Y/N's POV
Kayden led me toward the small ice cream stand near the park entrance. The bright colors of the display board lit up the dark evening, making it feel oddly cozy. A gentle breeze brushed past us, and I shivered slightly.
He glanced at me. "Are you cold?"
I shook my head quickly. "No, I'm fine."
Kayden narrowed his eyes playfully but didn't say anything. Instead, he turned to the ice cream vendor.
"What flavor do you want?" he asked, looking at me.
I tapped my chin, pretending to think. "Hmm… Chocolate. Always chocolate."
He chuckled. "Of course. Chocolate lovers never change."
I playfully nudged his arm. "And what about you?"
Kayden smirked. "Strawberry."
I raised an eyebrow. "Strawberry? I didn't expect that from you."
"Why not?" he asked, amused.
"I don't know… You just seem like a mint-chocolate guy."
He gasped dramatically. "Mint-chocolate? Y/N, do I look like someone who enjoys toothpaste-flavored ice cream?"
I burst out laughing. "It's not toothpaste-flavored!"
"Yes, it is," he insisted, shaking his head. "And you, my dear, are a chocolate addict."
"Guilty as charged," I said, grinning.
The vendor handed us our ice creams, and we walked toward a bench near a lamppost. I took a small bite, savoring the sweetness.
Kayden glanced at me, then at his ice cream. "Want to try mine?" he asked, holding out his cone.
I hesitated for a second before leaning in to take a bite. The moment the strawberry flavor melted on my tongue, I scrunched up my nose. "Ugh… too fruity."
Kayden laughed. "You just insulted my favorite flavor."
"It's not bad… but chocolate is superior." I held out mine.
He leaned in and took a bite. His eyes widened slightly before he nodded. "Okay, I admit it. Chocolate is good."
I smirked. "See? Told you."
As we ate in comfortable silence, I found myself glancing at him more than I should have. The way the streetlight cast a glow on his face, the way he licked his ice cream absentmindedly—it made my heart race.
I quickly looked away, focusing on my ice cream.
Kayden suddenly spoke. "You have something on your face."
I blinked. "Huh? Where?"
"Here." He pointed at his own lips.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. "Is it gone?"
He shook his head, smiling. "Nope."
Before I could react, he reached out and gently wiped the corner of my lips with his thumb. My breath hitched as his fingers lingered for just a second longer than necessary.
Our eyes met. The air between us suddenly felt thick with something unspoken.
Kayden was the first to break the silence, pulling his hand away. "Got it," he said softly.
I quickly looked down at my ice cream, my heart hammering against my chest.
"T-Thanks," I mumbled.
Kayden chuckled, but his voice was gentler this time. "Anytime."
We finished our ice cream, and as we got up to leave, he casually slipped his hand into mine, holding it loosely.
I didn't pull away.
And for the first time that night, I allowed myself to enjoy the warmth of his presence.
We reached the car, and Kayden opened the door for me with a smile. I slid into the passenger seat, feeling a little flutter in my chest as he closed the door behind me. He walked around to the driver's side and got in, the familiar scent of his cologne filling the space between us.
Kayden: "It's fun, right? Like we've known each other for a very long time."
I couldn't help but smile at his words. "Yeah, right. It's really nice to have a friend like you. I didn't expect we'd click this well."
There was a brief pause before he looked at me, his eyes softening. I felt the air shift, and before I could think, he moved closer. I quickly shut my eyes tightly, unsure of what he was doing. Click—the sound of the seatbelt fastening pulled me back to reality. I blinked, realizing I hadn't buckled up yet.
"Huh... I always forget," I muttered, embarrassed, reaching to fasten it.
Kayden laughed lightly, but there was something in his voice that made my heart skip a beat.
Kayden: "Just don't forget me, okay? I like it when I get a chance to be close to you." His words were softer, almost as if he meant more than just the physical closeness.
I looked up at him, my cheeks flushing slightly. He seemed so genuine, and the way he said it made my heart race. I couldn't help but smile, warmth spreading through me. "I won't forget you, Kayden."
For a moment, there was a comfortable silence between us as I buckled my seatbelt, both of us aware of the unspoken connection hanging in the air.
We stood outside Emma's house, the cool evening air brushing against my skin. Kayden scratched the back of his neck nervously as he glanced at the front door.
Kayden: "So... we're here." His voice was casual, but I could tell there was a hint of something deeper in his tone.
"Yeah..." I replied, my heart beating a little faster. I turned to face him. "Kayden..."
Kayden: "Yes, Y/N?"
I hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Thanks," I said softly. Then, without thinking, I pulled him into a tight hug. I felt him freeze for a second before he relaxed, wrapping his arms around me.
"You don't know... but you really helped me forget about everything I was going through today," I whispered into his chest, feeling the weight of the day lift just a little.
Kayden: "Well, I need a good price for that," he teased, a playful smirk forming on his face.
Before I could react, I was taken by surprise when he gently kissed my cheek. I froze, my eyes wide as he pulled back with a grin.
Kayden: "It's so soft," he murmured, almost to himself, before leaning in again. He kissed my cheek again, and then... peck, peck, peck, peck.
I laughed nervously, pushing him back gently, though my heart was racing. "Hey—enough! I guess," I giggled, trying to keep the mood light.
Kayden: "Okay, okay, for today, that's enough." He raised his hands in mock surrender, but I was still in shock. Without thinking, I punched his chest lightly, trying to hide the warmth creeping up my cheeks.
"Go now, mint-chocolate," I said with a playful laugh, trying to change the subject and keep things light.
Kayden: "Okay, my strawberry-pie," he teased back, giving me a little wave. As I turned to head inside, I glanced back, catching him still looking at me with his hands in his pockets. My heart skipped a beat.
"Bye!" I waved at him, feeling a little nervous but happy at the same time.
Kayden: He blew me a flying kiss before turning around and heading off. I watched him walk away for a moment before I closed the door behind me.
As I locked the door and turned around, I was greeted by none other than Emma, standing there with the biggest grin on her face. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Emma: "Strawberry-pie, huh?" she teased, her voice light with amusement.
I froze, my face turning bright red. "Hey, you heard that?" I asked, trying to play it cool, but the blush on my face betrayed me.
Emma: well I am happy to hear that...by the way I will also call you that "
"Emma you!!" She run the I run after that we get into my room and lay there
Emma: I am happy for kiddoo " she said
"Thanks..,...I am sleepy " I said yawning
Emma: me too "she yawning too we sleep together that night
Emma: "Well, I'm happy to hear that… by the way, I'm totally going to call you that now," she said with a mischievous grin.
"Emma, you!!" I laughed, feeling a little embarrassed. She took off running toward the hallway, and I immediately chased after her. We dashed through the house, laughing until we reached my room.
Once inside, we both collapsed onto the bed, out of breath but still giggling.
Emma: "I'm happy for you, kiddo," she said, her voice soft, a genuine warmth in her tone.
I smiled at her, feeling a mix of happiness and exhaustion. "Thanks... I'm just... so sleepy," I said with a big yawn, stretching out on the bed.
Emma: "Me too," she said, yawning as well. We both let out a content sigh as we got comfortable, and before long, we drifted off to sleep side by side, the events of the day fading away in peaceful slumber.
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