Fried Burrito

s i x T e e n

On the last day of our weekend retreat, Jace and I spent our time doing cute things that we wouldn't have done if we weren't together. If we were in a movie, a cringeworthy but cute montage would've been shown of us singing horribly to every song on the radio, playing rigged games at the boardwalk, and attempting to go fishing— which was his idea, don't ask why I did it. 

We were happy but it was in a way where we both knew it wasn't temporary. Even if it had only been 72 hours, Jace and I had developed a better understanding of each other, which wasn't such a train wreck after all. 

I almost didn't want to leave him alone but I knew that I needed to. I didn't care how much I liked him, I knew I couldn't get attached to him like this after 3 days, I still had things to do and  I wasn't going to let a boy stop me. 

"Are you ready sweetheart?" Jace asked as he entered the driver's seat. 

"Yes, I have been for the last hour and a half but you just had to make sure your hair was good for the trip back," I replied with sarcasm dripping from my voice. Jace's hands cupped his heart in response as he said something dramatic in his defense and backed out of the driveway, and onto the road. 

The car ride back wasn't short but it wasn't necessarily long either. Within an hour, we were outside of his house, sitting in my car, in front of a setting sun. 

"I had a really great time with you this weekend Caden," Jace said softly as his eyes found mine. 
My heart discovered the ability to flutter like a mad butterfly when he looked at me and I couldn't help but smile at him. It was the most normal and non-humiliating thing I could do at the moment. 

"I'm glad you did."

"Aren't you going to say that you had a good time too?"
"No," I chuckled. "That's for me to know and for you to guess, of course."

"And I guess I'll take that as my 'yes'," he laughed before he leaned in to rest his head on my shoulder and stare out at the sunset. After a few moments of comfortable silence, Jace turned to me with serious eyes. 

"You know, this sunset is almost as beautiful as you are... The only difference is that your beauty will last forever."

My heartfelt swollen with an indescribable presence of affection and appreciation for the strange but pure boy sitting in front of me. How can something so cliche sound so perfect coming from the right person's mouth?  

I kissed him goodbye as a replacement for the words I didn't have before I watched him walk out of my car and enter the doors of his home. I'd made a really good choice. 

_____________

"Caden?" a voice paired with a knock on my room door woke me up from the nap I didn't realize I was in.

I opened eyes to see my father standing in the doorway, hesitant to come in.

"Come in," I sighed while patting the extra space on my bed. "What can I help you with?"

"A hug and a good morning kiss? I feel like I haven't seen you all weekend."

"That's because you haven't," I sighed after I wrapped my arms around him and pecked his cheek. "I was spending some time with Jace." 

"Oh," he squealed with a goofy smile. "Is that the boy I always hear you complaining about to Daph and Lena?"

I blushed in clear embarrassment from my dad's words. I had really been too vocal about the boy I just decided I liked. 

"Yes," I smiled. 

"How did that go? Does my precious flower still have a precious flower?" 

"Oh goodness, yes Dad! He did not de-flower me, we just talked and enjoyed each other's company."

"Ah, I like him already. I'm happy that you've finally found a guy to be smitten about, sweetheart."

"Thank you, Dad." 

"Just tell me when you're going away for the weekend with a boy before you actually go, okay? You're old enough to make these decisions but I'd still like to know."

"Of course, I'm sorry." 

"It's all good Caden. I love you."

"I love you too," I said into my Dad's chest with a head full of contentment.

"How do your brothers feel about you two?"

Yikes.

"They actually don't know there is an us."

"What?" he gasped. "How don't they know about this?"

"I'm really good at hiding these types of things from those animals. For all they know, I have never even kissed a boy in my 21 years of life."

"Wait, you've had your first kiss already?" 

"Dad," I giggled at his attempt at a joke before I went on to continue. "You were the first person I told! After Lena and Daph of course."

"Yes I know," he laughed back. "But when are you going to tell them?"

"I'm not sure yet. I know I can't hide it forever but I know I can't tell them just yet because I don't want them to ruin it. I'm really into him, Dad."

"Yes but family is everything Caden, you know that. Don't let a boy come between the boys you've grown up with and loved all your life."

"Who said anything about loving them?" I joked but I knew that he was right. I couldn't put Jace before my brothers, that would be completely stupid and selfish of me. 

"I have another open house I have to get to Cad, but I'm sure you'll make the right decision."

"Thank you." I gave him one last hug before he left to handle his day. 

I had a lot of thinking to do.