chapter two

theo's POV.

She's so cute.

She's stunning. Everything about her, from her peachy smile to the way she walks.

I want to hold her. I wish to kiss her---tell her that those who scowl upon her are filled with the disease of jealousy. That she has me, me for eternity. I wish to give her the world she desires. I wish to show her what true love is.

The simple parts of the tour were done, and I had to excuse myself for lunch. I'm eating quickly though, as I told her I would come back to finish the tour. As I sit In the loud eating quarters of Astra, only she plagues my mind.

Rosie.

Endless nights have been spent thinking about her. Her body. Her touch---I merely shiver at the thought of her touch. Her skin looks so delicate, I'm sure I could wither at the grasp. I have watched her, I have dreamt her, I have waited for her.

Only my soul knows I will do anything to have her.

For reasons that I---

"Theo!"

I lazily gaze up to see Xavier Cephas rushing toward me, a tray In hand filled to the brim with the luxury foods of Astra. He has a crooked grin, one that most girls fawn over. His hair is a dark blonde, and at times slicked back with a few pieces running free. Now, however, he has his hair unrestricted.

He calls me his bestfriend.

I call him a nuisance. 

I don't say nothing to him as I have nothing to say. My eyes drift back down to my food, tired and drowsy, before I pick up my fork to eat. He plops down next to me, a strawberry falling from his tray and onto the table.

Scum. What a scum.

"Did you see the new chick? What was her name? Ruby? Or was it---"

"Rosie." I mutter, "Just Rosie."

Xavier laughs before he digs into his food, "Yup. That's the name. Rosie. Gonna find her after lunch. See if she'll want to hangout sometime."

A strange feeling sweeps through me. I only manage to give Xavier a side eye. He continues eating carelessly, stuffing his mouth like the pig he is.

No. He will not.

"No."

"What was that?"

My grip around the fork tightens, I finally turn my complexion to properly look at Xavier. I'm not one to speak up and tell someone they cant do something directly. I usually keep my internal thoughts... Internal. I stay silent when needed. I do my work when needed, never aiming for overachievement.

To follow what you want, rather what you need is to tread the path the failure.

I push myself away from people knowing they eventually end up becoming pests, but those with the sharpest noses still find a way inside. Xavier, for example.

The very thought of someone like Xavier ruining Rose's innocence makes my blood broil. It makes me want to leave behind the persona I show others.

I know Xavier better than most, even with the bitter thoughts I have about him. I know he'll stick his meat into anything with a skirt, he's not afraid to use his charisma, which I'm surprised that there even Is any.

I don't want to feel like this. I want to be able to not care.

But Rosie makes me experience so many things I never thought I could. A simple glance at her and my heart detonates. A simple touch and my whole body feels as If I've just been blessed.

Cliché. Sure. But Its true.

"I said no. I haven't finished touring her around Astra. Mr. Wellsy told me specifically to do so." I lie and even conceal my anger before I turn away from Xavier, "Would you want to go against his words now?"

Xavier stops chewing. I catch the way his brow raises In surprise, though I pay close to no attention to it. "Oh?" He finishes swallowing. "Because a little birdie told me you volunteered to tour her. And let me say---I almost shit myself hearing that. Theo Partridge, the local weirdo, finally attracted to something other that his hand?"

Xavier laughs at his own joke before shaking his head, "Shocker."

I abruptly stand up, my tray in hand. A bleak face Is what Xavier glances up at, "I've lost my appetite. Even looking at you makes me want to hurl."

He snickers at my words.

"Right. Anyways, see you in ethics?"

His casual tone was seamless, as If he didn't just pounce at the mere mention of me touring Rose. I only look at him while standing, nothing more.

"Sure." I say briefly, my tone being low and annoyed.

As I push out my chair from below me to drop my tray off, I take a few steps before I suddenly halt. Turning to Xavier once more, my eyes squint.

"Cephas."

He looks up when I say him name. His last name to be specific. He tilts his head innocently, though we both know he's far from the idea of purity.

"I'm far from liking her, so don't mistake my efforts." I tell the truth before walking away, not giving Xavier the pleasure of a second glance.

Truth bleeds inside my veins at the words I uttered.

Like is an understatement.

Because I love her more than any normal person could understand.