• Now That It's Over, I Just Want To Break Your Heart Right Back •

-

Fisher could feel Howl breathing down his neck all morning long. It felt like, every corner he rounded, every turn he made, every flick of his eyes, he could see him somewhere. Fisher didn't know if it was just his paranoia or not. He hadn't contacted that Jonah guy so, he couldn't feel guilty, but he did. He never imagined liking a guy, and now, he kind of liked two. It was all throwing Fisher into a world of stress and anxiety and guilt and, surprisingly enough, loneliness.

Between two of his classes, just before lunch, Fisher finally felt clear of Howl's predatory stare. He didn't see him out of the corner of his eye anywhere, didn't even feel like he was being followed. Unfortunately, that's because Howl was in front of him. He popped out of a classroom just as Fisher was passing by the door, causing them to collide. Fisher jerked back with his eyes wide and body tense. Howl's eyes narrowed as he stepped towards the little sophomore.

"Funny running into you." Howl tilted his head with the same sinister look in his eyes that always caused Fisher's adrenaline to spike.

Fisher knew an attack was coming so, he turned to run. Howl was bigger and faster, though, easily catching Fisher's arm and forcing him back against a wall. Fisher bit back an involuntary yelp and glared angrily up at Howl. He wasn't effected by Fisher's glare like Fisher was effected by his, unfortunately. Howl was still convinced Fisher would get over himself so, he wasn't very bothered by Fisher's anger. Still, though, Howl wasn't done with him and he was getting impatient.

"I didn't expect you to last this long." Howl muttered as he stared down at the sophomore. "It's been, what, two weeks? I'm getting this weird feeling of sexual frustration that I'm not used to so, you better knock it off with the attitude before I can't hold myself back any longer."

Fisher gulped as his mind raced with a million things he wanted to say to Howl. He couldn't say them all but he desperately wanted to. "If you need sex, why don't you just go find Brett? It's not like I've ever given myself up to you before. You just take whatever you want without considering my feelings."

Howl's blood was already boiling at Fisher's word. His patience was slowly dwindling over the past two weeks but, right now, in this very moment, it was plummeting into oblivion. Howl couldn't help himself from grabbing Fisher's face and forcibly tilting it up so they could make proper eye contact. Fisher fought his grip but Howl only held on tighter. Howl wanted him, so badly, even when he was pissed off.

"You're right. I do take whatever I want. So, either, you give yourself up or I'll take you myself." Howl lowly growled.

Howl's threat pulled something submissive out of Fisher. This was one of the things Fisher hated most about Howl. He always knew exactly what to say to make him stand down. And even worse than that, he only used this dominant persona when they were talking about something sexual. Howl was pushy, sure, but when it came to his sexuality, Howl demanded the things he wanted and didn't stop until he got his way. That's how Fisher got stuck in Howl's trap in the first place.

During their intense stare down, Howl ended up getting distracted by a familiar shade of pink catching his attention out of the corner of his eye. Howl pulled his attention from Fisher to see Zoe laughing and talking to one of her cheerleader friends. Howl straightened out his stiff posture and let go of Fisher's face, also letting the younger straighten himself out.

"Looks like the princess saves your ass again. You owe her big. Almost as much as you owe me." Howl reminded with a bitter smirk before he turned into the traffic of the halls.

Fisher was left trying to catch his breath as Howl shuffled through the crowded hallways. Fisher's heart was racing so much that he felt like he was bouncing in place. Howl did something to him that he couldn't explain. Every time they were together, Fisher was anticipating something. Usually, Howl's attacks were sexual. He was always looking to make out or stick his hand down Fisher's pants. So, when Howl actually decided to talk or it took too long to get to the sexual part of their relationship, the Jaws music just got more and more intense until nothing happened.

It was the worse. Howl brought Fisher nothing but anxiety.

"Princess!" Howl sang as he popped up beside Zoe.

"Oh! Hi, Howl!" Zoe smiled up at him as she hugged her books against her chest. "What's up?"

"I need you to do me a huge favor. It includes Teddy." Howl winked, a knowing smirk on his face.

Zoe awkwardly glanced at her friends that were walking with her, instantly sulking at the sight of their disgusted expressions. She didn't say anything, though, as she grabbed Howl's arm and swiftly drifted through the traffic of the hallways. Howl and Zoe were soon stood against a wall to keep away from the crowd of students in the hallway and Zoe could actually feel herself relax now. She liked keeping her relationship with her friends and her relationship with Teddy separate.

"What do you need me to do, Howl?" Zoe asked, her long eyelashes fluttering as she looked up at him.

"Okay, listen. I promised Teddy that I would hang out with him tomorrow night but, turns out, I have this thing with my moms, so, I can't. Unfortunately, Teddy doesn't like it when you cancel plans last minute so, he's pissed at me and put himself on the schedule at his work, which I think is a really dumb way for him to spend a Saturday night. And so, that's where you come in.." Howl explained.

Zoe's eyebrows furrowed with confusion. "If he's working, what do you want me to do?"

"Obviously, Princess, go surprise him! Cheer him up! Bring him some take-out food, order pizza, do something with him." Howl pressed.

Zoe shook her head in disbelief and snorted a laugh. "Is he really that upset that you cancelled plans, Howl? I know Teddy. He prefers to be alone."

"Yes, usually." Zoe cocked an eyebrow at the intriguing way Howl said that. "It's just.. I shouldn't tell you this because I've already told you too much of Teddy's business but, it's about Carmen."

Zoe's eyes widened and her hand pressed against her chest. "What? What about her? What happened?"

"She's fine, don't worry. It was a false alarm but, it really got Teddy all shook up. That's why I need you to cover for me, Zo. He really needs some company right now." Howl lied, admittedly, lying better than he ever had before. Either that, or, Zoe was really just that gullible.

Zoe nibbled on her bottom lip as she thought it through. More than anything, Zoe wanted to be there for Teddy when he needed someone. But, she also promised that she'd go to Joseph's party tomorrow and make sure everything went alright with Fisher. He was totally freaking out about the party and needed Vanessa and Zoe there since they were the only two that knew why the entire party was happening in the first place. He also wanted her support in case Howl showed up.

"So.. You're busy tomorrow night?" Zoe asked Howl, just to make sure he wouldn't unexpectedly show up at the party. "With your moms?"

"Yeah. Totally. Can't get out of it." Howl blurted, hurrying to get to the part where Zoe agreed to this plan.

"Okay, fine." Zoe sighed and ran a hand through her silky, blonde locks. "If you're not going to Joseph's party then it's probably okay if I'm not there either."

"Joseph's party?" He had totally forgotten about that part as he put this plan together. "Why does it have to be both of us or neither of us?"

Zoe nervously curled her lips into a tight line as she tried to think of some kind of excuse. She eventually gave up and shrugged. "You said you're busy, right? So, it's not big deal..."

"What the hell, Zoe-" Howl frowned but didn't get the chance to press Zoe on the subject before she wiggled her way out of the conversation.

"Don't worry, Howl! I'll handle Teddy. Don't worry about anything else!" Zoe shouted as she slipped into the traffic of the hallways and completely disappeared.

That wasn't going to work, Howl thought. He didn't have any plans with his moms, which meant, he got to spend Saturday night doing whatever the hell he wanted. And, at the top of his list now, was Joseph's party. He didn't even care if Zoe found out that he lied and went to the party because she'd be so grateful that he set her up with her boy toy that she couldn't possibly be upset with him. That still made him wonder, though.

Was Zoe suppose to keep an eye on him at the party? For what reason? What was she hiding from him? Well, now that Zoe was busy and he wasn't, Howl was surely going to find out what was hiding within that party.

-

Zoe didn't spend her time in the library crying, or complaining, or talking Teddy's ear off. For a while, she simply watched him study. He was even more studious than usual this week. Finals for the semester were coming up and Teddy was in full study mode before anyone else was. Even when Zoe did say something, he literally could not hear her. So, Zoe didn't even try today. Instead, she laid her head down and watched him until her eyes began to flutter closed.

It was silent for so long that Teddy actually forgot Zoe was sat beside him. That was, until, she softly moaned in her sleep. Teddy stopped writing and let his eyes shift towards the blonde. She looked peaceful with her eyes closed so gently, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulder and the table. She breathed slowly, calmly, and even though the chair and table combination wasn't comfortable, she looked comfortable. She looked like a children's doll, dressed all nice but laid out like a rag doll.

Teddy couldn't help but crack a smile. Nobody was around and Zoe was asleep so, Teddy didn't fight the smile. He liked Zoe when she was quiet. Although, just by staring at her for a few seconds, Teddy could tell he'd fall asleep if he watched her sleep for any longer. He tried to pry his eyes away from her and continue studying but, now that he knew she was right there, sleeping, he couldn't focus.

This wasn't like before, either, when she was pretending to be asleep. Teddy could tell Zoe was out like a light. Her eyelashes sometimes fluttered against her cheekbones, her breathing was too calm to be faked, and her body looked so relaxed. The sun coming through the window in the back of the library made Zoe's blonde hair look so shiny and silky. There was so much of it. She looked like an angel.

Teddy couldn't fight the urge to slowly reach out and reach for a strand of her hair. He gently pushed a single strand off Zoe's temple and pushed it behind her ear, being careful not to fully touch her. Teddy had never noticed how small and round her ears were. Her earrings were pretty, looked expensive, and suited her well. They sparkled just as much as her hair did. Teddy was completely enthralled, mesmerized even, as he stared at the sleeping blonde.

Zoe didn't flinch, didn't stir, there was no falter in her breathing, which made Teddy feel a bit bolder in his actions. He reached for more of her hair, slipping his fingers into her long, blonde locks and combing it all outwards. There weren't even any tangles. How she managed to stay this perfect was beyond him. The clear skin, even complexion, perfect makeup and hair, clothes that fit her so nicely and worked together so naturally. How did this girl even exist? How was she not computer generated or something?

"Uhh.. Teddy.." A third party voice suddenly chimed from Teddy's left, where his back was slightly turned away from.

Teddy jumped in shock, his knee colliding with the underside of the table and startling Zoe awake. Teddy looked towards the voice and spotted Mr. Peterson knowingly smirking at him. He had obviously seen him touching and admiring Zoe, which made Teddy want to sink into the ground. She was waking up, though, which meant Teddy had to get out of here as quickly as possible. Luckily, it looked like Mr. Peterson wanted to talk to him elsewhere as he nodded in the direction of the library entrance.

"Where are you going?" Zoe pouted as she stretched out her arms in front of her.

"Mr. Peterson. College. Bye." Teddy panicked as he collected his things and rushed off with his teacher.

Zoe laid her arms out on the table as her head fell to it as well, her lips still perched in a pout. She didn't mean to fall asleep. She wanted to be in Teddy's presence a bit longer. Teddy, however, was having trouble trying to calm all of his wild nerves. He didn't know why he just went and touched Zoe like that. It wasn't like him. Something just came over him. There was some kind of urge to do it. Not a sexual urge, it wasn't the same as the other things going through his head. It was more domestic.

Gross.

"I have to say, Teddy." Mr. Peterson spoke up as he walked beside Teddy, his hands politely folded behind his back. "I am very proud of you for listening to our guidance counselor. It only took you three years but it looks like you've finally made some friends."

"I assure you, Mr. Peterson, Zoe is not-"

"And Howl, as well." Mr. Peterson cut in before Teddy could finish whatever blatant lie he was about to vomit out. "I'm impressed, Teddy. You're wearing your hood in the hallways less and I haven't seen your headphones in your ears for weeks."

Teddy awkwardly scratched the back of his head as he followed Mr. Peterson down the hallway. He didn't know how to accept those compliments. Were they even compliments? They were more like observations. He couldn't really be offended that Mr. Peterson had noticed these things since he insisted on helping Teddy with college planning.

After Mr. Peterson found out about everything with Teddy's family, seeing how he got along with his classmates, his financial state, and complicated personality, Mr. Peterson couldn't stand by and simply watch. He had reasoned with Teddy and explained that he was really good in school, just like Teddy, but didn't have the same opportunity for college like every other kid did because of his finical status, as well. He explained that that's why he wanted to lend him a hand.

Teddy accepted Mrs. Peterson's help for obvious reasons. He didn't do good in school because he wanted to. Teddy spent hours and hours of his day studying. It was his main priority. He hated school and the people in it but, those grades were all that would get him out of this boring city. You didn't get rich by being a dumbass, unless you had luck on your side. Teddy wanted to be smart and go to a good college and build a good life for himself so he could continue on his plan to get rich and take care of his sister, his niece, and his nephew.

"I only bring it up because I think it'll have a good impact on you." Mr. Peterson continued as they stepped into his empty classroom. "Your mental stability will improve when you start to realize that you have friends to lean on and creating a social life in college will be easy as pie if you practice now."

-

"Do you remember the last time we came to Joseph's house for a party?" Garrett laughed as he looked around the basement. "I can't believe I tried to make out with Trina that night. Man.. If I knew what she was like now, I would've never tried that shit."

Fisher awkwardly laughed, trying his hardest to engage with Garrett, despite the mental breakdown he was internally struggling through. Fisher couldn't help but stare at the staircase that led to the basement, obsessing over the fact that Jonah could be walking down those stairs any minute now. The though made Fisher's heart bump violently in his chest. Any minute now. Any second, maybe.

It took everything in Fisher to resist the urge to vomit back into his red solo cup as he tried to down as much liquid courage as he thought he could handle. He wasn't a drinker. He was only sixteen. But, they had it at the party and rumor has it, liquor helps in situations like this. It wasn't fun to drink something that burned your throat and your intensities as it invaded your body but, it was suppose to help. That's all Fisher cared about since Vanessa already disappeared into the crowd upstairs and Zoe wasn't even here.

"Why the hell am I even here?" Jonah muttered to himself as he trudged up the driveway of the house that was clearly hosting a high school party.

Jonah couldn't believe he was doing something this unfamiliar but, he would at least try for this kid. He was good with people so, meeting them once and hanging out a few times even though he didn't even know them wasn't foreign to him. This, though, was different. He was coming to a party full of classmates from an entirely different school with the soul purpose of sticking to some half-closeted sophomores side all night long. This was a bit stranger than most of his adventurous leaps.

Jonah attempted to find his own way around the party, slipping into the dancing crowd in Joseph's living room in search of the sophomore. Jonah wandered aimlessly and casually as he looked around. He didn't recognize anybody, which he expected, although, a familiar face would be a bit comforting right now. Or liquor. They had liquor here. That would work too.

Jonah grabbed himself a bottle of beer and popped the lid before he tilted it towards his lips. He had liquor, now, all he had to do was find the boy. It would be easiest to text him and ask since Vanessa gave him his number but, Jonah wanted to find his own way. Luckily, he didn't really have to go searching again as the boy ended up finding his way towards him. Fisher was originally looking for more liquid courage until he spotted Jonah in the kitchen.

Fisher was frozen in place, his eyes wide and body as stiff as a statue. Fisher's face was already pink from the way his body was reacting to the liquor, but now, it was reddening even more. The corner of Jonah's lips turned slightly upwards in a charming smirk. He found Fisher's visible shock very amusing. Maybe he was cute after all. Jonah didn't even bother to move towards Fisher as he casually gestured the boy over with his beer in hand.

Fisher gripped his empty solo cup in his hands and awkwardly walked over to Jonah. He didn't know what to do. Jonah looked really handsome in the band tee he was wearing that he obviously chopped up himself so it didn't have sleeves. His tattoos were showed off this way. Those looked good too. It made Fisher feel weirdly, strongly attracted to him. Did tattoos really get to him like that? Howl only had one tattoo. But Jonah looked really handsome with so many tattoos.

"We haven't formally introduced ourselves yet." Jonah jutted his hand out to Fisher. "My name's Jonah. I'd tell you my last name but, it's Russian and I get it wrong half the time I say it."

Fisher couldn't help but smile. Jonah had such an easy, comfortable air around him and in his voice as he spoke. He was so charming.

"Fisher." Fisher placed his hand in Jonah's, noticing the size different and blushing. "Fisher Santoro. It's Italian."

"Nice." Jonah handsomely smiled as he nodded. There was a moment of silence as Jonah trapped his bottom lip between his teeth, his cheeks high in a smile as he simply stared at Fisher.

"I like your tattoos." Fisher finally spoke. That was a normal compliment that people said to other people. Jonah didn't have to know that it was one of the reasons Fisher found him so attractive.

"Thanks." Jonah glanced down at his arms, one tattooed hand slipping into the pocket of his black, ripped up jeans. "My brother-in-law is a tattoo artist so, I can pretty much get them whenever I want but, I don't want to completely run out of space yet."

Fisher nodded in understanding, his eyes still scanning all of Jonah's various tattoos. Jonah noticed when Fisher's eyes halted on his left bicep. He glanced down to see what Fisher was staring at, his eyes landing on the tattoo of a girls open legs. It was suppose to be obvious that it was a woman by her high heels, feminine legs, and manicured nails that were between her legs to hide her crotch. Fisher's eyes were locked to that tattoo as he began zoning out.

"You're wondering if I'm straight, aren't you?" Jonah asked with no reserve.

"It's all I can think about." Fisher's eyes snapped up to meet Jonah's as he began nervously rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet.

Jonah chuckled as he dropped his head, the sound hard to catch over the loud music and all the chattering. Still, Fisher blushed. He had a nice smile. When Jonah looked up to meet Fisher's stare, his heart nearly leaped out of his throat. How was it possible to be that handsome and charming? He was like a punk prince. It wasn't fair. Fisher was going to die in this mans presence.

"None of it really matters to me, Fisher. Not to sound too.. hipster but, I don't really subscribe to labels like that. Gay, straight, bi, male, female, non-binary, I don't really give a shit, honestly." Jonah casually shrugged.

"O-Okay..." Fisher nodded in understanding at Jonah's claims, although, he didn't understand at all. "I guess, it's better to know you like everyone than think you like nobody.."

Jonah cocked his head at Fisher's response. Is that why Vanessa was so desperate to get him here? She wanted Jonah to help Fisher figure out who he was into? The kid didn't know if he was gay or not? He obviously looked stressed out, apparently, because he thought he was ace. But, Jonah wouldn't be surprised if Fisher didn't even know what that meant. He really did need some help.

"I don't like everyone, Fisher." Jonah flashed that charming smile again, making Fisher's body nervously stiffen. "And, there are some people that don't like anybody. You can be, and like, anyone you want, Fisher."

Fisher absorbed Jonah's reassuring words in a way that surprised even him. His body seemed to relax a little more. He liked the way Jonah put it. Vanessa and Zoe were trying to help all they could, and Fisher appreciated it but, they were so focused on Howl. Did he like Howl or did he like boys? Jonah approached it differently. Granted, he didn't even know about Howl. Still, Fisher was comforted by the fact that he could like anyone.

That realization felt like a big breathe of fresh air after almost drowning.

Fisher shyly cracked a smile as he looked down a his still empty drink. Jonah slightly tilted his head to catch the expression, feeling a smile itch at the corner of his own lips. Part of him felt like he had helped Fisher to begin a new world of sexuality and that his work here was done, and another part of him wanted to dig a little deeper. What was this cute kid all about?

Jonah downed the rest of his beer and reached for Fisher's empty cup, leaning into Fisher's ear before he had time to react. "I'll make us more drinks and we'll talk somewhere quieter, yeah?"

Fisher's cheeks flushed at how close Jonah was to his ear and how he could feel his breath as he spoke. Fisher shyly nodded, though, fighting back a giddy smile. He felt embarrassed that Jonah made him this bashful but, he couldn't stop it. He felt like a little school girl talking to his long time crush but, it was so different. Fisher didn't know it could all happen like this. A kid like him, liking a guy like Jonah, or anybody else he wanted to like.

Fisher stood idly by as Jonah poured them both drinks, nibbling on his bottom lip as his fingers tugged on the sleeves of his sweatshirt. Jonah didn't take long, handing Fisher his drink and grabbing his other wrist to lead him through the house. The doorway to the stairs was in Jonah's eye-line the entire time they were talking so, he could see when a group of people flooded out of the basement.

That seemed like a quieter, more private place to talk. That's where Fisher came from in the first place, anyways.

"There's no liquor in this.." Fisher commented as he followed Jonah down the stairs, his eyes glued to the contents in his cups.

Jonah stopped at the bottom of the stairs and leant on Fisher's shoulder as he whispered close to his ear again, despite how much quieter it was down here. "You're a sophomore, Fish. You don't need liquor." The humor was audible in Jonah's smooth voice, causing Fisher to both smile and blush.

-

"You know, Howl, it would really help me to know what was wrong with Carmen so, I don't accidentally say something stupid and make Teddy angry at me." Zoe grumbled as she hopped out of the cab and grabbed her take out food that she brought.

"Yeah, funny story about that." Howl looked up from the driveway he was walking up. Looked like people were having a lot of fun inside. "I lied about Carmen."

"Wait, what? You lied?" Zoe blurted but didn't get the response she wanted as Howl continued on his rant.

"I did lie but, I don't feel all that bad because, something about this fishy situation tells me that you're going to have a much better night than me. You get to hang out with your crush and I have to search this party for whatever you're hiding from me. That should be fun." Howl bitterly explained.

"Howl.." Zoe sighed as she closed her eyes. "It's nothing against you, Howl. I swear, I would never do something to hurt you. It's just.. I'm trying to help someone that's going to the party and-"

"I really don't care what your excuse is, Zoe." Howl slipped into the open door of the house party, the music coming through the call now. "Whatever you're hiding in this party, I'm gonna find it."

And then he hung up.

Zoe pulled her phone from her face and stomped her foot against the ground in frustration. Of course, this had to be happening now. Why couldn't she just keep her mouth shut when Howl brought up Teddy? She didn't have to say anything about the party. She shouldn't have. Now, Howl was pissed at her for betraying him. That's not what she meant to do. She was doing this for Fisher, not to spite Howl. Zoe wanted to ask Howl what he meant to do when he sent her here, though.

If nothing was wrong with Carmen, why did Howl beg her to spend time with Teddy tonight? It didn't really matter anymore, anyways. She was here already. Luckily, she now a different reason to be hanging out with Teddy. If he wasn't going to sulk, she was.

"Hello, little lady. What's brought you in here?" An older gentleman smiled as he looked up from filling out paperwork at the front desk. His eyes landed on the take-out bags in Zoe's hand. "Delivering for someone?"

"Actually, I came to eat with someone." Zoe awkwardly smiled as she approached the front desk. She looked behind him and through the small window in the door that led to the garages. She could see cars, hear tools hitting stuff, and even people but, couldn't hear or see Teddy. "Teddy's working tonight, isn't he?"

The old man seemed taken aback by Zoe's question. His mouth was slightly hung open and his eyes narrowing just enough as he stared at Zoe. He couldn't understand why a girl like this was coming here to have dinner with a boy like Teddy. Teddy was a perfectly fine boy and a fine worker but, this girl was something else. Cute, small, sweet, she even looked rich. They appeared to be complete opposites of each other.

"Yeah, actually. And, you're just in time for his break." The old man dropped the paper and pen as he gestured towards the door that led to the garage. "Follow me."

Zoe obeyed, sidestepping the front desk and following the man through the door. The garage was somehow ten times as loud on the other side of the door. She couldn't help but flinch when one of the workers cursed and threw his tool. The other guys beside him chuckled and watched as he leant against the car he was working on with frustration in the creases of his furrowed brows. As the old man walked by them, though, they turned and even did a double take when they noticed Zoe.

Zoe awkwardly waved at the men dressed in navy blue suits that were covered in oil and dirty. They didn't wave or smile as they stared at her in confusion and shock. When Zoe turned her attention forward again, the guys hurried to follow and see what was happening. It wasn't often they had customers enter the garage and it was even less often that they were as pretty and tiny as Zoe.

The old man whistled as loudly as he could, causing Zoe to flinch again. The acoustics in the garage made his whistle piercingly loud. All the employees were looking at him now as he strutted across the garage. Even Teddy pushed out from under the car he was working on and sat up, his eyes on his hands as he wiped his hands of oil. He only ever whistled like that when it was something important that the whole shop needed to know. To him, this qualified.

"Teddy! You're birthday present has arrived!" Marvin hollered as he peeked around the stations in search of Teddy.

"Birthday?" Zoe asked the old man as she stood idly beside him.

Teddy caught the sound of her voice since everyone had stopped working and the shop has quieted down enough. He shot up from the ground and stepped out from behind the car he was working on. At the sight of Zoe stood beside his boss, Teddy's eyes widened as his jaw dropped. Everyone looked at Teddy and then at Zoe. She hadn't noticed him yet as she stared up at Marvin in confusion. But, when she did turn and see Teddy, a sweet smile spread across her face as she waved.

"Zoe?" Teddy started forward, ignoring the stares from all his coworkers. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Zoe raised the bag in her hand that had a big Chinese character on it that he couldn't read. "I brought you dinner."

"Come on, Teddy. Your girlfriend wanted to surprise you on your birthday. You gotta appreciate that much." Marvin knowingly grinned.

"No. Really, Marvin, that's not what this is. Sorry about this. I'll use my break to get her out of here." Teddy grabbed Zoe's arm and pulled her away from Marvin to tuck her safely behind him.

"Nonsense! It's your birthday! Sit down, eat, take as long a break as you want." Marvin's eyes shifted to Zoe. "Besides, if the young lady went through all the trouble of getting here for you, it's be rude to kick her out so soon."

Teddy's jaw clenched as he took in this awful situation. He truly never expected anything like this to happen. He thought he could escape Zoe here. This was a safe place. And, not only had she now tainted his safe place, but she also just found out it was his birthday. Teddy never really made an effort to hide his birthday or anything, he just didn't usually care. But now... Now he wanted to bury the fact that he was ever even born.

With a frustrated growl, Teddy hands found and pushed Zoe back through the garage. "Go. Go, go, go."

Zoe didn't question him but simply walked in the direction Teddy came from. He made it to the car he was working on and went to the garage door. With on hard yank of a chain attached to the door, it was throw up a few feet from the ground. Zoe was impressed, happily clapping at his Superman-like strength. Teddy huffed in annoyance and waved Zoe towards the garage door, urging her to leave under it. Zoe frowned but still slipped under the garage door before Teddy followed and let it fall shut behind them.

"Teddy, when's your birthday?" Zoe asked in suspicion as they stood together out in the cold night air.

"Every year on the same day." Teddy faked an obviously fake laugh as his hands disappeared into the small pockets in his navy jumpsuit.

"Teddy.." Zoe scolded as her arms crossed over her chest and eyebrow cocked. She wasn't amused. "Is your birthday November 8th?"

Teddy pulled his hand from his pocket and began counting on his fingers, lifting them as he counted up and then putting his fingers down when he went over five numbers. Zoe rolled her eyes. On no planet did you have to count the days to know when your birthday was when it was the day of your birthday. He was just counting to stall. Why wouldn't he just tell her?

"Teddy!" Zoe stomped her foot.

"Fine!" Teddy barked back, his face stiff with anger as he stared back at the blonde. "It's my birthday, alright? What does it matter to you?"

That's why Howl told her that it was really dumb of Teddy to work on a Saturday, because it was his birthday. He lied about Carmen just to get Zoe here and spend time with him on his birthday. But, was Howl really suppose to hang out with him tonight? Did he ditch on their plans to hang out with his moms? Or was that just another lie to get her here and that's why he was already at that party? Why didn't Howl just save all the effort and tell her about Teddy's birthday?

"How old are you?" Zoe asked, a lot less angry now.

"Seventeen." Teddy shrugged.

A smile spread across Zoe's face, the brightness in her face accentuated by the lights above the garage doors. Teddy was almost an adult. He was older than Zoe, too, by, like, nine months. Zoe wanted to do something nice for Teddy. She wished she had shown up with balloons and a cake and presents. She could've come here earlier and prepared all his coworkers for a surprise party if he really insisted on working on his birthday.

"How about I take you out tomorrow?" Zoe proposed with an excitement in her eyes that made Teddy grimace. "We can go shopping for whatever you want, buy a big cake, throw a party!"

"No! No! This is fine!" Teddy panicked as he reached for the take-out food Zoe had in her hand. He took a seat against the garage door and opened the bag to find some food. It was his break, after all, and he was hungry. "If you were going to do anything for my birthday, I imagine this is the simplest thing I could convince you to do, anyways."

Zoe frowned but lowered herself to sit beside Teddy, combing her skirt so she wasn't sitting on the cold, cement ground. Teddy stole the quickest glance at her bare legs but scoffed as he realized how cold she had to be. A sweater and a skirt. Didn't this girl have any winter clothes? It was suppose to be snowing already but it kept coming down as rain. Still, that didn't mean she should still be dressing in skirts. It was still below freezing.

"You really don't want to celebrate your birthday?" Zoe quietly asked in the quiet of night. The tools and machines started up in the garage when they were digging for their food but, it wasn't too loud.

"Nope." Teddy answered as he tossed his food around it's folded container.

Zoe frowned. "Is it because of your family? You don't want to celebrate without them?"

Teddy's eyebrows furrowed, but, not at Zoe. He was still staring at his food. "That's not it."

Zoe nodded, giving that a minute to sit in the air. She didn't really know why but, she didn't have much to say to Teddy. Like always, she just wanted to sit with him. They didn't have to be talking. Teddy enjoyed it like that and Zoe could tell. She didn't want him to be miserable every time she was around so, she didn't force conversation. They simply sat together. Maybe, she'd make a comment or he'd make a comment but, it was never forced or awkward.

There was a sudden rush of freezing cold wind when Teddy and Zoe were just about finished with their food. Zoe yelped and cried as the cold wind blew through her clothes and pierced her legs. The cold was bearable up until that cold burst of wind. Teddy quickly set his food down beside him, ready to help her keep warm in some way that he hadn't figured out yet. That was, until, Zoe spotted a snowflake.

Zoe loudly gasped and threw her food down to jump up. She didn't even look cold as she looked up at the sky with a huge smile on her face. There was more and more snow. It fell like a sudden blizzard, the snowflakes frequent and clustered together, as if they couldn't fall soon enough. Teddy was awestruck as well. The news said it was suppose to snow between today and tomorrow but, more than likely, it'd start so late in the night that nobody would see it and wake up to a find themselves barricaded in by snow.

"Teddy! It's snowing!" Zoe cheered as she held her arms out to feel the snow hit her skin.

Teddy snorted a laugh and shook his head. "We should go inside. You're going to get hypothermia."

"Oh! I'm so excited!" Zoe squealed as she hopped in place.

Teddy gathered their food and put it all back in the bag, not rushing so Zoe could enjoy the cold and snow before she froze to death. He grabbed the handle at the bottom of the garage door and yanked it off the ground. The garage door went flying up but he still had to hold it so it didn't fall again. He tried to kick the food inside and turned back to Zoe, holding his hand out to her.

"Come on! It's freezing!" Teddy yelled to the hopping, dancing blonde.

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!" Zoe sang as she danced.

Teddy laughed and waved Zoe towards him. "Come on, moron!"

Zoe finally gave in to Teddy's demands and rushed towards him. He grabbed her when she was close enough and pulled her against him as they dipped inside. Zoe hugged herself and shivered, realizing now why she shouldn't be dancing in the snow. Teddy laughed at her and put his hands on either of her arms, quickly rubbing her arms up and down to create enough friction to keep her warm. She looked ridiculous freezing like this but, it made him laugh.

"I can't feel my toes." Zoe's teeth clattered together as she shivered.

"Then, why the hell did you stand out there dancing and singing?" Teddy laughed.

"I was excited."

Teddy shook his head and stepped towards Zoe as she stepped towards him, his arms naturally finding their way around her shoulders to keep her warm. Zoe easily snuggled into Teddy's chest, her entire body shaking and trembling from the cold. Inside the garage wasn't much warmer but, it was still better than standing in the falling snow. Teddy didn't protest Zoe's closeness but, neither of them had noticed since it was necessary to keep warm.

The others, though, they noticed. The others were bewildered by the sight in front of them. Teddy wasn't a very personal or particularly affectionate person. This side of him was very new to them.

"Oh, sorry.." Zoe squirmed out of Teddy's arms and took a step back from him. Her nose and cheeks were bright red from the cold as she hugged herself. "I know you hate when I'm clinging.."

Teddy dropped his arms, his jaw moving under his skin as he realized that little fact about himself. That was suppose to be true. It made him angry that he forgot about that. Wasn't he suppose to hate her? Since Zoe wasn't in his head, though, she thought he was angry at her, which made her feel even worse about rushing into his arms like she just did.

"Yeah.. You should've worn a coat or jeans or something, Bozo. It's freezing outside." Teddy muttered.

"Sorry.." Zoe awkwardly apologized again.

-

{ I mention both Fisher and Teddy's age in this chapter and the entire time I have been writing this book, Fisher has been 17 and Teddy was just about to turn 18, until I remembered how the American school system works....

Their attitudes and personalities made sense to me with the ages I had already decided in my head but, it just doesn't make much sense on a logistics standpoint.

Fisher is not 17 like I envisioned. Teddy did not turn 18 this year. Instead, Fisher is 16 and Teddy is now 17... And they're all still babies. Maybe, now that they're a whole year younger, they'll be more excused for their horrible behavior because they're immature, naive children...

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter even though it kind of bounced all over the place. To make up for it, the next chapter is just all one scene... But, me trying to make up for the mess of this chapter in the next chapter will be immediately destroyed because the next chapter isn't a particularly happy one......

But!!!

To make up for that, I'm posting two chapters, one of which will be the sad chapter, of SILY next week and you'll understand why if you pay attention to the dates in which I post them.😉 Thanks for reading! Make sure to leave your comments! I love reading them! }