{Song of the Chapter:- I Knew You Were Trouble - Taylor Swift}

I couldn't stop replaying the kiss in my head, even though I kept telling myself I shouldn't. It was just one moment—one stupid, impulsive moment that meant nothing. At least, that's what I was trying to convince myself. But every time I thought about the way Theo's lips felt against mine, the way he pulled me closer like he didn't want to let go, I could feel my heart betraying me.

This wasn't supposed to happen. We were best friends. That kiss... it crossed a line we couldn't uncross. And it definitely shouldn't have happened when my head was still spinning from everything with Jake. I was a mess. How could I let Theo get dragged into that?

I hadn't slept properly since. After running from the park that night, I shut myself in my room, trying to sort out how everything had spiralled so quickly. How did one night go from winning a game to fighting with Jake, to... that kiss?

I shook my head. No. Stop thinking about it, Isla. It didn't mean anything.

It couldn't. Theo was just being a good friend, comforting me when I was at my worst. That's all.

I'd managed to avoid Theo for three freaking days since the kiss. Three days of dodging his calls, making excuses to not see him, and hoping that if I ignored the situation long enough, it would disappear. I didn't know what to say to him. The thought of facing him—of acknowledging what happened—made my stomach churn.

But I couldn't dodge him forever. Graduation was today, and there would be no hiding behind texts or busy schedules. I would have to see him, stand next to him, and pretend that my heart didn't jump every time he was near.

He's just your friend. It didn't mean anything.

I groaned, rolling out of bed, my nerves tangled in knots. Graduation was supposed to be a big day—an exciting day—but all I could think about was how I was going to survive seeing Theo without making things weird.

I pulled on a pair of sweats, deciding to go downstairs for breakfast. Maybe some coffee would help settle the storm in my chest. But as soon as I reached the bottom step, I froze.

My parents were standing in the kitchen, wrapped in each other's arms, kissing like they were the only two people in the world.

Seriously?

"Mum! Dad!" I groaned, covering my eyes with both hands. "Oh my God, can you not?"

They pulled apart, laughing, clearly not embarrassed in the slightest. My dad turned toward me, a big grin on his face. "Caterpillar!" he said, holding his arms out wide. "Come here and give your old man a hug."

Despite my protests, I couldn't help but smile as I stepped into his embrace. His hugs always had this way of making me feel safe, like no matter how crazy everything was, I'd be okay. I needed that feeling now more than ever.

"How are you here?" I asked, my voice muffled against his chest. "Doesn't Barcelona have a match tomorrow?"

He chuckled, stepping back to ruffle my hair. "I wasn't going to miss my girl's graduation. Pulled a few strings, made it happen."

I looked up at him, surprised but grateful. "Mum told me you weren't going to make it. I thought you'd be stuck in Spain."

"I wanted to surprise you," he said, giving my mum a wink. "It took a bit of juggling, but I wouldn't have missed this for the world."

My mum smiled as she grabbed her bag from the counter. "Alright, I'm off to the shop to grab a few things for later. Don't forget, Isla, you need to be ready by nine."

"I know, I know," I muttered, even though my thoughts were a million miles away.

Before she walked out, Mum shot Dad a playful look. "Lovebug, can you wake Matty up before he sleeps through the entire day?"

Dad laughed softly. "Of course, Butterfly." He pulled her close for another kiss before she left, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. They were so... them. Always acting like two lovestruck teenagers.

"I'm so glad you're here, Dad," I whispered, stepping into another hug. His arms tightened around me, and for a second, I felt the tension from the past few days melt away.

"You nervous about today?" he asked, pulling back to look at me with that knowing look only dads had.

"A little," I admitted, my voice shaky, though I knew I wasn't just nervous about graduation. I was nervous about everything—about Theo, about what that kiss meant, or worse, what it didn't mean.

"You'll be fine," he said, his tone full of confidence. "And if anything—or anyone—gives you trouble, you know where to find me."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Thanks, Dad, but I think I've got this."

But deep down, I wasn't so sure. Theo wasn't something my dad could protect me from. Theo was... well, he was something I had to figure out on my own.

And I wasn't ready to face it.

*******

The graduation ceremony passed in a blur. I clapped when I was supposed to, smiled when the cameras pointed at me, but none of it really stuck. I kept glancing around, searching for Theo in the crowd, wondering if he felt as weird about this whole situation as I did.

When the caps were tossed into the air, I felt a small weight lift. We'd made it. I'd made it. But the real challenge was still ahead of me—talking to Theo.

I I spotted my family first. Mum waved frantically, and Dad stood beside her, grinning, with Matteo half-asleep next to him. But the real problem? Theo. He was standing off to the side, watching me with that soft smile that sent my thoughts spiraling into chaos.

Don't make this weird, Isla. He's your best friend.

That kiss was just... a blip. A mistake.

Aunt Kam was the first to hug me. "Isla! You did it! We're so proud of you!" She squeezed me tightly, and I forced a smile, trying to focus on the moment.

"Thanks, Aunt Kam," I mumbled, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. But I couldn't stop glancing at Theo, who was still standing there, his eyes never leaving mine.

Before I could chicken out and run away, Aunt Jennie appeared with her phone, waving everyone over. "Picture time! Come on, let's get a shot of the whole family."

I tried to position myself as far from Theo as possible, but Aunt Kam wouldn't have it. She nudged me right next to him, grinning. "Don't be shy, you two. Move closer."

I froze. Theo's arm slipped around my shoulders, pulling me against him. I could feel the warmth of his body seeping into mine, and for a split second, I forgot how to breathe.

His touch was so familiar, but now, it felt different—dangerous. My heart raced, and I had to fight the urge to lean into him, to let myself fall into the safety of his embrace.

No. You're reading too much into this. It's just Theo. It didn't mean anything.

"Say cheese!" Aunt Jennie called out, and the camera clicked just as Theo's arm tightened slightly around me.

I forced myself to smile, but inside, everything was a mess. How could something so simple—a picture—feel so intense? Why did it feel like everything had changed when I was doing everything I could to pretend it hadn't?

"Another one!" Aunt Jennie said, repositioning for a new shot. "Come on, you two, act like you like each other!" She grinned, teasing, as she waved for us to get even closer.

Theo chuckled softly under his breath, his arm sliding further around me, pulling me fully into his side. "Better?" he asked, his lips close to my ear.

I could barely breathe. My skin burned where his hand rested on my shoulder, the warmth of his body seeping into mine. I glanced up at him, meeting his eyes, and my stomach flipped.

"Much better," Aunt Jennie chirped as the camera clicked again.

I wanted to pull away, to step out of this bubble that felt too charged, too intense. But at the same time, I didn't. Being close to him like this felt right in a way I wasn't ready to admit. And that terrified me.

What is wrong with me?

Theo shot me a look, his expression soft, like he could tell something was off. "You sure you're okay?" he asked, his brows furrowed slightly.

"I'm fine," I blurted out, too quickly. Too defensive. "It's just... you know, graduation. Big day and all."

As we pulled apart after the photo, I caught a glimpse of Theo's smile. It was soft, warm—like he knew what I was feeling, even if I refused to acknowledge it.

But I couldn't let myself go there. Not yet.

Theo's arm still lingered around my shoulders, warm and steady, as we started to disperse from the picture. I tried to ignore how natural it felt—like we'd done this a thousand times. But we hadn't. Not like this. Not when everything between us was suddenly... different.

I stepped away, putting a little distance between us, but the feeling didn't leave. It was like the ghost of his touch clung to my skin, making my pulse race for reasons I didn't want to admit.

He's your best friend. Don't ruin it. Don't make this something it's not.

But no matter how much I told myself that, I couldn't stop sneaking glances at him. His easy smile, the way his hair was just slightly messy from the wind, how he stood there, so calm and sure, while I was an absolute mess on the inside. My heart betrayed me, thudding in my chest every time he shifted or spoke. I hated that he had this effect on me now.

Since when did his smile make my knees weak?

Theo caught my eye, his smile widening like he could sense my thoughts. I quickly looked away, pretending to be fascinated by the tassel on my cap.

Play it cool, Isla. He doesn't know. He can't know.

"Want me to hold that for you?" Theo asked, his voice light and teasing as he reached for my cap, his fingers brushing against mine. That innocent touch sent a shock straight through me, and I nearly dropped the stupid thing.

"I'm fine," I muttered, snatching it back, my heart doing a somersault as I clutched it tightly.

His laugh was soft, barely there, but it did something to me. It made me want to both punch him and... lean closer.

No, no, no. Don't go there. You're imagining things.

"I'm just saying, you look a little frazzled, Luna," Theo teased, using my nickname, and my stomach flipped. He always called me that when he wanted to get under my skin. He knew it irritated me, but there was a warmth behind it, like it was our own little secret.

"I'm not frazzled," I shot back, crossing my arms, but the warmth of his arm still lingered on my shoulder, and it was making my brain fuzzy.

"You sure?" he asked, raising a brow, his smile softening. "You've been avoiding me for days."

His words hit me like a truck, and I felt my chest tighten.

Shit. He noticed. Of course he noticed.

I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. I could feel my pulse racing, my thoughts swirling into a tangled mess. I didn't want to talk about this—not now. Not here. Not with his arm around me, making me feel things I wasn't supposed to feel.

"I've just been... busy," I mumbled, biting the inside of my cheek. "You know, with graduation and all."

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing like he didn't believe me for a second. "Right. Busy."

There was that knowing look again. The one that told me he saw right through me. I hated that. Hated that Theo could always read me so easily, even when I didn't want him to. Especially now.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I added, trying to sound nonchalant, but my voice cracked just enough to give me away.

Theo's smile softened, and he dropped his arm from my shoulder, but instead of walking away or letting it go, he took a step closer. I could feel the warmth radiating off him, and my heart hammered in my chest.

He lowered his voice, just for me. "Isla... you can talk to me, you know. You don't have to pretend."

Oh God. Why did he have to be so sweet?

It would've been so much easier if he just shrugged it off and joked around like always. But no, he had to care. He had to look at me like he wanted to fix everything, and it was making my heart hurt in the best and worst ways.

"I'm fine," I said, a little too quickly, stepping back to put some distance between us. If he got any closer, I'd crumble. "Really. Let's just... not."

Theo's brows furrowed, but he didn't push. Instead, he stuffed his hands in his pockets, his gaze lingering on me like he was trying to figure me out. Like he was waiting for me to break. But I couldn't. Not now. Not yet.

A loud cheer from Aunt Jennie broke the tension as she rushed over, pulling both of us into a group hug. "You two are so cute! Look at you, all grown up! I'm going to cry," she gushed, wiping at her eyes dramatically.

I laughed, grateful for the distraction. Theo and I both untangled ourselves from her grasp, but the air between us still buzzed with something unspoken. Something I wasn't ready to deal with.

"We're not cute," I shot back playfully, trying to ease the tension with humor, even though my heart was still racing. "We're just... standing here."

"Sure," Aunt Jennie teased, giving us a knowing smile. "Whatever you say, kiddo."

Theo's eyes flicked to mine, and I could feel that familiar warmth spread through me again. I quickly looked away, trying to focus on anything but him.

"You ready for Harrington?" Theo asked casually, though I could hear the underlying tension in his voice.

I shrugged, pretending like the thought didn't make my stomach twist. "Yeah. It'll be fun."

That was a lie. I wasn't ready. Not at all. Especially not when everything between us was so confusing.

How was I supposed to leave when things felt so unfinished?

He nodded, but I saw the flash of disappointment in his eyes. "Yeah. It'll be fun," he repeated, though his voice lacked its usual enthusiasm.

A silence stretched between us, heavy and uncomfortable, until Aunt Kam interrupted again. "Alright, picture round three! Theo, Isla, get closer—come on, don't be shy!" She waved her phone at us like she was orchestrating some romantic movie moment.

I stiffened, but before I could protest, Theo pulled me close again, his arm sliding around my waist this time. I sucked in a breath, my heart thudding against my ribs.

Why did it feel so good? Why did this feel like home when it shouldn't?

I forced a smile as the camera clicked, but the fluttering in my chest wouldn't stop. Theo squeezed me a little tighter, and I glanced up at him, only to find him already looking at me. His gaze was warm, steady, like he was waiting for me to admit something I wasn't ready to say.

"I've got you, Luna," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the noise of the crowd.

The words sent a shiver down my spine, and I hated the way they made my heart skip a beat.

I forced a laugh, trying to shake it off. "I don't need you to have me, Theo. I'm fine."

But even as I said it, I wasn't sure I believed it. And from the way Theo's smile softened, I knew he didn't believe it either.