surprise.

“Mrs. Dawson,” I return, standing up and smiling at the older woman.

She pushes a lock of bright red hair behind her ears and looks conflicted as she stares at my appearance.

“Uh…”

“Ask your son,” I say accusingly, literally pointing a finger at the boy.

“Anyways, dear, you can call me Addison.”

I nod understandingly, though doubting I could ever call her by her first name.

Like a roller coaster, I start realizing a loop is ahead.

“Erm… I do have something to mention,” I begin, my heart pounding against my chest.

Mrs. Dawson looks at me, her facial expression relaxed and terrifying at the same time.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

When I open my eyes, I feel Theo lace his fingers through mine and step forward.

“Mom, she got a bit of mud on the porch swing,” Theo admits unenthusiastically.

He squeezes my hand.

I look up at him, eternally grateful but scared knowing he is never going to let this go. I just barely notice the wink he answers with.

I glance up at Mrs. Dawson, the fear nearly tranquilizing me as I try to read her expression.

“Well, that just means you get free clothes and refreshments here,” she replies, the again- unexpected smile crossing her face.

My eyes widen.

“Wait, it’s okay?”

“Of course, honey,” Theo’s mom responds again, basically ushering us up the stairs, “now go get some fresh clothes!”

————————————

After Theodore chose a shirt for me, I was brought into Dani’s room.

“So, what’s your style?” She asks, her blonde hair bouncing as she pulls varieties of clothes from her closet.

“Baggy?” I suggest, a hint of confusion in my tone.

Dani laughs and grabs the black shirt Theo brought in for me.

“I have the perfect pants for these!” She shrieks, rushing to her drawers to retrieve a pair of dark, dark blue cargo pants, with white outlines along the pockets. “They might be a size too big for you, but that makes them more baggy. And, plus, you would look absolutely adorable.”

I giggle.

————————————

I jog down the stairs, Dani rushing to out-jog me.

“I have to introduce my newest client,” she shouts, gently pushing me aside to take first place. I stop a few stairs before the floor.

“Lady and gentlemen,” Dani begins to announce, barely holding back her laughter, “my new bestie and client, Willow Banners!”

I finish down the last few steps, my hips swaying as I land on the hardwood floor. I wink and blow a kiss towards Theo.

Everyone cracks up.

“Hey, Willow,” Mr. Dawson says, holding his fist out for a fist bump, “I love the outfit. Dani sure is talented.”

I bump my fist against his and nod enthusiastically.

“I think we’ll be great friends.”

“Of course we will,” Dani comments, tossing her arm around my shoulder, her height overshadowing me. “Are you staying for dinner?”

“Only if you stop looking so tall,” I mumble sarcastically.

“Can’t do that, but can you please stay? Theo over there is too star struck to say anything, and I kinda like the silence,” Dani jokes, looking over her right shoulder to look at her little brother.

“Star struck? I wouldn’t call it that.”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot you’re just in love,” she taunts back.

“Whatever.”

_He didn’t deny it…_

_Eek._

_————————_

“How come I never invited you over here? We moved over a year ago,” Theodore questions, sliding down to sit next to me. He hands me the popcorn bowl, reaching to his right to get ahold of a large blanket. “Share?”

I smile.

“Yeah! And… we were on a break. From friendship and all that. Then we became friends, then dated AGAIN, and then broke up.”

“Oh yeah…”

In complete silence, Theo plays the movie, and I notice my eyes almost closing and my head dropping down on his shoulder.

“Wills,” Theo whispers, pausing the movie as he gently nudges me, “I have a question.”

I look up at him with heavy eyes.

“Yeah?”

“Why were you so nervous when we told my mom about the swing? You know she’s never been mad at you and never will be.”

I gulp and shake my head.

“I…”

He shifts over to me, my head falling off his shoulder.

I let my chin face the cushion, not wanting to meet his beautiful eyes.

“I was anxious. That maybe your mom would never forgive me and approve of me, even if she loved me back then,” I admit, my voice soft.

**Silence.**

It takes me a second to realize that Theodore has pulled my chin up, his fingers just below it.

“Hey, if she didn’t approve of you, I wouldn’t get a new girlfriend,” he soothes, his voice strong, yet gentle somehow. “I would get a new mom.”

I laugh.

“I definitely did not expect that response…”

“Of course! It’s me, Theodore Dawson!” He pauses, letting his fingers fall onto my hand, where they interlaced with my fingers. “Do you think it’s possible you have social anxiety?”

I bite my lip, dropping my gaze to look down at our hands. His thumb rubs a soft curve along the back of my hand.

“I’ve thought about it for a while… I’m surprised I didn’t feel like I usually do in social settings at dinner,” I reply.

“That’s because I was there.”

“And why do you say that?”

“Because I think you thought I was adorable, so you didn’t focus on the fact we were with other people,” he chortles.

“You are adorable, and I do think you’re half-right. It was because you were there, but I was no ‘star struck’ admirer.”

“That again?”

I laugh.

“Always.”

“Whatever…”

Theo scoots closer and wraps his arms around me.

“I’m just glad you’re mine,” he murmurs, kissing my forehead.

I cuddle closer to him.

“Now play the movie. This couch isn’t going to be comfortable forever, y’know…”

And, to think, today all started with a misty path and a muddy porch swing.

I grin and lay my head on Theo’s chest.

I’ll remember this forever.

“By the way, what does Vide mean anyways?”

“Willow…”