loping along through the cosmos

8: THEODORE, JP, AND THE ROYAL WEDDING

Sunday came, and Theodore couldn't be more agitated.

Last night, Kieran texted him about how Jade acted. It turned out that Jade was supposed to stay at her parents' house during weekends, and this wasn't the first time she went somewhere without informing them (he already knew about that).

Jade was extra grumpy when they got home. Kieran and Fino had to lie to her parents that Jade wanted to buy something but found out that it was out of stock. They wouldn't tell them about Jade going back to Hiraya, especially about Theodore Lockhart being close to her again.

Even without asking Kieran why they had to keep his identity a secret from Leila Sinclair and Philip Valentine, Theodore already had an idea.

She used to come to our house, his mother told him.

He wanted to ask her why but remembered what Jade also told him about that young boy in her dreams. So, he told Iris that he'd want to know about that story and hear about it the next time he'd go there with Jade.

Iris seemed reluctant when she told him about Jade being once part of his life. Theodore thought it might be because Jade was most probably connected to why he lost some of his childhood memories.

Of course, he was itching to know the truth. Though when he thought of Jade, he considered that she should know about it as well. He considered hearing the truth together with her, so he doesn't have to lie to her and keep that information to himself for God knows how long.

He also considered asking Kieran about Jade this morning, after he contemplated how he talked to her in that Japanese restaurant and how Jade confessed that he reminded her of that young boy (a.k.a. Theodore Lockart V) that's why she felt comfortable with him. After typing the words, "Hey. How's Jade...", he deleted them and decided not to ask.

Theodore was in the dining area with his book, studying the next chapter that his father was about to tackle the next day. JP, on the other hand, was in the living room, doing his homework that he was supposed to finish yesterday if only he hadn't spent his entire day playing with Jenevieve.

It was quiet inside their unit until they heard a sound not normally heard on a daily basis.

Instinctively, Theodore looked over his shoulder to check where the swirling sound of water was coming from, only to find a portal situated in front of JP, who was now standing, dumbfounded, forgetting about his homework that was due tomorrow.

"It is a special day today, and you are invited!" Jinx enthusiastically said, half of his body appearing from the portal.

"Lilac sent us here to tell you to come to the castle and celebrate with us," Gus explained further, stepping outside the portal. "Philip Valentine and Leila Sinclair finally had their big wedding."

"But I still have my homew-"

"Who cares?" Gus said, grabbing the Terrene by a fistful of his shirt and pulling him to the other side of the portal. Once JP was already distracted by the view, Gus met Theodore's eyes. "Do you want me to grab you-"

Theodore raised a hand to stop him and quietly walked to the portal. "What's going o-" He wasn't able to finish his sentence once he saw where they were.

JP, who had already dropped all pretense of worrying about his unfinished homework, stared in awe at the room before them.

The room was three times as big as their apartment unit. With three doors, one probably for a bathroom, one for the main door, and one door opened to reveal a closet.

"Whose room is this?" Theodore asked.

"Mine!" Jinx proudly said. "It was once Prince Theo's, but he is staying in their House now since he is the newly appointed Head of the House."