Blindfolded & Mostly Legal

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*pours holy water all over the chapter title, then tosses the bucket aside and looks directly at you. Yes. You.*

Get your mind of the gutter, Sweetie.

Blindfolded & Mostly Legal

~¤°*°*°*°¤~

I had every intention to sleep in after a late night of friend-hunting, but that was all ruined by the incessant doorbell ringing and knocking.

My parents weren't home, which was no surprise considering how little I saw of them all week. That left me to roll out of bed and drag my feet to the front door.

Yvette and Eli grinned at me far too brightly for the morning. I squinted at them in the sunlight and took a minute to rub my sensitive eyes.

"It's not that I haven't missed you," I grumbled and then yawned before continuing, "but what the hell are you guys doing here?"

"It's time for you to get de-frumpified," Yvette said.

"Do I have to?" I asked, still in the same pajamas and robe from last night. I hadn't even bothered with makeup for nearly a week, and that was a long time for me. The locks that didn't escape the bun on top of my head now hung limply beside my ear.

"You look like shit," Eli threw his two cents in, "so I would say it's necessary."

I scowled at him and his grin turned sheepish. I would have said that Theo loved how I looked, but they already knew that, didn't they? The sneaky, no-good, lousy friends.

"Trust us," Yvee said, "and go get changed. We'll be waiting."

She pushed past me, making the way for Eli to come in too. I watched as they made themselves comfortable on the couch. He kicked back with his feet up on the coffee table and Yvette grabbed the remote to turn the tv on. I scoffed at the two of them, but they just shooed me away.

Half an hour later, I was showered and dressed for any occasion. My hair was up in a ponytail and my makeup was minimal, but at least I put in some effort. I slipped into my satin bomber jacket, pushing the sleeves up as I stepped out into the living room.

"There she is," Eli stood up and came over to me.

"It would be nice to know where we're going."

"We're going to the place."

I eyed him warily as he pulled a strip of material out of his back pocket.

"The place?"

He nodded. "The place with the people and the things. Now turn around so I can blindfold you."

"Blindfold?! I don't think so." I took a step away instead of doing what he said.

"Get your mind out of the gutter and save it for your boyfriend," Eli smirked before circling around me. "He is the one making me do this after all."

With a resigned sigh, I allowed him to cover my eyes and tie it in the back. I didn't want to guess our destination, but I had to ask before any ridiculous hopes built up inside like a house of cards.

"We're not going to the bakery, are we?"

"No," Eli answered with a touch of sadness in his voice as he put his hands on my shoulders to guide me outside. "Theo is good, but he's not a miracle worker."

I thought I heard him mutter, "Yet."

"Where is he, anyway? And Jarod too."

Yvette answered from somewhere ahead of us, "At the place. Theo is busy and Jarod can't be trusted, so we were sent to get you."

I didn't get a chance to ask more questions because I was moved into the backseat of a car. I wasn't exactly shoved, but Eli did make me hit my head on the way inside. Someone got into the backseat with me and I heard two doors close before the car was started.

"Oh, what the neighbors must think," Yvette said next to me as I felt the car moving.

"Obviously I'm kidnapping a hot girl and delivering her to my nefarious boss."

"In a way, they would be right," Yvee mused. "It is technically true. I wonder if anyone will call the cops on us."

"I wouldn't complain! I could cross Epic Car Chase off my bucket list."

Eli put an unhealthy amount of thought into the police chase scenarios. One included using Theo as an accomplice, then the next used him as a distraction to get away. Yvette encouraged him by throwing out different obstacles for him, such as helicopters. Before he could go into how he would get out of that one, I felt the car slow down as we turned and then it came to a stop.

After he killed the engine, I heard the doors opening and closing again.

They left me alone in the car for a few minutes. When I was ready to take blindfold off myself because I was tired of waiting, the door closest to me was pulled open.

Turning my head toward the breeze and the person standing outside, I huffed, "Took you long enough. Are you going to take this thing off or not?"

There was no response.

"Eli?"

When I reached for the piece of fabric covering my eyes, a hand stopped me. Fingers weaved through mine and I was guided out of the car without hitting my head like the first time.

My frustration and impatience waned as I realized who stood before me.

I held back a smile as familiar arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer. The combined scent of leather and strawberry sugar was more than enough to confirm his identity.

"A blindfold? Really?" I mumbled because I couldn't think of anything else to say.

Theo chuckled and then his lips brushed against mine.

I moved my hands around to the back of his neck and fell into his kisses. I didn't notice when he peeled the fabric away from my eyes since they were still closed in contentment.

"While I could easily do this all day," Theo murmured and gave me another peck before finishing his sentence, "I can't keep the Guest of Honor all to myself."

My eyelids fluttered open at his words and I met his twinkling gaze. "What?"

"Come on," he smiled, weaving his fingers through mine as he tugged me forward.

When he turned his back to me and began walking, I finally had a chance to see our surroundings.

It was just the two of us in a small parking lot full of cars, with even more vehicles lining the curb. We were at the park we went to a couple of weeks ago with our friends, but I had never seen so many people visiting at once.

Then I saw the signs with painted arrows sticking out of the grass, all pointing down the path we followed. I poked a floating cluster of balloons tied to a sign as we passed it, giving Theo a questioning glance.  His only response was a jerk of his head, indicating that I should look ahead of us.

I halted when the booths came into view as we came around a curve in the path. Crowds of people loitered around them, their chattering and laughter growing louder as we drew closer.

"What's going on?" I asked Theo. "A party?"

I tried not to be disappointed, but dread still managed to trickle into my mind. I was just getting back to my friends, so I wasn't ready for what appeared to be hundreds of people. It was a big park and I could see more booths and a larger crowd over the bridge.

"Sure, let's call it a party," Theo shrugged. "Since we can't legally say it's a fundraiser."

"What?"

"I'm kidding." He smirked, "Most of it is legal."

Most of it?!

With a sharp tug on my arm, he moved us along faster. My questions seemed endless today and I was powerless to ask them, so I relented and let him lead me into the fray. Not that I had much choice in the matter.

"Abby!" Jarod shouted, running over and throwing himself into a bear hug with me.

"Hi?" I laughed a little and returned his hug.

"I'm sorry for not texting you back," he said and directed a glare to Theo. "Someone took my phone away when I was let in on the surprise."

"Someone," Theo countered, "has a hard time keeping a secret and couldn't be trusted with his phone."

"I wouldn't have told her. I do have self restraint, you know."

"Yes, but someone else," Theo turned to me, "can be very persuasive and can't be trusted around those with secrets to keep."

Jarod agreed with him and they both looked at me as if they expected me to argue, but I only stared back in wide-eyed innocence. It was the truth anyway, and I was too busy trying to process what was going on to deny it.

"Anyway, I gotta go sign up for the pie eating contest," Jarod said, backing away. "Missed you, Abs!"

Theo was almost buzzing with excitement when he asked me, "Can I show you around?"

I was still at a loss for words, so I just nodded.

"I took advantage of my suspension," Theo started to explain as we passed booths where products and homemade goods were being sold. "I walked through downtown and asked businesses if they would like to participate and maybe donate some items. A few of them agreed to do it. They get the added bonus of free advertising too."

A long table with covered pies was not far ahead of us. There was a short line of people waiting to sign up for the contest, which was where I spotted Jarod bouncing on his heels.

"Cordier and the rest of the Home Ec class made the pies," Theo said when he noticed me looking in that direction.

I hadn't seen our teacher standing there until he mentioned her. She worked her way around the table, taking a thin slice out of each pie and plopping it onto a plate.

"Everyone is being graded on it. You and I have to make our own pies for her next week, by the way."

To our right and a short distance away, Yvette stood with her choir singing a song someone had just requested of them. Their fluctuating audience was tossing change and an occasional dollar bill into the hats on the grass.

"Eli and Yvette shared the task of approaching the after school clubs and supervisors about helping out. I think you'll be surprised when you see how many are here tonight. Most of them are handling the activities going on over the bridge."

Amidst all the chaos, there were four tables packed with baked goods. Behind them was my mother and Theo's mom, plus a few girls I recognized as cheerleaders from school.

Specifically the ones I made cupcakes for and Theo nearly poisoned with his not-chocolate cookies. Sarah waved at me when we made eye contact, so with a remorseful grimace disguised as a smile, I waved back.

"My parents were in on it too," I noted.

"I told my parents about my idea first, then I went to yours," he said. "I hope you don't mind."

"I can't believe you did all of this, Theo."

"While I may be the mastermind, it was a team effort to turn the thought into reality. Our parents and friends—and their parents," he grinned when my jaw dropped, "all worked together to make this happen. My mom and dad got the permits and arranged the technical crap, and yours helped me coordinate the event."

That explained my parents' absence from home. I hardly saw them and they led me to believe that they were busy with work. I was impressed because they  managed to be sneaky for two weeks straight.

Yvette, Jarod, and Eli's excuses after school, their disappearances between classes and at lunch all made sense now. They impressed me even more because it was harder for them to mislead me.

The few who failed miserably in that respect were Yvette and Jarod's parents. Both couples knew exactly where their kids were last night and lied to my face. I could see right through them, since they weren't very good at lying.

All of the pieces fell into place and I realized how fortunate I was and who I took for granted over the bakery.

Stressed meant a lot to me, but it didn't need to mean everything.

My family, my friends, Theo—they were the ones who meant everything to me. The bakery could be rebuilt, but even if it wasn't, I would still have them. That was more important than anything else in my life.

The emotions welling up inside of me made my eyes sting, but I blinked the feeling away.

"Can I—" With a sharp exhale, I let go of the residual urge to cry.

It was about damn time that I enjoyed myself and spent a day with my loved ones.

I smiled a genuine, shaky, smile that wouldn't even begin to express how happy I was and asked, "Can I see the rest?"

"Of course," Theo grinned, taking my hand once again. "Wait until you see what the nerds and jocks are doing across the bridge."

¤°*°*°*°¤

I honestly didn't know what to expect when Theo said the nerds and jocks were working together. A few possibilities came to mind, but a life-size chess board was not among them.

There was a crowd around the display, so Theo tightened his grip on my hand and pushed us through to the front lines. A short laugh of disbelief escaped me at the wonderful sight.

They were dressed up in medieval costumes on the black and white board. The knights wore horse heads, the kings wore crowns and capes, and the queens—two burly linebackers—wore tiaras and tutus over their garb.

"How did you get the football team to dress up like that?"

Theo shrugged, crossing his arms as we watched, "I think they drew straws...and I'm sure you can guess which two got the shortest ones."

I chuckled, but then my attention went to two members of the Chess Club. They stood prominently on either end of the board, calling out moves for the 'pieces' to make in the game. The others from the club watched from nearby, cheering for each team as they waited for their turn to play.

When a pawn was captured and needed to be removed from the board, the two boys involved had a sword fight, shouting insults to each other until the one predetermined to lose died a dramatic death. He was carried off by two of his fallen teammates.

We stayed to enjoy the show for a few minutes, but I was satisfied when I saw one of the queens battle it out and win. He threw his arms up and shouted in victory before chest bumping a knight and a bishop. When his tiara fell off, he hurried to pick it up and placed it daintily back onto his head.

Theo leaned close so I could hear him ask without shouting, "Want to see more before the pie-eating contest starts?"

I nodded enthusiastically, letting him take my hand once again to guide us through the crowd.

We paused at a dunk tank, where people were paying to dunk the swim team for raffle tickets. I wondered what the raffle was for, but I asked a more pressing question.

"A dunk tank? How?"

"I have to make a birthday cake for the party store owner's son later this year. Asshole made me sign a contract and everything," Theo scowled. "Can you believe he wants lemon and red velvet? Disgusting combination. And three tiers? Just for a dunk tank rental?"

I laughed, putting my hand on his arm to let him know that he was ranting. He snapped his mouth shut and continued walking, but he faltered a step to check the time on his phone. Then he picked up the pace, pulling me along as we passed a few more carnival games and displays.

I noticed the Woodshop set up with birdhouses for sale, but we skipped right over them and stopped in front of a shared booth made by the Photography Club and Art Club. Past the art and photos for sale, there were stools on the end where people were paying to have their caricatures drawn by students.

Theo moved us to the line.

"What are we doing?"

"We have a little spare time," he said. "I think we should get a drawing to remember today."

"I don't think I'll ever forget, Theo," I told him as we were called over to an available artist.

"Okay, maybe I just wanted an excuse to do this," Theo sat down and knocked the second stool over with his foot before I could sit down. In one sudden motion, he spun me halfway around and tugged me onto his lap. His arms encircled my waist and he pulled me closer.

"Seriously?" I gasped, flustered at our position and at the artist smiling at us. She winked, mouthing 'lucky' to me as she raised her pencil to begin drawing.

"I think I deserve a break after arranging this event." He spoke softly against the nape of my neck, his breath tickling and lips caressing. Then he kissed me there and moved higher to whisper in my ear, "And maybe a little reward?"

When he put it that way, how could I refuse? I was content enough to sit there for the fifteen minutes it took the girl to finish our drawing. Theo rested his chin on my shoulder, murmuring words throughout that either made me smile or blush. His arms stayed around me and I leaned back to bask in the feeling.

Theo Keller made it impossible not to fall for him.

The artist gave us the drawing, commenting on how cute Theo and I were together. We admired the art, sharing a smile at our animated selves. When I told her how talented she was, she beamed at the compliment and thanked me.

Theo and I left her to draw the next couple so we could get back over the bridge. He excused himself to go put the drawing somewhere safe, claiming to need his hands free for the contest. I raised a brow at him, but I had bombarded him with enough questions, so I decided to be patient and see for myself what he had up his sleeve.

I stood off to the side of the large crowd gathering for the contest. I scanned the faces, taking in the vast number of people that were present and how many I recognized from school and the bakery.

Then I met the gaze of the last person I expected to see here.

~¤°*°*°*°¤~

Gee, who could it possibly be?

I mean it doesn't count as a cliffhanger if it's obvious who it is, right? Riiiiight?

Don't hate me.

A/N: Two or three chapters and an epilogue left...

In happier news!!!

I haven't done a dedication in ages, so this chapter is dedicated to the lovely Cherry_Cola_x.

Go check out Cherry's books if you haven't already and give her some Sweetie love.

The Anti-Delinquent System is regularly updated (WHAT A CONCEPT, says Zephy, who fails so hard at it) and it's amazing. I stayed up until 3am reading it, laughing and swooning the whole time.

I claim Squidge. He is mine, but I might be willing to share because I love you guys.

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net