It's worrying how normal Theo was acting this morning. He meant it when he said no strings. I always knew he just wanted benefits, the 'I'm yours' moment was just that - a moment. He doesn't feel that way, and if he did, he would have tried harder, protested more or kissed me for longer.

"I'm getting a shower, don't forget that Zoe and your cousin are here."

"Oh shit, yeah. Never going to forget that."

"Help yourself to breakfast or I'll make something for us after."

"I think it's safer I cook, we don't want to burn the house down."

"Shut up."

He chuckled and pulled his hoodie over his head, slipped down the stairs as I went into the bathroom.

*

I washed last night down the drain, getting ready to remove it all from my mind. Once I was dressed and dry, I followed the smell of pancakes downstairs.

"Smells good, Linguini."

"Looking... good, Remy." He replied sarcastically as he looked me up and down.

"Did you just call me a rat?"

"You just called me a big-nosed redhead, I think we're even."

I opened the cupboards, pulling out toppings and glasses to make us drinks.

"I made enough for Zoe and Spencer if they wake up."

"Perfect."

"What are you doing today?"

"Going to go see Mom's new place."

We sat down and began eating the perfectly cooked pancakes, coating them in chocolate and fresh fruit.

I waited for a flirty comment or joke but got nothing. I know it's what I wanted but I really thought he'd fight harder for it.

"Oh, 'morning." Zoe trotted down the stairs with a skip in her stride, shortly followed by Spencer. "Smells good, Theo cooked I presume?"

"You really think Camila could do this?"

I swat Theo's arm making him flinch dramatically, rubbing his bicep.

I cleaned away my plate as Theo poured more mix into the pan.

"I'm going to get going, I need to get ready for work." Spencer told Zoe, "I'll see you soon?"

"Obviously." She smiled as he kissed her cheek. "I'll walk you out."

The two disappeared and Theo flipped the pancakes before putting them on the plate for Zo.

She returned with a smile, sitting down at the table, "thank you so much."

"No worries, I should get going too."

"Text me later, let me know how it goes."

"Sure. See you later."

After grabbing his things Theo left too. The door barely closed before Zoe's mouth opened. "Spill. Right now. All of it."

"What do you want to know?" I groaned.

"Start to finish. When, how, why, everything. Go."

"Right so-"

"Wait. Do I need popcorn?"

"Shut up." I giggled, "Okay." I sighed, taking a big breath before I began telling the story.

"It started after Joey's party. I spent the night with Matt, and he did with Katie. Then Joey's parents came home, everyone left and I lost Matt. I went with Theo and he drove me home, but we argued a lot on the way about what I was wearing-"

"That lilac dress?"

"Yeah apparently it was too revealing or something. 'All the boys were looking', you know that talk?"

"Oh, so he played the Dad act?"

"Yes. Then I tried to come in but you had the doors locked so he said I could sleep at his."

"Sorry about that."

"So we went in, he gave me clothes to cover up with and then we had hot chocolate and talked. I was texting Matt so he made me show him and then I could ask him anything I'm return so I asked him, theoretically, how to kiss. Then he kissed me."

"Awh!"

"And then it just progressed and we- yeah. But we didn't have sex, don't worry. It was meant to be him showing me how to do things."

"What happened after, was it not weird?"

"No, actually, we just joked about it. But then I texted Matt back and we got ice cream that night."

"So that's why Theo was knocking on for you! Oh my god, everything makes sense now."

"Can I carry on?"

"Yes, sorry."

"Then Matt almost kissed me. But he got a phone call, which I later found out was Theodore. Then we had school the next day and I was walking to class when I got pulled into the janitors closet by Theo."

"Ugh I miss hooking up in there."

"Ew, Zoe." I snapped, "anyways, he said he couldn't just forget about what happened and we kissed and then after school I went to his house, we talked and agreed to be friends with benefits. Then it happened again. And the next day I went for coffee with Matt but then Theo came over that night."

"I told you it was a love triangle."

"Anyway, you get the idea. That's why Theo didn't want me with Matthew. Things have been off since Matt kissed me. I had to tell Theo and then he 'got Matt out of my system', he literally washed my mouth out."

"He's definitely really kinky and dominant isn't he?"

"Zoe stop it!"

"Sorry."

"And then he went on that business thing. I didn't talk to Matt all weekend because of Theo but last night we called things off and now we're just friends again."

"Shit! Because of me?"

"No, no. It's my fault really. See he said he was mine and I freaked."

"Like, he wants to be with you or what?"

"I don't know, it was like 'I'm yours, however you'll take me' and I panicked because we're getting attached and gaining feelings."

"Is that not a good thing?"

"No- see, I like Theo like a friend, and I like Theo in bed, you know?"

"I hate to break it to you Cam, but that's what falling for someone is like. You like them inside and out. You like Theodore."

"What? No, I-"

"Camila. You're in love with your best friend. And to me it sounds like he is too."

Getting things off my chest, saying them out loud and allowing Zoe to analyse and give advice made my angle completely change.

"But he didn't care when I called it off..?"

"He said he's yours however you'll take him. He'd rather have you as a friend than risk loosing you completely. It's why he got protective, it's why he pulled you into that closet and kissed you again. And again, and again. It's why he doesn't like Matt. And I've seen the way he looks at you. It's weird to look at just a friend like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you're walking, talking treasure. His eyes light up and he does that toothy smile."

"Oh fuck, Zoe, what do I do?"

"You better tell him."

"One problem..."

"What?"

"I texted him back."

"Dumbass!"

"I'm sorry! I had him on delivered since he kissed me, he deserves an explanation!"

"I can't believe you."

"What am I doing?"

"I don't even know Cam."

"I said I'd see him tonight for ice cream again. I'll just friend-zone him, really badly."

"Really really badly. Like yellow-heart, calling-him-bro friend zone."

"Yeah. I can do that."

"No, hair flicks or batting your eye lids. No lip gloss and nice dress."

"Got it." I mentally took notes.

"And I'm giving you curfew."

"Please do."

"I can't believe this." She began laughing as she got up from the table. "So no one else knew?"

"No one. I'm going crazy trying to do this by myself."

"Well now you have me and my amazing advice."

"Thank you."

"What are sisters for?"

"Enough about me- how was Klaus Mikaelson?"

"He's hotter than Klaus!" She fangirled. "Okay, you ready? So basically..."