30 Days Of Us

Chapter 5 - New experiences

The first week of university had already passed, and Lily and Leo had been living under one roof for eight days now.

It was Saturday, and Lily woke up late after staying up the night before binge-watching trending dramas on her new TV-a welcome gift from her great-aunt. She stretched lazily and stepped out of her bedroom, still a little drowsy, planning to brush her teeth. But then she caught a familiar scent drifting from the kitchen.

Leo was cooking breakfast again.

He had been doing it more often lately, ever since the time they had lunch on the rooftop. It wasn't an everyday thing-Leo's colleagues often invited him to join them for lunch-but whenever he had time, he cooked.

Lily paused and looked in his direction. His presence in the apartment had already begun to feel natural to her, like something she didn't question anymore.

"What are you cooking? Smells good," Lily asked, taking in the mouthwatering aroma.

"Bacon and eggs," Leo replied with a smile. He glanced briefly at her, then turned back to the stove.

"Come join me when I'm done," he added casually.

"Okay, I'll be right there in a minute," Lily said with a small spark of excitement as she made her way to the bathroom.

She always looked forward to Leo's cooking. Back in her hometown, she usually prepared her own meals. Her parents were always traveling for work, and since her grandmother passed away, no one had cooked for her in a long time.

Moments like this with Leo reminded her of the warmth she once felt at home.

By the time she finished brushing her teeth and washing up, Leo had already plated the food and set the table. She emerged from the bathroom, patting her face dry with a towel, and sat down across from him.

"Eat up," Leo said.

"Thank you for the meal," Lily replied with a smile, digging in.

They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes until Leo asked between bites, "So... what are your plans today?"

Lily finished chewing before answering. "Well, my great-aunt was supposed to take me sightseeing... but she had to cancel. Her arthritis started acting up."

"She okay?" Leo asked, concerned.

"I offered to help, but she said it's happened before and she just needs a day of rest," Lily explained.

She took another bite, but the cheerfulness from earlier had dimmed a little. Leo noticed.

"How about I take you sightseeing instead?" he offered, watching her reaction carefully.

Lily looked at him, eyes narrowing slightly in amusement. "I'm not sure about walking around in public with my pro-fe-ssor," she teased, stretching out the word.

"I'll put on a disguise if it makes you feel better," Leo grinned. "Didn't you say I look too young to be a professor? I can totally pull it off."

Lily snickered softly. She had been looking forward to exploring the city with her aunt, and now that the chance was slipping away, Leo's offer didn't sound half bad.

And besides, they were just friends... right?

There was nothing wrong with casually hanging out with a friend.

"Okay," Lily said finally. "But you better make sure your disguise is convincing."

Leo grinned. "Of course. You won't even recognize me."

---

An hour later, both of them were ready.

Lily wore a beige corduroy overall dress that fell just below her knees, layered over a fitted white long-sleeve blouse. She paired it with her new white sneakers and added a touch of natural makeup-skills she'd picked up from online tutorials.

She walked over to Leo's room and knocked.

"I'm good to go," she called from the other side.

Leo opened the door and stepped out... looking absolutely ridiculous.

He wore a balloon-patterned vest over a gray polo shirt, a neon green necktie, red velvety pants, and brown cowboy shoes. To top it all off, a fedora sat confidently on his head.

Lily blinked. And then burst into laughter.

Leo said nothing, only stared at her with amusement as she doubled over, trying to breathe.

"Wait-this is your idea of a disguise?" she asked between giggles.

"I couldn't decide on a look, so I picked the most random one I could find," he shrugged.

"Let me help you this time," Lily said, placing a hand on his shoulder and biting back another laugh.

She guided him back into his room and helped him choose something more sensible. When he came out again, he was wearing a baggy sweatshirt to hide his build, loose pants, a beanie, and glasses.

"That's better," Lily said, eyeing him from head to toe.

"Thanks, Lil," Leo replied with a grin.

The disguise was almost perfect. He looked like an entirely different person-to anyone else. But not to Lily. She already knew him too well. His build, his voice, even his scent. There was no hiding from her.

"You ready for our date?" Leo teased.

A date, huh? Lily thought to herself. She'd never been on one before-never even had a boyfriend. Life in the countryside meant growing up with the same kids year after year, none of whom ever sparked that kind of interest.

A date doesn't sound so bad.

Leo was puzzled.

Lily hadn't reacted the way he expected. No flustered cheeks. No shy glances. No teasing pout. Just a calm, almost indifferent reply.

It threw him off.

Trying to read her again, he asked, "So... what about it? Would you like it to be a date?"

Lily paused for a moment, then shrugged lightly. "Sure, why not?" she said, her tone even.

Leo blinked in surprise. He wasn't expecting that.

"I'm sure city folks go on dates all the time," Lily added, mostly to herself. "It's just a normal thing, right?"

She sounded like she was trying to convince herself. Because truthfully... this wasn't normal for her.

She had never been on a date before.

But she didn't tell Leo that.

She didn't want to make it into a big deal-didn't want him to think she was expecting anything. And besides... this felt comfortable. Safe.

Just two people spending the weekend together.

Leo, meanwhile, gave a soft laugh. "Alright, then. A city-style weekend date it is."

---

They stepped out of the building together, the morning sun already warming the pavement. The streets buzzed with weekend life-families heading to brunch, couples strolling hand in hand, cyclists weaving past slow walkers.

They walked side by side, casually discussing their plans for the day.

"Okay," Leo said, pulling out his phone like a proper tour guide. "First stop-grab some street snacks. Then we can walk through the park, maybe stop by a few shops, and I made a lunch reservation at a popular restaurant. Sound good so far?"

"Very," Lily nodded. "And after that?"

"Thought we could take the bus to the amusement park. Haven't been there in years."

Lily's eyes lit up. "I've never been to one."

Leo looked over, amused. "Then we definitely have to go. I promise not to let you fall off any rides."

"Gee, thanks. That's reassuring," she replied with mock sarcasm, nudging him lightly with her elbow.

The two walked to the nearest park which only took 15 minutes from where they were.

---

The park was alive with weekend buzz. Children squealed near the playground, bubbles floated through the air, and couples strolled hand-in-hand beneath rows of leafy trees. The late morning sun filtered softly through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the pavement.

Lily walked beside Leo, her eyes darting from food stalls to street performers to blooming flower beds.

Everything felt fresh and new. There was something freeing about wandering aimlessly in a place where no one knew you.

They had just passed a man playing jazz on a saxophone when a blur of fur came charging toward them.

"Ah-!"

A golden retriever bolted past, the leash stretched tight as its owner jogged behind.

Lily was about to step straight into its path, but Leo reached out swiftly, placing a hand on her arm and pulling her slightly toward him.

"Careful," he said gently, his palm steady against her elbow. "You almost got taken out by a dog missile."

Lily blinked, then laughed. "That would've been an embarrassing way to die."

"Death by retriever. I'd have to put that on your headstone."

She smiled up at him, brushing it off like nothing-but her heart was fluttering a little faster than before.

They stopped by one of the food stalls near the lake, buying hotdogs and bottled drinks.

Lily, distracted by the ducks waddling nearby, didn't realize she had a smudge of ketchup at the corner of her mouth. But Leo did.

"Hold still," he said casually, stepping closer. She turned to face him-and froze a little when he reached up with a napkin.

He gently wiped the corner of her mouth, his touch light, brief... and unexpectedly intimate.

"There. All clean."

"Thanks," Lily mumbled, suddenly aware of how close they were.

He looked unfazed. But she couldn't help but wonder if his heart was racing too.

----

Then later, at the restaurant, they sat across from each other by the window. The place was bustling-bright decor, buzzing conversations, and a handwritten chalkboard menu on the wall.

Lily stared at it, overwhelmed by the long list of dishes she didn't recognize.

Leo leaned slightly forward, picking up the menu from her side. "You okay with seafood?"

"Yeah, I think so..."

"Then try this," he said, pointing to a grilled shrimp and buttered garlic rice combo. "It's a best-seller here. Not too heavy, but really flavorful."

She nodded. "I'll trust your judgment, Chef Leo."

He grinned. "Glad to be of service."

After lunch, they hopped on a crowded bus headed toward the amusement park which was 45 minutes away.

It was standing-room only, and the space was tight. Lily held onto the overhead bar with one hand, but as the bus turned sharply, people swayed-and someone bumped into her from behind.

She lost her balance and staggered slightly-but before she could fall, Leo's arm shot out and wrapped around her waist.

"I got you," he said, steadying her against his side.

Her breath caught, heart thudding unexpectedly in her chest.

"Thanks," she muttered.

She stayed close to him after that. It just felt easier. Safer.

---

The amusement park stood like a glowing fairytale at the edge of the city, its colorful banners fluttering in the breeze and music echoing faintly from speakers hidden in flower beds. It wasn't exactly Disneyland, but it had its own magic-fairy-tale castles, towering rides, and cartoon-themed walkways that came alive with lights and laughter. Children ran past in princess dresses and superhero capes, while couples strolled hand-in-hand beneath lantern-lit trees.

Lily's eyes sparkled as she looked around. She clutched her small shoulder bag with both hands, turning slowly to take in the sights.

"I feel like I stepped into a dream," she whispered.

Leo smiled beside her. "First time magic. Drink it all in."

They made their way past the themed snack stalls-some selling cotton candy shaped like animal faces, others offering rainbow churros, rose-shaped soft-serve ice cream, and popcorn in glowing souvenir buckets. They stopped by a chocolate stall where Leo bought them a pair of chocolate-dipped strawberries on sticks. Lily insisted on getting the one with edible glitter.

They also visited a couple of shops lined with colorful merchandise-light-up wands, character plushies, matching couple hats. Leo tried on a comically large wizard hat and made a dramatic pose, causing Lily to burst into laughter.

"You look like a rejected magician from a kid's party," she teased.

"I take that as a compliment," he replied with mock pride.

Eventually, it was time for the rides.

Their first stop was the spinning teacups-safe and silly. Lily laughed uncontrollably as Leo tried to spin theirs too fast, his hands gripping the center wheel with childlike excitement. But the faster it went, the more dizzy he started to look.

"Still good?" Lily asked, half concerned, half amused.

"Yeah, yeah. Just... give me a second." He leaned slightly against the side of the teacup as it slowed, blinking away the dizziness.

Next, they rode the pirate ship. It swung higher and higher until Lily felt her stomach drop each time they reached the peak. She screamed and clung to the handlebar, eyes wide, while Leo tried to act chill-only to close his eyes when no one was looking.

The third ride was the roller coaster.

Big mistake.

Leo had tried to play it cool, but once the coaster shot off and twisted into its first loop, his soul practically left his body. Meanwhile, Lily was too busy screaming her lungs out and laughing to notice how pale he'd become.

When the ride finally stopped, Leo staggered out with a forced grin. "That... was great."

Lily tilted her head. "Are you sure? You look like you just went to war."

"I'm fine," he insisted, trying not to wobble.

She didn't press it, but they agreed to take breaks in between rides.

While walking toward the next attraction, Leo suddenly noticed something. Lily's steps had changed-she was limping, just slightly, favoring her right foot.

He frowned. "Hey... your foot okay?"

Lily smiled it off. "It's nothing. My shoes are just new. I'll be fine."

Leo stopped her gently. "Sit down for a bit. I'll be right back."

She opened her mouth to protest, but he was already off.

A few minutes later, he returned from a nearby convenience store with a small plastic bag. Inside: blister plaster, ointment, and pain-relief medicine.

He knelt down in front of her without saying much, setting her foot carefully on his knee. The park lights flickered softly around them, and Lily could hear the distant laughter from nearby rides.

"You didn't have to..." she murmured.

"I wanted to," Leo said, gently removing her shoe.

He was careful, focused-his brows slightly furrowed as he treated her foot, smoothing the ointment over the sore spot and covering it with a plaster. His touch was warm, but soft.

Lily watched him in silence, her heart swelling unexpectedly.

This is nice, she thought. Too nice.

---

Their final ride for the day was the giant Ferris wheel.

It loomed over the park like a glowing crown, each capsule trimmed with soft golden lights. As they boarded, Leo made sure Lily was seated comfortably before settling beside her.

The wheel began to rise slowly into the sky, their capsule creaking gently with each ascent. The view widened with every rotation-until, near the very top, they were met with something truly breathtaking.

The sun was setting in the distance, casting the entire sky in brilliant hues of orange, pink, and purple. Wispy clouds floated like painted brushstrokes across the horizon. Below them, the amusement park glowed warm and golden, bathed in the last light of day. Long shadows stretched across the winding paths, and the lights from the stalls and rides had just begun to flicker on, blending sunset with sparkle.

Lily pressed her hand to the glass. "Wow..."

The sunlight kissed her face, making her skin glow with a soft, amber tint. Her eyes reflected the sky-wide, alive, and full of wonder.

Leo didn't say a word.

He was too busy watching her.

The colors danced across her cheeks, and the way she smiled-as if the whole world had paused just for this moment-stirred something deeper in him.

She's beautiful, he thought. Even more than the view.

Lily suddenly leaned closer to the glass. "Look! You can see the lake glowing under the sunset. It's reflecting everything-like the sky's doubled."

She pointed to the other side of the capsule. "Come look from here. The angle's better-"

Leo stood and stepped toward her... but just then, the Ferris wheel jolted gently to a stop. Their capsule swayed slightly, and Leo lost his balance.

"Whoa-!"

He stumbled forward-and in the small space between them, he fell right toward Lily.

Their lips brushed-soft, accidental, and fleeting-but real.

They both froze.

The sun still hung low in the sky outside their capsule, but inside, time felt like it had stopped.