#romancescene

[inkletdiaries]

I watched him walk away from my window, secretly hoping he'd turn around just once.

Just once.

Maybe he'd look up, catch me staring, and wave.

Nothing.

That idiot.

He'd rather overthink every feeling than simply admit what's in his heart.

As if I don't notice the way he looks at me.

The lingering glances.

The tiny smiles he tries to hide.

The way he gets nervous whenever I stand a little too close.

God... I love making him nervous.

Maybe I am a terrible person.

I laughed to myself.

"So evil," Luna said, peeking over my shoulder. "Why do you trouble him so much, Lara Bean?"

I grinned.

"Because I can."

She rolled her eyes dramatically.

"He's so into you. He never liked any of those girls. They were always the ones chasing him."

"I know."

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

"I know," I repeated with a smile. "But I like it. I like knowing he's mine. That only I'm allowed to tease him, make him laugh, take care of him... annoy him to death."

Luna looked at me like I was hopeless.

"What a love story."

She stretched, grabbed her blanket, and yawned.

"Anyway, good night. Some of us need sleep."

"Good night."

---

The next morning...

College was already buzzing by the time I reached campus.

"What's up, Clara?" James appeared out of nowhere with his usual goofy smile. "You look beautiful today."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Okay... what do you want?"

He clutched his chest dramatically.

"Wow. Can't I compliment a friend?"

"No."

He sighed.

"Fine. Can you write my homework?"

"There it is."

I folded my arms.

"Absolutely not. I've covered for you enough times. Every single time the teacher asks questions, you disappear and leave me standing there."

"I won't this time. Promise."

"That's what you said last time."

"And the time before that."

"And the—"

"Okay, okay!"

Before either of us could continue, a familiar voice cut through the corridor.

"James."

Theo.

He wasn't loud.

He never needed to be.

One word from him was enough.

James looked over my shoulder.

"I told you something," Theo said, his expression unreadable. "Come here."

James sighed dramatically before walking over to him.

I wasn't close enough to hear everything.

But I heard enough.

"I know why you keep asking Clara for favors," Theo said.

James frowned.

"What?"

"You like her."

James blinked.

Theo took one step closer.

"I'm telling you this once. Stay away."

James smirked.

"Do you love her?"

A long silence.

Then Theo spoke quietly.

"You don't need to know what's between us."

His eyes never left James.

"Just stay away."

Theo walked away without another word.

James came back to me, trying—and failing—to hide his grin.

"What?" I asked.

He shrugged.

"Nothing."

"James."

He chuckled.

"I've never seen him this jealous."

"He's not jealous."

"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow. "Then why was I the one getting threatened?"

I opened my mouth to argue but couldn't find a reply.

James laughed.

"Relax. I'm after Luna, remember?"

"Idiot."

"Tell your bodyguard I'll stay away."

Before I could throw my notebook at him, he disappeared into the crowd.

Theo never let James get too comfortable around me.

He was convinced James liked me.

If only he knew.

James had been asking for Luna's number since our first year.

Still...

I couldn't deny it.

There was something strangely comforting about Theo getting possessive.

Even if he completely misunderstood the situation.

"Brooks."

I looked up.

Theo was already halfway down the corridor.

"Are you coming? We have to meet our mentor."

"Stop shouting!" I called back.

He muttered something under his breath that I definitely wasn't supposed to hear.

Idiot.

I smiled anyway.

But the smile faded almost as quickly as it came.

Sometimes...

I hated this.

I hated how angry he got whenever another guy talked to me.

As if I was the one going on dates.

He was.

He'd agree to dinners, coffee dates, movie nights with girls he didn't even like, then tell me they meant nothing.

Maybe they didn't.

But they still happened.

It wasn't fair.

He wanted every guy to stay away from me...

while pretending it was perfectly normal for him to keep saying yes to girls who clearly wanted more.

Classic red flag.

I sighed.

How was it possible to love someone...

and want to strangle them at the exact same time?

[inkletdiaries]

Part 4 – Theo's Point of View

Back in ninth grade, I'd rush into the school bus every morning just to reserve two seats.

One for me.

One for Clara.

She always sat beside me.

Not because we wanted to talk to each other—ironically, we barely did. The moment she settled into the seat, she'd start chatting with everyone around us. She knew the juniors, the seniors, the conductor, and probably half the city.

Sometimes I'd just sit there, listening to her laugh as if the whole world belonged to her.

I used to wonder where she found so much energy.

She was loud.

She was chaotic.

She was impossible to ignore.

And somehow... she became my favorite part of every morning.

Years have passed.

She still chooses the seat beside me.

The only difference is...

Now we don't need words.

Her quiet has become as comforting as her laughter once was.

And strangely...

I like it.

I like watching her smile at random things.

I like how her eyes smile before her lips do.

I like the silence that only exists between two people who have known each other forever.

"Theo... are you even listening?"

Her voice pulled me back.

"Hm?"

"I said we should get going now. We've discussed the topic enough. I think it's good enough for our minor project. Anyway, no one's going to read it that thoroughly."

I laughed softly.

"Maybe."

We packed our bags and walked out of the library.

"I'll drop you home," I said, taking my bike keys out.

"My place is literally five minutes away. I can walk."

"I know."

She raised an eyebrow.

"I'm still dropping you."

She sighed dramatically.

"Fine. Be my guest. But don't expect me to invite you inside. I have a roommate."

I smirked.

"And I'm not interested in your roommate."

Because I'm interested in you.

The words stopped at the back of my throat.

Maybe some things are better left unsaid.

We walked in comfortable silence until she suddenly asked,

"Theo... did you ever catch feelings for me?"

My steps froze.

"What?"

"I mean, we've been friends for almost eight years now. Luna asked me if anything ever happened between us, so I just wanted to make sure we're... you know... cool."

For a second, my heart forgot how to beat.

Eight years.

Eight years of hiding every feeling behind sarcasm.

Eight years of pretending she was just another friend.

And now she was asking me so casually.

I forced a chuckle.

"Well... you've been my friend for so long. That's kind of a weird question."

She burst into laughter.

"Look at you! Relax, I was kidding. Don't look so nervous. Besides, I've seen you date so many girls."

I rolled my eyes.

"Shut up, Drama Queen."

She laughed even harder.

"Go home."

"And stop asking unnecessary questions."

She saluted dramatically before walking toward her apartment.

I waited until she disappeared behind the gate before putting on my helmet.

"If only you knew," I whispered to myself.

"I never liked those girls."

"I was just trying to forget the only one I could never have."

[inkletdiaries]

Part 3: If Only She Understood My Language

*Theo*

Back in the present, I hugged the pillow closer and smiled at her as if nothing had happened.

She looked at me with confusion written all over her face. Those beautiful, big round eyes and that smile—God, that smile. It still catches me the same way it did eight years ago.

I love teasing her.

Mostly because it's the only language she seems to understand when it comes to me.

The memory of how we met still feels fresh.

I first saw her on my first day at my new school. We were in ninth grade.

I had just stepped onto the school bus when I heard her giggling with her friend. I remember being completely stunned by that smile. Later, when I found out she was in my class, I was ridiculously excited.

She probably didn't even notice me during the first week.

Luckily for me, our teacher decided that I should sit with one of the toppers for a project.

That topper was Lara.

"Hello! Are you lost?" she asked one day, catching me staring into space.

"N-no. I was just thinking about how to make your ideas better."

"Well, I think we should get some help from the internet and borrow a few books from the library."

I laughed.

"Tell me honestly, Lara. Do you have a crush on the librarian? Why do you keep going there?"

"Yes, I do have a crush," she replied.

My heart nearly stopped.

"On books, idiot. Not the librarian."

I rolled my eyes.

"Why are you even doing this course? You should've studied literature."

"Because of you, idiot."

I frowned.

"My mother only agreed to send me this far because she thinks I'm safe with you."

Then she pointed at me.

"Doesn't she know I hate you the most?"

I laughed.

But secretly, I wished she'd replace the word hate with something completely opposite.

A loud thunder interrupted us.

It was already eight o'clock, and the rain outside showed no signs of stopping.

"We should get some dinner and discuss the project properly," I said.

"You're right. Should we cook something or go out?"

"Whatever you want, Princess."

She stared at me.

"Princess?"

"Yes. Because eventually everything has to happen according to your wishes."

To my disappointment, she looked rather pleased.

"That's true," she said proudly. "Let's go to my favourite place. Cheap food and full stomachs."

A few minutes later, we were at the restaurant.

She grabbed my hand and pulled me through the crowded entrance before I could say anything.

And just like that, every sensible thought left my mind.

God, I loved being around her.

"Here's the menu," she said.

I glanced at it for barely a second before putting it down.

"You're not even reading it."

"No need."

"Why?"

I smiled.

"Because I already know what I'm having."

"What?"

"Whatever you're ordering."

She groaned dramatically while I watched her argue with the waiter about prices and portion sizes.

And for a moment, I found myself wondering if she'd ever realize that my favourite thing on the menu had never been the food.

[fikafikasworld]

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