Between the lines (Spinoff)

Intro/Chapter 1: Flash Back

Thank you all so much for reading my first two books! I've actually had this spinoff in my drafts for a while waiting to upload it. I'm so excited to see everyone's reaction!!!

This next story will be a sweet, heartfelt tale focusing on my side characters, Cam and Theo. It'll be a single book, with additional one-shots, similar to what I have for Maddie and Leo. I hope you enjoy!🤍🤍
(If you haven't read my two books before this one I highly recommend it!!)

This chapter is gonna be pretty long because I'll have all of the background info and extra details in here.
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November 20th, 2026

Two weeks had passed since that trip—the one that had changed everything, even if I didn't fully realize it at the time. Sitting in my room, I found myself thinking about how close I'd gotten to Theo over the years. We didn't just talk every day or hang out whenever we could; we understood each other in ways I never thought possible. And it wasn't just now—looking back, I could see the little moments that had slowly built this bond, like pieces of a puzzle I didn't even know I was completing. Funny enough, it all started because of Leo, back when I was just a nervous sixth grader, trying to figure out how to belong.

I remember the first time he introduced me to the group...

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Some day in December, 2014

The lunch bell rang, and my stomach twisted in its usual nervous way. Middle school cafeterias were never kind to new kids, and after a week at this school, I'd learned the hard way that friends weren't just handed out. I picked at the edge of my tray, staring down at the sloshing mystery meat, wishing I could just disappear into the floor.

That's when I noticed Leo, the kid I'd met last week. Seventh grader, cocky but friendly, leaning against the doorway of the cafeteria. He scanned the room like he owned it, eyes landing on me, and then he frowned just slightly. At first, I thought I'd imagined it. Then he started walking over.

"Hey! Cam, right?" he called, voice carrying over the chatter. My stomach did a flip.

"Uh... yeah," I muttered, not sure if I should be nervous or relieved.

"I thought you had friends here, man," he said, raising an eyebrow as he plopped down on the bench across from me. "But it looks like you don't."

"I... I don't really," I admitted quietly.

Leo grinned, that crooked, confident grin that somehow made me feel less like I was about to sink into the floor. "Don't worry. I've got you. Come on, I want you to meet the guys."

Before I could ask who, he grabbed my arm lightly, practically dragging me toward a corner of the cafeteria. And there they were—the group. Seventh and eighth graders, chatting and laughing like they owned the place. Aaron, with his usual cocky smirk; Jude, laid-back and unbothered; and Theo, standing a little apart, tall, silent, and slightly intimidating, but with the kindest eyes I'd ever seen.

"This is Cam," Leo announced like he was presenting royalty. "New kid. Didn't have any friends yet. Thought we'd fix that."

Aaron waved, smirking. "Well, welcome, kid. You survived lunch so far, right? That's something."

Jude nodded casually. "Hey."

Theo said nothing at first, just looked at me. And even though he didn't speak, the way he smiled just slightly—it wasn't teasing, not like Aaron's smirk, not like Leo's excitement. It was quiet, and for some reason, that little smile made my chest feel lighter.

And just like that, lunch didn't feel so scary anymore. This was the beginning—the first time I realized maybe, just maybe, I'd finally found where I belonged.