Secrets Look Different in the Light

Chapter 18

Avery's POV

Theo and I are special. Unique, even. We've been close almost since the day we met. Besides Jackie, he's my go-to for everything. Things shifted a little when I started dating Jayden, but we figured it out. He takes care of me, and I take care of him. But have we gone too far?

"He's never gonna meet someone if he's constantly wrapped up in you." 

I've replayed what Haley said in my head a thousand times since Friday. I I know from the outside, my friendship with Theo might look... odd. But if people could just live it, they'd get it. We're just close.

It's not crazy to think Theo might like me. It's just not something I like to think about. We're friends- good friends. And even if he did like me it wouldn't change us. 

...Would it?

I haven't told Jackie what Haley said. I don't want to risk giving her any ideas—especially after she accused me of liking Theo. If she got wind of this, she'd go off, and I don't need that. Jayden would get hurt. And over what? Rumors and gossip? That's not how our relationship is going to end.

Not that it's ending.

We're still happily together. I love him. He is my very first love. I could love him forever.

But are you in love with him? 

I shove that question back down into the pit it came from. 

"Avery, Theo's here!" Dylan calls, and my stomach does  flips. I haven't heard from Theo since I texted him Friday. It's been a full 48 hours, and the silence has been eating at me. We never go this long without talking.

Still, I head down the stairs and find him lingering near the front door.

"Come on," he says, extending his hand. I grab my shoes from the rack, slip them on, and take his hand. We walk silently to his car. I still have no idea where we're going or what's happening. My thoughts are spinning around Haley's comment, and this mystery pick-up is not helping my imagination from running wild. 

He places his hand behind my headrest to reverse out of the driveway. I fiddle with my hands, eyes locked on the floorboard. 

This is Theo, Avery. Stop being nervous, I remind myself. I sneak a glance at him- he's relaxed, calm. One hand on the wheel, the other dangling out the window.

He must sense the silence is eating at me because once we hit a stoplight, he turns on my favorite artist. With the windows down, moonlight glowing, and music pouring through the speakers, it feels like we're in a movie. I almost forget how tense I've been—until he pulls onto a dirt road and parks in an open field.

As beautiful as the view in front of me is, I wish he would've just kept driving. 

He lowers the music and shifts to face me. 

I'm scared he's about to say something that could change everything...

I'm not ready for it.

Jackie's POV

Dylan has called me three times tonight begging to hang out. I spent the entire weekend with Avery, so I've barely had time for anything else. The only reason I'm not with her now is because I ignored all my homework to console her this- and now it's due tomorrow.

Every time Dylan's called I've told him the same thing: "You'll only distract me. Stay home, we can try and hang out tomorrow." 

I thought the third time finally got through to him—until I hear a knock on my bedroom window.