One Week To Love

Monday

The morning sun peeked through the curtains as Justin moved quietly around the kitchen. Determined to surprise Ava, he had woken up early and whipped up a variety of dishes: fluffy pancakes, crispy beef steaks, scrambled eggs, and even a fresh fruit salad. The aroma of the breakfast feast filled the apartment, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Ava's bedroom door creaked open, and she emerged, rubbing her eyes and looking around groggily. As she stumbled into the kitchen, her eyes widened in surprise. "Justin, did you make all this?"

Justin turned, a proud smile on his face. "Good morning, Ava. Yes, I did. I wanted to thank you for yesterday."

Ava's face lit up with excitement, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. She bounced on her feet like a child, clapping her hands together. "This is amazing! Thank you so much, Justin!"

She patted him on the shoulder in appreciation, causing Justin to blush. He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "I'm glad you like it."

As they sat down to enjoy the breakfast, Justin asked, "So, are you heading to coaching today?"

Ava shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "No, actually. There's a renovation going on at my institution, so we have a one-week holiday."

"That's great," Justin replied, taking a bite of his pancake. "I mean, it's great that you get a break, not the renovation part."

Ava laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Yeah, I was begging my parents to let me go with them, but they refused. Now, I'm glad they did. It's nice to finally meet someone who treats me like a princess."

Justin looked at her curiously. "Your family doesn't treat you well?"

Ava's expression grew somber, and she sighed. "They treat me more like a servant than a family member. I'm always doing chores, running errands, and trying to meet their expectations. It's exhausting."

Justin reached out and placed a hand on hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You deserve better, Ava. I'm glad we met, too."

Ava smiled, grateful for his support. "Thank you, Justin. You've already made this week so much better."

They continued their breakfast, the conversation flowing naturally between them. Justin shared stories from his childhood, and Ava talked about her dreams and aspirations. The connection they had begun to form the previous day only grew stronger, each finding solace and companionship in the other.

After breakfast, they began cleaning up the kitchen together, laughing and joking as they worked. Justin was washing the dishes while Ava dried them and put them away. Their playful banter filled the room, creating an atmosphere of lighthearted camaraderie.

As they reached for the same plate, their hands accidentally brushed against each other. Startled by the unexpected contact, they both turned quickly, and in that split second, their faces came incredibly close. Justin lost his balance slightly, leaning forward, and their lips met in a sudden, unintended kiss.

The kiss was a fleeting touch, yet it felt like an electric shock coursing through both of them. Ava's lips were soft and warm against Justin's, and for a brief moment, the world around them seemed to blur. The sensation was entirely new and unexpected for both of them, sending a rush of emotions and confusion through their minds.

Ava pulled back first, her eyes wide with shock and her face flushed. "Justin! What was that?"

Justin's face turned bright red, a mix of embarrassment and surprise. "Ava, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to—"

Ava's shock quickly morphed into a combination of anger and embarrassment. "I was saving my first kiss for my husband! I've never even touched any man or been in a relationship. How could you?"

Justin's eyes widened, and he raised his hands defensively. "Ava, it was an accident! I swear I wasn't planning to kiss you. I... I've never even touched a woman before, not even my own sister. You know about my condition. This was just... it was just a mistake."

They stood there in awkward silence, the intensity of the moment still hanging in the air. Ava's initial anger began to fade as she saw the sincerity and discomfort on Justin's face. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

"I'm sorry, Justin," she finally said, her voice softening. "I overreacted. I know it was an accident. I just... it was unexpected, that's all."

Justin nodded, grateful for her understanding. "It's okay, Ava. I understand why you reacted that way. Let's just forget about it and move on, okay?"

Ava managed a small smile, the tension between them starting to dissipate. "Okay. Let's finish these dishes and get out of here. We have a city to explore, remember?"

They resumed their task, the awkwardness gradually giving way to their previous camaraderie. By the time they finished cleaning up, they had managed to restore the easygoing atmosphere between them.

As they headed out into the city, both felt a renewed sense of connection and understanding. The accidental kiss had been a surprise, but it also brought them closer in an unexpected way. And as they explored the bustling streets together, they both felt that their bond had grown stronger, even through the unplanned moments.

As the day turned into evening, Justin and Ava returned to the apartment, their arms full of bags from their adventures in the city. They laughed about the quirky street performers they had seen and the delicious food they had sampled, feeling closer than ever.

Once they had put away their things, Ava suggested they watch a movie to wind down. Justin agreed, and they settled on a horror film, thinking it would be a fun change of pace after their day out.

As the movie played, the suspenseful scenes made Ava jump and cling to Justin's arm, her fear genuine. Justin chuckled softly, trying to reassure her even as his own nerves were on edge. About halfway through the film, a particularly scary scene made Ava shriek and bury her face in Justin's shoulder.

He felt a rush of warmth and his heart began to race as she rested her head against him. The proximity was new and exhilarating for him, and he could feel his cheeks heating up. Ava seemed to find comfort there, her breathing gradually slowing as the movie continued.

Unaware of the effect she was having on him, Ava soon fell asleep, her head still on his shoulder. Justin sat perfectly still, afraid to move and disturb her. He glanced down at her peaceful face, feeling a strange mix of protectiveness and affection.

Blushing, he carefully adjusted himself to ensure she was comfortable, then turned his attention back to the movie, though he found it hard to focus on anything other than the warmth of Ava against him. For the first time in a long while, Justin felt a sense of contentment he hadn't known he was missing.

As the credits rolled, he gently lifted Ava, carrying her to her bedroom and tucking her in. Standing in the doorway, he whispered, "Goodnight, Ava," before retreating to his own room, his heart still racing from the unexpected intimacy of the evening.