The atmosphere at Moon and Luna's back-to-school party was electric, the air filled with chatter and the distant thrum of Social Scums' EP blasted on the speakers. As Kai, Freddie, Cami, and Theo walked in with Tory, they were met with a wave of loud cheers from the crowd, the excitement palpable.

"Damn, they know how to throw a party," Cami whistled, her eyes wide as she took in the decorations and the throng of students dancing and mingling.

"Yeah, it feels like everyone from school is here," Theo replied, feeling a rush of energy as he spotted familiar faces among the crowd.

As the group made their way through the living room, they were greeted by friends and fans alike, each one eager to congratulate them on their recent success. The band members exchanged high-fives and quick hugs, reveling in the moment.

But just as the celebration seemed to reach its peak, the atmosphere shifted. The door swung open, and the Miyagi-Do students walked in, their presence instantly creating a palpable tension in the room.

"Oh, for fuck's sake," Theo groaned, moving in front of Tory as Sam glared their way. The tension in the room was palpable, and he could feel the weight of her stare.

"It gets worse," Tory muttered, her voice barely above a whisper as she pointed toward the entrance. Theo's heart sank as Dakota walked in behind the Miyagi-Do students, a smirk plastered on her face as she surveyed the room. The sight of her sent a wave of anxiety crashing over him.

His chest tightened, and he suddenly felt trapped, the noise of the party fading into a dull roar. "I need a drink," he muttered, the panic rising as he turned on his heel and rushed toward the backyard, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere.

As he stepped outside, the cool night air hit him like a shock, but it did little to calm the storm brewing inside. He poured himself a drink with shaky hands, trying to steady his racing heart. The memory of confronting Dakota about her brother bullying Brandon flooded back, a moment fueled by adrenaline and anger. He had felt strong then, ready to defend his friend. But now, faced with Dakota's presence, all that confidence crumbled.

Theo leaned against the bar, his breathing quickening as he remembered the way she had looked at him, her smirk taunting him. "Why does she have to be here?" he muttered to himself, feeling the walls close in.

"Hey," Tory's voice pierced through his spiraling thoughts as she stepped outside, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "I didn't want you to be alone out here."

Theo felt a wave of relief wash over him at her presence, but it was quickly overshadowed by the anxiety churning in his stomach. "I can't handle this," he said, his voice cracking as he tried to catch his breath. "Seeing her again... it's like all that anger just came flooding back, and I can't... I can't breathe."

"Just focus on me," Tory urged, stepping closer and placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "You're okay. We're outside, and we can leave if you want."

He shook his head, fighting against the rising panic. "No, I don't want to run away. I just feel so overwhelmed."

Tory's eyes softened, and she stepped closer, anchoring him with her presence. "Breathe with me, Theo," she said, her voice steady and calming. "In through your nose, out through your mouth. Just like we practiced."

Theo closed his eyes, trying to follow her lead. He inhaled deeply, feeling the cool air fill his lungs, and then exhaled slowly, focusing on her voice guiding him through the panic. After a few breaths, he began to feel a slight release, the tightness in his chest easing just a little.

"See? You're doing it," Tory encouraged, her tone soothing. Tory looked at Theo, her heart aching for him. "Can I ask why you had a panic attack?" she said gently, her voice laced with concern.

Theo took a shaky breath, his eyes momentarily drifting away as he gathered his thoughts. "We broke up because she cheated on me," he began, the weight of the memory heavy in his chest. "But it wasn't just that. She called me hurtful names, things that made me doubt myself. It was like... I was constantly walking on eggshells, never knowing if I was good enough."

Tory felt a knot form in her stomach, her heart breaking for him. "I'm so sorry, Theo."

He continued, his voice trembling. "She gaslighted me for weeks, twisting my feelings and making me question everything. It was exhausting, and I thought I could handle it, but seeing her again... It all came rushing back. I felt trapped, like I was reliving that pain all over again."

Tory reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. "You're not trapped anymore. You're stronger than you know, and you have people who care about you."

Theo's breath hitched as he processed her words, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the darkness. "Thank you for understanding," he whispered, his heart swelling with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

—————

Theo watched supportively as Tory faced off against a boy in a drinking game, both of them balancing with one foot on a chair while chugging beer. The crowd around them cheered, the energy infectious as laughter echoed through the backyard.

Suddenly, the boy lost his balance, toppling to the floor with a loud thud. "Let's go, babe!" Theo called out, a mix of excitement and concern in his voice.

But his attention was quickly diverted as he spotted Dakota walking out with Sam, their presence sending a jolt of tension through him. Tory's expression shifted instantly, her glare sharp and filled with animosity. Then, a smirk spread across her face.

"Well, look who it is," Tory taunted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe you'd like to play a little game? Or are tea parties more your speed, princess?"

Sam and Dakota exchanged glances, their brows raised in mock surprise before Dakota shrugged. "Just give me a cup."

"All right. New game!" Tory declared, her competitive spirit ignited.

Theo watched, his calm demeanor slowly turning tense as he picked at the skin around his thumb, a nervous habit he couldn't shake off. He wanted to support Tory, to cheer her on, but the thought of Dakota being involved made his stomach churn.

"Don't worry," Tory shot a reassuring look his way, a fire in her eyes. "I'll beat that bitch so hard she'll break her arm."

He smiled slightly, but the anxiety continued to creep up as he watched them both climb onto stools, the stakes rising with each round of the game.

"How you doing over there, Smith?" Tory challenged, her voice strong and confident.

"I could do this all night," Dakota replied, her tone dismissive, a smirk lingering on her lips.

"Yeah? Hey, Big Red, two shots of vodka!" Tory shouted, rallying the crowd around them.

"Drink, drink, drink! Drink, drink, drink!" the crowd chanted, their excitement growing as the game unfolded.

"Come on, Tory! You got this!" Chubbs cheered, his encouragement ringing out in the sea of voices, but it also caught Tory off guard. In that moment of distraction, she lost her balance and began to fall.

Theo's heart raced as he lunged forward, catching Tory just before she hit the ground. Relief flooded through him, but it was short-lived as he heard Dakota's mocking voice.

"Guess somebody couldn't hold their liquor, huh?" she sneered, the words slicing through the air.

Embarrassed and flustered, Tory shot a glare at Dakota before storming off, her anger palpable. Theo felt a surge of protectiveness rise within him, but it was quickly overshadowed by the tension in the air. He nervously glanced at Dakota, who was smirking, and then made the decision to follow after Tory.

"Hey, wait!" he called out, his voice tinged with worry as he hurried after her. He didn't want her to be alone, not when he could sense the storm brewing inside her. As he moved away from the crowd, his thoughts raced, hoping he could catch up to her before she let the embarrassment consume her.

—————

Theo sat outside, alone under the night sky, the cool air wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. The remnants of laughter and music drifted from inside, but he felt detached, nursing a red cup filled with beer. He had searched for Tory after she stormed off, but the crowd had swallowed her whole, and now he was left to stew in his thoughts, the alcohol dulling the edges of his anxiety.

As he took another sip, he heard footsteps approaching, the sound making him sit up a little straighter. The silhouette that emerged from the shadows made his heart race, but it wasn't Tory. It was Dakota, her eyes glinting in the dim light as she approached him with a confident stride.

"Hey there, Theo," she said, her voice smooth and almost playful. "Fancy running into you out here all alone."

"What do you want, Dakota?" he replied, trying to keep his tone steady but feeling the alcohol clouding his judgment.

She stepped closer, leaning against the railing beside him. "Just thought you might want some company. You looked like you could use a little fun." Her gaze was intense, and he could feel the heat radiating off her.

"I'm not interested," he said, pushing himself to stand, but the world tilted slightly around him, making him hesitate.

Dakota chuckled softly, undeterred. "Oh come on, don't be like that. We both know how things between us were... complicated. Maybe we could talk about it?"

Theo shook his head, trying to walk away, but Dakota moved in front of him, blocking his path. "You're not really going to ignore what happened, are you? We had something special."

"Special?" he scoffed, trying to push past her, but she stepped closer again, invading his space. "You mean when you were with someone else?"

Her smile faltered for a moment, but then she leaned in, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "I know you're upset, but I can help you forget all that. Just one kiss, Theo. What's the harm?"

Before he could fully comprehend what was happening, she leaned in, her lips brushing against his. In a moment of instinctive clarity, he shoved her away, the force of it surprising both of them. "No! Get off me!" he exclaimed, his heart racing from the unexpected confrontation.

Dakota stumbled back, her expression shifting from surprise to anger. "What's your problem? Just trying to have a little fun!"

At that moment, Theo's mind was racing, the alcohol fogging his thoughts, but he knew one thing for sure: he didn't want her. As he turned to leave, he failed to notice a figure standing a few feet away, hidden in the shadows, watching the entire scene unfold.

Tory's heart dropped as she witnessed the exchange, a mix of hurt and anger flooding through her. She had been searching for Theo, worried about him, only to find him caught in a moment with Dakota that felt all too familiar. She clenched her fists, feeling a surge of protectiveness and betrayal.

—————

Theo stumbled into the apartment, the door creaking as he pushed it open. The warmth of the space enveloped him, but the weight of the night pressed heavily on his mind. Freddie and Cami were already inside, their voices a soft hum as they recounted the events of the evening, laughter punctuating their stories.

"Hey, man, you okay?" Freddie asked, raising an eyebrow as he noticed Theo's distracted demeanor.

"Yeah, just... tired," Theo replied, forcing a smile. "It's been a long night."

Cami offered him a sympathetic look. "You sure? You can talk to us if something's bothering you."

"Thanks, but I'm good," he said, trying to shake off the anxiety that still lingered. "I think I just need some sleep."

Freddie nodded, clapping him on the shoulder. "All right, man. Get some rest. We'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Theo!" Cami called, heading toward her room.

"Goodnight, guys," he replied, watching them disappear down the hallway. Alone in the living room, the silence felt overwhelming. He paced for a moment, his thoughts racing back to Tory and the scene he'd witnessed with Dakota.

Worry gnawed at him, and despite the alcohol swirling in his system, he pulled out his phone and dialed Tory's number. The ringing felt like an eternity, his heart pounding as he waited for her to pick up. But soon, it went to voicemail.

"Hey, Tory," he said, his voice slightly slurred but earnest. "It's me. I just wanted to check in on you. I... I saw Dakota tonight. She tried to... well, you know. I pushed her away, but I just want you to know that I didn't want anything to happen. I want to be honest and tell you."

He paused, trying to gather his thoughts, the anxiety creeping back in as he thought about how she might be feeling. "Please call me back and let me know you're safe, okay? I just... I love you. I really do. Just want to make sure you're all right before I go to bed."

As he ended the call, a sense of unease settled in his chest. He flopped down onto the couch, running a hand through his hair, the weight of the night finally catching up to him. He closed his eyes, hoping she would call back soon, wishing he could be there for her in this moment of uncertainty. The stillness of the apartment felt heavy, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Minutes passed, but there was no response. Theo opened his eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling, thoughts swirling in his mind about Tory, Dakota, and everything in between. He wished he could turn back time, to prevent the hurt that had unfolded and to protect the one person who meant so much to him. All he could do now was wait and hope she was safe.

—————

Tory sat on her bed, the room dimly lit by the soft glow of her fairy lights. The ringing noise in her ears from the party had faded, leaving her in a heavy silence that felt suffocating. She had stormed off earlier, her anger bubbling over as she thought about Dakota and the ridiculous way she had tried to manipulate Theo.

As she pulled her phone from her pocket, her heart sank when she saw a missed call from him. She hesitated for a moment, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within her—fear, anger, and a flicker of hope. With trembling hands, she pressed play on the voicemail.

"Hey, Tory. It's me. I just wanted to check in on you..."

Hearing his voice made her stomach twist. She leaned back against the wall, feeling the weight of his words wash over her. As he continued, she felt her heart race. "I saw Dakota tonight. She tried to... well, you know. I pushed her away, but I just want you to know that I didn't want anything to happen. I want to be honest and tell you."

A wave of relief washed over her at the realisation that Theo had pushed her away. But that relief was quickly overshadowed by a rush of anger. The way Dakota had smirked at her earlier, the way she had dared to invade his space—it angered her. The thought of that girl trying to get close to Theo, trying to manipulate him, felt like a betrayal that cut deep.

As Theo continued, "Please call me back and let me know you're safe, okay? I just... I love you. I really do. Just want to make sure you're all right before I go to bed," tears began to stream down her face, a mix of anger and hurt swirling within her.

"Damn it!" she shouted, frustration spilling over as she threw her phone onto the bed. Anger bubbled up inside her, and she felt hot tears fall freely, each one fueled by the emotions she couldn't quite contain. It was infuriating to think that Dakota had the audacity to come back into his life, to meddle with something that was finally starting to feel right.

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, trying to compose herself, but the anger wouldn't dissipate. "Why can't she just leave us alone?" she whispered to herself, feeling the weight of the night crashing down around her.

Tory hugged her knees to her chest, feeling both vulnerable and strong. She was proud of Theo for standing up to Dakota.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to center herself. She cared about Theo, and she needed to trust him. But the anger she felt toward Dakota was consuming, and she couldn't shake the image of that smirk from her mind.

Tory picked up her phone again, staring at the screen, contemplating whether to call Theo back. She wanted to let him know she was safe, to reassure him, but all she felt was a storm of conflicting emotions. Instead, she typed out a message, her fingers flying over the keys:

"I'm okay. I just saw your voicemail. I'm really proud of you for pushing Dakota away. I'll talk to you in the morning. I love you."