Theo groaned as the morning sun filtered gently through the curtains. Theo stirred in the soft sheets, his mind foggy and disoriented. As he blinked against the light, fragments of the previous night began to piece together.

He sat up slowly, glancing around the room and realising he was in Tory's bed. Confusion washed over him. How had he gotten here? The last thing he remembered was sitting on that park bench.

As he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, a wave of dizziness hit him. He took a moment to steady himself before making his way to the kitchen. When he entered the kitchen, he found Tory standing at the stove, flipping pancakes with a focused expression. She looked up, a soft smile breaking across her face as she caught sight of him.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," she said, her tone light but her eyes betraying a deeper concern. "How are you feeling?"

Theo rubbed the back of his neck, still struggling to shake off the remnants of last night. "I... I don't really know," he admitted, his voice hoarse. "What happened?"

Tory turned off the stove and placed the spatula down, her expression shifting to one of seriousness. "We need to talk," she said gently, motioning for him to sit at the table.

He nodded, his heart racing as he took a seat. "About what?"

"About us," she began, taking a deep breath. "And about everything that's been going on with you—the drugs, Harriet... all of it."

Theo swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling heavily in the pit of his stomach. "I'm sorry for everything," he said quietly. "I didn't mean for it to get this bad."

Tory sighed, her gaze softening. "I should be the one apologising, babe, I broke your heart," Tory sighed. "But I want you to know that I care about you more than you realise. I'm sorry for how things ended between us. I was scared that you making amends with your family meant you'd push me aside."

His brow furrowed as he recalled the fight they had before. "I'd never do that, Tor, I still love you after everything."

"I know," she said, her voice soothing. "But we can't ignore what's happening. I found you last night on death's doorstep, Theo. I don't want to see that again. You scared the shit out of me."

"I know I messed up," he admitted, his voice cracking. "I just thought I could handle it. I thought it was just a phase."

Tory shook her head, her expression firm. "It's not just a phase. You're struggling, and it's okay to ask for help. But you need to acknowledge that it's a problem."

He looked down at the table, feeling the shame wash over him. "She makes it difficult," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "She... she..."

Tory's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression resolute. "I blocked her last night and deleted her number from your phone," she said firmly. "She's not good for you, and you need to cut ties with anyone who's pulling you back into that world."

Theo looked up, surprise flickering in his eyes. "You did that for me?"

"Of course I did," she replied, her voice softening again. "I love you, Theo. I don't want her to influence you anymore. You deserve better than that," he felt a mix of gratitude and guilt wash over him as Tory continued. She reached across the table, placing her hand over his. "We can work on this together, but you have to want to change. You have to make that choice for yourself."

Theo took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her words sink in. "I want to change. I really do. I just don't know where to start."

"I'll help you," Tory said, her voice steady. "We can figure this out. I need to head to work, but feel free to stay here. Brandon's already at school and mom's at dialysis."

"Oh, and phone your mom, she's worried."

—————

Theo's mind was clearer than it had been in the last couple of months. After phoning Elise and reassuring her multiple times that he was fine, that he was seeking help for his problems and that he cut Harriet off completely, he sat down on his phone, writing lyrics to the song he was now able to finish.

Just as he was about to start a second song, the door burst open and Theo looked up to see Tory walking in, frustrated tears welling up in her eyes.

"What happened?" Theo asked, shooting up from his seat as Tory threw her bag on the countertop.

"Amanda happened," Tory replied, slamming her first into the counter, creating a dent and splitting her knuckles.

Theo rushed towards her, gripping her wrists to stop her from hurting herself more.

"What happened, T?" Theo asked softly. Tory broke down, wrapping her arms around his neck and sobbing into his chest.

"S-she got me fired," Tory stammered, instantly calming down in Theo's arms.

Theo's arms tightened around her, resting his chin on top of her head. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door that caused them both to furrow their eyebrows.

"You expecting someone?" Theo asked.

"No, you?"

"I text my mom and the band but that's it," Theo shook his head, inching closer. Wrapping his hand around the handle, he shot a look at Tory who gave him a brief nod.

Pulling open the door, Theo looked around confused before his eyes fell on a bag of shopping at his feet.

"Shit."

—————

In the studio, Cami, Freddie, and Kai were gathered around a table cluttered with music sheets, while Letty was adjusting the sound equipment in the corner. As soon as they noticed him, the room fell silent. Theo felt a wave of anxiety wash over him; he had caused so much chaos recently, and now he had to face the consequences.

"Hey, man," Freddie said cautiously, breaking the tense silence as he stepped forward. "You okay?"

Theo took a deep breath, steeling himself. "I'm... I'm getting there," he replied, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I wanted to talk to all of you."

Cami exchanged worried glances with Kai, and Letty set down her equipment, focusing her attention on him. "Of course, Theo," she said, her tone supportive. "What's on your mind?"

"I know I've been a mess lately," he began, his heart racing as he looked around the room. "I've hurt you guys, and I'm really sorry for everything. The chaos, the late nights, the drugs... it was all spiraling out of control, and I didn't know how to stop."

"Dude, we were worried about you," Kai said, his brows furrowed with concern. "You scared us."

"I know," Theo replied, his voice thick with regret. "I didn't mean to put you all through that. I lost sight of what really mattered, and I let my problems take over. I'm sorry for everything."

Cami stepped closer, her eyes softening. "We just want you to be okay, T. We care about you. But you need to take this seriously. It's not just about you anymore; it affects all of us."

"I get that, and I'm ready to change," he said, his voice firm. "Tory and I are working things out. She's been an incredible support for me, and I want to do better—for her and for you guys. I'm committed to getting better."

Letty crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "That's a good start, T. But you have to stick with it. It won't be easy."

"I know it won't be," he admitted, a wave of determination washing over him. "But I want this."

Freddie nodded, a hint of a smile creeping onto his face. "We're with you, man. You've got a support system right here. Just don't shut us out again."

"Never again," Theo promised, Cami stepped forward, wrapping him in a tight hug. "I'm proud of you, T. We'll be here every step of the way."

As they pulled apart, Theo felt a sense of relief wash over"Thank you, all of you," he said sincerely.

Letty smiled, her expression softening. "Now, let's get back to what we do best—making music. You've got a lot to say, and I think it's time to turn that pain into something beautiful."

Theo nodded, a spark of excitement igniting within him. "Let's do it. Here, plug this in," Theo said, handing Letty a USB with pre-recorded backing. He went into the recording booth, grabbing a guitar and placing the headphones on.

I heard a knock upon my door the other day
I opened it to find death staring in my face
The feel of mortal stalking still reverberates
Everywhere I go I drag this coffin just in case

My body's tremblin' sends shivers down my spine
Adrenaline kicks in, shifts into overdrive,
Your secrets keep you sick, your lies keep you alive
Snake eyes every single time, you roll with crooked dice

I felt the darkness as it tried to pull me down (pull me down)
The kind of dark that haunts a hundred year old house
I wrestle with my thoughts, I shook the hand of doubt
Running from my past, I'm praying feet don't fail me now

I've lost my goddamn mind
It happens all the time
I can't believe I'm actually
Meant to be here
Trying to consume
The drug in me is you
And I'm so high on misery
Can't you see?

I got these questions always running through my head
So many things that I would like to understand
If we are born to die and we all die to live
Then what's the point of living life if it just contradicts?

I felt the darkness as it tried to pull me down (pull me down)
The kind of dark that haunts a hundred year old house
I wrestle with my thoughts I shook the hand of doubt
Running from my past I'm praying feet don't fail me now

I've lost my goddamn mind
It happens all the time
I can't believe I'm actually
Meant to be here
Trying to consume
The drug in me is you
And I'm so high on misery
Can't you see?

I've lost
Myself
You tried to reach me but you just can't help me
So long
Goodbye
You tried to save me, it won't work this time

'Cause now

I've lost my fucking mind
And there's no fucking time
I can't believe I'm actually
Meant to be here
Trying to consume
The drug in me is you
And I'm so high on misery
Can't you see?
Oh, can't you see?
Can't you see?

"And that right there, Gentlemen and Lady, is how you put your feelings into a song," Letty smirked, tapping her pen against the desk.