Theo sat with his feet kicked up at his desk in Defense Against the Dark Arts, posture relaxed, that signature smug look tugging at the corner of his mouth. Every so often, his eyes flicked in your direction — slow, deliberate, and full of quiet amusement.

He couldn’t help it. Every time he looked at you, he thought about last night.

It had been unexpected — impulsive, messy, perfect.

You two never got along. Hell, half the time you were at each other’s throats. But that night? It had been… different. He didn’t regret a second of it.

And judging by the way you were avoiding his gaze now, neither did you.

⸻

When the professor turned their back to the class, scribbling something across the blackboard, Theo casually slipped his phone from his robe pocket and typed a quick message.

Buzz.

Your phone vibrated against the desk beneath your hands, and your stomach dropped. You shifted slightly, casting a quick glance at the professor before sliding your phone out just enough to read the message.

From: Theo That wasn’t supposed to happen. And yet... it did.

Your entire body tensed.

Seriously?

You chewed the inside of your cheek and typed back quickly, your fingers moving before your brain could catch up.

Oh stop. It was one time. We were both drinking. It won’t happen again.

You watched the screen for barely three seconds before it lit up again.

You talk a lot of shit for someone who mōaned my name like that.

Your eyes widened, heart skipping a beat, and your cheeks flushed hot.

😳 Really? You have to bring that up?

Of course I do. Do you regret it? Or are you just scared you liked it?

The question caught you off guard.

Your fingers hovered over the screen for a beat too long before you finally typed,

Theo. Stop.

Another vibration. Then another.

I’m not asking for a repeat. Unless *you* bring it up. Which you will. Eventually. 😉

No I won’t. you fired back, biting the inside of your lip a little harder than necessary.

Don’t lie to yourself, Bella. I can see it in your eyes. You know where to find me. 😏

You exhaled sharply and shoved your phone back into your bag, a little too forcefully.

But before you could stop yourself, your eyes flicked across the room — and there he was. Already watching you.

That infuriating smirk. That lazy confidence. That maddening twinkle in his eyes like he knew he was in your head.

And worse?

You felt it — the flutter in your stomach. The stupid, traitorous twist of butterflies that pissed you off almost as much as he did.