Firebug: Chapter 16 - A Lovely Night

"You've got your gloves?"

"Yes, Dad."

"And the Kevlar undershirt I gave you?"

"Yes," Theo muttered, unable to keep the annoyed edge out of his voice. "Seriously, Dad, you're worrying for nothing!"

"Agree to disagree," Thaddeus' frown deepened, his piercing grey eyes cutting Theo to the bone, "I should have my head examined for ever agreeing to this! All you're doing is tempting Fate... and for what?! A boy you hardly know?!"

Theo chewed his tongue to mincemeat, resisting the urge to argue. After staying out all night without permission after the Homecoming Game, he was lucky Thaddeus still allowed him to go to the dance at all. It would be foolish to pop off now, and to jeopardize what few good graces he had left with his father. Perhaps sensing his son's barely controlled ire, Thaddeus' steely glare softened just a stitch. Without warning, he reached out and adjusted Theo's bowtie, sniffing curtly once he was done.

"Right: let's have a look at you now."

A bit awkwardly, Theo took a step back, loosening the collar of his starched white dress shirt with a gloved finger as he did so. It was difficult to stand there under his father's critical gaze, which scanned him from the tips of his shiny black shoes to the shoulders of his charcoal-colored suit. It was Thaddeus', and nearly as old as Theo, but it fit well enough. Theo was still waiting for his father to pass judgment on his appearance - wondering what he would find wrong with it - when Thaddeus gave a slow, solemn nod.

"Quite dashing," he said, "Your, erm... Your mum would be... s-so proud."

Theo's jaw dropped open on its own, his chest tightening a little. That was the first mention Thaddeus had uttered about her in over a decade. Since that night, long ago back in Birmingham. A night Theo barely remembered because he was so small when it happened. Even now, all he could really recall was his parents arguing... the smell of smoke... a scream...

The moment passed quicker than Theo expected, ending abruptly as Thaddeus pinned a tiger lily corsage to his lapel. By the time he was done, that old, familiar stone-faced glower was back on his face. Perhaps realizing what he'd said, and attempting to gloss over it as soon as possible.

"I want you home by ten," he insisted, "Keep your mobile on at all times. If there's an emergency of any kind, don't hesitate to call. And... have fun."

Theo nodded, forcing a smile at the older Quill, "I will. Thanks, Dad."

By twenty past seven, Theo was on campus. It was much more lively than he'd ever expected it to be for a Saturday night, absolutely crawling with students and faculty. All were dressed to the nines in glitzy gowns and snappy suits, streaming across the grounds towards the school gymnasium. Even from the Academy's gates, Theo could hear music rolling down from the small hill it sat atop; proof that the Homecoming Dance was already in full swing.

The thumping music and staggering number of attendees immediately made Theo's chest cave in. He couldn't help but be reminded of Chris' party, rubbing his shoulder where a few of the love bites had yet to fade from his skin. If he couldn't handle that, what hope did he have of surviving this unscathed? Suddenly he felt so foolish... so terrified, for thinking this would be any different.

Instinctively, he pulled his mobile from his inner jacket pocket, planning to call his dad for a ride home. Before he ever had the chance to unlock the screen, a limousine roared up to the curb, nearly flattening him where he stood. Its rear door flew open a moment later. And in a heartbeat, all Theo's fears melted away like snowflakes on hot asphalt.

The tall, athletic teen who stepped out in front of him was much more man than boy. His strawberry pink tuxedo complemented his dark locks and olive complexion perfectly, the cut of which was so fine that it seemed tailor made to fit him. Even the white rose pinned to his lapel could not compete with his sparkling eyes and dazzling smile.

Theo's heart was fit to burst, and his hands were tingling like mad within his gloves. He thought he might faint or float away on the breeze in an instant, quite sure his pale, freckled face was bright red with infatuation. Not a second later, though, his bubble was quite thoroughly burst by a pink satin glove sporting a matching white rose on its wrist shooting out of the car. Theo hardly had time to register it - and avoid getting swatted in the face - before the girl it belonged to was on the sidewalk between him and Roman.

Luna was a bubblegum-hued vision in her Swarovski crystal studded high-low gown. Every part of her seemed to sparkle, from her stilettos to the pins holding her perfectly coifed blonde ringlets in place at the crown of her skull. Beneath her glittery lip gloss, however, her smile was as cold and insincere as ever.

"Teddy! Well, isn't this a surprise?" she tittered, slapping his arm with the matching envelope-style handbag she carried. The gesture was meant to be playful, but there was quite a bit of force behind the blow. So much that Theo couldn't discount it being non-accidental.

"Look at you," she added, circling him like a vulture, "I have to admit, you clean up pretty nice for a hopeless loser."

"Erm, thank you?" Theo rubbed his sore arm gingerly, stealing a shy glance at Roman, "You lot don't look half bad yourselves."

"Naturally," Luna's nose wrinkled with another forced giggle before suddenly turning to Roman, pecking him on the lips, "I am the hottest girl here, after all. And I've got the hottest guy in the world on my arm." After a second's pause, Luna's smile suddenly turned sadistic. "Where's your date, Teddy? Or... do you even have one?"

"I-I... er..." Theo's eyes bounced over to Roman again, just for a handful of seconds, "I'm... s-supposed to meet them... l-later."

"Sure, Teddy," Luna patted his shoulder patronizingly, "Sure."

Two more girls piled out of the limo while they were talking, whom Theo recognized to be Tiffany and Madison, along with their respective dates Jake and Carlos. As soon as their rented conveyance drove off, Luna led the procession towards the gym, strutting like a prized peacock with her girlfriends flanking her. In contrast, Roman purposely fell to the back of the pack, slowing his pace to match Theo's strides.

"You look incredible," he whispered.

"Likewise," Theo murmured, his face growing hotter as he allowed his fingertips to graze Roman's. "How's your headache?"

"Better," Roman sighed, his fingers meshing with Theo's naturally, "Don't worry about me, Bello. I'll be fine."

"Ro-Ro, what's the hold up?!" Luna shouted back, "We're supposed to walk in together! That's the whole point of coming as a couple!"

"Yeah, Dude, get the lead out," Jake urged, "Rumor has it the Homecoming Committee went all out this year on their 'Under the Sea' theme. It's gonna be sick!"

"Right behind you," he promised, giving Theo's fingers one more gentle squeeze.

Without saying another word, Roman let go of Theo's hand and pushed his way back to the head of the pack again. The gap between them grew a little larger as Theo lagged even further behind the group, wishing with all his might that it could be him on Roman's arm. By all accounts, it should be him. Hopefully, if all went according to plan tonight, it would be him in a few hours' time.

Jake was not exaggerating a bit about the Homecoming Committee's efforts. That was plain to see the moment Theo walked through the door. Teal and pearly white balloons were everywhere, meant to look like bubbles under the pale blue mood lighting. Projector screens were set up against each wall, displaying videos of fish swimming in schools, while paper jellyfish swayed on monofilament lines from the ceiling. They'd even constructed a plywood facade of a sunken ship at the back of the gym, serving as a stage where Hill Academy's Homecoming King and Queen would eventually be crowned. But the crown jewel, right in the middle of the gymnasium floor, was an indoor pool.

This was the first time Theo had actually seen it, but he'd heard the other students talking about it in the past. Before the new aquatic complex was built on campus, the old pool was housed in the gymnasium under a retractable floor. Only a small portion was exposed now, creating a narrow strip of water that ran the length of the dance floor, filled with battery-powered tea lights floating on glittery multicolored clam shells. Although minimal, it had quite an impact... especially, it seemed, on Roman.

The star quarterback stood frozen in the doorway for the longest time, just staring at the exposed section of pool. It was difficult to tell from the lights floating in it, but the shimmering blue water looked quite deep. More than deep enough to trigger Roman's phobia. He hid it well, of course, but Theo could feel the dread radiating off him from a mile away. Unable to help himself, Theo laid a hand on Roman's shoulder, shocked by how badly it trembled.

"Romeo? Are you alright?"

Roman jolted, snapping out of his frozen state as if he'd been electrified. "Huh? Oh... y-yeah," he nodded, "I'm good. I-I'm good."

His fear was so transparent, it was heartbreaking. Before Theo could offer him any more words of comfort, Luna dragged Roman off with her. The would-be Homecoming Queen was utterly relentless, making laps around the gym and greeting her classmates at breakneck speed. Theo surmised it was all a last-minute ploy to gather as many votes as she possibly could, based on how many times she gestured to the ballot box shaped like a treasure chest near the stage. It was frankly impressive that she could move that fast, especially in four-inch heels. And poor Roman could do nothing but hang on for dear life as she led him around like a trained monkey on a leash, doing everything within his power to hug the walls.

When she slowed long enough to catch her breath in between mingling, Theo saw Roman attempt conversation with Luna several times. He was too far away to hear the star quarterback, but Roman's body language was easy enough to read. As promised, he was trying to break things off. Luna, unfortunately, didn't seem to hear a word he said. Her eyes were far too busy scanning the dance floor for her next victim, honing in on them with the speed, agility, and ferocity of a bull shark after fresh blood had been spilt in the water.

Theo risked moving closer to the couple, but stopped in his tracks when the gym floor gave a sharp and sudden lurch. When he caught his balance again, he was aware of a deep rumble echoing beneath his dress shoes. There must've been a problem with the hydraulics underneath; not too surprising, as this was the first time it had been opened in his lifetime. That's what he thought, at least, until he saw the pool again. The water, which was calm not five minutes ago, was as choppy as the North Sea during a hurricane. It could've just been the pounding music, and all the bodies bouncing and gyrating above it, making waves.

Theo couldn't help but notice, however, that the more agitated Roman got, the choppier the water grew.

Without warning, Roman grabbed Luna's arm and forced her to stop. She gave him a right earful for it, screaming so loud that her voice cut through the music like tissue paper.

Roman let go of her arm quickly, making a few calming gestures. Although Theo couldn't hear his side of the conversation, he got the gist of it from Luna's replies.

"What is wrong with you?! Ever since dinner, you've been a total douche!"

"..."

"Break up?! Seriously, Roman, this is no time for stupid jokes!"

Whatever Roman said next turned Luna to stone, her jaw flopping open in disbelief.

"WHAT?! B-But you can't break up with me! I'm literally the hottest girl in the tri-state area!! Why the hell would you even-?!" Her blue eyes suddenly turned manic, blazing with unhinged realization. "Wait... there's someone else, isn't there!? Who is she?!"

The water spilled over the edges of the retracted floor, rippling from one end of the pool to the other in waves too large and violent to ignore. At roughly the same time, Roman - his face crimson with shame - grabbed Luna's arm again. This time, she yanked her arm free and slapped him with all her might. A gesture that put all eyes in the gym on Roman.

"Don't touch me!" she shrieked, "How dare you do this to me?! After all I've done for you?! I made you, Roman Ulysses Durant! You would be nothing without me! Nothing! If you have any sense of decency left, you'll give me that little slutbag's name! Right! This! Second!!"

With every word, Luna punched, slapped, and pummeled Roman in the chest, forcing him to stumble backward with each blow. Theo's heart shot up into his mouth in alarm, realizing every advance she made drove Roman closer to the pool's edge. One last, hard shove sent his heels teetering on the brink, his arms windmilling madly in a frantic effort to recover his balance. Unfortunately, it was too little too late. Half a second later, Roman toppled backward into the pool, landing with a terrific splash.

And he didn't come back up.