The house is just the way I remember it from when I was a kid: sitting squarely in the lush, green yard like something from a picture postcard.

As we pull off the back-road into the drive-way, I can see the pale sands of the shoreline through a gap in the trees, and hear the sound of the waves, crashing just out of sight.

″Honey! Can you come down here for a minute!"′ My mother said, shouting across the hallway.

″Coming!" I shout back, quickly putting my hair down after putting my makeup on. ″Yes, mom?″

″Honey, can you do me a favor and run these errands for me?″

″Sure, mom, anything else?″

″No, that's it. I'm going to have a meeting with Chrissy today and Mitchell is having a double today so I would not have the time to do it.″

″Okay mom, no worries. I'll do the errands right now.″

″Drive safe, please?″

″I'll make sure I'll drive safely. You don't have to worry.″

She gave a small kiss on the forehead as I grabbed the keys from her purse and drove away from the house.

....

After doing my errands for my mom, the last place was at Theo's house. My mom urges me to give back a photo album to Chrissy so that she can organize the photos for the wedding.

I left the car and locked it and brought the box of the photo album, wrapped around my arms. There was a loud Hip-Hop music blasting through the garage and I knew it had to be Theo.

He was listening to Big Poppa by The Notorious B.I.G. The noises completely capturing my brain, rendering any logical thought or conclusion impossible.

″Hello?″ I said loudly.

Theo popped out under the car and stood up. I paused.

In a flash, I can see Theo right in front of me: his dark hair wet from the rain, his shirt clinging to the muscles of his torso.

He was wearing faded jeans and scuffed old work boots, with the dark ink of a tattoo spiraling up across one taut bicep.

″Hey, Steph,″ he said, getting up from the ground and wipes his hands from the towel.

I blush when he caught me checking him out—and the heat of his gaze as he slowly raked his eyes across my body, from my head down to my toes.

″Hey, Theo.″

″What are you doing here?″

"Oh,″ I chuckled nervously. ″Yeah, my mom made me did some errands. I picked up some photos she wants to place in the reception, I believe. This is for your mom.″

″You need help with that? Looks heavy.″

″Please,″ I laughed nervously again and he took the box away from me.

″You're welcome. Want to come inside? Grab some water?″

″That would be lovely.″

He leads me to the front door and I followed him inside his house. It's been so long since I've been at Theo's house and everything still looked the same.

The famous lavender vase by the front door, photos of Theo and Kenny at the football games, the plasma tv, and the big couch that we would play puzzle games and watch movies on.

Theo puts the box on the counter then goes to the refrigerator and takes out a Fiji water bottle.

″I'm going to use the restroom real quick if that's okay with you?″

″Sure, I'll be here.″

I went down the hallway and went to the door on the left side, using the bathroom. After washing my hands, I left the bathroom and saw Theo's room right across from me. The door was wide open and I couldn't help myself but to stare at the room.

Walking in slowly, The room was meticulously clean and sparsely decorated.

A desk with his laptop sat on one side of the room and a bookshelf filled the other wall, the top shelf displaying his awards and accomplishments from high school.

Captain of the football team, honors society, first place in track and field. A guitar leaned against the side of his bed.

I didn't know he played... interesting.

I looked over to a book by the lamp and noticed that it was next to the magazine was an opened book of poetry.

Theo read poetry?

It was like finding out that a supervillain from a popular TV show or movie liked kittens and ponies, and it surprised me even more than the magazine. I couldn't resist a peek, so I picked up the book and read the open page.

Beautiful lady with eyes on fire,

That sparkle and laugh, that can smile and cry,

I love your eyes so clear and true.

Beautiful lady, I adore you.

A twinkling look that bubbles bright,

With a heart to care, and a heart to love,

With hands to hold, and hands to help,

A beautiful lady there to give.

Beautiful lady, a smile so bright,

So warm and gentle, so soft. A delight.

A voice so clear,

I was so lost in the poem... that the door.. opened.

And he was there.

Oh crap.