Ugh You again~

Dinner

When I got home, my mind was still reeling from what had happened with Tsukishima. I needed some clarity, some perspective, and I knew there was one person who could help me sort through it all.

"Mom, are you home?" I called out as I walked through the door.

"In the kitchen, sweetheart!" she replied.

I followed her voice to the kitchen, where she was busy chopping vegetables. The familiar scent of her cooking filled the air, bringing a sense of comfort and normalcy.

"Hey," I said, leaning against the counter. "Can we talk?"

She looked up, her eyes filled with concern. "Of course, honey. What's on your mind?"

I hesitated, trying to find the right words. "It's about a guy at school. We've been... well, it's complicated. We argue a lot, but there's also something else there. Today, things got really intense, and we ended up kissing."

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wow, that does sound complicated. Do you like him?"

I sighed, feeling the weight of my emotions. "I don't know. I mean, sometimes he drives me crazy, but other times... I think there might be something more."

She set down the knife and gave me her full attention. "Relationships can be messy, especially when feelings are mixed up with arguments. What do you think is really going on between you two?"

"I think we're both confused," I admitted. "He says we shouldn't interact because we fight too much, but I feel like there's more to it. And now, after today, I'm even more confused."

She nodded thoughtfully. "It sounds like you both need to figure out what you really want. Communication is key, even if it's difficult. If you both care about each other, you need to be honest about your feelings."

"I'm just scared," I said quietly. "I don't want to get hurt."

She reached out and took my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I know, sweetheart. But sometimes, taking a risk is the only way to find out if something real is there. Just make sure you're true to yourself and don't let fear dictate your decisions."

I nodded, feeling a bit better. "Thanks, Mom. I needed to hear that."

She smiled warmly. "Anytime, honey. Now, how about you help me with dinner? It'll give us both something to focus on."

"Sure," I said, grateful for the distraction.

We spent the next hour working together in the kitchen. I chopped vegetables while she handled the more complicated parts of the meal. It was a soothing routine, and I found myself relaxing as we chatted about lighter topics.

As we cooked, I thought about what she had said. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to confront my feelings and have an honest conversation with Tsukishima. It wouldn't be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever was.

By the time we finished, the kitchen was filled with the delicious aroma of our dinner. We set the table and sat down to eat, enjoying the meal we had prepared together.

"Thanks for the advice, Mom," I said as we ate. "I really appreciate it."

She smiled, reaching over to pat my hand. "You're welcome, honey. Remember, I'm always here for you, no matter what."

As I finished my dinner, I felt a renewed sense of determination. I wasn't sure what the future held, but I knew I needed to face it head-on. With my mom's support and some newfound clarity, I felt ready to tackle whatever came next.