Sunflower

Chapter 9

Penelope

Assignment deadlines are approaching faster than I had expected and I am losing my damn mind, I've been so preoccupied with everything else I let my work just pile itself and now I don't even know where to fucking start. I'm sitting at the kitchen island, my books scattered around open on random pages, my eyes are red and bleary from staring at this laptop for longer than I can remember, I've been sitting here and falling asleep here for days, only leaving to shower and brush my teeth. The leg of my glasses hurting the back of my ears because I don't wear them unless I'm studying or at College, I personally prefer wearing contacts everywhere I go, why am I even thinking about this right now? I groan before downing the rest of my fifth or is it sixth? Coffee

"Have you moved from this spot at all?" Andrea asks from behind me, I shake my head without looking up I just continue typing "you need a break" she adds "I need another coffee" I say shaking my mug "you're going to give yourself a heart attack" Andrea says but pours fresh coffee into my overly large mug anyways, I take off my glasses to rub my eyes "are you almost done with this one?" Andrea asks, I can feel her leaning over my shoulder to check my word count "five hundred words to go" I reply bringing my cup to my lips "then it's over?" Andrea asks, I nod "then it's over" I repeat "I'm going to work" she says tapping my shoulder and leaving

After more hours than I care to admit, I submit my assignment and close the laptop "fina-fucking-ly" I say jumping to my feet my entire body is jittery from the amount of coffee I've drank this past week? Has it been a week already? I've lost sight of time on these assignments, I pack up my things and head upstairs for a long and well deserved shower before grabbing a lot of snacks, my laptop and getting into bed. I'm wearing one of my favourite pjs, a little zebra print set consisting of shorts and a bralet

I decide to binge watch friends for the 100th time and stuff my face with the cheesiest cheetos I could find

I'm woken up by my phone ringing none stop, I groan and pick up "hello?" I ask confused without even checking the caller ID "SUNFLOWER" Theo sings from the other line, I can hear the blast of music in the background "Theodore?" I ask checking the time 4am, when did I fall asleep? I look around the bed, the bag of Cheetos still on my lap and friends still playing on the laptop next to me. I press pause "so ugh funny thing happened" Theo slurs and laughs

Me:
"Need some help?"

Theo:
"Please, sunflower. Now is your chance to be my hero"

Me:
"Send me your location"

My phone pings and I check his location

Me:
"Alright Theodore I'll be there in 15, stay out of trouble jackass"

Theo:
"Amazingggggg"

He hangs up and I can't help but laugh, I throw on a hoodie, grab my car keys and drive to Theo's location. I get there and he's sitting at the curb just like I was last week, the house behind him crawling with people, all his age by the looks of it. I get out the car and wave at Theo who stumbles his way over and gets in the car, I join him "so what happened?" I ask "after party gone wrong, my friend fucking ditched me for some girl he just met" Theo complains, his cheeks are flushed and his eyes are glossy and red rimmed from the alcohol. I smile shaking my head softly "Uber?" I ask "I don't take Ubers, I'm usually the fucking driver. How do I set up an account like this? I can't even type, did I wake you up?" Theo asks talking very fast "it's fine. Let's go home before you throw up in my car" I joke using his own words against him "I can't handle my alcohol sweetheart" Theo says and I hide a smile at the random use of 'sweetheart'

"You're really fucking drunk huh"

"Of course, if I knew I was going to be left behind like a fucking side chick I would've controlled myself at the club"

I laugh while shaking my head "I don't think I have ever seen you this wasted man, is there a specific reason for this?"

"No" Theo says except his voice comes out high and squeaky making me raise my eyebrow at him "let's just go home please, Sunflower" Theo says and so I don't push him anymore, I know better than to push him to talk when he's not ready to yet and when he's finally ready to say something he will. We drive in silence, Theo has his focus on the road ahead of us but the change in his mood is very obvious. We get back home and I help Theo up to his room, he sits on the bed while I bend down to remove his shoes "what are you doing?" He asks raising his eyebrows at me "I am taking care of you the way you did for me" I reply removing both his shoes before getting back up and walking over to his drawers "shorts are on the last drawer" Theo says, I get it out and hand it to him "I'm going to get you some water while you get changed, okay?" I say and Theo nods

I leave the room heading for the kitchen, my heart is pounding in my chest. Why did I have to make that stupid comment? Just because I lose my shit when I'm upset doesn't mean he does too, except he clearly did and I poked at a sensitive subject and now he's been closed off ever since the ride over here. I groan and shake my head, it's none of my business. I head back to his room and he's sitting under the covers leaning against the headboard with his eyes closed, his torso completely exposed, a sight I should be used to by now but never fails to make my mouth dry and my skin hot. I clear my throat and go over to his bed "Theodore?" I whisper, he opens his eyes and smile "Sunflower" he replies his voice sweet like honey, I smile and hand him the glass before sitting on the bed with him, I watch as he drinks the water in one go before leaning over and setting the glass on his bedside table

"You are not the only one with a shitty relationship past"

"I didn't peg you for the dating type"

"I'm not"

"I'm guessing you saw her today?"

"Yeah, and I'm selfish enough to hate her for being so damn happy"

"It's not selfish"

Theo sighs loudly "I shouldn't care, I mean I don't- I don't want you to think I still care about my ex - I" he cuts himself off short and I frown "why don't you want me to think you still care?" I ask "conversation for a sober talk" Theo says barely making sense but I nod anyways "I'm sorry you saw your ex good and happy, that sucks especially if you're the one that came out hurt in the end. I get it" I say resting my hand on his, he looks down at our hands and smile softly, his eyes are drooping down and I can already tell he's fighting sleep hard so I pull the covers up slightly "go on lay down" I say and he does without another word, I tuck him in and smile before making my way to the door

"Sunflower?"

I turn around

"Yeah?"

"Can you uh not go?"

He's so vulnerable right now, I can't just leave him this way. I nod and make my way back to his bed ditching my shoes before climbing in with him, I stay seated tho and Theo rests his head on my lap "if you tell anyone about this interaction I'll deny it" he whispers, I run my hand through his hair "I'm not going to show your vulnerability to the world don't worry" I reply but he's already asleep

I'm so screwed