It All Started With The Kidnapping

Chapter 22 - Celebration Under the Stars

Luna's pov

The cheers from the stadium were still ringing in my ears as we walked toward chase's house, where the party was already in full swing. StoneyBrook High had just clinched the biggest win of the season, and Theo had been the star of the show. Not that I was surprised—he'd been on fire all night, leading the team to victory with the kind of effortless skill that left everyone else in the dust.

"Come on, Luna, you have to admit that last play was epic," Sara said, practically skipping beside me. "Theo totally owned it."

I grinned, a playful glint in my eyes. "Yeah, he did alright. But I still think he could've pushed for a couple more yards before that final pass. You know, just to keep it interesting."

Sara rolled her eyes. "You're impossible. Just admit it—you're proud of him."

I laughed, giving her a nudge with my shoulder. "Of course, I am. He did great. But I'm not about to let him get too cocky. Someone's gotta keep that ego in check."

We reached chase's house, and the place was already packed. Music pulsed through the open doors, and the sound of laughter and excited chatter spilled out onto the lawn. The whole school seemed to be here, everyone riding high on the adrenaline of the win.

Inside, the atmosphere was electric. People were dancing, drinks in hand, celebrating like there was no tomorrow. I spotted Theo almost immediately, standing near the kitchen with a few of his teammates, laughing and looking every bit the golden boy he was tonight.

Sara nudged me with her elbow. "There's your man. Go say hi."

I shot her a mock-glare, but the truth was, I didn't need much convincing. I made my way over to him, weaving through the crowd with the confidence that had been building inside me all night.

Theo's eyes lit up when he saw me, and he excused himself from the group, meeting me halfway. "Hey, you," he said, his smile infectious. "Enjoying the party?"

"Depends," I replied, crossing my arms with a smirk. "You think you can take a break from basking in your glory to hang out with us mere mortals?"

Theo chuckled, shaking his head. "Always keeping me humble, aren't you?"

"Someone's gotta do it," I shot back, my tone light but teasing. "Seriously, though, you were incredible out there. That last touchdown? Chef's kiss."

Theo's grin widened, and he pulled me into a hug, his arms warm and solid around me. "Thanks, Luna. But I think it was more of a team effort, don't you?"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Sure, keep telling yourself that. But we both know who really saved the game."

He laughed, and I felt a warmth spread through me. This was the side of Theo that not everyone got to see—the one who could take a joke, who wasn't afraid to let his guard down around me. It made me like him even more, if that was possible.

"Come on," he said, taking my hand. "Let's grab a drink and find Sara and Elijah. I don't want to keep all this charm to myself."

I let him lead me through the crowd, our hands intertwined. It felt natural, easy, like this was exactly where I was supposed to be. And the truth was, I couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

We found Sara and Elijah near the back porch, deep in conversation about something that had them both laughing. Sara spotted us first, and her eyes lit up when she saw our joined hands. "Well, well, well, look who finally decided to make it official."

Elijah grinned, raising an eyebrow at Theo. "About time, man. I was starting to think you were all talk."

Theo shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "Had to make sure she was the real deal, you know? Can't just go around dating any girl who thinks she can critique my game."

I smirked, not missing a beat. "Please, you're lucky to have someone who actually knows what she's talking about. Most girls would just tell you how amazing you are and feed that massive ego."

Theo leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, teasing murmur. "And what do you do, Luna?"

I met his gaze, my heart skipping a beat. "I keep you on your toes."

He laughed, the sound rich and genuine, and pulled me closer. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

The four of us spent the rest of the night together, laughing, talking, and enjoying the party. It was different than other parties I'd been to—there was no awkwardness, no pretending. We were just ourselves, having fun in the glow of the win and the warmth of each other's company.

At one point, Theo and I slipped away from the group, finding a quieter spot on the back porch where we could actually hear ourselves think. The stars were bright overhead, and the music from inside the house was a soft thump in the background.

"This is nice," Theo said, leaning against the railing and looking out at the night sky.

"Yeah," I agreed, leaning next to him. "It's a good night."

Theo turned to me, his expression serious now, all traces of teasing gone. "Luna, I'm really glad you're here with me tonight."

His words were simple, but they hit me with a surprising intensity. I looked up at him, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "Me too, Theo."

He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. "So, you think you can handle dating the quarterback and mafia leader?"

I grinned, tilting my head up to meet his eyes. "As long as you can handle dating a smart-ass."

Theo chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I think I can manage that."

And just like that, he closed the distance between us, his lips brushing against mine in a kiss that was both soft and full of promise. It wasn't our first kiss, but it felt different—like the start of something real, something that was ours alone.

When we finally pulled apart, I could see the same thoughts reflected in his eyes. We didn't need to say anything; we both knew that whatever happened next, we were in it together. The rest of the party passed in a blur of laughter and light, and by the time the night wound down, I was more certain than ever that Theo and I were exactly where we were supposed to be