THE INBESTIGATORS (EZRA'S LOVE STORY)

(22) FINDING MAUDIE

Ezra's POV

It's been three days since I kissed Maudie.

I have the pen, and I placed it in a good decorative case.

However, she's been avoiding me.

I kept trying to talk to her, but she would run away or have Ava stop me.

Ava seemed to enjoy helping Maudie avoid me.

She would say stuff like "How was the kiss," or "Good job on getting a kiss."

And it would always make me feel really embarrassed and happy.

Anyway, today, I went to Maudie's house after school so that she couldn't avoid me.

I ring the doorbell, and Brian answers the door

Brian: Hello, Ezra. What brings you here today.

I was going to speak when I realized that I'm trying to ask his daughter to enter a relationship with me.

Now I'm feeling really awkward and nervous.

Me: Umm. I-i wanted to talk to M-maudie about something.

Brian: Oh? I'm sorry, but she's not here. Maybe you should ask Ava. She went to Ava's house two days ago, and she's been acting differently since then. She's been quieter, and she doesn't tell me things. I guess it's time that my little girl grows up.

I could see tears form in his eyes.

Brian: I'm sorry you had to see me like this.

He said as he rubbed his eyes with his fingers.

Brian: It's one of the things I wasn't looking forward to when having a daughter.

His genuine concern for Maudie made me realize how real this situation is actually like.

My affection for Maudie could potentially change the relationships within our social circles.

If Maudie says no, it could ruin mutual friendships and possibly split the Inbestigators up.

Kyle and Ava would find it awkward to hang around with us, and I might not be able to think and act properly around Maudie.

However, if she says yes, it will have a drastic change in the more familial relationships because of the possibility of advancement within the relationship.

A series of images quickly flashed through my head because of the mental reminder that dating is not the end goal.

An image of me proposing.

An image of the two of us getting married.

An image of the two of us with children.

An image of the two of us in our old age with grandchildren.

I could feel my face flush with heat and color.

I just had an enlightenment of what the future could hold.

I couldn't stop my mouth from smiling.