Starting that week, my afternoons were filled by meetings with Theo to work on our history project. The change of pace made each day somewhat enjoyable, and I actually looked forward to going to school.

Every day after class ended, Theo would post up in the hallway outside my seventh period class. The sight of a mercurial bad boy leaning against the faded cobalt lockers always grabbed attention from curious onlookers. I tried to pay no attention to the small crowd that would always form a few feet away‒‒girls and boys alike passing hushed gossip about Theo’s look on any given day. Today seemed only slightly unusual in that Theo was absent of his usual blood-stained clothing. It seemed, for once, that he’d gone an entire school day without getting in a fight.

As I strolled past the crowd I gave Theo a silent nod, to which he returned and kicked off the lockers to join me as I headed down the hallway. We funnel down the crowded stairway, the lack of space pushing me closer to Theo. The heat of his skin made me more aware of his presence as he guided us through the jungle mess of students.

Suddenly, Theo grabbed me by the hand to lead me through a congested area out to the main hallway. I was just glad that all the noisy afternoon bustle covered the tumultuous beating of my own heart. Half aroused, half having a panic attack‒‒I didn’t know what to think.

We made a turn to get away from the crowds. Theo let go of my hand and strolled down a secluded hallway to meet up with Kash and Derrick by a broken water fountain; his warmth still lingering on my hand as I slowly followed behind him. Once we assembled, we all chatted and continued down the long hallway to the library.

Walking through the squeaky thick hardwood doors, we headed to the two tables at the back. I made my way to my usual seat, next to a poorly tinted window (the peeling material scratched and chipped away by generations of distracted students sitting in this very same spot). Theo sat across from me, taking out his laptop to resume writing the paper. Following his lead, I pulled out my own computer and opened up our PowerPoint. I had already finished it, but I kept the project open for any extra details Theo might want to pepper into his writing.

We were assigned this project on Monday and were basically done with it by Thursday. I found out during these study sessions that Theo was lowkey an overachiever. Other than myself, I have never heard of any student at Rosewood High finishing a project during the first week it was assigned. And he was right when he said he could write quickly: the only reason why we were in the library today was to finish up the bibliography and add some references into the paper. I felt I was here more for moral support rather than any real reason.

Theo quietly typed on his laptop, the soft keystrokes creating a calming mood in the almost completely empty library, sending me into a trance. My mood was interrupted by the loud cackling of Kash’s laughter one table over. He and Derrick seemed to be getting along these days. The loud munching of potato chips continued on as Kash chatted at a million miles an hour about some random topic. I turned to see Derrick, doing most of the work while Kash lazily leaned back in the unstable library chair.

I’m actually glad Theo was my partner because it looked like Kash hadn't done any work. For whatever reason, Derrick didn’t seem to mind shouldering all the work and this truly befuddled me. Turning back around, I stole some quick glances over my screen at Theo hunched into his work. Who knew a diligent student was hidden behind those sleeve tattoos and that hardened stone face.

Wow… he looks like such a nerd right now.

I silently chuckled at my thought. Theo was definitely a nerd, but honestly, I really liked that about him. Not only was he extremely smart, he was drop dead gorgeous. I hadn’t found myself thinking about guys like this before, but I just couldn't deny the sex appeal that dripped off him. I noticed the longing stares from the girls around the school, whispering for their chances to spend one night with him. It made me curious to know what it would be like to be with him too, what it would be like to hold Theo’s attention… Or was I doing this already?

I mean, I’m not saying I’m gay, but...

I shook my head from the frazzled tangent my mind went on. Clearly, questioning my own sexuality at this time wasn't the best use of my time management and I didn't need my brain to shut down like on Monday. I hit the spacebar on my laptop to keep the computer from going to sleep, mindlessly tracing my finger on the mousepad to watch my cursor dance around my PowerPoint screen. I peeked my eyes over the laptop edge again to steal another quick glance of Theo, a soft smile grazing across his face. He smiled a lot when we were alone. It was revealing in such a gentle way, and I couldn’t help but like it.

“Remy, you know it’s rude to stare”, he said without breaking eye contact from his screen. He gave me no more than a brief glance of his piercing green eyes before continuing to type.

And here I am, thinking I’m so stealthy.

“Huh?... Oh, sorry!” I said, defeatedly ducking my head behind the safety wall of my laptop. I was blushing like an alabaster Japanese schoolgirl and I didn’t want him to see it.

Why am I so awkward!?

“Don't worry about it,” he chuckled as he shifted in his seat, his tall frame adjusting to the uncomfortable set up of the tiny chair. A few strands of his gelled-back hair drifted onto his forehead. He casually ran his fingers up and back to restyle it before focusing his attention back on me. He wistfully shut my laptop screen and peered directly into my eyes, “What's up?”

“Oh... Nothing. I was just wondering why you like doing your school work so much.”

“I mean there really isn't anything else for me to do?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, I guess school work is kind of a distraction for me.”

“How come?”

“Well, every day I walk in here and someone wants to fight me.” He put so frankly what up to this point I could only assume by the cuts and bruises ever present on his face and arms. Theo was a man of few words, but whatever he said (whether arousing or alarming) seemed to hit me like a brick through a windshield.

Theo continued, his eyes growing unexpectedly softer and tired, “The homework‒‒the projects,” he paused and sighed, “Flunking out wouldn’t be any less stressful. Plus, the work is a decent enough distraction.”

“Oh… sorry.”

He let out a slight laugh, “What? It’s not like it’s your fault. Plus, I'm used to it by now. Ever since I was little, I would always hide in the library to avoid getting into fights. Started reading to de-stress from all the chaos of school life and,” he glanced up briefly at the maze of dust and books around us, “the library became my sanctuary. I just like the feeling when I completely forget who I am with my nose in a book.”

“Wow,” I giggled just a bit, “I guess you really are a nerd.” Theo shot me an almost nervous glare, as if I’d caught him off guard with my little comment. He leaned back in his chair and scoffed slightly before a seemingly unmanageable grin stretched across his face.

Theo leaned forward in his chair, the tiny creaks from the shifting weight signaling an imminent cry for help. “Hey, think you could do me a favor? I need to take a look at the reference book I was using yesterday, do you remember the red one?”

“Oh yeah, I remember. It's like two aisles down from here, right?” I asked, pointing my finger in the direction I thought was right.

“Yeah, that’s the one! If you could grab that for me then we should be done with everything for the project.”

“Ok, cool.” I nodded my head, taking leave to quickly speed off down the towering rows of bookshelves, thankful to have some excuse to be helpful. I tried to retrace my steps from yesterday. I knew what book he was talking about: it was a cherry faded book with a Roman warrior on it. It was one of the reference books I found during my search of materials for the project, and I recalled it being at the end of one of these aisles, towards a dusty corner to the right of our table. I followed my memory through the endless maze of books until I arrived at the corner that seemed familiar. Skimming through each shelf, I kept my eyes focused for the reference book.

It's not here!

Was I mistaken? I couldn't be‒‒it had to be in this area! I turned around and quickly scanned the shelf behind me. Nothing! I turned back and checked again, I felt myself going crazy.

It had to be here, I know it's here.

Taking a deep breath in, I began to focus on each book, coming to the end of the top shelf when I finally saw it.

“Yes!” Satisfied with the victory of finding the hidden treasure, I went to reach for it when a rough, callous hand grabbed for it at the same time. The sudden appearance of the hand sent me into a panic as I quickly spun around to see Theo standing over me.

I didn't say anything, slightly confused by his presence. Maybe he thought I was too slow and came to help or maybe he thought I was lost. Either way, he was here now.