(1) Learn How To Love

The Morning After

💫

You woke up the morning after the way that most people wake up "the morning after." At least, the way they do in movies. With the blanket pulled over your bare chest, and just covering Steven's waist. Enough to keep it PG-13. 

Not that it was exactly PG-13 last night.

You smiled, remembering everything that had happened the night before.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

Beside you, Steven slept soundly, drooling onto his pillow and snoring lightly. There was something strangely intimate about waking up next to someone. More intimate than hugging them, or kissing them, or... you know.

Because people are at their most relaxed when they're asleep. Not only do you trust each other to be that vulnerable, but you get to experience each others' bed head, snores, and morning breath. The type of things that not just anyone gets to see. That level of love, of trust, of understanding... was just so beautiful to you. 

You turned to face Steven, careful not to wake him. Breathing at the same sleepy pace as him, you brought your fingertips up to his face and traced his features gently. His eyebrows, his cheeks, his lips... you loved all of him.

He stirred lightly, his nose twitching. You took that as your cue to keep your hands to yourself.

Just then, Steven's phone buzzed.

You didn't want to be that girlfriend. The one who looks through her boyfriend's phone daily to make sure he wasn't cheating or anything. You had complete faith in Steven, and you were never the toxic and controlling type, anyway.

However, you were the curious type.

Against your better judgement, you picked up Steven's phone from the floor of the tent. He had a few regular notifications; some news, some likes on Instagram, whatever. But... he had one text notification- from Sour Cream.

Sour Cream: hey man, what time's the party saturday? i gotta set up my gear early, ya know?

Wow, you thought. He texts just like he talks.

But then, you came up with a string of questions in your mind, such as: What party? What's special about Saturday? Why didn't I know about it? Do they not like me? OH, is it a surprise?

You really hoped it was a surprise.

Deep in thought, you almost didn't notice Steven wake up. But as he yawned and stretched out his legs, you quickly dropped his phone back where you found it, hoping he didn't see.

"Good morning," he croaked, his morning voice sexy as ever.

"Good morning," you replied sleepily.

"Hey, guess what?" Steven leaned in close, blinking the sleep out of his eyes.

"What?" You leaned in, too.

"I love you," he whispered, inching closer.

"I love you too," you replied, closing the gap and giving him a peck on the lips.

"Okay, but I love you," Steven said, wrapping you tightly in his arms.

"Yeah, I know," you laughed. "You sure showed me."

"I can't stop saying it," he smiled helplessly.

You grinned so wide your eyelids creased; "me neither."

"I love you," you both spoke at the same time.

The two of you giggled like you were teenagers stupidly in love with each other. Because you were. And it was wonderful. 

But you couldn't help but wonder...

"So..." you started casually. "Any plans Saturday?"

"Nothing besides inviting you over," Steven replied, cool as a cucumber.

"Anyone... else?" You asked skeptically.

"Um... no?" he creased his eyebrows, confused. "Why?"

"Never mind," you said quickly. "I'd love to come over Saturday."

Steven smiled sleepily, admiring your face.

"Buuuut," you started.

"Nooo," Steven whined. "Don't go."

"I have to," you frowned. "Unless you can go back and undo all the damage you did, I will have to continue being fully employed and completely unpaid."

He sighed; "yeah, you got me there."

💫

You were 4 hours into the slowest shift of your life. Not a single customer in or out all day. You were considering closing early before you heard some people approaching. Coming into earshot, you could make out a few voices, muttering excitedly. As they rounded the corner into the arcade, you grinned.

"Buck, Jenny, Sour Cream!" you waved. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Hey girl!" Jenny smiled- a little too brightly.

"Conspiring," Buck said quickly, monotone as ever.

"Ah, we're- uh..." Sour Cream's eyes wandered around. "Games," he said finally, earning a chorus of approval from his friends.

"Right..." you squinted. "Well, luckily for you guys, it's... an arcade, so... there are games."

"Totally!" Jenny laughed nervously. "We're gonna go- do that!"

"Hang on," you stopped them, ready to do some detective work. "I feel like I haven't seen you guys in forever... we should hang out soon."

"So true," Buck nodded.

"Pssh, I'm free whenever, man," Sour Cream agreed.

"Great!" you clasped your hands together and placed them on the counter-desk in front of you. "How about this Saturday?"

You watched as all three of their faces went white simultaneously.

"No!" Jenny spoke first. "I mean, I uh- I can't. Yeah, there's gonna be this really cool... cheese rave in the pizza cave... can't miss that."

"Yeah- and I'm deejaying," Sour Cream added, before promptly being elbowed in the ribs by Jenny. "OW-" he winced, "at a separate event, I mean."

These were the worst liars... probably ever.

"Buck?" You raised your eyebrows innocently.

Just as Buck opened his mouth to say something, a voice shouted from behind him.

"Hey!" Steven exclaimed, cutting into the conversation as abruptly as humanly possible.

"Yes," Buck whispered. "I'm off the hook."

You shot him a skeptical glance before Steven carefully shoved him aside. "Hahaha, wow, Buck, that's so random, haha!" he said, his eyes comically wide.

"Steven?" you looked at him, not sure what else to say.

"Uh, hey!" he smiled goofily as the others shuffled off. "Come here often?"

You raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, me too," he chuckled, deep in character. "I come here sometimes to... pick up the hot chicks." He looked you up and down, attempting the smolder.

"Oh, really?" you leaned forward.

"Yeah..." Steven stared at your lips for a moment, then back to you. "So, how about it? You, me, Saturday night."

"Yeah, about Saturday-"

"Great!" Steven cut you off. "See you at 6!"

You opened your mouth to protest, but he was already long gone, sprinting away down the boardwalk.

What were you getting yourself into?

💫