"We're done warming up." Coaches voice echoed through the gym. "Last week was training for fun, this week is going to be hard work. First game this is Thursday, fifth period, here in this hall. I've already picked my starting players and captains, but that doesn't mean you can sit today out, I want to see 110%, nothing less. Same teams as last week let's go!"

*

The whistle ended our game, and everyone went to slouch on the benches while we listened to another one of coach's pep-talks before we can go home.

"Starting the game this Thursday are: Chris Williams... Samuel Walker... Jake Jackson... your Vice-Captain Scott Green and Captain- Theodore DeMarco."

"Ayy!" Jake's hands shook my shoulders, "You're Captain man!"

I let him push me about, and even pushed him back. He's starting to grow on me. "You made first line man, congrats."

After exchanging pats on the backs coach quietened us down. "Let's start the year off strong. Now, you're free to go. Oh and can new members stay back for a second?"

We flooded out of the gym hall in a group, laughing and jokingly pushing each other around. "Hey 'Marco?" I turned around to see Scott. "Congrats dude."

"You too. See you."

I flung my gear bag over my shoulder and headed out to my car.

"Hey, Theo?"

I glanced around and spotted Camila walking over to me, "Guess who's co-Captain?"

A smile grew from ear to ear across my face, she got it too. "Co? I can do you one better..."

"You're Captain!"

"You sound surprised." I laughed, tossing my bags in my trunk. "Congratulations, co-Captain."

"Thank you, Captain."

She had one of her contagious smiles plastered on her face, contrasting to how she seemed earlier on. Seeing her smile made me feel even happier, but I'm not sure what to do with myself. Do I give her a hug or get in my car and drive away?

"Hey, Camila!" That answered my question.

"I gotta go. Tell your Mom I said 'hi', I'll text you later."

"Sure, bye."

I watched her walk away to Matthew, and pulled my eyes away to spare myself when he placed him hand on her back. Why does that make me want to vomit?

"Mhm... and how do you spell that?"

Matthew and I have gone through three different subjects and four cups of coffee in the past hour. He's a decent study partner but keeps flashing me those eyes and biting his lip, which I'm acting like I don't notice.

"One more coffee?" He practically begged as I placed my cup back down. "Come on, we're celebrating..."

Matthew made the team, which really surprised me, but I didn't act surprised. I'm sure Theo will be thrilled.

"One more, then I really should get home."

"Okay, I'll be right back."

I piled up the books I was finished with, slipping them back into my bag in exchange for my phone. I know I shouldn't but I found myself compelled to text Theo, so I did.

*Hey, how's everything going?*

*I'm home-alone, just doing homework. You?*

*Good, just having one more coffee then I'm gonna go home.*

*Ok, text you later.*

The lack of effort in our conversations the past few days is apparent, and I hate it.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah." I took the warm mug of coffee off him, "Thank you."

"No problem." He picked up a notebook off the coffee table in between us. "What subject now?"

*

It was almost six o'clock by the time I got home. My stomach was full of liquids but I haven't eaten a proper meal in hours, and I'm starving.

Zoe left me a note on the kitchen table, with a twenty-dollar bill beside it -

Order something for dinner x

I pulled out my phone and rang the local pizza place, ordering myself a small pizza before turning on the shower.

My clothes dropped to the floor and I took the tight hair tie out of my hair, letting it fall to my shoulders as I stepped under the steaming hot tap, washing away today's emotions.

*

"Thank you."

I sat on the sofa, taking the first slice of pizza when my phone rang. "Hey, how's everything?"

"It's fine." Theo yawned. "Just had dinner and now we're going to watch a movie."

"Ooh what movie?"

"Pitch Perfect." He groaned, making me chuckle. "Becca's choice, not mine."

"I kind of guessed that."

"Yeah. How was your.. afternoon."

"It was fine, we just studied and did homework and stuff. I just ordered pizza." I attempted to change conversation.

"Cool. You home alone tonight?"

"Yep." I popped the 'p.'

"You could always come over, Mom wouldn't mind. She was asking about you earlier."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Because of what happened?- All's forgotten-"

"No-" I cut him off, "I meant, it's your first night there, you should spend it with them."

"Oh, okay. Yeah I guess."

"You go enjoy your movie, and you can text or call me after."

"Sure. Bye."

"Bye."

I let out an loud groan into a cushion as soon as I hung up. All's forgotten. He's fine with acting like it never happened. It was so casual to him. Now I'm just another one of his 'friends' that have sucked his dick.

I should've known though, he's so friendly with Katie still, why would it be different with me? Why did some twisted part of me believe he actually wanted me?

Mom was ecstatic when I told her I'm Captain, as was Becca. They even opened and shared a bottle of wine, which I had to take off them after they almost finished it. Who knew I'd have to be the responsible one?

"I'm just so glad to have you both back together again." Mom raised her glass as we sat eating the Chinese we ordered for dinner. "I love you both."

"Love you too."

"Love you too."

I helped Mom wash and dry our dirty plates as Rebecca flicked through Netflix, picking a movie for us to watch. "Are you still friends with Camila?"

"Yeah, she said to say hi."

"How is she?"

"She's good."

"You should invite her and her sister over for dinner! I'm off work Friday, I can cook for us."

"I'll ask her."

I'm sure she'd accept the invitation if she knew it came from Mom, but she doesn't even want to be near me at the moment.

"How about Pitch Perfect?" Bec shouted from the living room.

"Perfect!" Mom giggled, "your favourite."

She flung the cloth over her shoulder and placed the last plate in the cupboard. "I'll make popcorn."

Spending a night with girls would be so much more tolerable if I was with a girl I liked.

"I'll be back in a second."

I went to my room, pulling out my phone and laying on my bed.

"Hey, how's everything?"

I sighed as soon as I heard her voice, but played it out like a yawn so she didn't presume something was wrong.

"It's fine. Just had dinner and now we're going to watch a movie."

"Ooh what movie?"

"Pitch Perfect." I smiled when I heard her laugh, imagining the smile on her face. "Becca's choice, not mine."

"I kind of guessed that."

"Yeah. How was your.."

Coffee? Studying? Date? I don't even know what to call it.

"afternoon."

"It was fine, we just studied and did homework and stuff. I just ordered pizza."

"Cool. You home alone tonight?"

"Yep."

"You could always come over, Mom wouldn't mind. She was asking about you earlier."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea."

Of course it isn't, dumbass. She doesn't want anything to do with you.

"Because of what happened?- All's forgotten-"

"No-" she cut me off, "I meant, it's your first night there, you should spend it with them."

Good excuse, I guess.

"Oh, okay. Yeah I guess."

"You go enjoy your movie, and you can text or call me after."

"Sure. Bye."

"Bye."

I tossed my phone on my pillow. Things are meant to be normal now. But everything feels too forced or like there's not enough effort - no in between, and I don't know how to put things back to normal. I don't even know if I want normal - I just don't want this.

I want her.

"Theo! It's starting!"

"Coming, Mom."