Our choice

|chapter 7|

Our Choice

You're always telling to be happy. Well the thing is, as long as you're in my life, I am.

✿

"Bye Shaibæ," says Theo when he pulls me into a hug.

"Bye Theo," I whisper and close my eyes, enjoying his touch.

It's been three days since Theo came over here, to apologise for something he didn't do. He has been sleeping over at my apartment ever since.

Three mornings of delicious breakfasts, self made by none other than Theo James.

Three evenings of watching movies, eating popcorn and sometimes even some cuddling.

Three nights of feeling protected.

Three days of enjoying living life.

And now he's leaving, going home.
I just don't want him to go.

"When will I see you again?", I murmur against his shoulder.

"I'll be going back home, spending some time with my family. So probably, I'll see you again in like 2 months, for the London premiere."

I know Theo has a big family, and they are really close with each other, all of them. So in some way, I do want him to go back, to have him spending time with his nieces and nephews, uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters.

But that doesn't mean I won't miss him like hell. Because I will. I will miss him, a lot.

I pull back. Not because I want to, but because I know that the longer we make this, the more painful it will be. "I hope you'll have fun bro," I say and try out a smile.

But as I said, I try.
I don't succeed.

He rubs his hands over my shoulders, "Hey Shai. Call me sometime, okay?"

"Okay," I answer and a little smile finds its way towards my mouth.

"I'm serious. Don't shut me out, Shai. Please," he says and the happy look on his face changes to a worried one.

"I won't. I promise," I say and look at the ground.

There are times I still feel awkward around Theo. He has been telling me countless times this week that I shouldn't feel awkward about what happened. But I do. Just the fact that he thought I was in love with Nahko, it makes me feel shy and unsure about myself. Don't get me wrong, I do love Nahko, he's great, he's awesome. But I don't like him in that kind of a way. We've been friends for ages, and I trust him with my life, I know he has my back, and I have his. The love I feel for him is nothing compared to the shivers that go through my body when I see Theo. Nahko is my friend, Theo is much more.

Before I can look up at him again, a sigh comes out of his mouth. Not an annoyed sigh, it's more like a lovely, careful sigh. It makes me think of a spring breeze, calm and wonderful.

Theo wraps his arms around me and whispers in my ear, "God, I'd be lying if I'd say I wouldn't miss you."

"Me too. I'll miss you, Theo," I whisper in relief and my heart skips a beat. The fact that he says he'll miss me too, shows me that he cares.

Theo pulls back and rests his hands on my shoulders, looking straight into my eyes. "I hate to say this, but I should go. Don't want to miss my plane," he whispers.

I close my eyes and bite my lip, "Yeah, you're right."

"Don't be sad ShaiShai, I'll see you soon," he says with a soft voice.

I nod and open my eyes, taking a deep breath. "I'll see you soon," I repeat his words.

The moment the words leave my mouth, Theo turns around and grabs his bags. He faces me one last time, nods to say an official goodbye and then heads over to the elevators.

When I see him walking to the elevators, I need to fight the urge to go with him, to follow him. I'd do everything, anything to have him stay here for one extra week.

I hear a familiar sound, telling me the elevator is there. Theo places his bags besides him and turns around. A smile appears on his face when he shouts, "I'll miss you!"

"I...," I start, but don't finish my sentence, because the doors of the elevator close. And I feel the distance between us getting bigger and bigger.

The tears that I have been holding back for a while, form in my eyes.

"I love you", I whisper, still staring at the end of the hallway.

I lean against the wall and blink, trying to not break down.

"I love you," I whisper again, a bit louder this time.

More tears form in my eyes, and I'm not able to hold back a sob. I slide down to the ground, with my back against the wall.

"I love you," I say for a third time.

A tear rolls out of my eye, and I find myself grabbing the hem of my shirt to stop my hands from trembling.

"I love you," I say with a sob. And I don't care if anyone hears me. He should know this, everyone should know this:

I, Shailene Diann Woodley, am in love with Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptiklis.

AN: sorry for this short chapter! I had exams this week so I didn't have much free time :/
THANK YOU FOR 100+ VOTES THIS MEANS SO MUCH TO ME ASDFGHJKL <4