Black & White (Colorful Sequel | H.S)|✔️

54

Double update! Make sure you've read 53 before this.

~

"So... Dawson..." I stare at the handsome stranger across the table. As of right now, he's surprising me. He's nice, funny, good-looking... If I didn't have Harry, I might've fallen for this guy. Sure, he's more than twenty years older than me but age is just a number, right?

Harry! Crap! I totally forgot about the purpose of this day after mom's... I don't know?... showed up.

"So... Ellie..." Dawson mimics.

I lean back in my chair and dramatically make a show of me inspecting him. He just smiles through it. I look at his mostly dark hair with a few grays peppering through. His eyes are vibrant and youthful. His face has a light stubble that adds to his looks.

"How'd you two meet?" Lily asks. I continue my scrutinizing while he looks away and smiles at my mom.

Gag.

Don't get me wrong, I like whatever they have going on, but it's so gross to see your mom engage in any romantic behavior that isn't with your dad–and even that's pushing it sometimes.

My mom takes a deep breath. "Remember that announcement I told you about? Well, this is it."

"So you two are dating, then?" I can't help the disappointment in my voice. I've seen her crumble when dad left her for his soulmate, even if the signs were hidden. What'll happen when Dawson finds his? How can she even trust him?

"Yes, well–" he starts.

"We're soulmates, actually," she continues. I blink in surprise. I'm too shocked to even look at Lily right now. Without allowing us to process the news, she continues. "He came into the ER when I was on shift. The idiot crashed his motorcycle. He came limping into the ER instead of calling an ambulance."

"It's expensive," Dawson shrugs with a goofy grin. "But the crash was the least of my worries. When I locked eyes with your mom across the room, I felt like I was going to faint."

Oh, I know the feeling.

"I wouldn't expect you guys to understand yet but man, it's overwhelming! All those colors hit you at once and it's like sensory overload," he continues with vivid hand gestures.

His words make my heart wrench once again. I couldn't possibly tell everyone about Harry now! It would make me seem like I'm trying to steal the spotlight. It's my mom's special announcement. I can't taint it with my own news, no matter how old. It's like announcing you're pregnant at someone's wedding!

My mom's laughter breaks me out of my thoughts. "Oh, sweetie, you're exaggerating." She turns to us but locks eyes with Lily. "I promise it's not that bad. I felt a little dizzy at first. They took Dawson in before I could talk to him. When I finally recomposed and had a mini-freakout, I scoured every room to find him until I realized I had access to his patient file... except I didn't even know his name."

"Your mom's a huge stalker," Dawson jokes.

"Oh, shut up," she playfully responds. "Don't act like you weren't hobbling around the hospital trying to find me too." He bashfully looks down, confirming her accusations.

Looking at them, I feel a swell of joy in my heart. Mom looks truly happy and it's very obvious that Dawson loves her. He won't be like dad.

"How long ago was this?" Lily asks. When I turn to look at her, she's smiling in adoration. Guess we have the same thoughts on them.

"About three years ago. I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you guys but we wanted to make sure we were set before we did," mom rushes out.

"Don't worry," Lily smiles warmly. "You told us now, that's all that matters."