Tre

Theodore relaxed on his bed reading a book. The week had been a quiet one thankfully. There had been few parties and he had managed to feign an illness and not go.

He knew he couldn't make up any more excuses. He just hoped there would be no party tonight.

He dreaded going to a party and getting to meet Alistair while a part of him anticipated seeing him too.

"Good news Theodore", his mother said as she barged into his room without knocking.

"Mom, why don't you ever knock?", He complained.

"I am sorry dear, I was just too excited", he looked at her wondering what could have happened for her to be so excited.

"What happened? Why are you so excited?". She waved an invitation in the air, he groaned. Just great, another party.

"Lord Alistair is hosting a party and we have just been invited", he sat up immediately.

"Lord Alistair?", He asked to be sure that he hadn't heard his mother wrong.

"Yes son, Lord Alistair. I heard from Lady Rowland that it is an exclusive party and not many people were invited",

"And we were invited? Are you sure it wasn't a mistake", Theodore asked doubtfully.

She handed him the invitation, he took it and opened it. It was addressed to them, their family name was clearly written on the invitation. What did this mean? Did Alistair remember him?

"The party is tomorrow night son, so make sure you are ready, I don't want to hear any complaining from you. Do I make myself clear?". Theo nodded blankly.

His mom took the invitation from him and left his room. He sank back into his bed, his book forgotten, all he could think about was the party.

Over at Alistair's mansion. He monitored the preparations the servants were making for the party. This was the first party he was hosting in his mansion since he inherited it and he wanted everything to be perfect.

"Has everyone been invited?", He asked the servant who was in charge of the invitations.

"Yes my Lord. Everyone has been invited",

"And they have all written back to confirm their attendance?",

"Yes my Lord",

"Good. You may go". The servant bowed and left.

As Alistair continued his supervision, he thought about Theo. For the past week, he hadn't seen him at any of the parties. He hoped he would be present tomorrow night, he had missed seeing him.

On the night of the party, several carriages pulled in front of Alistair's mansion. Their invitations were checked by the doormen and they were allowed entry into the mansion.

"I am so excited about this party, the former Lord was known for his elaborate parties. I am sure Lord Alistair would be no different", Theodore's mom gushed as she came down from the carriage.

Theodore rolled his eyes as he came down. His mother and her love for parties always amused him.

He looked around. Alistair's mansion was impressive. His own mansion looked drab compared to this one.

Everywhere had been prepared for the party and the mansion looked magnificent.

"Let's go in", his mother squealed as she made her way into the mansion. Theodore and his father looked at each other in amusement before following her inside.

They got inside, they were amazed at the splendor displayed before them. His mother told him to dance and have fun before she went off to meet her friends.

His father patted his shoulder sympathetically before walking off to join his friends too. Theodore stood awkwardly at the sidelines like he did at every dance.

He saw Alistair standing at a corner surrounded by several people as usual talking and laughing. A part of him longed to walk up there and join them while his rational part warned him that it was a bad idea.

Soon he started to hear whispers, "what is he doing here?", One of the guests asked.

"Lord Alistair must have invited him out of pity" ,

"he shouldn't have come, it is even more clearer that Lord Alistair intends to court Olivia",

"Poor Olivia must be feeling so nervous, Why didn't he just stay at home?".

Theodore took a deep breath to calm himself down. He really wanted to reply them that they had no right to talk about him that way. He couldn't speak out though, the words remained stuck in his throat.

The only thing he could do was to leave the ballroom.

He wandered around the grounds looking for a quiet place where he could relax and stay hidden till the party ended and he could go home quietly.

He walked around until he heard the sound of horses. He must be near the stables he thought to himself. He walked in the direction of the noise and found the stable.

He opened the wide door of the stable and walked inside. The horses whinnied happily as soon as they saw him.

He went from stall petting each of them. He was much happier here than he had been at the party. At least the animals didn't judge by his appearance.

"So this is where you disappeared to?", He turned around to see Alistair.

"I am so sorry for coming here. I wasn't having fun at the party so I came outside and then I saw the stable", Theodore rambled on.

Alistair looked at him amused at how he was rambling on and on.

"It's okay Theo,I didn't say I was mad at you. You can look at the horses,it isn't forbidden".

"thanks",

"it's okay, now you said you weren't having much fun. Why didn't you come up to me?".

Theodore looked down, "you were with your friends, I didn't want to disturb you",

"But you are my friend too, aren't you?".

Theodore looked at him surprised, he hadn't forgotten him.

"Why haven't you been at the rest parties?", Alistair asked him.

"I have been sick".

"Are you better now?",

"Much better".

Alistair walked into the stable and petted one of the horses.

He turned to Theodore. "Do you want to go on a ride?",

"Now?", Theodore asked to be sure.

"Yes Theo now".

Theodore looked at him doubtfully, was Alistair serious right now? He was hosting a party,how could he leave his responsibilities and choose to go riding with him.

Alistair opened one of the stalls and brought out a magnificent black horse.

"This is midnight, he is my favorite. Want to check him out?".

"Are you sure this is a good idea Alistair?".

Alistair grabbed his arm and helped him get on the horse and he got on the horse too beside Theodore.

Theodore had never been this close to any of his peers before. Strangely he liked been this close to Alistair.