You All Over Me [BxB]

Side Story 1/3: That Missing Year

"I don't feel like going," Theodore laments as he sluggishly trails through the hallway of another condominium building, located further down the street, too far for them to walk.

Stella had taken the wheel for the first time, and as soon as they exited the car, Theodore swore it was a one-time thing. Jacob and Austin were quick to concur.

"Think back to the last time we were at a party in a place like this," he adds.

Jacob's eyes flash with recognition, and he nods. "It wasn't great."

"Exactly."

"Guys, seriously," Stella urges, tapping her foot with a slight thud on the carpeted floor. "It's the end of the term. We deserve to celebrate. And I guarantee you, Denise won't be there."

Austin glances around. "Why are we even going to this party? Do we know anyone here?"

"Because Stella's got a crush on that guy from Block A," Theodore reveals. "And she went out of her way to score us an invite."

Austin narrows his eyes. "You do? Who's this guy?"

Stella shoots Theodore a withering glare. "Shut up. You know what? Fine. Go home. I'll go to the party by myself."

"Nobody's leaving," Jacob steps in, placing himself between them. "This is the room, I think."

They stop in front of a massive door labeled 721. The sound of music and voices leaks through the crevices, reverberating against the walls, and Theodore can't shake a bad feeling. This feels eerily similar to the party they attended a year ago. The fallout from that was so frustrating.

Jacob touches his shoulder gently, catching Theodore's eye.

"We'll pop in, say hi, and go?" Jacob suggests.

Theodore hadn't expected Jacob to be the one backing Stella on this, but she's currently in a strange phase of partying and meeting new people, clearly trying to divert her attention from her feelings for Austin.

No, she hasn't mentioned it. But Jacob and Theodore are well aware that Stella's crush is growing and growing, while Austin is getting blinder and blinder to it. As a result, they're compelled to support her.

"Fine," he surrenders.

Jacob winks. "I swear I won't cause a fuss this time. No more public confessions about my feelings."

"Okay, you two," Stella interjects, adjusting her teal dress. "Let's go. Cut out the flirting."

Theodore blows out a breath, his cheeks red and warm, and enters the party. To his surprise, it's not as dreadful as he anticipated. The food is satisfactory, and no one's trying to get into Jacob's pants. The conversation mostly revolves around upcoming or past classes. In the corner, a few guys lounge on bean bags, laughing, though their chatter is barely audible.

"I'm so bored," Austin complains as he drops onto the couch where Theodore is already seated. Jacob has gone to fetch drinks, and Stella is over by Roy, the guy from Section A, deep in conversation.

"Eh? You jealous?" Theodore quips. When Austin looks at him like he's speaking a foreign language, Theodore hastily clarifies, "Just kidding, of course."

He's not the one to intervene, given that he's still unsure about whether he can pursue a genuine relationship with Jacob. His open and fearless demeanor contrasts sharply with Theodore's own cautious nature.

Theodore's uncloseted, but not that uncloseted. He might just hurt Jacob by holding back, and that's not fair to him.

"What were you trying to say, Theo?" Austin presses, downing a bottle of beer.