A week into our project, we hit a snag.

"I'm sorry, Theo, I can't tonight. I've got to be home to do something for my mom."

Theodosia sighed, crossing her arms. "Philip, we've got four days until this project is due. We're still at least four measures short! We have to work on this."

I rubbed a hand over my face. "Well- what if you came over to my house? My mom has a piano. It's not nearly as amazing as that Bechstein in the library, but we'd be able to make it work."

"Fine. I just need your address then."

"You could just walk home with me."

She waved me off. "My dad needs to know where to pick me up from."

"Oh." I shrugged. "That's fair."

The bell rang, signaling that class was starting, and Theodosia turned around in her seat, presenting me with a wall of curls. I sighed again and slouched in my seat.

After class, she turned around and looked at me again. "You said your parents live apart right?"

"Yeah." I stood and began to pack my things. Theodosia did too, and we left the classroom together.

"So it'll just be your mom?"

"Yep." I nodded slowly.

"Good." Theodosia sighed. "Then maybe Dad won't get mad."

"From what I remember, my mom and your dad used to get along, for the most part. It was my Aunt Angelica who was the problem, 'cause he'd try to flirt with her and she wasn't having it."

Theodosia giggled. "I can't even imagine my dad flirting.... wait, that means in some alternate universe, we're cousins."

I made a face. "I don't want to think about that, it's weird."

"Why?" She tilted her head curiously.

I felt my cheeks heat up. "Uh... cause, uh.... I dunno I just like it better when we're friends."

She nodded. "I get that. Thinking about multiverse stuff is weird.... anyway, I'll see you after class!"

I nodded, watching her walk off.

"Ooooooh."

I turned and came face to face with a grinning Dominic.

"That's what-"

"Shut up."

"Aww that's so-"

"Can it."

"She's just-"

"Stop."

"That's adorable." Dominic finished, smirking.

I glared at him. "Not a word."

----------------------------------------

"Philip!"

"Hey Theo!" I waved as I saw her walking up. Dominic nudged me and I retaliated with a quick punch. He chuckled and walked off.

"We're going to your mom's, yeah?" Theodosia shifted her backpack.

I nodded quickly. "Yeah. It's not far of a walk."

"Lead the way."

We were quiet for most of the walk. I was trying my hardest not to freak out. Theodosia was coming to my house.

Oh no, where was my sketchbook?!

If she saw that, my life was over.

Like, everything in that sketchbook was related to her. Drawings, poems, I'd even made a color palette because I was absolutely obsessed.

I'm such a creep.

"Philip? Philip."

"Huh? What, sorry, I wasn't listening."

Theodosia arched an eyebrow, smiling. "I noticed."

I flushed a little. "What were you saying?"

"I was asking if you've seen that new action movie that came out a couple weeks ago."

"Which one was that?"

"Depth Charge."

"Mmmm... nope. Have you?"

"No, but I want to." She sighed. "Dad doesn't really let me do much. I'm surprised he said yes to me doing this, even though I explained it was for a class."

"Well maybe I could take you to see it." I nearly slapped myself as soon as I said it. Way to be obvious, Philip.

Theodosia grinned. "Are you being serious?"

"Well... yeah." I looked away to try to hide my stupid blushing face.

"That would be amazing!"

"Then we'll definitely do it." I smiled at her quickly. "Oh, turn here."

She nodded and followed me around the corner. "Is this your street?"

"Yeah."

"I only live a couple blocks from here!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, down on Mercer Street?"

I grinned. "Cool."

Theodosia smiled.

"Here we are." I led her up the walkway to my mom's house.

"Mom? I'm home!"

"In the living room, Peanut! Aunt Peggy is here!"

I turned to Theodosia. "I'm so sorry."

She tilted her head. "Why?"

"Aunt Peggy's the best person ever and you might not be able to handle her awesomeness."

She laughed. "Whatever, Philip. Where's the living room?"

I headed down the hallway to the living room. Aunt Peggy was sipping tea on the sofa, and Mom was just standing up.

"Hi Peanut- who's this?"

"Mom, Aunt Peggy, this is Theodosia. Theo, this is my mom and Aunt Peggy."

Theodosia smiled and offered each of them her hand in turn. "Nice to meet you."

Mom smiled. "Nice to meet you too, dear! Philip said you two had an assignment of some sort together?"

She nodded. "Music. We have to write a duet together."

Peggy chuckled. "Has Philip showed you his talent yet?"

I tried not to groan as Theodosia turned to look at me curiously. "Talent?"

"I freestyle.... I'm not great-"

"Lies."

"Thanks, Aunt Peggy, but I'm not a professional or anything."

"Well I don't think that would work for our assignment, but I'd definitely be interested to hear it some time." Theodosia laughed.

That laugh.

I was a goner.