Under the Stars

24. Through all of that

Chapter 24: Through all of that

Mia's POV

*****

I froze in place as my eyes widened, probably mirroring Theo's. My mouth opened partly in shock as I could feel my heart thumping loudly. It felt as if it was threatening to explode out of my chest, and I could feel my breathing becoming ragged. My face felt as if it was on fire, and I suddenly found myself unable to look at Theo anymore. 

The words that had just come out of my mouth felt so foreign on my lips, and I couldn't even comprehend how something as big as that could just come out on its own. I didn't have the time to even think about it before I said it, and I certainly didn't have time to overthink the results of it. It just happened. 

It felt weird, but I knew that there was no point in asking myself if I did love him. My heart talked of its own accord, and I certainly couldn't keep lying to myself. I loved him. Like I had never loved anybody before. 

"What did you just say?" Theo asked, the sense of shock evident in his voice as his eyes were still wide. 

"That I love you," I replied, this time softer than when I had first blurted it out. 

"And you mean it?"

"Gosh Theo, of course I mean it," I said. "I was destroyed when I thought that something had happened to you. I was scared that I wouldn't have you in my life anymore, and I couldn't take that. You're important to me, how can you not realise that?"

Theo just sat there, not saying anything for a while. I could feel myself getting nervous by the minute as I awaited an answer from him. Emotions weren't really my best trait. I was sensitive. So sensitive that I often cried during life insurance commercials. Nonetheless, having people see me having emotions was something which I didn't like. 

It was one thing showing my appreciation towards Layla, who was my best friend, but it was another to profess my love to Theo. 

I couldn't understand how or when I realised that I loved him, and neither when it happened. Thoughts of him filled my mind nearly every second of every day, and indescribable things happened to my heart every time I was with him. 

What I felt for Theo was something that I had never felt before, and no matter how much love scared me, I couldn't help it. My feelings for Theo were no longer an infatuation, and honestly, I wasn't sure if they ever even were. 

"I love you, Sparkle, and I just want you to be sure of it. I don't want you ever regretting saying it," Theo said, a light shine in his eyes which made my breath hitch. 

I shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips. Every single time that boy spoke, the more my love and affection for him grew. He treated me like an actual human being, and not only did he never try to change me like most people in my life, but he always wanted me to be the best I could be. 

"I love you too, Lion, and I will never regret saying these words to you. Heck, if I'm not in love with you then I doubt I could ever be in love. I don't think I could ever feel anything stronger than this." My voice lowered slightly as I heard the front door open from downstairs, revealing that my parents got back home from the supermarket. 

I was completely, and utterly in love with the person who stood in front of me behind that computer screen. No matter how weird those words sounded, it was true. I had managed to see the person behind the whole rebel facade which he so clearly wanted people to see him as, and I loved every part of that person.