𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭

fifty five

Delphine

The engine of Kaiden's car hummed softly as we pulled into my driveway, the night air filled with the faint sounds of crickets chirping.

The glow from the streetlight illuminated the surroundings, casting a gentle light on the path leading to my front door. I unfastened my seatbelt and took a moment to gather my thoughts, the warmth of the evening still buzzing around us.

The laughter and camaraderie we had shared at the bowling alley lingered in my mind, a pleasant backdrop to the quiet of the car.

I turned to Kaiden, who was looking at me with an expression that combined curiosity and anticipation. His dark hair fell slightly into his eyes, and I found myself momentarily lost in the way he looked at me, as if I were the only person in the world at that moment.

"Thanks for tonight, Kaiden," I said, my voice steady and sincere. "I had a lot of fun."

He smiled, that easy, disarming smile that made something flutter in my chest. "I did too. It was nice just hanging out and being ourselves."

As I sat there, I felt the weight of the unspoken questions hovering in the air between us. I had been wrestling with them since the moment we left the bowling alley. There was something so effortlessly comfortable about our dynamic, but I needed clarity. I needed to understand what this meant for us.

"Can I ask you something?" I ventured, my heart racing as I prepared to broach the topic that had been on my mind all evening.

"Of course," he replied, his attention sharp and focused entirely on me.

"What are we?" I asked, my voice calm and straightforward. The question had been lingering on my mind, and I felt it was necessary to address it before we moved forward. It was important to me that we were on the same page.

Kaiden's expression shifted as he considered my question. I could see the gears turning in his head, the way his brow furrowed slightly as he processed what I was asking. "I think we're at the beginning of something good," he said slowly, his voice serious but warm. "I like you, Delphine. A lot."

His admission sent a wave of warmth coursing through me. I had felt it too—the connection we shared was undeniable, and it felt good to hear him articulate it. "I like you too, Kaiden," I confessed, my heart pounding in my chest. "I've liked you for a while now." The honesty of my statement hung in the air, mingling with the night sounds outside.

His expression brightened, but there was a seriousness behind it. "But I need to know what this is. I don't want to play games," I added, feeling a surge of determination. I had been hurt before, and I was not about to open myself up to another ambiguous relationship.

"I don't want to play games either," Kaiden replied, a hint of sincerity coloring his tone. "I want to be honest about how I feel."

His words were reassuring, and I felt a rush of relief wash over me. "So what do you want?" I asked, needing to hear him articulate his intentions clearly.

Kaiden took a deep breath, his expression shifting to one of resolve. "I want you to be my girlfriend," he said, his voice steady and sincere. "I know it's fast, but I can't ignore how I feel about you. I want to see where this goes."

The weight of his words settled between us, and I could hardly breathe for a moment. "You really mean that?" I asked, searching his gaze for any sign of uncertainty.

"I do," he affirmed, his eyes locked on mine. "I care about you, Delphine. I think we have something special, and I want to explore it together."

A wave of warmth surged through me, and I couldn't help but smile. "I'd like that," I said, my voice steady but filled with a hint of excitement. "I'd like to be your girlfriend."

As the words left my mouth, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. This was it. I was ready to embrace whatever came next, and it felt right.

Kaiden's face broke into a smile that lit up his features, and I could see the relief mixed with happiness in his eyes. "Awesome. I'm really glad to hear that," he said, his excitement evident but contained.

I glanced out the window for a moment, letting the moment sink in. The world outside felt quieter, as if it too was pausing to acknowledge this shift in our relationship. I turned back to Kaiden, the gravity of what had just happened settling over me.

As we sat in the car, a sense of calm wrapped around me, but I couldn't shake the giddiness bubbling up inside. "Let's take it slow," I suggested, wanting to keep the momentum genuine. "I don't want to rush anything."

"Agreed," Kaiden replied, nodding enthusiastically. "I want to enjoy every moment with you."

His earnestness brought a smile to my face, and I felt a sense of connection deepen. It was strange to feel this way, to allow someone in so easily, but with him, it felt right. I was ready to explore whatever this was, step by step.

"Are you ready to head in?" he asked, glancing toward the house. "I don't want to keep you out too late."

I hesitated, wanting to linger in this moment a little longer. "Yeah, I think I should," I replied reluctantly, reaching for the door handle.

As I opened the door, I turned back to him, the weight of our earlier conversation still hanging in the air. "Thank you for tonight, Kaiden. I really mean it," I said, my voice sincere.

"Anytime, Delphine. I'm looking forward to our next date," he said, his tone earnest as he watched me step out of the car.

I closed the door behind me, my heart racing as I walked toward the house. The porch light spilled out, illuminating the path, and I couldn't help but glance back at him one last time. He waved, and I returned the gesture, feeling a warmth spread through me.

Once inside, I leaned against the door, closing my eyes for a moment to take it all in. I could hardly believe that we had crossed this threshold together, and as I reflected on the evening, a smile broke across my face.

Kaiden was different. He was easy to talk to, genuine in a way I had not experienced before, and I felt a flutter of excitement about what lay ahead. It was refreshing to find someone who saw me, not just the figure skater but me—Delphine.

I made my way upstairs, the sound of my footsteps echoing softly in the stillness of the house. As I reached my room, I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. I knew that whatever happened next, I was ready to face it with him.

Sitting on my bed, I thought about how far we had come in such a short time. Kaiden had a way of making me feel seen, making me feel like I could be my true self without the pressure of expectations. The thought of being his girlfriend sent a thrill through me, a mix of nerves and excitement that danced in my chest.

In that moment, I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. I was grateful for tonight, for the laughter, the connection, and for him being so straightforward about how he felt. This was a new beginning, one I was ready to embrace wholeheartedly.

As I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind drifted to the possibilities that lay ahead. Would we go on more dates? Would I get to learn more about him? I found myself smiling again at the thought of us exploring this new relationship, taking it step by step, discovering each other in a way that felt organic and real.

Finally, I closed my eyes, allowing the exhaustion of the day to wash over me, but I couldn't shake the smile off my face. I fell asleep thinking of him, eager for what tomorrow would bring, for what our future might hold together.