Tethered in the Dark - A Love Story

The sun spilled golden across the rooftops, painting everything with that kind of warmth that made the city feel alive. I tucked a loose strand of dark hair behind my ear and smiled at the little chaos of my morning — the smell of fresh bread from the bakery downstairs, the distant chatter of neighbors, the way even the pigeons seemed to march in perfect, slightly ridiculous formation. Life wasn’t perfect, but it was ours, simple and bright. I pulled on my favorite sundress, the one that twirled just enough when I spun in front of the mirror. Small joys — a strong cup of coffee, the quiet hum of my apartment, and the knowledge that I had people who cared about me — were enough to make the day start with a light heart. I stepped outside, feeling the sun kiss my olive skin, and waved at Mrs. Lane tending her flower boxes. “Morning!” I called, and she returned the greeting with a grin that could have powered the whole block. Kade was already waiting at the corner, leaning against the railing with that smirk that made my chest do a little hop. His dark hair was tousled like it always was, and the sunlight caught his green eyes in a way that made them glint almost unnaturally. “Late again, Talia,” he teased, but there was a weight to the words, a kind of quiet… something I couldn’t place. I laughed, brushing it off. “You say that every morning, Kade. It’s becoming a charm.” He pushed off the railing and fell into step beside me, casual and familiar. “I’m just making sure you don’t forget your best friend while you’re twirling in front of mirrors.” I rolled my eyes, smiling. “As if I could forget you. You’re unforgettable.” I remembered the first time I met Kade. I must have been five or six, sitting on the swings at the orphanage playground, happily lost in my own little world. That was until one of the older girls — taller, meaner, with a smirk that made my stomach twist — shoved me off the swing. I landed hard on the gravel, knees scraped, and crawled behind a tree, trying not to cry. The headmistress would have scolded me, maybe worse, if she saw. I hugged myself, quiet tears pricking at my eyes, wishing the world would just leave me alone. And then he was there. Kade. Not much older than me, but already moving with a confidence that seemed too big for his age. He crouched down beside me, eyes steady and kind, and brushed a stray hair from my face. In his small hand, he held a tiny white rose he’d picked from a bush nearby. “Girls shouldn’t cry,” he said softly, pressing the bloom into my palm. “It’s okay. I’m here now.” Even then, I felt it — the way he made the world a little safer, a little easier to navigate. From that day on, he was always there: watching out for me, standing up when others were unkind, quietly loyal. I didn’t think about love. I thought about trust. About friendship. About someone who would never let me fall, no matter what. We walked in easy silence, the city buzzing around us, and I let myself enjoy it. “So why did you ask me to take the day off work?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Well, I have a surprise for you,” Kade said, his smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Ooooo, that’s cool! What is it?” I bounced on my toes, heart a little lighter than usual. “It’s not a surprise if I tell you, is it?” he replied, laughing softly. “Arghhh, I want to know!” I groaned, tugging on his sleeve. He shook his head and took my hand. “Come on, you’ll see.” He led me down the street, weaving through the morning bustle. And then he stopped. I froze. A car waited there — red, low, sleek, and shining as if it had been polished to perfection just for this moment. I didn’t know cars. Not really. But something about this one made me stop mid-step. People were glancing, whispering, and I could see why. It was beautiful… and kind of intimidating. Kade reached into the passenger seat and pulled out a small bouquet of white roses, pressing them into my hands. My heart warmed instantly. “For me?” I asked, smelling their delicate scent. “For you,” he said simply, his green eyes catching mine. “Thought you might like a little reminder that some things don’t change.” I smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Even without knowing the exact make of the car, the roses, the laughter, the quiet way he always noticed me… it all felt like magic. Kade opened the door for me. I climbed in and sank into the seat, eyes wide. “Ooh! I’ve never been in a car before. This is so exciting! Thank you, Kade!” I grinned, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “What’s the occasion? I feel… special.” Kade slid in behind the wheel, smirking. “Happy friendaversary! Thirteen years ago today we became friends. And also…” He leaned over and flicked my nose. “…happy birthday.” I laughed, shaking my head. Wow. I felt spoiled. The roses were always a steady thing in my life — every year for my birthday, he’d get me a bouquet of white roses. They were simple, sweet, and perfect. But a car ride? This was new. Exciting. Totally unexpected. “Best birthday gift ever! Thanks, Kade!” I said, giving him a light punch on the shoulder. He chuckled, eyes glinting with amusement as the engine hummed beneath us. Somehow, in that small, thrilling moment, I felt like the world had just opened up a little wider. “Put your seatbelt on,” Kade said, his voice casual but firm. I looked at him quizzically, a little embarrassed. My cheeks flushed. I’d heard of seatbelts and even read about them, but… I didn’t really know how they worked. I glanced around the seat, poking and prodding at anything that looked like a belt. After a few minutes, I gave up and looked at him. He was staring at me — intensely, like he was trying not to laugh. And then he couldn’t hold it in. He started laughing… no, more like howling, tears streaming from his eyes. “You are cute,” he managed between laughs, ruffling my hair. I frowned, pouting a little. He leaned over slowly, still grinning, and pulled a strap from beside the door. “This is how you do it,” he said, carefully guiding me. He clicked it in with a satisfying snap. I blinked at him, a little awed. “Oh… that’s it?” “Yep,” he said, still chuckling. “You’re officially strapped in.” I laughed too, shaking my head. Somehow, even the simplest things felt like an adventure with Kade. The engine roared to life, a deep growl that made my chest vibrate. Before I could even prepare myself, Kade shifted gears and we shot forward. The world blurred. Trees, houses, streetlights — all of it rushed past like streaks of color. My heart jumped into my throat. I gripped the edge of my seat, half-terrified, half-thrilled, and couldn’t stop the laughter that spilled out of me. The wind whipped through my hair, tugging it loose from the braid I’d tied that morning. Long strands swished and streamed behind me, tickling my face, but I didn’t care. My cheeks stung from the speed, from smiling too hard. “This is crazy!” I shouted over the sound of the engine, my voice torn away by the rushing wind. Kade just grinned, his knuckles steady on the wheel, like he was born for this. “Relax, Talia. I’ve got you.” Scary. But exciting. Like flying and falling at the same time. And for the first time in a long while, I felt completely untethered — free.