𝐔𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞.

𝐊𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐋 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

Maxine's POV

The days after my conversation with Theo felt like I was learning to walk again. The tension between us had eased, and while the air wasn't clear yet, it felt breathable.

The memory of our history lingered, but now it was a shared weight rather than a silent burden. We were both trying, cautiously treading the line between mending the past and navigating the present.

It didn't take long for the others to notice the shift. Jarvie, ever the instigator, teased us mercilessly.

"Well, look who finally decided to play nice," he quipped during lunch one day, earning a playful kick under the table from Savannah.

Damian, on the other hand, remained blissfully unaware of the deeper complexities between Theo and me.

Her bright energy carried us all forward, like a current pulling us closer, even when we weren't sure how to bridge the gaps ourselves.

So, when Damian suggested a movie night at her apartment, no one hesitated to agree.

"Movie night at mine," she texted in the group chat, complete with a string of exclamation points.

"Comfort food, nostalgia, and no excuses. Be there, or I'll hunt you down."

The day promised warmth and familiarity, coming alive within the walls of Damian's apartment.

The place smelled heavenly as I walked in, spicy chili mixing with the buttery popcorn aroma.

Harmony and Fleur were sprawled out on the couch, mock-bickering over which movie they wanted to watch. Savannah sat cross-legged on the floor, surfing through the options on Damian's laptop.

"Maxine, help me," Harmony called out, tossing a pillow my way. "Fleur wants to watch some boring documentary. Who does that on movie night?"

"It's not boring!" Fleur shot back. "It's a true crime series. Educational and entertaining."

"You two are impossible," I laughed, placing my bag on the floor as I wandered into the kitchen to assist Damian.

She was humming along to herself as she stirred something in a pot on the stove, her hair pulled up into a loose bun.

"Do you need some help?".

She glanced over her shoulder, grinning. "You can set the table if you'd like. And there is enough popcorn in the microwave if Jarvie gets greedy again."

As I labored, filling the apartment with the laughter and chatter that charged through the air, Jarvie came bursting in as he did so many things, pouncing immediately on the snacks and finally Theo slid silently into the room, slipping in unnoticed, yet not, for all that.

"Late as always," Damian teased, wagging a wooden spoon at her.

Theo raised her hands in mock surrender. "Traffic," she said, though the smirk on her face suggested otherwise.

What amazed me was how easily Theo fitted back into the group, like a missing piece snapping back into place.

Her laughter was true to itsself, and her sharp wit was still in place. But every now and then, I caught her glancing my way, an expression softer than I remembered.