Denise's POV

He was late.

"He's not coming," Amanda, my little sister, teased, bouncing on my bed as I checked my phone for the hundredth time. It didn't take me long to put an outfit together, I mean, we were just going to watch a movie and get pizza afterwards, so I didn't have to dress fancy. But I still made an effort.

"He is, Mandy," I sighed. Suddenly my phone chimed and I got a text from him – finally! "Oh, look, he's here," I showed her the screen defiantly, and Mandy smirked cheekily.

"Have fun with your boyfriend," she taunted, and I rolled my eyes as I grabbed my jacket and some lip gloss, swiping it across my lips before marching down the hall.

"Mum, I'm leaving!" I called, slipping on my combat boots, my go-to footwear.

"He's here, is he?" Mum was peeking through the curtains of the living room, and then she waved.

"Ugh, Mum, don't embarrass me, please. I know it's just Theo, but still," I complained, and Mum shot me a knowing smile.

"How long have you liked him?" Mum inquired, clearly enjoying herself.

"Mum, I'm not going to answer that," I groaned.

"I'm just curious, since you guys have been friends for a while, and I wouldn't be surprised if you've been crushing on him all this time –"

"Mum!" I snapped, and Mum raised her eyebrows just as there was a knock on the door.

"I wonder who that could be?" Mum smiled at me weirdly as she approached the door, wrenching it open before I could and revealing – nothing.

"Where'd he go?" Mum asked, while I rolled my eyes.

"He's pulling a prank," I stated flatly, stepping out onto the front step and scanning the night. "Any second now he's going to jump out and attempt to scare me." I turned back to Mum, who was watching me in amusement. "But it never works."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Fudge!" my breath hitched in my throat as I spun around to face the prankster that almost gave me a heart attack. He grinned maliciously at me, and a blush slowly bloomed on my cheeks.

"Damn it, Theo! Why do you always do that?" I thumped him on the chest while he just backed away, chuckling.

"Because the look on your face is priceless every time," Theo replied cheekily. "You look beautiful when you're scared."

"What –" my jaw dropped in surprise while my mother cooed behind me.

"Aren't you a charmer?" she folded her arms and leaned against the doorframe, watching us.

"Only on the first date," Theo winked, before holding out his arm. "Shall we go now, milady?"

"Drop the chivalry, mate, let's just leave before we miss the movie," I zipped my jacket up, rubbing my hands together. It was pretty cold, and after Mum bid us goodbye and told me to "go wild my child" (it was her weird catchphrase) Theo slung an arm around my shoulders.

"You cold?"

I nodded, and just as I was getting used to his arm around me we had to break apart and enter his car. Correction – his brother's car.

"Good evening young star-crossed lovers. Welcome aboard the Alex express, where I'll be taking you to your destination of luuuurve," I forgot how weird Alex could be, and he was just as dramatic as his younger brother.

"Ooh, it's warm," was my first reaction to the heated interior of Alex's car. Theo let me go in first before shutting the door once he was in, enclosing us in a vessel of warmth. I could hear a saxophone riff playing on low volume from the speakers and the air smelt like men's cologne, which was both refreshing and intoxicating. My favourite combo.

"Just like my heart," Alex responded as he drove us forward.

"Alex, please stop before I backhand you," Theo threatened jokingly, and his brother just cackled.

"Bro, I am your uber for tonight, therefore I can do whatever I want, and what I want to do is make you guys as uncomfortably comfortable as possible."

"How does that work?" I asked.

"Oh, trust me, Denise, I make it work," he replied.

"We should've taken the bus," Theo muttered to me, and Alex overheard, for he said, "A bus is not a worthy vehicle for carrying a lady!"

I giggled under my breath as Theo got flustered with his brother. This was going to be one interesting night.

***

Theo's POV

"Text me when you want me to pick you up, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever, just go, dude," I waved him off and he drove away, finally leaving me and Denise alone.

"Let's go in," Denise said, sounding somewhat excited. She began to walk ahead of me and I fell into step with her, snatching her hand in the process. I could feel her eyes on me as I just casually glanced around, pretending I didn't just hold her hand, and when I finally did sneak a peek at her, she had a smile on her lips. I loved making her smile.

"We HAVE to watch Finding Dory," I said as soon as I saw the board.

Denise gave me a weird look. "Really, Theo? You want to watch a movie about a blue fish with short term memory loss?"

"I feel a connection with Dory, you know? Like, deep inside, we're all just forgetful blue fish trying to find ourselves," I said a little theatrically, and Denise cocked an eyebrow.

"I will never understand you, Theo," she murmured.

"Then I guess I'll have to stay with you until you do," I replied, and Denise snapped her head to look at me, about to say something but it looked like she changed her mind.

"What about Me Before You?" she suggested, and now it was my turn to look at her weirdly.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, I'm serious. Let's watch it," Denise said earnestly, flicking her eyes up to the movie board. "It starts in five minutes, so we can just make it."

"But isn't it like a soppy sad romantic film?" the more I described the film, the more I realised – this was perfect! Girls dig soppy sad romantic films.

"What, are you scared you're gonna cry?" Denise smirked, and I frowned.

"No."

"Okay, then, let's watch it, and see who cries first. I can bet it'll be you," Denise sounded smug, and that sparked my competitive side.

"Uh-uh, it'll definitely be you, dude, I don't cry," I declared.

"Everyone cries, dude, and I can guarantee this movie will make you cry," Denise said.

"How about whoever cries first has to pay for the pizzas?" I suggested.

"Deal." We shook on it, before approaching the front desk. How did the queue go by so fast?

"Two tickets to Me Before You, please."

After Denise paid, I whispered in her ear, "You're so gonna cry."

Denise scoffed. "No, you're so gonna cry."

It's safe to say, we both cried. Like babies. I tried to hide it from her but she caught me rubbing my eyes.

"I just yawned," I whispered insistently, but Denise shook her head triumphantly, tears streaked down her cheeks.

"Yeah, right, Theo, and someone here must be cutting onions," she sniffed, turning back to the screen. I handed her a tissue and she took it, muttering a thank you as she began to wipe her eyes, but on a whim I stopped her, wiping it for her instead. Under the glow of the silver screen, I could see her eyes, lined with eyeliner that was slightly smudged now, and something changed. I didn't know what it was exactly, but it made me pause, forgetting where we were in that moment.

"Denise," I spoke her name like it was a prayer, soft and unheard.

"Yes, Theo?" she leaned in a few inches, and I fought the smile that threatened to conquer my lips as I leaned in as well and whispered, "You owe me pizza."

"So do you," Denise hissed.

"It's a date, then," I replied, and Denise leaned away, stifling a laugh and muttering, "Gosh, Theo."

It's funny, because it didn't feel like a 'date.' I was just hanging with my best friend, having a good time. But that was the best part about it all. I didn't have to put on some fancy act and try to be someone I wasn't, because Denise already knew who I was. Plus, she could see through my bullshit. I could just be myself around her, and not have to worry too much about it. Meaning, I could be as gross and annoying as I wanted, and she still wouldn't judge me. Okay, she'd still judge me, but I wouldn't feel embarrassed.

"You got a little something-something," I pointed over at the sauce that clung to the corner of Denise's lips, and no matter how much she tried to wipe it with her fingers, it wouldn't go away. Eventually she gave up.

"Whatever, I don't care," Denise shrugged, grabbing another slice. Another thing I loved about Denise – she had a big appetite, and she didn't give a shit.

"I'll get it for you later," I said slyly, licking my lips, and Denise widened her eyes at me before frowning.

"Dude, that's gross," she said.

"Fine, no kiss for you then," I huffed, sticking out my tongue.

"You are so –" Denise released a sharp breath, as if restraining her frustration with me, and I just grinned at her as I picked up a nice big triangular slice.

"Hot? Yeah, I'm aware," I winked, taking a bite.

"I am so tempted to squirt this sauce at you, Theo," Denise held up the bottle threateningly, but I just laughed.

"Go ahead. I dare you."

Denise looked like she was about to actually do it, but then she seemed to change her mind and instead squirt it on her pizza slice. "Nah, my pizza deserves the sauce more."

Three slices later, we were out on the bench outside the shopping centre, waiting for my insolent brother to pick us up. And what better way to pass the time than to pass gas...through our mouths?

"Nice," I remarked after Denise let out a burp, before thumping my own chest and releasing a beautiful foghorn of a belch.

"I'd give that a seven," Denise said, and suddenly her head was on my shoulder and it was as if my shoulder was made for her head, because it felt right. I brought her closer to me with an arm and it was like we were immune to the cold night air around us with this warmth we shared.

"I had a lot of fun tonight, Theo," Denise murmured somewhat sleepily, as it was almost eleven on a Friday night, which wasn't that late but we had had a long day.

"Me too, Denise. Wanna do it again?"

My question came off so casual, when inside I was thinking, I hope she says yes, because it'd be totally awkward if she didn't feel the same way.

"Sure," Denise answered just as casually, and I peered down at her with a smile on my lips.

"Really?"

"Yaaas, bitch. Let's do it. Though next time, let's not go for pizza," Denise leaned in a little closer and whispered, "Your breath stinks of pepperoni."

"You're not so fresh yourself, Cheesy," I teased, and she gave me a light shove.

"No kiss tonight, then," Denise taunted, and I raised my eyebrows.

"That won't stop me," I said, and before I could even think about what I was doing, I went in for the kiss. It was all going so well until we were interrupted by a loud horn and a familiar voice.

"Oi, lovebirds! You coming in or what?"

Brothers. They had the worst timing.

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