Heart Over Heels

12

When I opened my eyes, the world felt soft and safe, with the faintest morning light filling the room. The weight of the blanket and the scent of Max—warm, grounded, a little bit woodsy—was all around me, giving me a sense of comfort I hadn’t felt in so long. Wait.. i am still in his home. Okie. He took me here i remember everything it isn't i don't but the thing is i slept for too long That's why it took me a few minutes to process

I sat up slowly, feeling a little groggy from last night, but something in me couldn’t resist taking in my surroundings. His room was surprisingly cozy. There was a careful balance between simplicity and character: a collection of books, a vintage map framed on the wall, and a guitar propped in the corner. I got up, noticing little details as i went—soft, neutral tones, a small plant in the window, and a neat desk with scattered sketches and notebooks that hinted at his interests.

I padded quietly toward the hall, letting myself explore. The hallway was lined with a few photographs, capturing moments with school friends and family, but one stood out to her—a candid shot of a young Max laughing, his sister by his side, both carefree. I smiled, realizing I was seeing glimpses of the man behind the walls he kept up around most people.

As I rounded into the kitchen, I froze. Max was there, in sweats and a worn t-shirt, completely absorbed in his cooking. He was chopping something, his movements fluid, precise. The smell of coffee and warm spices filled the air, and my stomach growled, reminding me of how hungry I am after everything.

He glanced up and smiled, setting the knife down. “Good morning shine. How’re you feeling?”

“Better,” I said, a blush creeping up my cheeks as I wrapped my arms around myself. “And starving, apparently.”

“Good timing,” he said with a chuckle, pouring me a cup of coffee. “I was hoping to surprise you with breakfast.”

I accepted the mug, our fingers brushing briefly, and felt a warm flutter spread through me. We moved around each other easily, the silence between us comfortable as he set out the plates.

When we sat down, I looked at him across the table, my heart hammering. I reached for his hand, my fingers lightly tracing his knuckles. “Thank you for last night, Max,” I said softly. “You didn’t have to do all that.”

He shrugged, but there was a tenderness in his gaze that made my stomach flip. “I wanted to,” he murmured, his hand tightening around mine for a brief second.

Just as we leaned toward each other, the front door clicked open, and a voice called out, “Max? Are you home?”

We jumped apart, and Max’s face went tight as he glanced toward the door, muttering under his breath, “Not now…”

His sister walked in, looking flustered. She stopped short when she saw me and Max at the table, her gaze shifting between us. I felt my cheeks heat up, feeling like I'd been caught in a moment that wasn’t meant to be shared.

“Oh—sorry! I didn’t realize you had company,” she said, clearly surprised. “I, um… I just really needed to talk to you, Max.”

I quickly stood up greeting his sister. “It’s fine. I’ll… just give you two some privacy.”

“No, you don’t have to go,” Max said, his hand reaching out as if to stop me.

But I just gave him a small smile, glancing down as  I stepped back. “I’ll just be in the living room.”

---

Settling onto the couch, I tried to ignore the muffled sounds of Max and his sister’s conversation drifting through the walls. I felt a pang of something—maybe jealousy, maybe insecurity. I hadn’t expected their morning together to go like this, and the sudden reminder that there were parts of Max’s life I didn't know yet left me feeling uncertain.