𝙑𝙪𝙡𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 (𝙀𝙡𝙞𝙤 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙣)

21

I make my way downstairs the next morning.

Instantly, the first thing I see is Annie talking to Eddie. She looks over with a sad expression, before turning away.

Elio comes trudging down after me. He throws his arm over my shoulder. "Don't do it." He whispers in my ear. "Come get breakfast. I want to be with you."

He leads me outside to where we had so many good meals with our family's. "We are gonna go over there. Alone." He says, grabbing two plates with food already stacked on.

I follow after him, not questioning anything, just enjoying the sight of the beautiful boy.

We sit under a tree, that didn't give much shade, but just enough so we aren't blinded by the sun.

I lay down, my head rested in his lap, staring up at him as he devoured his eggs without a word.

I just smile to myself and take a few bites of a pancake.

"What's all this for?" I ask.

He sighs and sets his plate down in the grass. Our eyes meet and he rests a hand on my chest, lightly tracing over my collarbone. "This past year, I've struggled so much. I don't think I've ever been in so much pain. And it's all your fault." He looks away for a moment. My smile falls as he continues. "You dragged me through hell and back. Ive done the same to you Stella. And I can't keep doing it. I can't keep worrying if your gonna leave again or, break up with me. I'm trying so hard to make you love me. I don't know how to make it stop. And I don't mean I want this to end... I just need..."

I sit up and turn around, sitting crisscross in front of him, my knee slightly on top of his thigh. "Why are you so insecure Elio. Theres no one that could ever make me happier then you. Look at me."I grab his chin lightly, making him face me. "I want to marry you baby. I will never leave again."

"Then do it." He mumbles.

"What?" I ask, my hand falling to rest on his chest.

"Marry me."

My lips curve into a smile and I laugh. "Were so young."

"So? Who cares? I love you Stella." He said seriously.

I laugh once again. "You are insane Elio Perlman." I dive down, laying my head on his chest. "Of course I'll marry you."

He lets out a breath I assume he didn't know he was holding, and pets my hair. "Thank you."

"But you still need to propose. My mom will kill me if she's not there when you propose." I say and wrap my arms around him.

"Of course. And then we can explain everything to them."

And just like always, I find myself so deeply engulfed in Elio. My lips on his, in our own world. No one was watching. No one could interrupt-

"Stella?" A voice rang out.

I slightly pull away and look at the girl. "I'm kinda busy right now Annie." I say and go back into to kiss him.

"It's really important." She quickly says.

I sigh and stand. "Fine. Make it quick. "

We walk a few feet away from Elio. I made sure we didn't go too far. I wanted him to hear.

"Look, I'm sorry about yesterday. I drank a bit too much and he was an attractive guy. We've all been there, right?" She tries to reason.

I'm shocked. "So... your blaming your fuck me eyes on alcohol? No. I've never been there. There's this thing called respect."