Picking Up The Pieces

ch.18

The past few weeks were nothing but adventures for Phoebe, Chelsea, and Theo. With bike rides, a trip to the park, beach, and museums, nothing but good vibes and laughter for the three to enjoy themselves on this vacation. 

As they celebrate entering their Fourth-of-July week, and their last week being there, there was a lot of work that needed to be done at their vacation home before they can throw a party. Patricia had come back to Target and had bought some food, drinks, and fireworks for their BBQ party.

Janet was playing some fun old-school songs as she was on the phone with someone wandering around the house with Fourth-of-July merch. She went above and beyond with her makeup, pigtails with a pomp-pomps red and blue scrunchie, and her causal knee-length boots that matched with her outfit.

''Geez mom, we're not going to a circus,'' Theo clowned her and Janet taps the side of his shoulders. Theo laughed and went over to see where Chelsea and Phoebe were. Well, specifically Chelsea.

He couldn't get her out of his mind at all not after they kiss from Chelsea's meltdown incident. He wonders if she was okay or not, simply because the two hadn't really spoken much since that time. Although they hanged out because Phoebe forced them to do something with her, they never really said much.

Except for that museum trip last week when the two looked at the painting picture of a woman who was naked holding a bitten apple. Theo kind of showed his nerdy skills to Chelsea, giving his interpretation of what the painting meant to him and she was shocked. In a good way. She didn't know Theo had that kind of opinion about what that meant to him.

After snooping around the house, Theo went outside and saw his buddy Will he met earlier cleaned out his motorcycle. Theo begged his mother to bring his motorcycle for the vacation and Janet eventually gave in to Theo.

''Be careful with it,'' Janet nags at him. ''I don't want you to get hurt.''

''I'll be fine,'' Theo responds.

''Thanks, Will, '' Theo said to him.

''No problem man, see you around!''

Theo touched his motorcycle and drew a smile on his face. He looked up and saw Phoebe walking towards him with a bag of chips in her hand. Her hair was black and straight, moves as soft prairie grass in the summer wind. It gives contrast to her face. 

The army green Bohemian beach dress hugged Phoebe all over her body. It was loose enough to be comfortable without seeming baggy, and it is snug enough to be captivating.

''Where'd you go?'' Theo asked Phoebe. The two were standing right in front of each other next to Theo's motorcycle. Theo puts his hands behind his pockets showing off his tattoos as Phoebe hugs the bag of chips a bit tighter.

''Bought some chips for the party, why?''Phoebe asked.

''Oh, um. I thought you were with Chelsea,'' he replies, nervously.

''No, uh, she's actually with Ben.''

Theo swallowed that anger like it was a fire-seed and forgot to drink something cool, and so it grew into his eyes. He couldn't believe what he was hearing at the moment. Not after they'd kiss, Theo assumed she went back with him.

''What?'' He chided.

''Yeah, not sure what happened,'' she said, taking the bags and went inside the house.

Theo clenched his jaw tightly trying to cool down his temper when he got a random text from Diana. He looked at his messages and saw what she had sent him. It's been so long since he saw her or even spoken to her. But, at this time, he was curious about what she wanted.

Can we talk? It's my dad - Diana

♡

By night, the crew was in the backyard watching a boxing tournament and eating some delicious food that Patricia and Janet had made.

''Ms. Bailey, this is amazing!'' One of Janet's friends said. 

''Why thank you.'' The two laughed together while Patricia added more chicken to the grill.

Over on the bench, Chelsea ate her cheeseburger and sat right next to Phoebe. There was a sense of Theo's stare was making feel Chelsea uneasy. 

Staring had become their only form of communication. It was a contest of sorts and winning came at a price. Theo was mad at Chelsea. It was all in his eyes, he couldn't help himself but think how ashamed he feels after letting his guard down that night. He regrets every part of it and wishes that night never happened.

''Theo, honey, Diana is out in the front,'' Janet said to Theo. He got up from his seat and take his leather jacket with him leaving everyone else here.

Chelsea's eyes grew to what she just heard from. The anger from her eyes showed and it was obvious that she was getting angry. No, Chelsea felt has anger and jealously all over again. She had so many thoughts drumming on her mind, all the conspiracy theories she made up in her head to gather how and when did they got back together.

But, Chelsea pulled back. She stopped before she knew that jumping to conclusions wasn't going to solve anything. 

Just a few minutes later, Patricia came over to Chelse and asked ''Honey, can you get this steak knife at the kitchen? I have so much on my hands right now,'' Patricia asked Chelsea and she nods yes.

Going into the kitchen, Chelsea takes the steak knife out of the drawer and rinses it afterward. From a distance, to where she was standing, Chelsea saw Theo hugged Diana.  She could see the pain beneath it and her soul drowning in this persona she'd carved to fit a world of indifference.

She didn't know what to do but kept looking out through the window, the reflection of Theo's eyes appeared and they were a flicker with curiosity over his genial smile. With those Titan shoulders and beautiful hair, Chelsea can admit to herself that Theo was handsome as hell.

Chelsea shook her head and stomps her way back until she heard the door closed from a distance. She quickly grabbed the knife and sprung her way out of the kitchen without making eye contact.

"I can't believe you right now," Theo slams the door causing a flinch on Chelsea's heart. She jumped in fear and placed the steak knife over on the counter right next to the window. 

''Aren't you going to say something?'' He questioned Chelsea, moving his brows together with anger. Theo wanted answers. He wanted to know if Chelsea actually went back with Ben.

''What about you? You were just Diana--''

''--Answer the f*****g question Chels,'' Theo cut her off, not giving Chelsea a slight chance to change the subject. One thing about Theo is if he is mad, he is beyond mad. Madder than a volcano ready to reput from the ground.

She blinks once before turning and pretending to act like she doesn't care. Chelsea knows it makes Theo angry. It's probably not the best way to deal with the situation, but Chelsea isn't in the mood to be rational right now.

Theo feels his eyes flash. He hadn't changed his mind.

"You made me look like an i***t,'' Theo finally spoke at the. the tone of his voice was deep and very serious.

"I didn't do anything, Theo. It's not what you think--''

''--- Whatever Chels, don't come crawling back to me if he breaks your heart again like Asher.''

That's when knows he's taken it too far. Chelsa's eyes darken and she takes a step back feeling the shock running inside of her after that comment Theo had made.

''f**k you,'' she said in a whisper. She hadn't thought about Asher in years, not even once he had crossed her mind. But today, after hearing his name again, it brought back the memories and Chelsea wasn't happy about it. 

They stare at each other for minutes. Standing in the kitchen with the smell of food swirling in the air, Chelsea and Theo did nothing but remained silent.  

Theo sees his jaw clench and his eyes flash before he turns around and walks further away, going backstairs. Chelsea went outside, wiping the tears away as she gives the steak knife to her mom and sat down on the bench.

Phoebe came over to her and sat down and placed her hand on her shoulder. With her softest eyes, glaring at Chelsea, Phoebe knew right there that something happened between her and Theo.

''Are you okay?'' Phoebe asked.

''Fine,'' Chelsea responds with a light sniff at the end.

Chelsea wasn't fine.

She was hurt.