Chapter 5

Theo comes around the curtain, and I look up at him with a small smile. He gives me a confused look. "What's wrong?" I shake my head and look down at my sketchbook. 

"Nothing," 

"It's about the guy you like, isn't it?" I look at him. 

"Yeah, I guess it is." He sits next to me, and I watch him. 

"Do you want to talk about it?" I open my mouth, ready to speak, but close it. 

"No, actually. I just want to get lost in my artwork." He nods. 

"Okay," I continue drawing and mentally kick myself for letting him get to me. 

"Is it okay for me to be back here?" I hear. I look up, and Maggie smiles. I look at Theo, and he smiles while setting his sketchbook down. 

"Yeah, we aren't putting anything up yet, so I see why not." She gives him a small giggle. I clear my throat. They look at me. 

"When did you two get back together?" I asked. Maggie let out a nervous laugh. 

"We aren't back together. We are just talking at the moment." I nod slowly. Theo looked down. I set my sketchbook down and stood up. 

"I am going to get something from the vending machine. Anyone else?" Maggie steps in front of my way. 

"I know you aren't happy with the idea of us getting back together." She started. I open my mouth to protest but she shakes her head. "You don't want me to get hurt. Not to mention, I put you through hell because you had to be his partner. I'm sorry." I took a deep breath and put on the best smile I could. 

"I'm glad you are happy again," She smiles. 

"I really am," I click my tongue to the roof of my mouth. 

"I'll be right back." She steps out of my way, and I walk around the curtain. I let out a big breath of air and mentally kicked myself for believing anything could ever happen between Theo and me. 

Theo's P.O.V

I stand up as Anna walks around the curtain. Maggie turns to me with a smile. "We are alone," She said while raising an eyebrow. I sigh. 

"Why did you tell her we were talking?" She gave me a confused look. 

"Because we are," I shake my head. 

"By talking, I hope you mean like as in friends, because the way it sounded was as if you wanted to get back together?" She smirks. 

"And if I did?" 

"I'm not ready to be in a relationship. And you really shouldn't be so eager to forgive me. I cheated on you." She rolls her eyes. 

"I've spent all summer trying to forgive you. It wasn't easy to do. I really loved you and it hurt." I look down. 

"I don't want to make the same mistakes as last year," 

"I understand. Just friends until you are ready." I nod. 

"Thank you," 

Annalise's P.O.V

I set my keys down on my counter and took off my shoes. With a sigh, I walked to my bedroom and stripped out of my clothes. After I get out of the shower, I get dressed in some short shorts and a tank top. A knock comes from the front door, and I walk over to it. Theo smiles while handing me an iced tea again. I give him a small smile while taking it and letting him in. I cleared my throat as we walked into the dining room. He looks at me. "I owe you an apology," He says. I give him a confused look as I set my drink down. 

"For what?" He sighs. 

"For Maggie," he lets out a nervous laugh. "She made it seem like we were getting back together, but I was very clear with her that we weren't. I'm not ready to be in a relationship just yet, and I don't think she and I getting back together is a great idea." I give him a small smile as I sit down. 

"Theo, you don't owe me anything. You and Maggie dated for a long time. It's understandable if you guys wanted to try again." He sits down and looks at me. 

"It's just lately you've been acting different around me, as if you had a problem with us getting back together. I know you don't want her to get hurt again, and I am trying really hard not to make that mistake again." I shake my head. 

"I'm not just worried about her. I don't want you to get back with her because you feel like you owe it to her. If you force yourself to be in a relationship, you will get hurt." He smiles. 

"It's nice to know you care about me." I look down at the table and clear my throat. 

"What are friends for?" I said while letting out a nervous laugh. The front door opens and I look to see Spencer. He smiles as he sees me. 

"Good afternoon, beautiful." I smile back at him. 

"Afternoon, how was work?" He sighs as he sets his stuff down and walks into the dining room. 

"Too easy. And how was school?" I shrug. 

"Long," He chuckles. He looks at Theo and smiles. "Spencer, you remember Theo?" He nods. 

"Of course," He holds out his hand. Theo gives him a small smile and takes it. 

"Hey man," Spencer pulls back and looks at me. 

"Do you want me to give you guys some space?" I shrug. 

"We are just working on a project for class." He nods. 

"Well, I'm going to hop into the shower and start dinner." I nod. 

"Okay," He kisses my head and walks down the hall. I look back at Theo. He gives me a smile. 

"I was wondering when you and Spencer were going to get together." I let out a dry laugh and looked down at my sketchbook. 

"No, Spencer is just staying here but we are not together," I said looking back up at him. He rolls his eyes. 

"Oh, please, you two are perfect together." I shake my head. 

"No, seriously, Theo. Spencer is just a friend." He holds up his hands.

"Okay, whatever you say." I swallow harshly and look away from him. "I am going to my mom's house for the spring break and I was wondering if you would want to join me?" I look back at him. 

"What?" He nods. 

"She misses you." 

"That doesn't sound like a good idea. I mean, Maddie might get the wrong idea." He nods. 

"I know and I figured that out. So I invited Jasper, Maggie, Laura, Teresa, and her boyfriend. Now I'm inviting you. I was hoping for it to be you and I originally but I figured you would say no because of Maggie. You can even take Spencer." I let out a nervous laugh. 

"Why would you want me there if you are having Maggie go? I mean, she should be your only concern." He sighs. 

"I can't answer that," I tilt my head. 

"Why not?" He shrugs. 

"I might overstep this friendship boundary, and we agreed we weren't going to do that. So are you going to go or not?" 

"Why would you overstep the friendship boundary?" He licks his lip as he looks down. 

"You aren't going to give me an answer until you get one, huh?" I nod. 

"Exactly," He laughs and picks up his pencil. Spencer walks out of the bathroom in black joggers and shirtless as he walks into the kitchen. I look at him and glance at his very out their abs. He looks at me and smirks. 

"Are you checking me out, gorgeous?" I roll my eyes. 

"I was looking at your tattoo. What else would I look at?" He gasps. 

"Don't insult me because you got caught." I cross my arms. 

"You are just hoping I was checking you out," He chuckles. 

"Maybe," I roll my eyes and glance at Theo. He was watching us for a moment before turning to Spencer. 

"Hey, Spencer, what are you doing next week?" Spencer looks at him. 

"Besides work? Nothing, why?" 

"A couple of friends of mine are going with me to my mom's place. Do you want to go?" 

"Have far is it from where I work?" Spencer asked as he looked at me. 

"Closer than the house," I answered. Spencer nods and looks at Theo. 

"Yeah, sounds fun." Theo turns to look at me. 

"I've taken all of your friends from you, so you have no choice but to go." 

"Fine, I will go." He chuckles. 

"Victory feels good," I roll my eyes. 

"Don't get used to it,"  

"Oh, I'm going to enjoy it for a while." I shake my head and look back down at my sketchbook. I start sketching and look up at Theo as he starts sketching. I smile only to catch Spencer's smile from the kitchen. He turns his back on me and pretends to be kissing someone. I giggle, causing Theo to look at me. I look at him and clear my throat. 

"Sorry," He looks back at Spencer for a moment and turns back to me. 

"Am I missing something?" He asked. I shake my head. 

"Nope," He narrows his eyes at me, and I look back down at my book. A phone rings and I look up to Theo as he looks down at it. He gives off a small smile before answering it. 

"Hey, Maggie," My smile drops, and I look back down. "Oh, right now? Are you okay?" He drops his pencil on his book. "Yeah, I can come get you." I look up at hi,m confused. He hangs up the phone and looks at me. "Her car broke down on her way home from a party, and she needs a ride." I nod. 

"Yeah, okay. I'll see you tomorrow, then?" He nods as he gets up and packs up his stuff. 

"Yes, ma'am." He walks out the door, and I look at the door, disappointed. I fiddle with my pencil for a moment. 

"I thought they broke up?" Spencer asked. I nodded and looked at him. 

"They just recently started talking again. Although Theo claims he doesn't want to date her again. But the way he reacted to her calling said a different story." Spencer nods. 

"I'm sorry, princess," I shake my head and stand up. 

"Don't be. I know nothing good will come out of liking Theo. He and I just can't be. I know it, I just have to accept it." He sighs. I clear my throat. "I'm going to be in the art room if you need me." He nods. I walk into the art room and close the door. I let out a deep breath and walked over to my new canvases. I grab one and sit at my desk.