It was midnight. The school had rented the ballroom of a fancy hotel for our after graduation party. Amazingly, it was the least shitty of school held functions I’d attended in years.

Black lights, food. They even hired a DJ which I didn’t think actually existed anymore.

Everyone was pretty drunk at this point, but I didn’t have anything. I wanted to wake up tomorrow morning with a clear head and remember all of this. My last night as a high school student.

I did feel guilty as frick that Theo couldn’t be here. It made all the lights, food, and music seem a little less exciting.

But I enjoyed myself as much as I could.

My outfit was hot. It made me feel good. Unfortunately since this was still a high school party, my appearance did end up attracting some folks of the opposite gender who would ask if I wanted to dance, and things such as this.

I kept saying no to them. We were upwards of three people asking me now and I was starting to get bored of it. None of you are Theo, so you can all step aside.

In fact, when the latest guy asked me I snapped a little. Although fairly speaking, his introduction was mediocre at best.

“Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven honey?” A younger guy slurred at me, leering obviously.

My blood boiled.

I smiled my most terrifying smile at him…

“Not really, but it was a little difficult crawling out of Hell.”

He quickly scampered away.

I sighed and turned back to the drink bar. It was punch, soda, and cider, but some kid spiked all three at the beginning of the night. Not my scene.

Soon it was one am but it didn’t look like anything was slowing down at all. I was just biding my time. I was sure I could be doing something more productive than just standing around, but I didn’t really feel like partying anymore. I kinda wanted to go home and sleep… lame.

I was picking at a seam of my dress absentmindedly, when the DJ paused the music to say something he’d said like thirty times already.

“We have another special song request!”

I rolled my eyes. That was just stupid guys trying to impress girls by playing songs they thought were sexy. I tuned out for a few seconds, but suddenly music I’d definitely heard before started playing from the speakers all around me.

I’ve been reading books of old, the legends and the myths, Achilles and his gold, Hercules and his gifts, Spiderman’s control, and Batman with his fists, and clearly I don’t see myself upon that list…

My heart hammered and I found my eyes darting through the crowd, wondering who’d played the song. I had a sinking feeling, that I already knew.

Suspicions confirmed when I spotted Theo off to the side of the main crowd, eyes also searching for something. I assumed me.

Was it hot in here? Holy cow, I was sweating…

The lyrics of the song filled me up, resonating through my body since the speakers were far too loud and causing my eyes to tear up a little.

I wasn’t in control of my feet, suddenly I was just walking over to him.

I am nowhere near prepared for this! I have no idea what to say!

When he saw me he smiled, and then his beautiful smile broke into a wide grin as his eyes traveled over me in the almost-darkness.

“Ravina, you look stunning.” Theo said, his eyes alight even now.

I blushed and couldn’t help but look away.

“So do you,” I managed to say through my racing heartbeat.

When did Theo not look good? I don’t think I could remember a time.

He was wearing a black dress-shirt, tucked into black pants like he usually wore things. Except tonight he’d rolled his sleeves up and was wearing a dark red tie.

I bit my lip, forcing my eyes to move up to his.

He was staring at me from under his lashes, his expression seeming to say; mine. You’re mine and you know it Ravina Dobs.

I couldn’t deny the effect his presence had on me, nor could I un-hear the song that was currently playing. The Theo Song.

“How did you get in here?” I asked him, my eyes darting around in case someone was listening.

Theo shrugged. “Snuck in,” he paused, then took a hesitant step closer to me.

That’s when I noticed he was holding one of his hands behind his back…

My eyes widened when he handed me the bouquet of a dozen bright red roses.

I took them, at a loss for words. No one’s ever given me flowers before.

“Th-thanks.” I exhaled.

“Happy graduation,” He gave me a shy smile.

I blushed, staring at the flowers. They were gorgeous. It’s so like Theo to think of something this cheesy and romantic… what a dork.

“I was hoping we could talk Ravina.” His voice was as delicate as the roses.

He seemed different. I wasn’t sure how, but it intrigued me nonetheless.

“Of course.” I replied, nodding.

Whatever conversation we were about to have, it had to happen sooner or later. Probably sooner, since our time was ticking away…

That thought made my heart and soul ache, as I remembered nearly 9 days ago at the train tracks.

I missed him like sin, and in the darkness it felt like maybe the consequences of talking to Theo wouldn’t be so severe. Come on Ravina, pull yourself together!

Theo reached a hand out to me and I paused for a second before taking it.

I loved him, and there was nothing else in my head except for that. So I let him lead me through the crowd, and I assumed he was taking me to dance, but then suddenly he’s pulling me outside into the freezing night air.

I shivered as Theo led me over to the side of the building. Prime making-out spot, except he released me and shoved his hands in his pockets, starting to look nervous all of a sudden.

“Theo, what is it?” I asked, shivering.

I was determined to see this through however…

His eyes met mine. The streetlight was making it easier to see him. It felt more real out here, and suddenly I was hyper-aware of how dangerous this could be. What was he going to say? He loves me but he’s leaving? Could I really take the answer…

This was it. What had this time alone done for us? For him.

“I, um…” Theo mumbled, scraping his shoe on the pavement.

He was nervous. It’s endearing.

“I retook the test today,” He mumbled, shrugging. “I passed.”

I smiled. “Theo that’s amazing! Congratulations.” I said, wanting to hug him.

I refrained. It felt like there’s more he needed to tell me.

He smiled, looking a little more relaxed.

“Thanks. But, you know that doesn’t change anything right?”

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

He took his hands out of his pockets and smiled sadly.

“I’m still moving.”

I bit my tongue. Okay, yes I did know that. I looked down.

“I know,” I managed to whisper.

Wow Ravina. Fall in love with someone like this, so fast, only to lose them even faster? When did my life start mirroring a bad YA novel?

Theo took my hand suddenly and gave it a squeeze.

“Will you miss me?”

I laughed and looked up at him. “Yes, I miss you already. There. Fuck, I said it.” I practically gasped.

“I miss you too,”

It was so sudden. So fast. So out of my control…

All I knew was Theo’s arm was around my waist. I was a mess with emotion, conflicting emotions that I’d been battling all week. My intense sadness at saying goodbye to him, and my burning joy at the thought of my love for him.

Heartbreak and love feel similar, I realised. Entirely overwhelming and slightly dizzying.

Love. Love him-

My arms were around Theo and I gasped, feeling tears start to sting my eyes.

I never wanted to let him go. I didn’t want to say goodbye.