Chapter 3
1109 Words
The next morning, I woke up early, ready for school in a way that didn’t feel like me at all. If there was one thing the entire Arlington household agreed on, it was this: Liora does not function before 8 a.m. I thrived at night. Mornings were my enemy. Eddy always joked that my mornings came with “slow-loading software.”
But not today.
I was already dressed, packed, and downstairs by 5:55 a.m.
Mom froze with her coffee halfway to her mouth. “Liora… are you alright?”
“Because I woke up early?” I grinned. “A girl can change. I just want to save Eddy the trouble of yelling at me every morning.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Only God knows what you want from your brother.”
“Nothing,” I answered too fast, fighting my smile. If she knew the real reason I was suddenly a morning person, she’d look at me very differently.
At school, somewhere between first and second period, it hit me like a tap on the forehead.
I promised Ryan I’d give him my answer today, but I had no idea when or where this conversation was supposed to happen.
Unlike yesterday, I really did try to pay attention in class, but my brain had other plans, mostly involving Ryan and a quiet corner.
Art class was my best chance to breathe, until Mr. Carly announced a two-person project and made us draw numbers.
When I checked mine, I met the last pair of eyes I expected to see.
June Prescott.
Of all people.
We weren’t enemies, but the family feud made sure we stayed in separate corners of the world. Still, she quietly scooted closer, and we set our chairs side by side.
It was awkward for about a minute before June broke the silence. “Seems the universe is trying to make a point,” she said, pulling a small wrapped box from her bag and placing it in front of me.
I frowned. “What’s this?”
“Chocolate,” she replied simply.
“From who?”
“My brother.”
I stared at her. “And why is your brother giving me chocolate?”
June rolled her eyes like I was being dramatic. “Relax. I was in his room last night. I heard the two of you talking.”
My stomach twisted.
Whatever expression I made, June caught it, because she smirked.
“Take it, Liora. You don’t have to panic,” she whispered. “Honestly, I’m impressed. Prescott and Arlington? Never thought I’d see the day. I just want to see how this plays out.”
“So… you’re not mad if I date him?” I asked cautiously.
“Why would I be?” she shrugged. “You’ve never done anything to me.”
That surprised me, but pleasantly so. We spent the rest of class listening to Mr. Carly, and June kept tossing quiet jokes my way. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud.
When the bell finally rang, she leaned close. “Oh. In case you didn’t know, my brother’s had a crush on you forever.”
I blinked hard, trying not to smile.
She laughed. “That secret wasn’t free. You owe me.”
“Gladly.”
Break came and went without a sighting of Ryan. By the end of the day, I’d convinced myself I’d speak to him at night. But just as I was packing my books, my phone lit up.
Dismiss your brother.
Meet me behind the library.
My heartbeat made a small leap.
I called Eddy. “I need a few minutes in the library. You can go ahead.”
“Great. Rossy and I have plans.”
Perfect.
I headed straight behind the library. Ryan was already there, leaning against the old brick wall. When he looked up and saw me, a slow smile pulled at his mouth, and my whole chest did this ridiculous flip I couldn’t control.
He reached for my hand and led me toward a quiet corner behind the building, under an orchid tree I’d never noticed before. There was a long bench shaded from the afternoon sun.
He sat. I moved to sit beside him, but he patted his thigh.
My heart flipped. I sat on his lap, trying to look like it wasn’t my first time doing anything like that.
“I got your gift,” I said, lifting the chocolate. “Thank you.”
“It’s nothing,” he said softly. “So… your answer?”
“Yes,” I said quietly. “I’ll date you.”
His smile deepened. His eyes flicked to my lips before meeting mine again.
“Can I kiss you?”
I couldn’t find my voice, so I just nodded.
Ryan leaned in and kissed me.
For a second, I went still. I wasn’t scared; I was just… new at it. Then I kissed him back, shy and unsure, hoping I was doing it right.
When he pulled back, my chest was still fluttering. I looked away, embarrassed. He chuckled softly and tipped my chin so I’d face him again.
“If you’re this shy now,” he teased, “I can’t imagine your first kiss.”
“You just saw it,” I blurted out.
His brows lifted. “Really?”
“Really.”
His voice softened. “I’m glad it’s me.”
To ease the moment a little, mostly so I wouldn’t melt on the spot, I said, “June told me you’ve liked me for a while.”
He groaned. “She never keeps her mouth shut.”
I laughed softly. “How long?”
“Since you joined Ridgefield.”
I forgot how to breathe for half a heartbeat. “If it helps… I’ve liked you for a long time too.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “So we were both guilty.”
“Seems so.”
“But Liora…” His tone shifted, more serious now. “We can’t hide forever. One day, our parents will find out. And we both know how they’ll react.”
I swallowed.
“Do you like me enough to fight for us when things get hard?”
“Yes,” I answered.
The yes came out too fast. If I’d let fear speak instead of hope, it would have whispered, I don’t know. I can’t promise that.
But I wanted Ryan. I’d always wanted him.
And even if I wasn’t sure I was brave enough to fight for us, I wasn’t ready to tell him that.
So yes was what he got.
- Writer
