✓ | falling ➝ j. cade

xix. falling down fast

❝I'M ON GUARD WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD, BUT WITH YOU I KNOW IT'S NO GOOD.❞
− TAYLOR SWIFT, SPARKS FLY

×

It was Wednesday.

It was the halfway point of the week that had seemed to drag on for Theodosia. Monday and Tuesday she had worked at Mr. Brown's record shop, and the redhead swore both of her shifts were longer than just a few hours. Maybe part of that was because of the lack of customers, and that was to be blamed on the cold winter weather. Theodosia was happy to remember that January was half over because she had always hated the cold, snowy month.

So, pulling Johnny's jacket tighter around her, the couple quickened their pace when the Mickelson household came into view. Theodosia walked up the steps first, but came to a halt when she noticed a small cardboard box that laid next to her door. Picking it up, the redhead turned to show her boyfriend wordlessly. It was a senseless act, like she had almost expected to have an answer for it.

"What's that?" Johnny asked quietly.

"I dunno," Theodosia answered breathlessly."Let's go in."

Johnny nodded.

Theodosia turned back to the door and unlocked it. The pair was greeted by Marty, who was excited to see both of them. The old beagle took to Johnny as Theodosia walked away from the pair to the kitchen. The girl sat the package down on the table and scanned for a kitchen knife. When she finally spotted one, Theodosia grabbed it and punctured the top of the box with it. She let the knife glide into the box's lid.

After pulling it open what looked up at the girl, it left her gawking down at it.

"Theo," Johnny's voice sounded distant."What's there?"

Picking the notebook up, Theodosia felt her hands shake. It had been Thalia's. In all of the years the two girls had been friends, Theodosia had never seen what the notebook contained. Her breath hitched as she sat it down in front of her boyfriend.

"A book? I don't get it," Johnny said dumbfoundedly.

"It was Thalia's," Theodosia answered simply.

"Oh."

"I've never looked inside."

"Maybe ya can now?" Johnny offered sheepishly.

"Maybe," Theodosia nodded, her fingers trembling as they brushed over the cover of the book."I think she left it to me."

"Open it. Maybe she wrote in it."

Instead of responding, Theodosia opened the book up. Sure enough, a dedication was scribbled on the first page in Thalia's sloppy handwriting. And it was dedicated to Theodosia. She inhaled sharply and shut the cover.

"It was... to me," Theodosia answered quietly.

"Oh," was all Johnny could say.

Theodosia pushed the book away from her, shaking her head,"I don't want to see anymore. Not yet."

"Then don't. We can go meet the gang at the Dingo," Johnny offered.

"Or we can stay here because it's cold outside."

Johnny nodded,"Yeah."

So, the two walked into the small living area before Theodosia slipped out of Johnny's jacket and tossed it onto the couch. The redhead laid down on the floor while her boyfriend simply sat down onto the ground, mentally deciding it better not to ask why she would rather lay on the floor than to sit on her couch.

Theodosia rolled onto her side and gave Johnny a week smile. He returned it before brushing a few fallen strands of hair off of Theodosia's face. The action made butterflies run wild inside of the girl. Johnny's touch just did that to her. She never quite knew why. Maybe it had always been because he was always so gentle and cautious when it came to the smallest touch.

Theodosia grabbed his hand before the raven haired boy could completely pull it away. She intertwined their fingers and then let their hands fall to the floor.

"Johnny," Theodosia whispered,"where do you think we'll be in a year?"

I think I love you.

"Hopefully still just like this."

I think I love you, too.

Theodosia smiled,"Good. Me too."

The pair fell quiet, so Theodosia moved closer to her boyfriend. She laid her head down on his chest. His heart was beating quickly. Just the way it always did when Theodosia laid her head on his chest.

Johnny untangled their hands so he could wrap his arms around Theodosia's torso. He always forgot how physically small she was. He guessed it was because such a large personality lived inside of it.

"Theo?" Johnny whispered.

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

author's note: unedited :)))