|| Arabella ||
"Welcome home, new couple," Wyatt and Coral greeted us together with matching cheeky grins when Theo and I entered the apartment.
We had gone directly to the graveyard after landing in Anaheim, so we were just getting home now.
"Thank you," I said with an overly sweet smile while Theo went to our respective bedrooms to put our luggage.
When Theo came back, we were all sitting in the living room. "I thought there was supposed to be a party here," he said, seeming disappointed at the undecorated apartment.
Wyatt scoffed and replied, "Who is going to clean up after we have a party here?"
"So no birthday party for me?" Theo frowned.
"Of course, there is. But it's not here, idiot," Wyatt said.
Theo's mouth formed into an 'o' as he said, "Cool." He sat down beside me, and I rested my head on his shoulder, hugging his side since he seemed a little cold ever since giving away his jacket to his dad.
"I can't still believe you guys are finally dating," Coral squealed.
"That's the twentieth time you have said that since hearing the news," Wyatt mentioned.
"And I'll say it a hundred more times." She grinned.
"You're way more excited about this than we are," Theo said.
"You bet I am. I wanna rub it on those annoying girls who said that Ara and Theo could never be a thing. They will now know to never underestimate my guts," she explained with pride.
But now that she mentioned it, I didn't know if Theo would want to let the school know about our relationship. What if he didn't? I mean, it would be weird to be dating after being at each other's throats for years.
I must have been looking up at him in question when he smiled and flicked my forehead lightly. "I'm not going to hide our relationship."
"So you're going to announce it verbally to everyone?" Coral prompted.
Theo looked at her and said, "Not exactly. But I'll make sure they know."
"Huh, okay," Coral said and turned to talk with Wyatt about something.
I was getting too comfortable in Theo's embrace when I heard him yawn. It made me remember that I still had to buy a gift, so I stood up and said, "Theo, you should take a nap. Meanwhile, I'll go buy your gift."
"You need a nap too. We were up late," he replied.
"Oh-hoh, what were you guys up to last night?" Coral asked mischievously.
My cheeks heated up at her indication. "Not what you are thinking. We were playing with Susan." I threw a pillow aiming at her face, but it landed on Wyatt's.
"Really?" she insisted, putting on a lewd face.
"Yes, really. Why don't you tell us what you guys were doing while we were away?" Theo asked, smirking.
Now it was Coral's time to get flustered.
'Well, well, something definitely happened between you two at least," I added.
"Uh, oh, we need to go make preparations for your party," Coral excused and pulled Wyatt up by his arm, dragging him out of the apartment.
I was chuckling at the couple when Theo said, "You're leaving me alone then?"
"Yes, but only for a while," I assured.
He nodded and stood up. "Then I'm going to my room."
"Okay," I said and started following him to his room.
"Why are you following me?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I'll leave after you fall asleep," I simply stated and walked into his bedroom.
"I'm not a kid. I can sleep on—"
"I don't want to come back and find you wide awake with your thoughts, so I'll make sure you're sleeping before I leave." I knew that Theo was still bothered about today's meeting with his father, so I didn't want him to overthink it and get down before his birthday.
"It's already evening. You shouldn't waste more time. I know you suck at choosing. You'll take hours finding a simple blanket for Clove," he reasoned.
"In simple terms, you don't want to cuddle with me?"
"What? No. That's not what I said."
If I wanted to get him to obey my whims, emotional blackmail was the way to go about it. "Yes, I understand. You're making excuses because you don't want to cuddle with me."
"You didn't mention cuddles before," he said flatly.
I put a hand on my hip and retorted, "How else did you think I would help you fall asleep? Singing a lullaby?"
He chuckled, probably imagining the scenario in his head. "No, please spare me. My sleep will hang itself on the fan at your voice."
"Hey, you're just as bad a singer as I am."
"And yet, you guys planned my birthday party at a karaoke bar."
"Oh, c'mon, everyone is a horri—" My eyes widened. "Wait a minute, how did you know?"
"It's hard not to when you're 'secretly' planning it over the phone with your door open."
"You eavesdropped?" I exclaimed.
"In my defense, I didn't mean to. You were talking too loudly." He rolled his eyes and walked over to his bed.
"Then that sentimental comment about not having a party in the apartment was a lie?"
"Uh-huh," he said while taking off his shoes and socks.
"You know what? No cuddles for you." I pouted and laid down on the bed, crossing my arms over my chest firmly.
I heard him laugh lightly before the bed dipped. Soon, his arms snaked over my waist. "My bad. Don't give me such a severe punishment," he whispered, nuzzling his nose in my hair.
I melted and hummed in response that he was forgiven. I closed my eyes in comfort as he inched closer. Sleep was starting to take over me due to the jet lag.
"Don't fall asleep," he mumbled. His voice was heavy with sleep.
"Mm-hmm," was all I heard before I snoozed off.
———
I stirred in my sleep, turning over to hug Theo. He was sleeping peacefully. I smiled, burying my face in his clavicle.
I was about to doze off again when the rhythmic tick-tock echoed in my ears.
My eyes flew wide open.
"Shit," I cursed slowly and glanced at the clock which read half-past nine. I quickly got up, still careful enough not to wake Theo up.
I was such an idiot. I ended up falling asleep when I was supposed to go buy a gift for Theo. Not to mention that I still had to choose something to buy for him. There was no way I would only give him something for Clover on his first birthday with me.
I knew I was going to get an earful from Wyatt for not helping with the preparations. Thank goodness, I didn't take the responsibility to make the cake.
I rushed out of Theo's room and checked my phone in the living room to find many missed calls from Wyatt and Coral.
I texted them a quick apology and the real reason while slipping on my shoes in a hurry to get out of the apartment.
I ran to the nearest shopping mall and chose the fluffiest small blanket I could find. Good thing cats can't complain verbally about the designs.
I roamed around the gifts section, hoping to find something good. That was when I got a call from Wyatt.
"Where are you?" he asked without any greetings.
"In the mall."
"Will you make it in time to go back home and bring Theo here blindfolded?"
"There's no point of the blindfold. He already knows that the party is at the karaoke bar."
"What? How? Did you tell him?"
"No. He heard me talking over the phone."
Wyatt sighed. "Okay, no problem. Can you bring him here?"
"I don't know. I still have to—" I stopped talking midway when my eyes fell on something in a gift store. "No, sorry, I can't."
"So you're saying I've to drive back home now?"
"Thank you, Wyatt. You're the best." With that, I hung up as I found the perfect gift for my boyfriend.
———
"Thanks for the ride," I said as I got down from the cab in a hurry.
I barely made it in time. Only twenty minutes were left before the clock would hit midnight.
I entered the bar to find that some of Theo's friends were already on the stage, singing their throats off. A lot of people from our schools were invited since Wyatt booked the whole place—which meant, there were some annoying faces as well, such as Michelle and her minions. I couldn't be bothered with them right now.
I placed my gifts near the pile and searched for my beloved boyfriend who was going to turn seventeen in a few minutes.
I found him near the bar counter, talking, more like yelling at Wyatt.
"—where is she? Why would you let her go alone this late at night? And why is she not here yet? You know what? I'm going to look for her—" Theo stopped as he turned around and saw me.
"Hi." I flashed him a nervous smile and wave, and he shot me an unamused look.
"Where were you?" he scolded as he came closer to me.
"I went to get your gift."
"Did you go to knit Clove's blanket or what?"
"No. I just—" I lowered my head and mumbled sincerely, "Sorry to make you worry."
Theo sighed and pulled me in a hug. "Don't do this again. I thought I wouldn't see you on my birthday or that something happened to you," he mumbled.
I wrapped my arms around him and reassured, "I'm fine."
He only hugged me tighter in response.
In order to lighten the mood, I said, "By the way, you look really handsome." He was wearing a black blazer over a white t-shirt and black jeans. The black color suited him too perfectly.
"Well, of course, I'm the main attraction."
I chuckled. "Meanwhile, your girlfriend still looks like she just got up from bed."
"No problem. I bought an outfit for her," he informed proudly.
I pulled away from the hug and raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Really?"
He nodded. "I don't know what you originally planned to wear, but I chose a black one to match mine."
I smiled. "Thank you."
"Now, go get dressed up. I'm not cutting the cake without you."
"Aye, sir." I giggled and took the three white paper bags on the counter, heading to the women's restroom.
I slipped into the half sleeve silk black knee-length dress. A big grin formed on my face as I found matching black heels and makeup inside the other bags. I could imagine Theo's cute confused look when he opened the drawer of my dresser.
God, I was so lucky to have him.
I quickly fixed my makeup and hair before coming out of the restroom. I hurried to the center of the big room where Theo was surrounded by many people. Coral and Wyatt were beside him as well.
I pushed my way through, earning a few annoyed grunts, but I finally managed to reach his side.
Theo's worried expressions turned into a big smile as he saw me.
"Okay, only one minute left until Theo turns seventeen! Theo, say something that you're grateful for while you are still sixteen," Taylor, one of his friends from the football team cheered.
Theo's eyes were on me as he uttered, "I'm grateful to have you in my life."
I was about to reply, but Taylor beat me to it, "Aww, me too. You're such a good friend. I love you too, bro."
I giggled and saw Theo fighting the urge to roll his eyes and say, "Not you—"
"Only ten seconds left!" someone hollered.
Theo kept his gaze on me with the softest smile on his face until everyone shouted, "Happy birthday, Theo!"
Theo finally averted his eyes from me and thanked everyone.
"Cut the cake! Cut the cake! I can't wait. It looks too delicious," insisted another of his friends, Jeremy.
"Okay, okay, but just leave some for others after I cut it," Theo joked while picking up the knife.
"Don't forget to give the first slice of your most special one here," someone else reminded him, whose name I couldn't recall.
I got ready to clap with the others as Theo prepared to cut the cake. But much to my surprise, Theo tugged on my wrist, placing my hand on top of his. I heard many people gasp in shock.
I gaped at him for a moment, but he only smiled which made it spread to my lips as well. Along with that started whispers, and I swear that I heard Michelle slump to the floor.
"What is he doing? Is Theo dating Annabelle?"
"No way. Don't fall for it. Last time, it was a misunderstanding as well."
"But he has been smiling at Annabelle ever since she came."
"How oblivious are you guys? Just look at them. They are so in love."
"Enemies to lovers. Wow, a classic. Can't say I'm not happy for them."
So, this was what Theo meant when he said that he would make sure that everyone knew about us. He made that even clearer as we cut the cake together, and he held out the first slice to me.
Before I took the bite, I completed what I wanted to say before, "Me too. You're the best thing that ever happened to me."
