Cold Water

TWENTY FOUR

                 ♡BRANDON♡

  As I walked back to my room, a smile lingered on my lips, though I was still slightly stunned by Athalia's kiss on my cheek.

  It was a simple gesture, but it carried a weight that left me both elated and confused. The warmth of her touch was still fresh on my skin, and my mind replayed the moment over and over.

  I found myself wondering if that kiss was just a friendly gesture or if it meant something more.

  The way she had looked at me, the gentle way her lips had touched my skin–it didn't feel purely platonic.

  Athalia had been such a constant source of support and joy lately. Her presence had made a significant impact on my life, especially during the tough times I've had .

  But now, as I lay down in bed, I couldn't shake the thought of whether my feelings for her were genuine or if they were born out of the comfort and companionship she had provided.

  Had I developed feelings for her simply because she'd been there for me when I needed it most? Or was there something deeper between us that had grown naturally?

  My emotions were tangled, and I was uncertain about where things stood.

  Part of me wanted our relationship to evolve into something more, but another part feared it might be a reaction to the vulnerability I'd shared with her.

  As I stared up at the ceiling, the quiet of the night gave me space to reflect. I knew I cared about Athalia deeply and that she had become a significant part of my life.

  Yet, understanding whether those feelings were rooted in genuine affection or situational dependence was something I needed to figure out.

  For now, I have resolved to take things one step at a time. I would let the relationship develop naturally and see where it led, without rushing or forcing anything.

  As I closed my eyes, I hoped that time would provide the clarity I needed and that whatever came next would be a reflection of the true connection we shared.

~~~~~~~

  Sunday arrived with a familiar mix of anticipation and routine. The morning was quiet as I went about my usual weekend tasks, but there was a sense of finality today, knowing Aunt Dina would be returning later.

  I tried to push any worries about her safety while coming back out of my mind and focused on the plans for the day.

  Athalia and I spent the morning together, enjoying a relaxed breakfast and chatting about everything and nothing.

  It was nice to have a more laid-back day after the emotional rollercoaster of the previous night.

  When it was time for her to head home, we gathered our things, and I offered to walk her back.

  As we approached her house, Athalia looked excited and a little nervous. "I'd like you to meet my mom," she said with a shy smile. "She's been asking about you, and I think you two would get along well."

  I nodded, feeling a bit anxious myself. Meeting her mother felt like another step in deepening our friendship.

  Athalia led me inside, and I was greeted by the aroma of home-cooked food.

Her mother, a warm and kind-faced woman, emerged from the kitchen. "Hi, Sweetie." she said cheerfully.

Then her eyes landed on me, and her expression softened. "And you must be Brandon. I've heard so much about you."

  I offered a friendly smile and extended my hand. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Knowles."

  She shook my hand warmly and pulled me into a hug. "Please, call me Elena. It's a pleasure to meet you too. This girl talks about you every chance she gets. She's very fond of you."

  Athalia blushes but doesn't deny it.

   As we sat down for a chat, Elena's warmth and openness immediately put me at ease.

  We talked about everything from school to hobbies, and I found myself genuinely enjoying the conversation.

  It was clear where Athalia got her kindness and bubbly personality from.

  After a lovely afternoon with Elena, it was time to head back. We shared a moment of lingering goodbye.

  "Thanks for introducing me to your mom," I said, looking at her with a smile. "I really enjoyed spending time with both of you."

  Athalia returned the smile, her eyes twinkling with affection. "I'm glad you did. It means a lot to me."

  With a final hug and a promise to text her as soon I reach home, I watched as Athalia closed the door behind her.

  I made my way back home, feeling a sense of contentment and a growing clarity about my feelings.

  The day had been a reminder of the importance of the friendship we build and how meaningful it can become.

  As I walked back home after leaving Athalia's house, I felt better. Meeting her mom had gone better than I expected, and the afternoon had been peaceful.

  The uncertainty about my feelings was still there, but each moment with her made things clearer.

  When I got to the front door, I noticed Aunt Dina's car parked in the driveway.

  She was back from her weekend trip. I opened the door and found her in the kitchen, unpacking groceries.

  "Hey, Aunt Dina." I called out, stepping inside.

  She turned around with a bright smile. "Brandon. How was your weekend? Everything okay?"

  "Yeah," I replied, walking over to help her with the bags. "It was good. Quiet."

  She glanced at me, her eyes narrowing a little, the way they did when she was trying to read me. "Quiet, huh? And how is Athalia?"

  I couldn't help but smile. "She's good. I actually met her mom today. She's really nice."

  Aunt Dina raised an eyebrow. "Meeting the parents already? Sounds like things are getting serious." She gave me a playful nudge, and I felt my face flush a little.

  "It's not like that," I mumbled, though I wasn't even sure what I meant by that anymore. "We're just... close."

  "Close, huh?" Aunt Dina repeated, but there was no teasing this time, just understanding. "I'm glad you've got someone like her around. You seem... happier."

  I glanced at her, surprised by the comment. She was right, though.

  Being around Athalia did make me feel lighter, like I wasn't carrying the weight of everything alone anymore.

  "I guess I am," I admitted, smiling softly.

  Aunt Dina smiled back, then changed the subject.

  "Well, I'm glad you've had a good weekend. I was worried about leaving you alone for so long, but it looks like you handled it well."

  I nodded, grateful that she trusted me. "Yeah, it wasn't too bad."

  She patted my shoulder. "Good. Now, how about we cook something together for dinner? I picked up your favourite pasta."

  I agreed, and as we started prepping dinner, I couldn't help but think about how much had changed in the past few weeks.

  Aunt Dina was right, I did feel happier. And I knew it had a lot to do with Athalia.

♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♡♡♡