Dreaming of You

Meet Gwen

— "So, now that we're done with that," my dad remarked, his gaze shifting from me to Gwen, his expression softening with curiosity. "Are you going to introduce this young lady to me?"

— I cleared my throat nervously, feeling Gwen's gaze burning into me, her cheeks tinted with a delicate blush of pink. "This is Gwen," I began, my voice betraying a hint of apprehension. "She's... she's a friend," I faltered, only to be swiftly jabbed in the side by Gwen's elbow, her eyes clearly indicating her dissatisfaction with my choice of words. "Ow! Okay, okay," I relented, surrendering to her unspoken insistence. Summoning a semblance of courage, I corrected myself. "She's... my girlfriend," I confessed, the words hanging in the air like a delicate thread, waiting to be acknowledged. My dad's eyes widened at my revelation, a flicker of surprise dancing across his features, overshadowing even Miguel's earlier bombshells.

— "Wow, she's uh..." he began, his words trailing off into uncertainty, leaving a pregnant pause in their wake. "Dad..." I groaned inwardly, bracing myself for whatever awkward comment might follow. "What! I just wanted to say she looks like a very nice girl. It's fine, right Gwen?" he interjected, his tone carrying an air of innocence that only served to exacerbate my embarrassment. Gwen let out a nervous chuckle, her demeanor a fragile facade masking her own discomfort. This couldn't get any worse... "Oh, don't worry about it, no offense taken, Jeff," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of unease, her hand trembling slightly as it met my father's in a tentative handshake. "Oh, first name," my dad winced, an apprehensive smile tugging at the corners of his lips as I buried my face in my hands. Why'd I say that..

— "Don't you think it's a little too early to have a girlfriend, Miles?" My dad's voice carried a hint of concern as he glanced at me, his brows furrowing with worry. "Dad!" I protested, feeling the weight of his scrutiny bearing down on me. "I mean, with school and the whole Spider-Man thing, are you sure you have the time?" He continued, his words laced with a genuine desire to protect me from potential heartache. "She's one too, remember?" I interjected, my tone tinged with a touch of defiance. "We make it work."

— "I get that, but you're both so young! And..." he trailed off, his expression a mixture of apprehension and paternal affection. "Dad, we're fine," I assured him, looking into his eyes as he sighed. "You look like a lovely and smart girl, Gwen," my dad remarked, his tone softening as he turned his attention to her. "What do you even see in my son?" He asked, turning his gaze towards Gwen. The off comment catching off guard causing her to burst out into laughter, her laughter filled the air, a musical sound that echoed with warmth and affection. "Hey!" I protested, though offended, a part of me couldn't help but wonder the same thing.

— "Well, he isn't too bright sometimes," she admitted with a mischievous grin, her eyes dancing with playful mischief. "Oh, come on," I exclaimed, a mock-indignant protest falling from my lips as she giggled. "But~ despite that, he's one of the kindest people I've ever met," she continued, her voice softening with sincerity. "And he's saved me in more ways than you can ever imagine." I felt a surge of warmth blossom in my chest at her words. "I can't imagine my life without him anymore," Gwen confessed, her gaze locking with mine causing me to blush slightly. My dad and I sat there, stunned into silence by her heartfelt admission. He regarded us both with a softened expression, his gaze lingering on the bond that we shared - a testament to the resilience of young love in the face of uncertainty. "Well, if you two can make it work and know what you're doing then..." he began, his words trailing off as the sound of a bundle of keys rustled to unlock the main door, swinging open to reveal my mum holding a bunch of groceries.