The Shadows Of Susan

The morning after the memory

Susan blinked up at the ceiling, sunlight slipping through the curtains like golden fingers. The dream still clung to her skin—warm, tender, electric. Her lips tingled where Kelvin had kissed her, and her chest rose and fell like she was still caught in that moment.

For a second, she didn’t want to move. She didn’t want to let it go.

But life didn’t pause for daydreams. Not even the ones that felt better than real.

She sat up slowly, brushing her fingers through her hair. Her body still remembered the pressure of his hands on her waist, the heat of his breath against her skin. And that feeling… the one between her thighs, soft and wet and confusing—had returned last night just like it had that day.

A flush crept into her cheeks.

Why am I still thinking about this? she whispered to herself, cheeks burning. She stood and headed for the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. But even that couldn’t erase Kelvin from her mind.

Kelvin Andrews.

The boy with that low, teasing laugh and those intense eyes that always seemed to see through her. He had moved in across the street a year ago with his mother in their mansion and had instantly turned her world upside down. He wasn’t like the others in town. He didn’t care for small talk or pretending. He listened. He paid attention. And the way he looked at her—it was like he knew something about her she didn’t even know herself.

And she hated it. And loved it.

Pulling on a hoodie over her tank top and slipping into her jeans, Susan grabbed her phone and headed downstairs. The kitchen was quiet.

She made toast without much thought, staring out the window—only to freeze when she saw him.

Kelvin. Across the street. Shirtless.

He was in front of his house, washing his mom car for fun, water glistening on his skin, sun catching on every toned muscle like it was trying to show off. His jeans hung low on his hips, and the lazy smile on his lips made Susan forget how to breathe for a moment.

He looked up.

Their eyes met.

And just like that, the dream wasn’t just a dream anymore.

He smirked, lifting a hand in a lazy wave, like he knew what she’d been dreaming about. Like he’d been dreaming it too.

Susan’s stomach flipped. She ducked from the window like a schoolgirl caught staring. Get it together, she whispered, cheeks burning.

Her phone buzzed.

Kelvin 💬

I saw you watching me 👀 You good?

She bit her lip, fingers hesitating over the keys before replying.

Susan 💬

Just making toast. Mind your business.

Kelvin 💬

Too late. You’re my business now.

She stared at the screen, heart hammering. That boy had no mercy.

Before she could reply, another message popped up.

Kelvin 💬

Wanna hang out later? I’ll bring pizza and we can… talk.

Talk. That word did dangerous things to her heart.

But part of her wanted it. Wanted him. Wanted to know what came next—past the kiss, past the warmth, past the shadows that still tried to hold her back.

With trembling fingers, she typed back.

Susan 💬

Fine. But just pizza. And no funny stuff.

Kelvin 💬

No promises, Sunshine.

She let the phone fall on the counter and leaned against the fridge, smiling to herself like an i***t.

But deep down, she knew—this wasn’t just a crush.

Something was happening.

Something real.

And maybe, just maybe, she was ready for it.