~ A Spinach Dip Facial & Cheesy Fun ~

~ ¤°*°*°*°¤ ~

The thought of going into a closet with Eli made me feel uneasy. I only really knew him by his scone order and as Theo's best friend. He's been nothing but nice to me, so the bottle didn't land the worst partner. I was more afraid of compromising any future friendship with him, even if the possibility of one was unlikely. Regardless, it would be weird with a kiss shared between us.

Then there was Theo. The confident smirk he had when the bottle slowed in his direction fell immediately after he saw where it stopped. He had that irritated set to his jaw when he whispered something to Eli, who glanced at me as if I was the topic of their discussion. I wondered what he said, and I only thought of one way to find out.

I already made the decision to go into the closet, no matter who it landed on. Excluding Craig and Theo, of course. So I turned away from them and, ignoring the cheers and sounds of lost chances, made my way to the closet. I didn't know if he would follow, or if I really wanted him to, but he was right behind me as I stepped into the small, dark space.

"Seven minutes and the door opens. Be decent!" Craig's eyes slithered down when he looked at me. "Or not." He grinned and shut the door.

"That guy is such an ass," Eli muttered as he searched for the switch on the wall.

"And a few other, far more offensive things," I smiled in the darkness. Chills from the scumbag were fading and Eli's remark lightened the mood.

He smiled back when he turned the dim light on, nodding in agreement. Then he let out a breath and leaned against the shelves lining the wall. "So..."

"So," I echoed when he didn't continue.

"I've just been told that if I make a move on you, I'll be going through a week of torture and misery," his gaze turned sheepish as he looked away.

I gaped at him. "Theo?" I asked, though I knew the answer.

"He threatened to force-feed me his cooking for a week. I'd really prefer not to suffer. I just wanted you to know that I mean no offense in choosing my stomach over you."

I wanted to be upset with Theo for getting involved, but I couldn't bring myself to be when Eli finished talking. I chuckled at his words and felt the awkward tension easing away. "No offense taken. I wouldn't want you to suffer at my expense."

"Thank you," he snickered, finding the humor in our situation too.

"He's a good friend, trying to protect you from me. I'm sure he thinks I'm some man-eating heartbreaker, along with everything else," I shrugged, brushing it off.

"That's not why he did it," he shook his head lightly, amused by my interpretation of Theo's actions.

I blinked. "Then why...?"

Eli didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Why are you doing this seven minutes thing, anyway?"

I chose not to answer his question either. "If he did it just to spite me," I continued with a new assumption, "I feel like getting a little revenge."

"What did you have in mind?" Intrigued, he crossed his arms and tilted his head.

I wanted Theo to know he couldn't control my actions. I didn't want to walk out and see that smug expression, him being so sure that nothing happened in here. I moved closer to Eli, who returned my smile with an inquisitive grin of his own.

I reached up and ruffled his hair. He didn't have his usual spiked style, but by the time I was finished, it was sticking out in every direction.

"You're joking, right? Did I not mention the torture I would have to go through?" Contrary to his objection, his eyes were twinkling at the chance to mess with his friend.

"He said if you made a move on me," I reasoned, "nothing about me making a move on you." Taking my hair elastic out, I flipped my hair around and paused. "You won't get in too much trouble with him, right?"

Eli laughed and seemed to consider it. "He's right about you," he said, more to himself than to me. I rose a questioning brow, but he paid no mind to it and asked, "So what's in it for me? Since I'll be bearing the brunt of his wrath."

"Free walnut scones smothered in icing for a week," I offered.

"Deal," he responded, holding out his hand.

Beaming at him as I shook his hand, we sealed our deal. I slipped my pink hair elastic onto his wrist before letting go. It was the icing on the scone for our little display. It wasn't a kiss we shared, but a smile. His turned into a dazed smirk when the door opened.

"You really are A.F Smooth," I whispered as we stepped out.

"Why, thank you," he murmured and took my hand to kiss the back of it.

The first person my eyes landed on was Theo. His gaze was smoldering as he watched our exchange and took in our tousled hair. With a flip of my blonde locks and brazen look, I sat down by my friends.

Theo noticed the pink elastic around Eli's wrist when he sat down beside him. Eli held his palms up, declaring his innocence. I couldn't hear what he said, but he discreetly pointed at me. Theo's head slowly turned back in my direction. Everyone else's attention was already on the next person spinning the bottle.

It was one of those moments when it felt like everything melted away, as if it was just him and me in the room. There was a crackle between us, but it wasn't romantic. I was angry that he wasn't minding his own business and kept sticking his nose in mine. He was angry for...well, I didn't entirely know his reason. I rarely did when he was upset with me.

I lost track of how long we were staring each other down, but I heard Yvee say she needed some water. Jarod offered to take her, but they hesitated because they didn't want to leave me alone.

"I'll be right up," I assured them, not backing down from Theo.

They both got up and left. Eli wasn't far behind them when he said something to Theo and stood, crossing the room to leave. It was just the two of us left, neither of us wanting to be the first to look away, while everyone else was waiting for the next couple's time to be up. I wavered when I felt it again. That feeling that he could see right through to the real me. This time when it happened, I didn't break eye contact.

Not until I felt a different pair of eyes on me. I didn't have to even glance at Craig to know it was him. I overheard him say something about being anxious for his turn. As much as I was enjoying my battle with Theo, I didn't want another - far less worthy - opponent, so I stood up and left the basement to find my friends.

¤°*°*°*°¤

I spotted them by the refreshments table; Yvette sipping on a bottle of water and Jarod sniffing the spinach dip before gliding a chip across the surface. I breathed a sigh of relief and started to make my way over to them.

"Where are you going, Crabby-Abby?" A clammy palm rested on my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. "You still owe me a dance."

Annoyed that he followed me upstairs, I didn't bother smiling when I turned around. "I know," I said to Craig, keeping my tone neutral.

I let him take my hand and lead me into the center of the dance floor, though every fiber of my being rebelled against it. It was only one song and then I could leave. I could go home with my friends and spend the rest of the weekend making it up to them and forgetting tonight.

Thank goodness it's not a slow song, I thought. The downside to the upbeat song was that people were jumping all over the place, bumping into each other and leaving very little room. Craig took that as an excuse to get closer to me. Not even a minute into the dance, the song ended and a slower one began. Exactly what I was hoping to avoid.

Craig pulled me closer and wrapped my arms around his neck so he could rest his palms on my hips. He slid his fingers up to the shrug covering my bare shoulder blades. I grit my teeth together, waiting for the song to be over. If he tried anything else, I would reach my limit. Just as his fingertips slipped under the edge of the shrug, I was yanked out of his arms. My back slammed into a hard chest.

"May I cut in?" I recognized the voice and was surprised by the comfort I felt at hearing it. The question was directed at Craig, but Theo breathed it against my ear.

Craig scowled and tried to take my arm. Theo took a step back, moving me along with him.

With a scoff, Craig said, "Stay out of this, Keller. She owes me a dance."

Theo wrapped his arm around my waist in a protective hold, which to anyone else would appear as possessive. I could feel the difference though, because I compared it to the way Craig held me while we were dancing.

Theo chuckled darkly, sending vibrations from his chest through my back. He was losing his patience with Craig. "She did dance with you. And I just might owe your parents a call about this party you're throwing while they're away. I would hate to ruin their weekend trip. Wouldn't you?"

I tilted my head toward him, wondering how he knew such a thing. He gave me an answering squeeze, indicating that it wasn't the right time, all while keeping his focus on the nuisance in front of us.

Craig glanced from Theo to me. Barely conceding, he fixed a glare on the boy behind me and shoved past us. Theo curved around me, so his shoulder took the brunt of it. Craig disappeared into the sea of sweaty dancers. I was shocked that he gave up so easily, but I could not have been more relieved.

"You didn't have to do that," I said, turning out of his grasp. The words to thank him were on the tip of my tongue.

"Neither did you."

Here we go again, I thought, abandoning my thanks and leaving him on the makeshift dance floor.

I weaved through the crowd, and his voice followed me as he called my name. He was right behind me and caught my wrist just as I made it to the table of snacks. Yvette and Jarod noticed us, but they didn't interfere on our argument.

"Don't start this again, Theo. Not here," I warned.

"I'm not," he released me and approached the table. "I just wanted to ask you if you're having fun yet." He showed interest in the food, looking over the contents of the plastic trays and bowls. "Are you?"

"As a matter of fact, I am." I crossed my arms and stood a little taller.

"Really?" There was a note of sarcasm in his tone. I observed him picking up a chip and using it to scoop up a big dollop of cheese dip. "I don't see you smiling or enjoying yourself," he commented as he ran his fingertip over the chip and tasted the cheese.

"You must not be looking close enough." As an afterthought, I added, "Or you missed it when I was in the closet." I am so sorry, Eli.

Theo grinned, unaffected by my implication as the chip was poised at his mouth. "You're right. I must not be close enough."

In the blink of an eye, he was directly in front of me. He swiped the chip across my cheek, spreading the cheese dip along the side of my face. My jaw dropped and I looked around to see if anyone noticed. Only Yvee and Jarod were watching and they were as shocked as me.

Theo leaned in, careful to keep some distance so he wouldn't get the cheese on himself. He taunted lowly, "Come on, Splenda. Give me some real sugar."

The challenging gleam in his eyes when he inched away dared me to react. That was it. He wanted a fight, he was going to get one. Foregoing the chip, I scooped a handful of spinach dip into my cupped palm and smacked him in the face. I smeared it all over, giving him a full facial.

When I was done, he smiled through the dip and a clump of spinach fell off of his chin. It landed on his shirt where there were already splatters of the dip. Clearing it from his eyes, Theo mimicked me and scooped up a handful of cheese dip. "I think I missed a spot."

Before I could dodge it, he covered my face with the cheese and rubbed it down the side of my neck. I nodded my head, tasting some of the cheese when I licked my lips. I spotted a squeeze bottle of mustard by the mini corn dogs and picked it up. Giving it a good shake, I popped the nozzle open, aiming directly at his grey shirt.

He opened his arms, surrendering instead of defending himself, but I took the cheap shot anyway. The scribble design I made on his shirt wasn't gratifying enough, so I held the bottle over his head and squeezed some of it onto his hair. The bright yellow was the perfect contrast to his blue black hair. Content with my work, I closed the bottle and set it back onto the table.

Theo chose then to pick up a can of soda. He was already shaking it when I realized what he was going to do. I started to protest, but it was too late. He opened the can and sprayed me with soda. I sputtered when the fizzy drink mingled with the cheese and ran down my shirt.

Then came the flashes of light. I blinked at the phones that were aimed at us. A few people were taking pictures of the mess we created. Yvee and Jarod, quickly joined by Eli, formed a wall. They had grabbed the bowls of dip along with the mustard and ketchup. To my horror, they began throwing globs of dip at everyone and each other while they shouted out that it was a food fight.

I tried to stop them, but Theo pushed me toward the front door while everyone else was distracted with either arming themselves or taking cover.

As soon as we were outside, I spun around to go  back for my friends. Theo's words stopped me in my tracks.

"They did that so you could get out of there. Don't worry about them. Eli will get them out," he stated flatly, like it wasn't a big deal.

Then the gravity of the situation hit me. The Seven Minutes, the dance with Craig and how I barely managed to control myself, the food fight with Theo. It would all come back to bite me on Monday. I couldn't just forget the night ever happened, because now there were pictures proving it did. Proving that I wasn't as perfect as I wanted others to believe.

I turned on Theo and shoved his chest. "Why did you do that? Why do you have to push me? One minute you're relatively pleasant to be around, and the next, I can't stand to even be in the same room with you!"

He stumbled back a step, surprised by my outburst, but he had a fast recovery. Theo exhaled and caught himself before he ran his fingers through his mustard encrusted hair. "You really want to know?"

"Yes! Tell me what I did to deserve this from you. Why do you try to break me every chance you get?" I asked him with desperation.

"Because all you do is let others push you into doing crap!" He snapped, startling me. "You do what they ask, when they ask it of you. And it's always with that stupid fake smile!"

I shook my head in denial, despite both of us knowing he was right.

"Yes, Abby," his voice lowered, but it held a sharp edge. "You let Craig push you into coming to this party when it was the last thing you wanted to do. I saw how uncomfortable you were with him. Then you let him feel you up while you two were dancing. Why?"

I kept my mouth tightly shut as a lump formed in my throat. I forced it down with a painful swallow.

"Abigail," he said softly.

I hated when he said my name like that because it made me want to tell him whatever he wanted to hear. The words flew out of my mouth and I couldn't stop them. "Because if I don't, my family will lose the bakery. If I'm anything other than Miss Perfect, we could lose it."

"Why would you lose Stressed?"

That, I couldn't answer. Not yet, anyway. "Why do you care?" I asked tiredly, the night leaving me deflated and worn out.

He didn't press me to explain as he saw my exhaustion catching up to me. "Just curious, I guess."

"Curiosity killed the cat," I muttered.

"Well, it's a good thing cats have nine lives. I think I'll need them all because of you."

I let myself smile at that one. Other than the bass from the music, a comfortable silence settled between us while we waited for our friends to come outside. I walked over and sat on the curb, pulling my knees up to my chin. The dip and soda mixture was on the jeans, so I would probably have to buy a new pair for Yvette. Two if hers were stained too.

Theo came around and stood in front of me. He angled down until he hovered over me and raised the bottom of his shirt to my face. I blinked and jerked my head back, but he quietly ordered me to stay still. He wiped some of the cheese away with the material.

I didn't know where to look. His face was too close and I was eye level with a distinct display of abs. My eyes widened and I inhaled too fast on my next breath. I looked away only to discover him smirking at my reaction, so I shut my eyes and completely blocked him from my vision.

After he got the majority off and I knew that his shirt was down, I opened my eyes. His shirt was even higher up as he straightened and wiped his face off with it. I lowered my head before he caught me staring a second time.

"I think we should call a truce," Theo said suddenly after he landed next to me.

I glanced at him. "A truce?"

He nodded. "I won't break you, and you won't smile at me unless it's genuine. It's a good start. Maybe we can even learn a few things about each other."

"What could I possibly want to learn about the bad boy?" I asked. His offer didn't sound horrible, but I wasn't sure if it was a good idea.

"Maybe you'll find out the bad boy isn't all that bad," he winked, but the residue from his spinach facial ruined the effect.

I snorted. "This, coming from the guy who gave my best friend beer."

"This, coming from a girl who ravished my best friend in a closet," he countered.

I gasped. "I did not!"

With a chuckle, he admitted, "It was root beer."

Maybe it was the way the night played out, or how tired I was, or the spinach clump that remained on his nose, but I laughed. It was a tearing up with a stitch in my side kind of laugh.

"Are we interrupting?" Jarod questioned from behind us.

At the sight of the three of them and cackled even louder at their confused expressions. They were covered in party food.

Theo was watching me with a smile. "Nope. We were just having some fun."

And I realized that his statement was true; I was having fun. It was happening more often with him. Maybe the truce wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Then he said to me, "Come on, Sugar. Let's get you home."

I didn't fight him as he held me against his side, walking me to Yvette's car. They were ahead of us, leading the way. My laughing fit left me more exhausted and slightly dizzy, so I was grateful for the support.

I wouldn't be going to any more parties for a while, and I would spend a lot of time making up for the one I just left. To my friends mostly, but then there were the pictures from the food fight and Craig. He wouldn't be happy about the mess Theo and I caused tonight. I didn't want to think about it though. I just wanted to get a shower and sleep for the rest of the weekend.

~ ¤°*°*°*°¤ ~

Abby: Cheese dip and soda? That is disgusting! And all he gets is spinach dip and mustard?

Theo: *grins cheekily* The salsa was right next to the spinach, you know. Could have just dumped the whole bowl on top of my head. I would have let you do it too.

Author: Here you go, Abby. *gives her the salsa*

Abby: *smiles sweetly* Come here, Theo.

Theo: Nope. That's not gonna happen.

Abby: *steps over to him and lifts the bowl