My Last And My Only

Chapter 84: Interrupted, Again

Saturday mornings were different now. Not because the city had changed. Not because life had suddenly become easier. But because for the first time in months...

Aiah woke up smiling before she had even opened her eyes. She stared at the ceiling for a long moment, wondering if the happiness sitting quietly inside her chest was real.

Then her phone buzzed on the bedside table.

A single message.

Khae
Good morning.
I'm trying very hard not to come thirty minutes early.

Aiah laughed into her pillow.

She replied.

Try harder.

Three dots appeared almost instantly.

I can't promise anything.

Outside her bedroom, Gwen knocked twice before opening the door.

"Are you awake?"

"I've been awake."

Gwen leaned against the doorframe, arms folded.

"You've smiled at your phone three times."

"I have not."

"You smiled before I even knocked."

Aiah tried to hide another smile.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Gwen simply raised an eyebrow.

"I've known you your entire life."

"..."

"..."

"...Fine."

"There she is."

Aiah laughed.

"You are impossible."

"So is someone who keeps checking the time every five minutes."

"I am not checking the time."

Gwen looked at the clock on the wall.

"You just did."

"..."

"..."

"I hate you."

"No, you don't."

"I really don't."

Downstairs, Ivy was arranging flowers in a small vase near the dining table when she noticed Aiah walking in.

"You look nice."

Aiah looked down at herself.

She was only wearing a simple white blouse, light blue jeans, and white sneakers.

"I dressed normally."

"Mhm."

"I did."

"You changed your earrings."

Aiah blinked.

"...How did you notice?"

"You've been here long enough to notice."

Aiah laughed.

"I wasn't trying to impress anyone."

"Of course not."

"I wasn't."

Ivy smiled knowingly.