CHAPTER 28: THE SHADOW BEHIND THEM

The words hung between them, and she had this confused look on her face.

Theo blinked at him, unsure if she heard right, "What’s that supposed to mean?"

Liam’s lips twitched into that half-grin of his, and then he chuckled, "Relax, I’m screwing with you,"

But his eyes didn’t match the grin at all; instead, they lingered on her face a second too long before he looked away.

He leaned forward, his elbows propped on his knees, staring down the large door in front, "You’ve just got this... weird thing about you, man. Like you don’t try, but somehow everyone ends up watching you anyway,"

"You sound drunk," She said after a minute.

"Probably," Liam said with a small shrug, "Still true, though,"

"Yeah, sure," Theo muttered, looking at the cracked walls instead of him.

For a moment, the only sound she could hear was the low hum of music leaking through the large door, Then Liam spoke again, his voice quieter this time, "That guy... Eric. He doesn’t deserve you. Looks like an idiot to me,"

Theo’s chest tightened with anger, "He’s not an idiot," she said before she could stop herself.

"Could’ve fooled me," Liam looked over, his expression unreadable now, "You don’t deserve that crap. Whatever it is,"

Theo exhaled through her nose, trying to brush it off, "You’re way too invested in my life, Sinclair,"

"Don’t flatter yourself, Douglas," he shot back lightly, standing up, "Just saying what I see,"

Theo looked up at him, "And what’s that?"

He smirked, "Someone who looks like they could use a punching bag or a beer. Maybe both,"

That got a small laugh out of her, "You offering?"

"Nah. You’d probably break my nose,"

"True," She smiled again.

They shared a grin that didn’t quite reach their eyes before Liam nodded toward the stairs that went up, "Come on. Before someone comes over and thinks we’re having a therapy session or something,"

"Wouldn’t want to ruin your reputation," Theo said dryly, standing up.

"Exactly," He replied and started walking, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

Theo followed without question, shaking her head, the ghost of a smile still on her lips.

Just then, Theo caught the faint sound of something scraping against metal from above. She stopped and looked up, but nothing was there except the flight of stairs above.

Weird.

"What’s wrong?" Liam asked, watching her.

She slowly shook her head, "Don’t worry about it," And they began walking back up.

For some odd reason, her mind lingered toward the noise and what caused it. They were alone, weren’t they?

Theo shoved her hands into her pockets too, her shoulders tense.

Liam glanced sideways at her a few times, long enough to notice her emotions, but not long enough to be caught.

"You really didn’t know what that place was, huh?" Liam asked, breaking the silence.

Theo scoffed at him, "What, a strip club underground? Totally normal student recreation,"

Liam chuckled, "This is Gravemont. There’s hardly anything normal here,"

"No kidding," She remarked

They rounded a corner, and Liam kicked at a loose tile as they walked, "I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that you actually punched Zeke back there. What kind of guts do you have? I can barely keep my head up around the guy,"

"If he ever crossed your line like he did mine, you would punch him, too,"

"I highly doubt that. But tell me, what line did he cross?"

"A drawn one,"

"No wonder the scene looked so personal,"

"Drop it, Liam," She gritted.

Liam raised a brow, but let it go, "Fine. Just saying... if you ever need to talk, I’m great at pretending to listen,"

Theo rolled her eyes, but a small laugh escaped before she could stop it. "You’re a real humanitarian,"

"I try," Liam said, smirking again, "Mostly for good-looking people, though. Keeps things interesting,"

Theo shot him a look, "Do you flirt with everyone?"

"Only when I’m bored,"

"Then you must be really bored right now,"

Liam’s grin widened into a cocky one, but something in his eyes softened, "Maybe,"

They kept walking, till they got to the Eastern dorm. It was already dark outside, and it looked like things were just starting to get busy in school. But the curfew remained 9pm

They reached the old stairwell leading back to the upper dorms, Liam stopped and leaned against the wall, "Hey," he said suddenly, his tone more serious now.

She looked at him.

"For what it’s worth, Thad... screw what people think. You fight hard, you speak your mind, that’s rare here. Don’t let anyone make you feel like crap for it,"

Theo blinked, caught off guard, "Since when did you start giving motivational speeches?"

"Since five seconds ago. Don’t get used to it,"

Theo snorted with a small eye roll, "Noted,"

Liam pushed off the wall and started up the stairs walking in front of her now, "Night, Thad,"

Theo watched him go, unsure what to make of the strange warmth spreading through her chest.

When she finally turned to follow, she suddenly paused. Her back prickled a bit, and she noticed a faint shadow shifting by the stairs below.

Were they being followed?

"What do you want?" She demanded toward the shadow, her eyes sharp, watching for anything that could happen next, "You’ve been following us from the club, haven’t you?"

The silence dragged for a while, and there was no movement.

"Who are you?" She demanded once more, her tone even heavier.

It refused to move.

"Don’t make me come down there, or I’m gonna punch you in the gut before I ask you again,"

The shadow moved, and then it was gone.

A bad feeling rose in her chest. Why was this person following her and who was he? Did the person know her? Or was he stalking Liam instead? Whichever it was didn’t sit well with her.

Just then, Liam showed up again, "You’re still here?"

The cautious look instantly changed to a casual one, "Yeah, just thinking. Why’d you come back?"

"You weren’t behind me,"

"I’m not your tail,"

He grinned sheepishly, "Do you want to be?"

She smiled, "You’re out of your mind,"