Between the lines (Spinoff)

Intro/Chapter 1: Flash Back

I managed a small, shaky laugh, and for the first time since the lunch started, I felt like I wasn't completely alone.

Theo led me back through the cafeteria, hand still lightly on my back. When we reached the table, Leo looked up immediately, concern written all over his face.

"Cam... what happened?" he asked, his voice quick and worried.

Aaron, Jude, and the others all leaned in, eyes curious.

I opened my mouth to explain, but Theo spoke first, calm and steady. "It was that kid—Mark. He was giving Cam a hard time."

Leo's eyes narrowed slightly, and Aaron's lips pressed together. "Alright," Aaron said firmly. "We'll deal with him later."

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. No lectures, no overreactions, just support. Theo smiled faintly at me, and it felt... safe.

From that day on, Theo and I were close. He helped me navigate the chaos of middle school—walking me to classes, letting me know which teachers were chill and which ones were... less so. He explained how things worked, quietly and kindly, always patient when I was nervous or unsure.

Lunches, classes, even hallway walks became easier with him there. Slowly, Theo became my anchor, someone I could rely on. And I knew, without a doubt, that this was the start of a friendship that would mean more than I could imagine.

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Eighth grade had been... lonely. I knew it wasn't like I'd never seen anyone before, or that I didn't have people around me—but compared to seventh grade, when Leo, Aaron, and the others had been just a grade or two ahead, I felt small. The older guys—Jude and Theo—had moved on to high school, leaving me in the halls with no one quite my size. Leo was still my anchor, but it was different now. The group felt scattered. I was scattered.

Seventh grade had been easier. I had people to sit with, to laugh with, to walk home with. The guys would pick me up sometimes after school; we'd play basketball at the park, or just hang out on Leo's front porch, talking about dumb things until the sun went down. Aaron still acted cocky, like nothing could touch him, but he'd sneak a joke or a smile my way. Jude was chill, always easygoing, letting me slip into the group without feeling awkward. And Theo... Theo had always been this quiet, older presence, teasing just enough to make me laugh but never to make me feel small. I didn't realize it then, but he was the type of person you remembered—the kind of quiet gravity that pulled you in without asking.

By eighth grade, I was alone in the sense that the older guys were gone. I had my small circle, but I wasn't really part of a larger pack like before. Hallways felt longer. Lunches felt quieter. Class projects were fine, i guess, I often sat by myself, watching others joke and trade stories. Still, I had my after-school routine. I'd meet up with Leo and the others. They'd let me in, even if the timing was tricky. It wasn't the same as seventh grade, but it was something. I held onto that.

By the time high school rolled around, everything felt new all over again. Walking through the gates on the first day, I realized how much I'd been anticipating seeing Theo again. He was still older, still confident, still... well, still Theo. And maybe it was just me noticing differently this time, but he was attractive. Not in a show-off kind of way, but in a way that made your chest tighten just by looking at him. The same easy confidence, the same teasing smile, the same way he moved through the crowd like he belonged there, and everyone noticed. Girls stared. Some guys glanced his way, curious or impressed. And I—well, I felt my stomach knot.

Classes were a blur. I got lost a couple of times, multiple times actually... I stumbled over my locker combination, and laughed a little too quietly to myself. But lunch... lunch was different. I spotted Theo near the back courtyard, sitting alone at a table waiting for the guys, leaning casually with his tray on his lap. I swallowed, tightened my grip on my backpack strap, and walked over.