Chapter 28
Theodore
Opening night is a little over a week away. Dafne and I grab lunch together in the school’s garden the day after finally clearing things up for good, which is still surreal if I’m being honest.
It also blows my mind how interesting she is, and it seems the Theodore that could barely stand her voice is an entirely different person.
According to Devon, Oliver and he are keeping their dating ‘lowkey’, but I know my friend. He is whipped. Still, they want to figure things out on their own time, especially since Oliver’s only recently realised he’s bi, so I completely understand and respect that. The thing is, I haven’t exactly told Devon that Dafne and I are official. We haven’t told anyone, really, but I’m sure it won’t take long for most people to figure it out. I can’t take my eyes off her.
Oddly enough, Devon hasn’t asked anything nor made any comments about me coming back at an admittedly odd hour last night. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d placed a hidden microphone in my jacket, though.
And then there’s the blasted bet. I’d nearly forgotten about it until this morning, when the thought started randomly creeping in the back of my mind, reminding me I can’t keep it from her forever. I’ll tell her as soon as we’re alone again and there’s no possibility of people eavesdropping on us.
We’re about to go grab coffees before afternoon rehearsal, but Isabel intercepts us, script in hand, and asks Dafne if they can sit and go over one of their scenes before we get back to the theatre. Dafne shoots me an apologetic look, and I offer to bring the coffees back for both of us.
Twenty minutes later, when I step back into the garden, I immediately spot her gorgeous hair, even with her back to me. I take a few steps towards her, only to realise Isabel’s left, and she’s now talking to Ethan. I lean casually on the nearest tree and balance the coffee tray in one hand so I can get my script out of my rucksack and do something instead of staring at them like a creep. She said she’d tell him things couldn’t go on between them, so I assume that’s exactly what she’s doing. I repress the urge to walk over there and put an arm around her shoulder just so it’s clear she’s not available. After a few minutes, I notice Ethan nodding in my direction by way of greeting, so I nod back. Dafne waves goodbye to him and walks over to me. When our eyes meet, I’ve forgotten all about my script.
“How’d it go?” I ask as I hand her the coffee.
“It went something like ‘Aw that’s cool, dude. I mean you’re cool and really hot but it’s chill,’” she says in an impeccable Californian accent. “He’s also on his way to ask Sandra Higgins out, I believe.”
“That was quick,” I grimace. “And he told you you’re hot?”
“Do you disagree?” she wiggles her eyebrows.
“Absolutely not. It’s just a weird thing to say to someone who’s essentially rejecting you,” I shrug.
“He also said his spider senses,” she makes air quotations with one hand, “weren’t wrong.”
“About …?”
“He’s the one who thought you and I were a thing all these years,” she says as she stares at her cup. “When I went out with him, he told me as much.”
Isn’t that ironic.
“If I had a penny for every time Devon mentioned you and I should have slept together,” I sigh as I place a hand on the small of her back, “I’d be filthy rich and with a yacht docked at Brighton Pier.”
She laughs then, and I think it might be my new favorite sound .
Dafne
Later in the evening, we finish rehearsal for Act Five. Theodore and I had to lie ‘dead’ for quite a long time, and it’s been really hard to resist the urge to thread my fingers through his hair with him so close. Lord help me, I don’t even recognise myself anymore–in a good way, that is. I kept the softest part of me hidden for too long. And the little surprise I’ve put together for him … he’ll never see it coming. I can’t wait.
I’m debating whether to show him already, but I’d sort of like for it to be a special moment. I could ask him to get dinner and–
“I’ll meet you in an hour, yeah?” Ollie asks, scattering my thoughts.
“Hhmm?” “It’s Cartoons Night,” he reminds me.
Of course. One night every month, Phoebe, Ollie and I meet in my room and watch an animated film. We use a random generator to choose for us from our list, and it’s ridiculous, but also fun. It suddenly strikes me how it’s going to be our last Cartoons Night at APDAS. An unpleasant feeling completely opposite to the cloud I was walking on knots my stomach. Theo’s surprise can wait. I explain that I can’t see him tonight, which he doesn’t seem too happy about, but he understands. I plant a kiss on his cheek before darting towards my dorm.