Chapter six

Theo and I stood outside the rec center in the dark while his parents locked up the center. Ashley was already in the car waiting for her parents and Theo.

            “I’m glad I came with you tonight.” I say as I stuff my hands into the pockets of my shorts. Though it was around six in the evening, the sun hadn’t quite set yet, and I could clearly see the dimples on Theo’s face as he smiled.

            “So, you think my adventures of love are worth writing a story about?” he asked eagerly.

            “We’ve only been on one so far, Theo.”

            “Oh, but there are more to come. Just you wait.” As I laughed and kicked a pebble my phone vibrated in my back pocket, signaling I got a text. Unlocking my phone, it was just a text from Dad asking if I had brought some dinner home from the diner.

            “I almost forgot. I had to get some dinner from the diner for my Dad. I’ll see you soon Theo.” I say as I put my phone in my pocket and start walking to my car while looking in my bag for the keys.

            “Aurora! The diner closes early today! You can’t get dinner.” I stopped in my tracks and turned towards Theo who was now walking towards me.

            “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

            “No. It’s a Sunday, so they always close early. But I know a way to get you in.”

            “How?” Theo pulled out a lanyard with multiple keys hanging off of it. He searched through them and picked out one key.

            “This is the key to the restaurant.”

            “You have keys to the restaurant. Great. So how am I getting food?” I ask sarcastically.

            “I am offended that you don’t think I can cook. I am not just a waiter, you know.”

            “You are a still waiter boy to me. Come on. Let’s put your master chef skills to the test.”  Theo ran back to his parents and told them he was off to the diner with me and then came racing back to my car and hopped into the passenger seat. And I, after a thorough search of my bag, finally found the keys and started the car.

*

            “Are you a hundred percent sure about this?” I ask as I place my bag in one of the seats.

            “I am sure. The owner trusts me.” Theo said as he walked behind the counter. I followed behind him into the kitchen where he pulled on his apron and handed me one too. As we tied them on Theo asked me a question.

            “So what are we making?”

            “I don’t know. I thought you were the chef?” I said pointedly.

            “Well then, it’s the chef’s special tonight.”

            “Which is?”

            “Pizza,” said Theo looking at me with a grin. I shrugged in agreement as he went to the back of the kitchen. I could hear the clash of pots and pans. Knowing he couldn’t carry all the ingredients back into the kitchen safely, I walked back to help him. As I approached him, he turned around to face me. In his arms were a box of flour, a bowl, a couple of tomatoes and a box of shredded cheese. I grabbed the box of flour and cheese from him and placed them on the counter near the stove.

            “Okay, let’s start with the dough.” Theo grabbed a measuring cup off the shelf from above and began to measure out the flour.

            “Aurora, grab some water in a cup.” I did as Theo instructed and went to the sink and filled the cup up with water. When I turned around, I was suddenly hit in the face with flour.  I heard Theo laughing uncontrollably before I could even open my eyes and see him.

            “Theo!” I yelled as I placed the cup of water down on the counter.

            “Oh you should have seen your face. Priceless.” He said as he clutched his stomach. He thought putting my flour on my face was funny? Well we’ll see how he likes it. I grabbed a pinch of flour and flicked it. He was in mid-laugh when his face contorted and he puckered his lips. I bit my lip back in laughter, but of course I could not hold it back.

            “I see how it is. It’s war now.” Theo grabbed a handful of flour in one hand and grabbed my waist with the other. He smeared the flour all over my face and apron. I felt my stomach jolt as I could feel his warm breath down my neck and his laughter vibrating through his body. After Theo released me, I dusted off as much flour as I could and then placed my hands on my hips.

            “Theo. Eyes on the prize.” I said while looking pointedly at the ingredients. Rolling his eyes, I grabbed the bowls and began pouring flour and water and mixing it. I stood beside him, as I wasn’t really an experienced person at cooking.

            “So Theo, what are these other ‘adventures of love’ have you planned for me?” I say as I lean against the counter facing him. He looks up at me, but continues to mix. A smile places on his lips and his blue eyes shone mischievously.

            “You’ll just have to wait and see.” He said. Theo grabbed the dough that was formed in bowl and placed on the counter. He then preceded to hand me a rolling pin. I took the rolling pin and looked at him.

            “What am I supposed to do with a rolling pin?”

            “Roll the dough, Aurora.”

            Turning towards the counter, I place the pin in the dough and begin to roll it out. However, instead of it coming out in a perfect circle like the chefs on the Food Network do it, mine turned out as a deformed oval trying to pose as a square.

            “What is up with your shapes?” asked Theo from behind me. I could hear the judgment in his voice as he said that. I turned around with the rolling pin still in my hand. Theo held up his hands in surrender and looked defensively. 

            “I was just joking. I think that the rolling pin should only be used to roll the dough and not beat up a teenage boy. Here, let me help.” Theo placed his hands over mine on the rolling pin. While Theo was more focused on rolling out the dough, I was more focused on how he smelled and how his lanky arms flexed while rolling. What seemed like a second in my world turned out to be three minutes in the real world and it was time for Theo to let go of me.

            “Look. Now your pizza is in the shape of a circle, how it’s really supposed to look like.” I glared at Theo, who had a smile showing all his dimples.  He grabbed the jar of tomato sauce and a large spoon and began spreading it over the dough.

            “Rory?” asked Theo as he set aside the jar of tomato sauce and grabbed the box of shredded cheese.

            “Theo, you know I hate that name! What do you want?” I ask a bit irritated he called me that stupid pet name. As I looked at him, he didn’t take his eyes of the pizza and he was still smiling. There was a pause as I waited for him to say something. He finished the pizza and placed it in the oven and turned to me,

            “What do you think love is?” I stood in place with my arms crossed against my chest. How was I supposed to answer this question?

            “I guess it’s that feeling of affection you have for someone, but it doesn’t just come and go. It lasts for a long time.” I say remembering Theo’s grandparents today.

            “Wrong.” I look at Theo with confusion.

            “How am I wrong?”

            “You’re because love is more than that, Aurora.”

            “I don’t get it. Explain.” I say. His lips curl up into his usual smile as he looked at me.

            “I can’t tell you. But I can give you a hint because it’s our next adventure.” He said. Curiosity peaked my interest as he pulled the pizza out of the oven and placed it in a box on the counter and closed it. He handed the box to me and smiled.

            “Dinner time.”

            “What? Theo that makes no sense. Please tell me what it is.” I say like a whiny three-year-old. Theo laughed showing off his pearly whites and dimples. I just wanted to sit down here and eat pizza with him.

            “It’s going to be a surprise, Aurora. But do enjoy your pizza. And flour face.” He said with a wink. With a smile, I turned and walked out the diner.

*

            “So where were you all day? All I got was a note saying you were going to be at the diner.” He said as he took the box of pizza from my hand as I placed the car keys in the bowl.

            “I was. Theo invited me down there and we had a nice talk. He then took me to his grandparents’ anniversary party.” I said as I grabbed two plates from the cupboard.

            “Oh yes. They invited us, but I couldn’t go because of work. Sorry I hadn’t told you. A bit busy.” He said as he took a slice from the pizza.

            “Oh yeah, how was the surprise party?” I asked as I also took a piece of pizza and stuffed it into my face.

            “The surprise party? Oh yes! It went well, she was very surprised.” My dad’s voice was strained as he said that and I knew something wasn’t right.

            “You know you can tell, Dad.” I say, hoping he would tell me the truth.

            “I know I can, but it’s not the right time.” He said as he pulled me into a hug and I hugged him back.

            “If you don’t mind I’m going to finish this pizza and some cases in the library. Is that alright?” Dad asked as he grabbed his plate.

            “Yeah it’s fine. I was going to head upstairs anyways.” He smiled and headed out of the kitchen. I grabbed two more slices of pizza and my bag and headed up the stairs to my room. Once I flopped down on my bed, I took out my journal and began to write.  

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Hey guys,

OH MY GOD IM SO SORRY. LIKE REALLY SORRY I HAVE NOT UPDATED OR DONE ANY SORT OF WRITING. BUT SCHOOL AND TRACK AND DANCE AND CUTE BOYS HAVE CONSUMED ME AND IT WAS REALLY HARD TO GET OUT OF THE WEB BUT LOOK I DID UPDATE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A PRETTY SHITTY CHAPTER BUT I PROMISE THE NEXT FEW CHAPTERS ARE GOING TO BE KILLER AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR STICKING WITH ME EVEN THOUGH I DIDNT UPDATE FOR LIKE A MONTH SO MUCH LOVE AND POTATOS FOR ALL YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

love,

Alex :)