Nightlight

Deer in the Headlights

'What a mess. Do you always hold parties?'

'Not always. I hold them cause I can't sleep anyway. And I need company.'

'Tell me about your sisters.'

'Keilani is always up to something, it's impossible to keep track of her, so I don't see her much. But she's really a big sister. She made sure no one lay a finger on me in school even after she graduated. Kayleigh's incredibly busy cause she's a singer. She takes good care of me though. Whenever she comes back from a performance, she always brought flowers and shared chocolates with me and we would eat them while watching tv shows. I hope she settles down though. She doesn't really know what she wants to do.'

'What about you? What do you do?'

I was ashamed to say it. 'I don't have a job right now. My sisters are away, so I have to take care of the house, and they gave me permission to do whatever I want.'

'Then why did you freak out about your sister coming home?'

'Me being home alone and me being home alone with a guy are two different things. If you get to know her, you'll get annoying invites to every party she throws next time, she'll think you're her best friend.'

He chuckled, which sounded like a low rumble. 'You have great sisters.' Little by little, we finished clearing the rubbish, and were sitting on the couch chatting.

'My parents are divorced, so we aren't close to them. Lani and Leigh are everything I have. What about you?'

'I grew up in a crazy family with a younger brother and sister. They're 9 years younger than me, so my parents are still busy trying to take care of them. I help sometimes, but I moved out so they have one less person to worry about.' He said it nonchalantly. What a difference in family background.

'I wished for a normal family last time. But if my parents don't love each other, there's no point trying to force anything. Growing up, I became more and more okay with it. The empty spaces my parents left in my life, many others filled the voids. And for that I'm really grateful for everything I have.' The melancholy was hanging in the air.

Unknowingly, he inched closer, and I felt myself wrapped in his hug. It took me a few seconds to realise what was going on. When he was about to pull away, I hugged him back, burying my face in his shirt.  He smells really nice. It feels safe, like nothing can hurt me now. But I knew he was doing it because I looked sad. I let go.

'Thanks. I can trust you, right?' Maybe he's not all he seemed when I first saw him. It's been so long since I met someone I could trust.

'Ye-'

'I'M BACK! LOOK WHAT I HAVE FOR YOU SIS!' I know that melodic voice anywhere. OH NO. 'Omg who's that. Is that your boyfriend? Finally! Hello, I'm Kayleigh! You better treat my sis well.' I wanted to dig a hole and hide in it forever. After all the good things I told Luca about her, she had to make the situation so awkward.

'Leigh, this is Luca, my new FRIEND. Luca, this is Leigh, the one I told you about.' Leigh's face was downright crestfallen, I had to keep myself from laughing.

'Nice to meet you.' He gave a curt nod. She gave him a bright and welcoming smile.

'Well, I shouldn't interrupt you two. Sis, I have to go out now. Have fun guys! And Luca, mind giving me your number? I'd love to call you up for a party or two.' Luca typed his number into her phone and she just gave a little wave and dashed out of the house. What's that about? She would normally pour all her stories to me.

'Where'd you wanna go now?' I asked Luca.

'Home, I guess. It's the morning and I have to settle some stuff.' I had an idea what the stuff was.

'Okay, I'll go with you.' He tried to protest, but I was already dragging him by his hand to my car.

'At the end of the adventure, I wanna make sure you get home safe, okay?' He was looking at me with an unreadable expression. 'What?'

'Can I drive?'

'Yeah.'

---

'Here we are.' He stopped in front of an apartment building.

'Oh. Then I guess that's it.' I don't know why I felt sad. Do I want this to end?

'Hey, look at me.' He held my chin and turned my head to face him. 'Actually... I don't know what to say, but I wanna see you again next time. We're friends, right? Give me your number so I can call you when I can't sleep at night, or when I wanna hear your voice.' He lowered his head and our foreheads were touching. His gaze bore into mine, like we've known each other forever. Kaera Victorio, get a hold of yourself! I took a marker in my car and wrote my number on the underside of his arm.

I don't know what got into me, but I leaned in and kissed his cheek. The look on his face was priceless. 'That was for accompanying me the whole night yesterday. Did you have fun?'

'Not at all,' he said, a smile tugging on the corner of his lip. 'I believe the places I go at night are better than yours. You have to see it to believe it.' He shut the door of my car and stood at the sidewalk.

'Oh, it's so on.' I challenged. I couldn't help but smile as I drove away. There are words that I didn't say. But I will.

As I left, he was still visible in the rearview mirror. I knew he too, was in anticipation of our next adventure.

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I'm so sorry to be ending like this! It's so unsatisfying. But until I get better at writing romance, I'm not gonna delve too deep into it. If this story gets enough comments or when I feel like writing one, I'll come up with an epilogue, with a better adventure. And remember Kae's sisters? Keep a lookout for them too :)

Thank you for reading! <3