My first crush (COMPLETED)√

Chapter 45: Attraction

Sharon pushed the door open and paused when she realized it wasn't locked. That alone was unusual.

"I'm home, Mom," she called as she stepped inside with Stephen trailing behind her.

The moment she lifted her gaze, she froze — her brother stood right in front of her.

"Oh my gosh... Matt!" she gasped, rushing forward and throwing her arms around him.

Matt laughed softly, hugging her back. "Sharon, you're looking good. Why did you keep this from me, huh? Look who's not so little anymore?" He teased, exchanging pleasantries with Stephen.

She pulled away, a sheepish smile on her lips. "Sorry."

"We've been waiting for you," her mother called from the dining area. "Come dine with us."

They gathered around the table. Her mother bowed her head, said a prayer, and everyone followed suit. The clinking of cutlery began once they opened their eyes — only to be interrupted seconds later.

"Oh my God! Tori!" her mom exclaimed.

Tori sat there, completely unfazed, wiping her mouth as though nothing had happened.

"What have you done?" her mom asked, eyes wide.

Sharon burst into laughter. One look at Tori's face was enough — sauce and ketchup smeared everywhere, like she'd been in a food fight and lost terribly.

"I'm sorry. It was the devil, Mom," Tori replied through a mouthful of spaghetti.

Her mom blinked, stunned. "Oh my... since when did you learn to use the devil as an excuse? Carly, Sharon — what have you been teaching her?"

"It wasn't me, Mom," Sharon protested.

"Me neither," Carly added quickly.

Their mother's eyes shifted toward their dad.

"Quit looking at me," he muttered.

Tori grinned mischievously. "It was you, Mom. You've said it countless times this week."

The table erupted into laughter.

"Seriously," Sharon managed between giggles.

"What? Me? I didn't realize." Their mom sighed, shaking her head before looking at Tori. "Don't say it again, okay?"

"If you stop saying it, I will."

"Okay... I promise."

Tori tilted her head. "And the other word you say?"

"MOM!" everyone shouted in unison.

Their mother raised her hands defensively. "I promise, I promise! No more dirty words." She sat back down, cheeks flushed.

Their dad exhaled dramatically. "Can we have a peaceful dinner now?"

"Yes..."

She turned to Stephen apologetically. "Stephen, I'm so sorry about that."

"It's nothing," he said with a polite smile.

They resumed eating, though the silence that followed felt heavy — thick enough to notice. Sharon didn't seem to mind; she was far too focused on her meal.

Finally, Matt cleared his throat. "So... Stephen, what made you attracted to my sister?"

Stephen nearly choked, caught completely off guard. Every pair of eyes fixed on him, waiting.

"Er... she's ugly. Really irritating to be with."

"What?!" Sharon's fork clattered. "I'm not ugly! Or irritating! How could you say that?"

Confusion rippled across the table.

Stephen smirked. "Relax, babe. It's irony. Chill."

Sharon's shoulders dropped as relief washed over her. "You should've said that earlier. I was about to have a heart attack."

"Sorry." His smile lingered — amused, teasing.

"Alright," Matt continued, turning to Sharon. "What about you? What tied you to him?"

She hesitated.

"Are you actually thinking?" Stephen teased. "Don't you like anything about me?"

"No, I'm not thinking," she replied, cheeks warming. "It's just... difficult to put into words."

"Tell us," her mom encouraged.

Sharon exhaled, giving in. "He's... incredibly attractive. The kind that stays on your mind whether you want him there or not. I couldn't stop thinking about him."

Stephen's ears reddened faintly — a rare sight that made her smile.

"And he has this energy about him," she added, softer now. "Confident. Magnetic. Like he walks into a room and owns it."

"His yummy." Chill there Sharon. He's not food.

"His whole body is written, 'fuck'. At this point Sharon lost all expressions to give.