"But, as always she came back to me as I went back to her"
"One day, we won't have to sneak out to be together. We won't have to worry about anyone else. We'll get married in the same church where I first felt something for you. We'll move into our...
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Vincent
I give the rough, weathered rock a firm kick, and it tumbles down the winding path, tracing a jagged route until it finally comes to a halt at the edge of our gravel driveway. Just as I'm about to stride over and send it rolling again, Ava appears, her vibrant presence brightening the scene. Clad in a cosy purple sweatshirt emblazoned with a cheerful rainbow-coloured heart on the front, she grins and delivers a swift kick to the rock, sending it skittering away once more.
I smiled, and she smiled back before rushing over to where I was standing. "Why are you outside? Mum is preparing the dim sums!"
"I know. I'm just waiting for Brad." The moment his name was spoken, her eyes widened in surprise, sparkling with a mix of disbelief and excitement. A rosy flush crept across her cheeks, betraying the lingering crush she had on him. It was clear that her feelings hadn't diminished over time. "He's actually coming?" she asked, her voice a blend of anticipation and nervousness.
"Yeah, why don't you go inside and tell Mumma about him?" She nods and runs towards our home. I couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm.
I am standing quietly, glancing occasionally at the front of Aria's house, where I can see her father's car parked in the driveway. Its presence tells me he is home, and a wave of unease washes over me. Her father has always looked down on my family; his disdain was palpable whenever he was around. He has never allowed Aria to visit my house. The thought of him catching us chatting sends shivers down my spine, and I find myself hoping for Aria to arrive soon.
Thankfully, he travels around due to their business and only shows up at home when there's an important thing to address. It took another five minutes before I saw Aria at the end of the street. I jog towards her, and she lets out a surprised yelp as I stand before her.
"Vincent! What are you doing?"
I shrug my shoulders. "I missed you. . . Your father is home, and you won't be texting me. But try to meet me at midnight, okay? I will wait for you."
"Sure. I love you," she whispers. I smile and blink my eyes at her. "I love you, Aria. I can't wait to meet you."
*
Dad lets out a laugh as Celeb cracks a nonsense joke. Brad is silently eating his dinner while Axel plays with the TV remote. "Are you going to have your dinner or not?" I ask.
"I will, but let me find the right channel." Mum walked out of the kitchen holding another set of dumplings. She sets the plate on the table and sits beside Dad. "I have set out a plate for Aria. Don't you boys dare touch them in the kitchen."
We all hum in response but don't say a word. "Is her father home?" Dad asked. "Yes, he came last night. I hope everything is well," Mumma replied. My gaze drifted toward Ava, who stole fleeting glances at Brad as he hunched over his plate, engrossed in his dumplings. His focus was solely on his meal, blissfully unaware of the budding crush Ava harboured for him.
