Runaway

It's morning.

I can feel Avery's arm around my waist, his soft breath running down the back of my neck. I meticulously turn to face him, try my best not to wake him up.

When I look up, though, he's already awake.

"Good morning, did you sleep well?"

   Our faces are so close, I'm burning. "Oh, uh, yeah, slept like a baby."

   He notices too. "Yeah, you knocked out before i could finish showering. Came back into my room and found a sleeping angel in my bed."

I roll my eyes, roll out of bed too. I look in the bathroom cabinets for another toothbrush, luckily, there's one. Avery waltzes in, slides his hands around my waist, again.

I push him off, mumble a "I'm brushing my teeth!" that comes off more like a "I'm bwuh-ing -y teeh!" through a mouth full of foamy Colgate.

He laughs at my poor attempt at English, I elbow him hard in the stomach in retaliation.

   "Chill! I'm in no mood to fight with a girl, and definitely not with you, Maple."

I roll my eyes, spit out the toothpaste that has been in my mouth for way too long.

   "What do you want for breakfast? I can order something, or just make it."

   "I'll try your cooking. Surprise me, I'm not a picky eater."

   "You most definitely are, but I know you well enough." He scrambles around in the kitchen, comes back with a plate with two bagels for me, overnight oats for him.

   "Thanks, what's on it?"

  "Tomatoes, avocados, and cream cheese. You know, the good stuff." My stomach growls in excitement, I wolf down the first bagel, savor the second. I feed Avery the last bite, wiping the cream cheese off his mouth.

Ding! Message from Lucas.

How was Valentine's day? Spent mine alone. Are you free today? I think we need to talk.

My heart sinks. I know what Lucas will say, and I know he knows that I know. Still, maybe it's better to end this sooner. I love Avery, and it'll always stay that way, but what about my friendship with Lucas?