To say I was getting close to Emery would be an understatement. He had gotten very comfortable with me, and it was likewise for me. That’s how it went for the first month.
The second month… well, things changed. Not sure if it was for better or worse.
My feelings for him just kept growing, and the way he acted wasn’t helping. At all.
It was after a dinner night. We both sat on the porch, watching the rain pour down. There was something different in the air, heavier.
“My feelings haven’t changed, just so you know,” he said, making me glance at him, confused.
“The fact that I still like you,” he added, as if he were stating the obvious. I gulped, laughing it off nervously.
“So, what do you think, Lia?” He wasn’t letting this slide, his gaze fixed on mine, unwavering.
We sat there for a moment, the rain filling the silence between us. Emery didn’t move, didn’t shift his gaze, just kept looking straight at me.
“My feelings haven’t changed,” he repeated, this time with more weight behind his words. "I still like you. That hasn't gone away."
I blinked, trying to process, but he didn’t give me time. "I’ve been patient, Lia. But I need to know—what do you feel?"
The rain seemed louder now, the drops hitting the porch like a distant drumbeat. My throat tightened, the weight of his question settling in.
“I… I don’t know,” I whispered, my voice barely above the sound of the rain. But he didn’t flinch, didn’t pull back. His eyes were still locked on mine, unwavering, like he had all the time in the world.
“You do know, Lia,” he said, his voice calm but insistent. "I’m not asking for games or mixed signals. I’m here, now. Just be honest.”
I looked down, my heart racing. “What if I screw this up?” I mumbled, more to myself than to him.
He leaned in slightly, his tone softer but still confident. “Then we deal with it. But we can’t keep pretending like nothing’s happening.”
I glanced up at him, the rain casting soft shadows across his face. There was no fear in his expression, just an unshakable certainty that made my heart pound.
Fuck it, who am I kidding? I'm in love with this boy. Without a second thought, I pressed my lips against his.
He was shocked at first, but quickly responded, kissing me back with even more intensity. My back pressed firmly against the seat hands gripping his shirt, pulling him closer-if that was even possible. One of his hands cradled the back of my head while the other gripped my thigh tightly.
His breath was hot against my skin as he pulled away slightly, his forehead resting on mine.
"Lia..." he whispered, his voice low, sending a shiver down my spine. His grip on my thigh tightened.
I looked into his eyes, heart racing, unsure of what to say.
He looked at me with that confident gaze, a hint of vulnerability peeking through."Lia. Can I be your boyfriend?"
My heart skipped a beat at his question, caught off guard by how casual yet loaded it felt.
A smile broke across my face, my heart soaring. "You really want that?"
“More than anything,” he replied, his voice steady, his gaze unwavering.
“Well, in that case, I guess I’d be a fool to say no.”
