Dawn
The smell of garlic and tomato filled the kitchen as Earl stirred the sauce, his hands moving carefully but with a confidence that made me smile without realizing it. I perched on the counter, trying to act casual, but my chest felt like it was constantly threatening to betray me.
"Do you need help?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.
He shook his head, still focused on the pan. "No… it's okay. I want to cook for you. I… want to do this." His soft eyes flicked toward me for a second, and I caught that tiny, shy spark again.
I swallowed. Yeah… he really is dangerous. Not in a scary way. In a way that made every nerve in my body light up and melt at the same time.
We didn't talk much while he cooked, but the quiet wasn't uncomfortable. It felt… safe. Warm. Like we were the only two people in the world that mattered in that moment.
When he finally plated the pasta and slid a dish across the counter toward me, I blinked at it. "You… made this for me?"
His ears flushed pink. "Yeah… I wanted… I mean, I thought… you know… as a thank you."
I laughed softly, touched, and picked up my fork. "You really didn't have to," I said, though I was already digging in. The pasta was perfect. Simple. Heartfelt. Earl.
We ate quietly for a while, the only sounds the clinking of cutlery and the soft hum of the kitchen lights.
Our hands brushed while reaching for the tissue I didn't pull away, he did.. like he was burned from my touch
Before I knew it, the clock on the wall blinked 8:45 PM. My stomach wasn't the only thing that twisted also my chest
My curfew was only fifteen minutes away, and I didn't want to leave. Not yet.
I pushed my plate aside reluctantly. "I… I should go soon," I said quietly, voice just above a whisper.
Earl looked up, eyes a little wide. "Already? Your curfew?"
I nodded, trying to mask the disappointment. "Yeah… 9 PM. Mom would kill me if I got back late."
He stood and walked me to the door, his hands brushing mine accidentally as he opened it. I froze for a second, wanting to reach out and keep him close, but trying not to overstep.
"Thanks," I said softly, heart hammering in my chest. "For… everything. For dinner, for today… for being with you."
His smile was small, shy, but it lit up his whole face. "I'm glad you stayed for dinner" he murmured.
Before I could overthink it, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. Just a quick hug. Tight, warm. A little too long, but not too long. Just enough to tell him what words couldn't.
He stiffened for a moment, and then relaxed, wrapping his arms around me in return, carefully, like he didn't want to let go but also like he was afraid to.
I pulled back just slightly, resting my forehead against his shoulder for a heartbeat, inhaling that faint, comforting scent of Earl. "See you tomorrow?" I whispered.
"Definitely," he replied softly.
I pulled away fully, gave him one last shy smile, and stepped out into the night. My heart was still racing, but I felt… lighter. Happier and completely, utterly caught in the gravity of him.
As I walked back to my car, I couldn't stop thinking…
I'm never letting this boy go.