Returning Love

Close came in what seemed like seconds to Theo, but hours to everyone else. He went to see if Bea had fallen asleep before he clocked out. She hadn’t. She was too busy being sucked into a different world, she didn’t have time to sleep. “I will clock out and we can go, if you are still up for dinner.” Bea nodded subconsciously and never looked up from the book he had given her. Theo chuckled at how cute she was being and walked to the time clock. He punched his numbers and password in and made sure he was not on work hours before he went to grab his things. He walked back to Bea and lowered the book, “You ready?”

She tore her eyes from the pages and noticed he was ready to go. She looked down and saw all of her homework sprawled out on the table in front of her. “Yeah, I just need to throw everything in my backpack. Then we can go eat.”

Theo smirked and held the book as she picked up her things, shoving them into her black and blue backpack. She threw him a makeshift bookmark, so he could mark where she left off and held her hand out to take it. He handed it to her and once she put it in there, she zipped it up and jumped up. “Now are you ready?” He chuckled.

“Yes, now I am all set to go.” She picked up her backpack, slung it over her shoulder and walked out of the building with him. She really wanted to grab his hand, but didn’t want to be too forward.

“How’d you get here? Did you drive?” Theo asked.

“No, I actually biked here…so I may need you to bring me home…”

Theo chuckled, “That’s fine, I can do that. I can put your bike in my car too. It fits mine, so it should fit yours.” He grinned.

He glanced down at their hands, wanting to intertwine them. His heart sped up the closer they got when they walked. Her body brushing up against his, their hands touching gently; it made his heart flutter. Theo didn’t want to act too forward and scare Bea off, but his heart just leapt out of chest every time they brushed against each other. His hand grabbed hers, gently, and without thinking, his fingers slithered between hers, fitting like a glove.

Bea wiggled her fingers, making them comfortable between Theo’s. She smiled softly and her heart sped up. “Um, my bike is right here,” she commented, pointing to her bike with her free hand.

Theo smiled, “Alright, let’s bring it over to the car.” It was hard for him to release her hand, as if they were glued to one another. Bea slipped her hand from his, her finger tips lingering on his. She grabbed her bike and walked it over to Theo’s vehicle.

He unlocked the car and put Bea’s transportation in the back. He looked back at her with a bright smitten smile and he watched as she shyly looked away. He closed his trunk and walked to the passenger side of the car, opening the door for her. “Um…thank you,” she bit her lower lip and got in.

Theo shut the door and jogged to the other side, getting in and starting the car. “Late dinner, here we come.” He chuckled.

Bea giggled and put her hand on her knee, thinking about grabbing Theo’s hand as he drove his stick shift vehicle. Her heart beat so quickly as she stared at Theo while he drove. Her hand slithered to the middle console between the seats and up the shifter, reaching his hand.

Theo adjusted gently, grabbing her hand and resting his on the shifter. “You wanna learn stick shift?” He asked, glancing over to Bea.

“S–sure…” she whispered and let his hand guide hers as he shifted gears. Her eyes never left the shifter and a smile crept on her face. “Is it really easy to learn stick?”

“Yeah. Once you learn it, you never forget it,” Theo grinned. “Maybe one day I can really show you how to drive it.” He glanced over as he came to a stop at a light.

“I’d like that,” Bea batted her eyes shyly.

Theo smirked with a breathy chuckle and pulled into the parking lot of the family restaurant. “Oh man…they closed early today…” he frowned.

Bea looked at the building and saw all the lights off, “Oh no! Well…we could just get some fast food and eat it at the cliff by my high school. If you want to.” She suggested.

“Sure. Why not? Where did you wanna get food?”

“The Lotus Arch has some good food and it’s somewhat healthy. They should still be open. It’s right across the street from my school.”

“Alright then, tell me the way to get there!” Theo bellowed. Bea laughed and pushed her blonde hair away from her face.

She told him the way and they got there by nine-thirty. “You can park and we can go in and order. It’s not a sit down place, which is why I suggested the cliff not far from here.”

Theo nodded and stopped the car. He got out, ran to Bea’s side and opened the door for her. She smiled and lowered her gaze. Theo kissed her on the cheek as he shut the passenger side door and guided her inside. “So, when are you back to school?”

Bea raised her brows, “That was really random,” she giggled.

“I um…well…just notice you work all day at Urban Grind during the week, so I was just curious…plus you have homework…”

Bea got on her tippy toes, kissing him on his cheek, “I start next week. My school starts at the end of September and goes into the beginning of July. My dad made me keep up my academics during the summer with home made worksheets he made. It’s strange, but it’s a thing.”

Theo was going to say something, but the person at the counter interrupted him, “Are you two going to order or just stand there and chit chat?”

Theo glared at the bratty teenage girl working the counter and looked back to Bea with a gentle smile. “Are you ready to order?”

Bea nodded and walked up the counter, “I’ll have the double veggie burger please with lettuce instead of the bun. I will also have that as a meal with sweet potatoes fries and a regular soda,” she looked to Theo with a smile.

“I’ll have two cheese burgers with extra pickles and no onions. I will have that as a meal with sweet potato fries and a large soda. Oh! And two double fudge brownies please.”

The girl punched everything in with a roll of her green eyes and snapped her gum, “That will be twenty-four thirty-seven.”

Bea took out some cash to pay for hers, but Theo threw his card in the slot instead. “My treat.” He smiled.

“Your number is 174. Please wait off to the side.” She handed them their cups for their sodas and went to gather their food.

“She wasn’t very nice…” Bea frowned. Theo shook his head in response. “You think we should talk to her supervisor or something?”

“I mean, it couldn’t hurt. But I don’t see anyone else back there besides the cook. I can just call tomorrow morning.”

Bea nodded and put some ice into her cup, and filled it with the white soda they had on tap. Theo followed and filled his own with the lemonade. A few minutes went by and their number was called. Bea went up to grab it and before they left the building, she checked to make sure everything was in there. “Good, everything seems right.”

“Now let’s go eat. ‘Cause man am I starving.” Theo laughed.

They went out to the car and got in. “The cliff is up the road to the left.” Bea mentioned.

Theo smiled and headed to the cliff. “So is there a specific name for this cliff? Like you know in those cute romantic movies?”

“I think it’s called Lovers Peak. But it’s a stupid name. I like Lookout Peak better, that’s what it used to be called before guys took their girlfriends there just to do stuff.” Bea groaned with a roll of her eyes.

Theo snickered, “Well, I’ll tell you right now, it’s Lookout Peak for us tonight, and only Lookout Peak until we are both ready…if you’re i–interested in um…seeing each other more often outside of work….” He pulled into a parking spot that looked over the cliff and parked the car.

Bea giggled, “I’d like that. Shall we go sit on the hood of your car and eat dinner?”

“Yes, I’m starving.”

The two got out of the car, each grabbing their own drink from the cup holder. Theo set his soda on the ground to help Bea up on the hood and their eyes gazed into each other. Theo made the first move and dove in for the kiss on the lips. Bea tensed up, but relaxed as soon as he barely touched her cheeks with his finger tips after he set her down.

Her lips parted slightly and she felt his tongue on her lips. She pulled away, pressing her lip together, not making eye contact with him. “Well…um…we should probably eat…” she pushed her hair from her face.

“Um…yeah. S–sorry about that…I–I didn’t mean t–” he was cut off by Bea’s lips on his own. She grabbed his knee and he immediately pulled away. “I–I don’t think we should go that far…”

Bea’s face went beat red as she glanced down to his pants. She noticed a small bulge and her face went even darker red. “I–I am so sorry…” she turned to face the cliff and grabbed the food from the bag. “Um…here…” she handed him his burgers and fries.

“Th–thanks…” Theo took them and adjusted his sitting position. He slowly ate and it was silent. He cleared his throat, “Um…Bea…c–can I tell you something?”

Bea turned to face him as she put a fry in her mouth, “Sure, Theo.”

“I really don’t want to move too fast with you…I want to take things at a good pace, but…” his voice grew quiet.

“But what, Theo?” Bea asked, but then she realized what he was trying to admit. “Theo, I haven’t either. I’ve been waiting for the right person. Theo, I wasn’t trying to do anything…just a tick I do. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, gosh, Bea! Don’t be sorry! I just wasn’t expecting it and with me not um…yeah…anything really gets to me…”

Bea giggled, “I still feel bad.” She bit into her burger, “Anyways, let’s change the subject. Hmmm…what’s your favorite food?”

Theo chuckled, “I’d have to say mac n cheese or a nice juicy steak. What about you?”

“I would have to say chicken wings,” she giggled. “I like my veggie burgers too! Don’t give me that judging look, sir.”

Theo laughed, “I’m not judging! I swear!”

Bea playfully shoved him, “I can see those beautiful hazel eyes judging me.” She pouted with a giggle.

Theo smirked and finished his first burger, “I promise, I am not judging you. I like my vegetarian options too on occasion.”

“Good.” She finished up her own burger and looked out to the city skyline. “This is a beautiful view, isn’t it?”

Theo looked at her with a smile, “It sure is.” 

Bea turned to face Theo and he was caught. “What are you staring at?” She batted her eyes, looking down subtly.

Theo scratched the back of his head, “Hehe…you…you’re just so pretty…” he sighed and his fries fell off the car. “Oh man! I barely had any!” He frowned.

Bea held out her fries, “We can share mine. I don’t mind,” she smiled.

“Thanks,” he took one and munched on it, turning to face the city. “So what’s your favorite color?”

“Hmmm…I’d have to say…hazel.” Bea leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. “What about yours?”

“Blue-grey, hands down.” Theo turned to her and kissed her on the forehead. “I should probably get you home, as much as I don’t want to.”

Bea checked her phone and it was ten-thirty. She had four missed calls from her father and a million texts from him. “Yeah, you’re probably right…I just really don’t wanna go home. My dad is gonna be so mad.”

“Hey, I can deal with your dad. Don’t worry about that. C’mon, let’s get my pretty little bookworm home.” He smiled. He slid off the hood and picked Bea up, spinning her around once and setting her down.

Bea walked to the passenger side and got in after helping clean up the mess they made. Theo jumped in on the drivers side and started the car. They sat in silence, the only thing making noise was the radio that was playing soft music from a random station. “I can program my address in your phone so you know where you are taking me,” Bea offered.

“Oh, um…sure. That would be great. Thanks,” Theo smiled softly and handed her his phone as he drove slowly from the cliff side parking lot.

Bea plugged her address in, saving it for him for later dates she hoped they would have together. She plugged his phone into the aux jack and Theo fixed his radio so his phone would come through the speakers, making it easier for him. “Do you need to see it, or can you get there with just listening?”

“I should be fine just listening to it. You can turn on some music if you’d like. I have a bunch of stuff on my phone, so you can pick whatever you wanna listen to.”

Bea pressed her lips together and scrolled through Theo’s music library, searching for the perfect song to play. “Ah HA!” She quickly pressed play and the song started off right away.

Theo glanced at her, with raised brows, “I had no idea you were this scary.” He chuckled.

“I’m not that scary! I just don’t look like the type of girl who listens to screamo/rock cover bands.” Bea giggled.

“Welp, I know who we are seeing in concert then when they come to town next June!”

“Yes! I have wanted to see them for so long, but never knew they were touring. Toxic Surge is my favorite band! My parents don’t know that though. They still think Crimson is my favorite band, and they’re Christian Rock.” Bea grinned.

“They’re good too! But I had no idea they were Christian Rock. I heard they were coming this summer too during my hometowns music festival. That is where Toxic Surge is going to be too.”

“Oh! That sounds awesome! I’ll have to come visit then!”

Theo abruptly stopped the car, “You’d really come visit me during the summer?” He stared at her, his eyes wide.

Bea’s face grew red, “Um…that wasn’t supposed to come out of my mouth…but yes..I would love to visit you during the summer. It would be fun to see where you grew up.”

“Now I really need to get on your dad’s good side,” Theo chuckled and took her hand, “I would love that. Seeing you during the summer would be the best summer vacation I would ever have.” He started moving forward again and continued towards her home. “Oh, did you text your mom you were on your way home?”

Bea nodded and kept holding Theo’s hand as he continued to shift gears. “It sure would be the best summer vacation ever…” she whispered to herself, staring out the passenger side window, daydreaming. She felt a gentle squeeze and a smile crept across her lips.

The hand squeezing went on for the rest of the ride to Bea’s home. They finally released their hands and Bea sighed. Theo kissed her on the cheek, “Don’t worry, I’m right here.”

“Thanks,” she blushed and left the vehicle. Theo got out and unlocked his trunk to grab her bike. Bea took it from him and rolled it up to her front porch, while Theo followed, locking his car with his keyfob.

Bea’s dad came out of the house, with a disapproving look, and Bea avoided eye contact with him. “Beatrice Marie, you were supposed to be home hours ago.”

“Daddy, mom said it was okay for me to be out.” Bea protested.

“Sir, I apologize for having her home so late. I promise it won’t happen again,” Theo stepped in.

“You’re right, it won’t happen again. You are not seeing her again,” Bea’s father explained.

Theo’s heart sank, and Bea grew angry, “Daddy! That is so unfair! I’m almost eighteen! You can’t keep treating me like this because you are overprotective!” She turned her attention to Theo, “I love you more than anything. He won’t stop me from seeing you.”

“But I can and I will. You are forbidden to see this boy ever again! Now get to your room, before things get worse.”

“But sir! You can’t be serious! I’ll make you change your mind! You’ll see!” Theo clenched his fists and stormed off to his car.

Bea left for her room in tears and she heard Theo peel out of her driveway. She grabbed her phone and texted him, ‘I really do love you more than anything, Theo. I know it’s only been a few short hours, but my words are true. Stay safe and I hope to see you tomorrow morning at Urban Grind. You always make my morning better. <3 goodnight, morning burd. :*’ She smiled with every word she typed and when she sent it, a huge smile appeared on her face as she slowly dozed off on top of her bed.