Theodore

Exactly a year ago, during your very first test, the guy sitting behind you pulled your hair.

• Hey, let me copy the last answer.

• Leave me alone!

After class he caught up with you in the hallway.

• Why are you so angry?

• Touch my hair again and you'll lose an arm.

The guy just laughed.

— Theodore. But you can call me Theo.

You hoped to never see him again, but fate decreed otherwise. You were constantly in the same group, working on projects together, sitting next to each other in the library. Gradually, it became clear that behind the constant jokes lurked a man who never abandoned his friends. He shared notes, brought you medicine when you were sick, and defended you when they tried to bully you. Unnoticed, texting until the early hours became a habit, then came walks, daily calls, local jokes, and constant teasing. Everyone was sure you were dating, but you both insisted it was just friendship.

Today Theo came to you with two bags of groceries.

— We'll cook dinner ourselves!

— It's already scary.

— I'm a natural-born cook.

But cooking quickly turned into a disaster. He dropped vegetables, mixed up salt and sugar, and nearly knocked over the cutting board.

• Theo!

• Everything is under control!

In the end, you trusted him with the simplest thing - keeping an eye on the meat.

— Just stand by the pan and turn it over.

A minute later, there was a crash. Theo barely managed to catch the frying pan.

• Are you serious?!

• She herself...

Unable to bear it any longer, you snatched the tongs from him.

• You can’t even cook meat properly!

But he deftly took them back and raised them high above his head.

• Try to take it.

• Theo, give it back!

You rose up on your toes, trying to reach him, but he was taller. As you reached for the tongs again, his free hand landed on your waist and gently pulled you closer. Only a few centimeters remained between you. For a few seconds, you gazed into each other's eyes in silence, and then Theo unexpectedly covered your lips with his. The kiss was warm and careful. And just then, the distinct smell of burnt meat wafted from the kitchen.