Break Me

8

The warm glow of the setting sun streamed through the kitchen window, casting a soft light on the scattered ingredients spread across the countertop. I glanced around the small apartment I shared with Amy, a mixture of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside me. Tonight was the night Trevor was coming over for dinner, and he was bringing his best friend, Daniel, along.
Thinking about Trevor made my heart race—a sensation that had become all too familiar over the past few months. What began as a friendship rooted in shared experiences and late-night conversations had morphed into something deeper. We had spent countless hours together, our laughter echoing in the quiet of the night, and I found myself stealing glances at him when he wasn't looking, wondering if he felt the same way I did.
"Ellie! Are you ready?" Amy called from the living room, her voice breaking through my thoughts. I was jolted back to the present and quickly moved to tidy up the kitchen, not wanting to leave it in disarray for our guests.
"Just about!" I shouted back, tossing a handful of cilantro into the salad bowl and mixing it with the vinaigrette. Amy had insisted on making something impressive, and I had reluctantly agreed to her plan. The last thing I wanted was to mess up a dinner for Trevor and Daniel, especially since I was still getting used to my feelings for Trevor.
As I arranged the last of the ingredients, I felt a flutter of nerves wash over me. What if Trevor saw me differently after tonight? What if I finally confessed my feelings for him, and it changed everything? I had always been the careful one, treading lightly in relationships, but with Trevor, I felt a magnetic pull, a need to step outside of my comfort zone.
"Okay, let's do this!" Amy said, poking her head into the kitchen. She wore a bright smile that could light up the darkest room. "I think it's going to be great. Just be yourself, and you'll be fine."
"Right," I replied, trying to shake off my anxiety. "No pressure, then."
As if on cue, a knock echoed through the apartment, and my heart skipped a beat. "That's them!" I said, wiping my hands on a towel. Amy rushed to the door, excitement practically radiating from her.
"Here goes nothing," I muttered under my breath, taking a deep breath as Amy opened the door. Trevor stepped in first, looking effortlessly handsome in a dark blue shirt that hugged his frame just right. His tattoos peeked out from under the sleeves, telling stories that only he could share.
"Hey, you two," Trevor greeted, a grin spreading across his face as he stepped into the living room. His gaze landed on me, and I felt a rush of warmth. "Smells amazing in here."
"Thanks! We're trying to impress," Amy said, winking at me as she stepped aside for Daniel to enter.
Daniel followed closely behind Trevor, and I instantly recognized him from the few times I had seen him around campus. He had a friendly demeanor and an easygoing charm that seemed to radiate as he walked in. "Hey, I'm Daniel," he said, flashing a bright smile as he extended his hand towards Amy.
"Amy," she replied, shaking his hand. Their eyes met, and I could practically see the instant chemistry crackling between them. It was a sight I had hoped for but hadn't quite expected.
As I watched them, I felt a small pang of longing, a wish that I could have a moment like that with Trevor. But before I could dwell on it too long, Trevor stepped closer to me, and I turned my attention back to him.
"Ready to impress me?" he teased, a playful glint in his eye.
"Definitely. I hope you're hungry," I replied, trying to keep my tone light despite the butterflies swirling in my stomach.
"Always," he replied, a hint of sincerity in his voice that sent another wave of warmth through me.
Dinner started off well, with laughter and easy conversation filling the room. Amy and Daniel were immediately engrossed in their own world, their banter flowing effortlessly. I couldn't help but smile as I watched them exchange playful jabs, a sense of warmth spreading through me. It was heartening to see Amy so happy, and I was thrilled for her.
"You guys should definitely come out with us more often," Daniel said, his eyes bright as he leaned forward, engaging Amy. "I promise we'll show you a good time."
"I'd love that!" Amy replied, her cheeks slightly flushed with excitement.
In the midst of their conversation, I found myself glancing at Trevor, who sat across from me. He was watching the two of them with a faint smile, and I couldn't help but admire how effortlessly charismatic he was. He caught my eye, and for a moment, the world around us faded away. The air felt charged with something unspoken, and I knew that deep down, we both felt it.
"Ellie," Trevor said, breaking the moment, "you really outdid yourself with this meal. What's your secret?"
I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks. "Google," I replied, my voice softer than I intended.
"I need you to teach me," he said, leaning closer, his gaze locking onto mine. "I can barely boil water without setting off the smoke alarm."
"Noted," I said with a chuckle, trying to play it cool despite my racing heart. "We can have a cooking lesson sometime. Just don't blame me if you end up with a kitchen disaster."
"Deal," he replied, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.
As the dinner went on, the four of us transitioned from food to shared stories, with Amy and Daniel recounting amusing moments from their lives while Trevor and I shared snippets of our own. Each word exchanged felt like a thread weaving us closer together, and I couldn't help but notice how much I cherished these moments with Trevor.
After dinner, we cleared the table, and Amy suggested we move to the living room for a game. "How about we play some board games?" she suggested, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I have this new game that's supposed to be really fun."
"Sure, I'm in!" Daniel replied, already moving toward the shelf where the games were kept.
"Count me in, too," Trevor added, giving me a sideways glance. "As long as Ellie's playing."
I smiled, a thrill running through me at his words. "Of course!"
The game started off light-hearted, filled with laughter and friendly competition. Daniel's charm made it easy for Amy to relax, and I could see her leaning into him more, stealing glances and laughing at his jokes. Watching them together, I felt a swell of happiness for my best friend. As the game continued, I noticed Trevor's occasional sidelong glances at me, his expression shifting from playful to serious. It made my heart flutter with uncertainty. What was he thinking? I tried to focus on the game, but my mind wandered to the moments we had shared—the late-night talks, the lingering touches, the soft laughter that felt like music to my ears.
When we wrapped up the game, Daniel stood and stretched. "Alright, I think I'm going to grab us all some drinks. What does everyone want?"
"Just water for me, thanks," I replied, feeling a little parched after all the excitement.
"Same here," Amy chimed in.
Trevor, however, leaned back on the couch, crossing his arms with a thoughtful expression. "I'll take a beer," he said casually, glancing over at Daniel.
Once Daniel disappeared into the kitchen, the atmosphere shifted slightly. I could feel Trevor's gaze on me, steady and intense. "You okay?" he asked, his tone dropping to a more serious note.
"Yeah, just enjoying the evening," I replied, forcing a smile to mask the nervousness bubbling up inside me.
"You seem a little distracted," he noted, tilting his head slightly.
"Just...thinking," I admitted, my voice quieter now.
Trevor leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "About what?"
I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. This was the moment where I could confess my feelings, but what if it changed everything? What if it scared him away?
"About us," I finally said, my heart racing as I let the words slip out.
He raised an eyebrow, a curious expression crossing his face. "What do you mean?"
"I just feel like there's something more between us," I said, feeling a rush of vulnerability wash over me. "Like we're dancing around it, but I don't know how to say it."
He was silent for a moment, and my heart sank slightly, wondering if I had misread everything. But then he leaned back, a soft smile spreading across his face. "I was thinking the same thing," he confessed, his gaze steady on mine. "I didn't know if you felt it, too."
A rush of relief washed over me, mingling with excitement. "So, what do we do about it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Trevor's smile widened, and he shifted closer to me, the world around us fading. "I think we should embrace it," he said, his voice low and sincere. "I've been waiting for the right moment to tell you how I feel, and I can't keep it in any longer."
"Trevor," I breathed, my heart racing. "What do you mean?"
"I care about you, Ellie. More than I ever expected to. You've become such an important part of my life, and I can't help but think about what it would be like to take that next step with you."
His confession sent a jolt of electricity through me. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I processed his words. "You really mean that?" I asked, a mix of hope and disbelief flooding my mind.
"Absolutely," Trevor said, his gaze unwavering. "Every moment we spend together just makes me want to be closer to you. I know it's sudden, and I hope I'm not overwhelming you, but I can't help how I feel."
"No, not at all," I assured him, my voice steadier now. "I've felt it, too. I just didn't know if you were ready for that."
Trevor moved even closer, the warmth of his body radiating toward me. "I've been ready for a while now. I didn't want to ruin what we have, but I think we could be something really special together."
A smile broke across my face, my heart soaring. "I want that, Trevor. I really do."
As if sensing the moment was right, Trevor leaned in, and my breath caught in my throat. Our lips met tentatively at first, a soft brush that sent shivers down my spine. It felt like everything I had ever wanted, a culmination of all those lingering glances and unspoken words. The kiss deepened, and I could feel the weight of our emotions intertwining, a blend of excitement and promise. When we finally pulled away, breathless, I couldn't help but grin at him. "Wow," I breathed, a blush creeping onto my cheeks.
"Wow, indeed," Trevor replied, chuckling softly. His expression mirrored my own delight, and it was clear we both felt the shift in our relationship.
Daniel returned with drinks just then, interrupting the moment. "Hey, what did I miss?" he asked, glancing between us with a curious smile.
"Just a little heart-to-heart," Trevor replied, casually reaching for his beer while keeping his gaze on me.
"Nice," Daniel said, his eyes sparkling. "I hope I'm not interrupting a moment or anything."
"No, not at all," I said, my cheeks still flushed. "Just discussing...game strategies."
Daniel chuckled, oblivious to the tension that had just filled the room. He handed me my water, and I took a sip, the cool liquid grounding me in the moment. The four of us continued the evening with light-hearted banter and laughter, but I could feel a subtle change in the air. Trevor and I exchanged lingering glances, the unspoken connection between us deepening with every shared laugh.
As the night wore on, Daniel and Amy's chemistry became even more evident. They were completely absorbed in each other, their laughter echoing in the apartment as they shared stories and jokes. I couldn't help but feel a swell of happiness for Amy. She deserved this kind of joy, and seeing her so enchanted by Daniel made my heart soar.
"Okay, who's ready for another round of that game?" Amy asked, her enthusiasm infectious.
"I am!" Daniel replied, his eyes shining with excitement. "Let's do it!"
The next round was filled with playful competition and spirited teasing. Trevor and I found ourselves on opposite teams, and I could see the playful glint in his eye as he tried to strategize against me. The banter flowed naturally, our friendship melding into something more as we teased and flirted through the game.
In one particularly heated moment, Trevor leaned close to me, whispering, "You know I'm going to win this, right?" His breath was warm against my ear, sending a thrill through me.
"Not if I have anything to say about it," I shot back, my heart racing as I focused on my next move.
As the game continued, I felt Trevor's presence beside me like a comforting embrace. He was no longer just my friend; he was becoming something more significant, something I had longed for without fully understanding it.
After several rounds, the game finally came to an end, and laughter filled the room as we all leaned back, feeling the friendly competition subside. Daniel stretched out his arms and grinned. "Alright, I think I'm the reigning champion now," he proclaimed, a playful twinkle in his eye.
"Yeah, right. We let you win," Amy teased, rolling her eyes playfully.
"Sure, sure," he replied, winking at her.
The evening began to wind down, and I could feel a sense of satisfaction settling over me. Not only had Amy and Daniel hit it off, but Trevor and I had taken a huge step in our relationship. It felt surreal to finally acknowledge our feelings, to share that first kiss that had lingered in the air for so long.
"Do you guys want to hang out again soon?" Daniel asked, his eyes lighting up. "I know a great little bar that has live music on the weekends."
"I'd love that," Amy said eagerly, glancing at me for support.
"Definitely!" I chimed in, my heart warm at the idea of us all spending more time together.
"Cool, let's plan for this weekend then," Daniel suggested, his excitement contagious.
We made plans to meet up, and as the conversation continued to flow, I found myself stealing glances at Trevor, who was watching me with a gentle smile. It was a look that made my heart flutter, and I felt a surge of affection for him.
When it was finally time for Daniel and Trevor to head home, the air felt charged with anticipation. I walked them to the door, feeling a mix of reluctance and hope.
"Thanks for dinner, you guys. It was amazing," Trevor said, his gaze lingering on me. "And I had a great time."
"Me too," I replied, my heart racing.