Between the lines (Spinoff)

Intro/Chapter 1: Flash Back

I tried to pull myself together, tried to straighten up, but my balance betrayed me. I nearly stumbled into a table, knocking over a cup, and now the entire party had some attention on me. Great. Just... great.

Theo reached me in two long strides, and before I could mumble another excuse, he gently grabbed my arm, steadying me. "You're drunk," he said flatly, almost accusingly.

"I'm not—I'm fine," I protested weakly, but my voice was trembling and I knew he could see right through me.

"Cam," he said again, softer this time, his hand lingering on my arm. "You sure you're okay? You don't have to hide it. I'm not mad."

I let out a shaky laugh, trying to convince myself more than him. "Yeah... yeah, I'm fine," I muttered, though my words were barely coherent. My stomach twisted again—not from nerves, exactly, but something else. Hunger, maybe. Or maybe it was just the alcohol making everything worse.

Theo's eyes softened, and he tilted his head, studying me like he could read every thought I was too scared to say aloud. "Promise?" he asked, his hand still on my arm.

I nodded quickly, then paused. "Actually... I'm kind of... hungry," I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck. My cheeks burned at how pathetic I probably looked. "Like... I could eat something."

He raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Hungry, huh? I guess that makes sense. Alcohol does that to people."

I mumbled a little, slurring, "Yeah... food... now... please..."

Theo chuckled softly, his hand letting go of my arm to tug me gently toward the kitchen. "Alright, alright. Let's get you something to eat before you pass out."

Even as he guided me through the crowded living room, I could feel my face heating up. I hated that I'd gotten myself into this mess—but at the same time... having him here, looking out for me, made the world feel a little less terrifying.

By the time we reached the kitchen, I was wobbling slightly, leaning on the counter for support. Theo, calm and collected, grabbed a plate and started pulling out snacks. "Here," he said, sliding a slice of pizza toward me. "Eat. You'll feel better."

I took it with shaking hands, mumbling a thank you, and as I bit into it, I felt a little piece of normalcy return. Maybe this night wasn't a total disaster... as long as Theo was around.

I chewed slowly, still wobbling a little, glancing up at Theo. He was leaning against the counter, arms crossed, watching me with that quiet, steady gaze that somehow made my chest tighten. I could feel the heat creeping up my neck again.

"You're really drunk," he said softly, shaking his head, but the corner of his mouth twitched like he was barely holding back a smile. "Don't do this again, Cam. You're... not supposed to be handling alcohol yet."

"I... I know," I slurred a little, my hands fidgeting with the crust of the pizza. "I just... I thought I could. Thought I could... be fine."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You don't have to prove anything to me," he said, his voice quieter now. And then, just for a second, his gaze lingered on me longer than usual. I caught it—a flash of something unspoken. Something that made my heart beat faster.

I swallowed nervously, trying to steady myself. "Thanks, Theo... for... being here," I mumbled.

He nodded, shrugging slightly, but there was that same intensity in his eyes. "Always," he said. Then, just like that, he turned, grabbing a drink for himself and taking a sip, distancing himself ever so slightly, like nothing had happened.

I watched him, unsure if that look was reassurance—or something else. Something I couldn't quite name yet.

And that's when I realized: maybe... maybe he felt something too. Or maybe I was just imagining it. Either way, it made the night feel... heavier, more alive. More dangerous, in the best kind of way.

I took another bite of pizza, trying not to dwell on it too much, but the thought stuck with me: Theo's glance had said something. Just what that something was... I had no idea.

Once I sobered up a bit, Theo said he'd take me home. Just... you know, so my parents wouldn't figure out I'd gotten hammered at a party. I nodded, still feeling a little wobbly, grateful he was there.

"Don't worry," he said, his voice calm, almost teasing. "You're not going anywhere alone tonight. I've got you."

I leaned a little on him as we made our way to the door, the music and chatter fading behind us. There was that same quiet intensity in his gaze, the one that always made my chest tighten, and I couldn't help but wonder if he noticed how much I liked leaning into him.

"Thanks, Theo," I muttered, a little breathless.

He gave me a small, knowing smile, ruffling my hair gently before opening the door. "Anytime, Cam," he said softly. And then, like always, he was just... Theo—protective, steady, a little impossibly cool—and I realized I didn't mind following him anywhere.

As we stepped out into the cool night, I felt it again: that tiny spark, that question lingering between us. Did he feel it too? Or was it just me, hoping? Either way... I was okay with letting the thought stay there, between us, unspoken—for now.

By the time I got home, I was mostly sober, just tired and a little embarrassed, but Theo's presence had steadied me more than I realized. As I waved goodbye, watching him walk away into the night, I couldn't help but feel... something. A quiet pull, a warmth that wasn't just gratitude. Maybe it was more, maybe it was nothing—but for the first time in a long while, I felt like I had someone who truly saw me, someone I could trust. And that thought... that was enough to keep me smiling long after the door clicked shut behind me.

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Present time November 20th, 2026

I leaned back in my bed, glancing out the window as the autumn wind rattled the branches. Funny how some memories hit you at the weirdest times—like I could feel the buzz of that party again, or hear Theo's voice cutting through the chaos. It's been years since... well, since everything had shifted, and somehow it still feels like yesterday.