59.
chapter fifty-nine
what is this thing
called?

"And what would be your purpose for staying over?" I raised an eyebrow, watching him as he settled down beside me. A stray lock of his overgrown bangs fell over his eyes before he blew it away, clearly annoyed.

"You're alone. Simple."

I rolled my eyes, even though the warmth seeping into my chest betrayed me.

"Mom will return soon."

He shrugged, leaning back. The television was blabbering something about polar bears and global warming. I let out a content sigh, falling to my side. My living pillow froze, stiffening before he shifted to accommodate me.

"I'm sure she won't mind."

"Pray for it," I whispered. The tiredness of the day was catching up. There were still two more exams left, but I had a study holiday, I suppose. "Say, are you staying over tonight too?"

"Yeah." His breath fanned my hair. I felt his lips move against my hairline. "For you, I will."

My heart skipped several significant beats. Almost three months since we met, and he still managed to throw me off my feet. "Mhm. Why?"

"Because." I could practically hear his grin. "Because I'm down bad for you."

I snapped my head up to catch his glimmering browns. They bore into me, the bond pulsating in pure bliss in anticipation of what was coming.

The nerve endings in my body warmed, spasming when his lips brushed against mine. A tentative kiss — as if he were testing the waters. I curled my fingers on his chest, tilting my head up, a challenge in my eye.

He seemed to catch on for once, but something held him back. I knew it in my blood.

"Uh." His gaze dropped before coming back to rest on mine. "I gotta go."

"Where?" I pouted, nonplussed when he shook himself off me and stood up, color hinting at his ears.

He cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably. "Bathroom."

I blinked. Then blinked again.

The warmth that had been pooling in my chest froze now. My jaw slackened. "Seriously?"

"Hey!" His tongue flopped out, and he refused to meet my eye. "I haven't since the morn—"

"Okay, okay!" I cut him short, leaning back against the couch. A pillow grazed my fingertips, and before I could consider it, I threw it at his gut. "I don't need the details!"

He caught it, unfortunately, and with a chuckle, slid it to the couch beside him. Tentatively, he dipped his head in a short bow. "So, do I have Your Highness' permission?"

"Get lost."

That was all he could get before the sound of his footfalls bled into that of running water. I sighed, slumping against the loveseat. The pillow he was on smelled of warmth and familiarity. My stomach lurched, and I had to bite my lip to hold back from grinning.

Was this how it felt?

The television droned on in the background, lazy commercials flickering lights in the dimmed room. I closed my eyes, pretending to be half asleep even though my racing heart was betraying me.

His words played on in my mind like a broken record. "I'm down bad for you."

Is this what love felt like?

The sound of the bathroom door opening.

Am I in love with him?

Footfalls, hesitant and slow.

Should I confess?

The couch dipped.

How?

His cold hand tugged a lock of my hair behind my ear.

Just an "I love you"?

"Serena," he whispered, his tone pitched softer, sending chills down my spine. "You awake?"

I hummed, feeling too lazy to reply.

"Can you take me to your balcony?"

My eyes snapped open. "The balcony?"

He nodded, grinning. "To stargaze."

Stargazing with him? That sounded good. I couldn't deny his offer. Smacking my lips, I bolted to my feet. "Get the pillows upstairs. I'll turn off the lights."

— xoxo —

"What do you mean someone's waiting?!" I exclaimed, flailing my hands. With how nonchalant Daisy was acting by sharpening her nails, I was sure I'd overthrow the center table very soon if she didn't look up.

"Well, I'm sorry that I don't know who you're seeing." She placed the instrument down, shooting me a daunting glare. "And he's so full of himself that you would do better to dump him."

I frowned, snatching her phone much to her chagrin. "Misty, give me my phone!"

"Not until you apologize!"

"Who is he?!"

"Doesn't matter!"

"Are ladies fighting over me?"

My breath hitched, heart skipping a beat. Cursing myself internally, I wheeled to him. He was there. In skin and bones. The mahogany strands of hair falling over his eyes as if he had forgotten to comb.

Did I look the same?

I closed my eyes, trying to push away the telltale signs of an approaching headache.

"See, I told you," Daisy hissed. "That dumb face — he should be grateful I let his sorry neck in."

I swallowed, a remark at the tip of my tongue. But he didn't let me.

"Hey." Gary approached us, hands stuffed in his pockets. "I only came to talk to your sister. If I bothered you or came across as rude, my apologies." To say that my eyes would have popped out would be an understatement.

Daisy huffed, crossing her arms. Taking my surprise as a cue, she snatched her phone back and left the room in a stride, her heels clicking against the floor. I threw Gary an accusing glance.

What was he doing here?

"Didn't I tell you that I am no longer interested in you?"

Gary shrugged, leaning against the nearby wall. His eyes downcast, he whispered, "I came here to ask for one more chance, Misty."

My nostrils flared. "And why would I give you another chance?"

Gary's brown eyes bore into mine, tugging something at my heart. I knew whatever he would tell would tug a string. "Because I want to know what love feels like, and you're the right one to teach me that."

If only I knew what love was myself, I wouldn't be standing here with a flustered face.