Page 102 of Press Play

“You? On your best behavior? Those words don’t belong together.”

“And you love it.” He kisses my cheek and rolls out of bed.

“Where are you going?”

“If I’m to behave, we need to get dressed. You’re a temptress.”

I toss a pillow at him as he runs out of the room. A smile rests on my lips, and a laugh bubbles up.

This is real.

Holy shit.

I bring my fingers to my lips. I’ve dreamed of a love like this for so long, but deep down, I started to lose hope that it was meant for me. Now that it’s here, in the palm of my hand, it’s like a dream.

When I first met Theo in the game, he became someone I relied on. He was my only friend, someone who made me smile and laugh even during my darkest days. I never had to worry about bothering him because he messaged me if I didn’t message him first.

When we met in school, I thought the universe was playing a cruel joke on me. Everyone has a different persona online. I hoped that Theo and Glavnir had some similarities, but I didn’t have to worry for long because they were always the same person. He never pretended to be someone he wasn’t.

I’m not sure when I fell in love with him. For all I know, it was a random Tuesday. It doesn’t matter, though. He’s mine now, and I’ll cherish every minute with him.

I grab a fresh set of clothes and head to the bathroom. I change into sweatpants and a baggy graphic tee, brush my teeth, and fix my hair, not hiding from my reflection because, for once, I don’t hate what I see.

The carpet is plush under my bare feet, and my head is in the clouds when I walk into the living room. Theo is nose deep in the fridge, bobbing to a song in his head. He changed as well, opting for a cozy Saturday like myself.

I walk over to him but I stop when my phone vibrates in my pocket.

“What?” I mumble, unsure I’m reading the text correctly.

“Are you okay?”

“Read this for me.” I show Theo the screen, and he squints.

“Would you and Theo want to come over for dinner tonight?” He reads the message. “What’s wrong with that?”

“It’s from Brandy.”

“And?”

“She doesn’t like you,” I say, and he grasps his chest.

“Ouch, my feelings.”

“Oh, shut it,” I laugh.

“Maybe she’s coming around? I mean, I’m rather charming.”

“That’s definitely not it.” Side-eyeing him, I scoff, and he winks at me.

“Well, my darling.” He strolls toward me and pulls me against his chest. “I guess we’ll find out for ourselves later this evening.”

The late spring breeze is cool, yet the air is warm. I borrowed one of Theo’s zip-up hoodies. The sleeves are long, and the fabric is worn, and his scent whirls around me.

Theo’s hair is damp from the shower he took before we left. With one hand in his pocket, he knocks on their townhouse door without a care in the world, the definition of poise.

Meanwhile, my heart is racing faster than it used to before I had to present a project in school. My palms are clammy, and as I release a nervous breath, Theo rubs the small of my back.

“It’s going to be okay,” Theo whispers, and I nod. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”

---