The next day, when I woke up, I checked my phone. I had a message from Nacina saying she was coming over. I didn't bother replying—she knew I didn't mind, and she'd come over no matter what I said. So I took a shower, then headed downstairs for breakfast.
As I enjoyed my delicious oat cereal, I checked my phone again and nearly choked. Serco had sent me a message too:
"Are you busy? Can I come see you?"
I felt a wave of relief—at least I hadn't offended him.
Wait. Nacina's already visiting… well, I guess it's fine if that doesn't bother him.
"Nacina will be here... but if you don't care about that, you can come by," I replied.I'm going to see him two days in a row!
I couldn't contain myself—I stood up and danced around the kitchen. I immediately regretted it when I noticed Mom watching, visibly cringing.
I rushed to change out of my pajamas just in case Serco did decide to visit. When I checked my phone again, he'd replied:
"I'll see you soon."
So I messaged Nacina:
"Shion is coming over too."
She responded terrifyingly fast:
"Then I'll ask Cam to come."
Wait, is everyone coming to my house now? What are we gonna do—play cards? Watch videos? Play Twister?! What do people even do at get-togethers?!
The doorbell rang, and I rushed to open it before Mom could.
"What's going on, sweetie?" she asked, amused.
Serco stood at the door, wearing a red fitted cap, his wavy black hair brushed back beneath it. He wore a red long-sleeve shirt under that same maroon leather jacket from yesterday, with blue jeans.
"Oh! Why didn't you tell me you were having company?" Mom asked in a teasing voice.
Serco stepped in and gave her a friendly hug.
...What about me?
"Sorry, Mom," I said. "I'm just used to you letting Nacina show up unannounced. I forgot to mention it. Nacina and Cameron are coming too."
Mom sighed, gave Serco a good squeeze then headed to the kitchen and muttered"I'll make you guys some snacks," though not unkindly.
She's such a wonderful person.
"Do you need any help?" Serco offered.
Mom scoffed and shook her head, leaving us alone.
I cleared my throat. Serco looked at me as I said,"Hi."
With all the willpower I had, I opened my arms for a hug, hoping he'd take the hint.
Serco smirked... and walked right past me to sit on the couch.
Unfair. Mom gets a hug but not me?...Does Serco have a crush on my mom?! She is closer to his age... but no! I'm not okay with that!
I sat beside him. "So... how are you?" I asked, with a hint of attitude.
He picked up a book from the coffee table, skimmed it, then replied quietly,"Honestly?... I'm a little bothered."
"What's wrong?" I asked.
He looked me dead in the eyes."I don't want to talk about it."
I frowned, but that only made him grin. Then—without warning—he slid closer and pulled me into a hug.
I hugged him back instinctively, but my mind went completely blank. My fingertips tingled where they touched him. The hug only lasted a second, but it felt longer... and I still wished it hadn't ended.
That's when Nacina burst into the house with Cam.
"Hey, Ms. Lofton!" Cam yelled, waving to my mom.
"Hi, Auntie!" Nacina chimed. Then she spotted me and dragged Cam into the living room.
Serco casually pulled a lollipop from his jacket and moved slightly away from me.
"Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Cam," he said, holding a hand out to Serco.
Serco stared at it blankly.
"This is our friend from school," I added, helping the introduction along.
Serco finally pasted on a polite smile and shook his hand."Nice to meet you. You can call me Shion."
For a second, I worried he'd be cold, but it looked like they'd get along fine.
We ended up playing cards at the dinner table with a comedy movie on in the background. Mom made us tacos, and overall, everyone seemed to have a good time.
As we played, Cam asked,"So how old are you?" to Serco.
"Seventeen," Serco replied without missing a beat—completely leaving out the two-hundred extra years.
"Do you go to school around here?"
"No. I graduated early. I'm in college."
He said it so smoothly, it was almost suspicious how good at improvising he was.
"Wow," Nacina and Cam said in unison.
Then Cam leaned toward Serco and whispered,"Can I ask you something… away from the girls?"
As if we couldn't hear him. Still, Serco nodded. They both left the room.
Nacina scooted closer to me. "So... how are you feeling today?" she whispered.
"I'm actually really good. I ran into Shion yesterday... he cheered me up a lot."
My face heated up. Hopefully my blushing wasn't obvious.
"You're not sad or anything?"
I shook my head.
She smiled in relief. "So what exactly happened?"
"I... told him I didn't like him that way. And he left me at the restaurant."
I said it barely above a whisper. Nacina scowled, fist clenching.
"He ditched you? Wait—did you walk home?!"
"Yes, but it's okay," I said, motioning for her to lower her voice.
"No, it is not! I'm going to kick his ass."
I gasped."Don't get in a fight over me!"
But she ignored me, already calling someone.
"Hello? Yeah, I need to see you ASAP." She walked out the front door, slamming it shut.
About ten seconds later, Serco and Cam returned.
"Where's Nacina?" Cam asked.
I pointed toward the door, and he immediately rushed out after her.
Serco sat beside me again.
"What did you guys talk about?" I asked, curious.
He looked at me and smirked."That's confidential."
"Fine!" I pouted, turning away.
We sat in silence for a while. I snuck a peek at him. He was leaning against the arm of the couch with his fist pressed to his chin, deep in thought. I wonder what's on his mind...
I opened my mouth to say something, but he spoke first.
"Is it okay if I hold your hand?"
My heart raced. Words got stuck in my throat—I didn't want to say no, but I was too nervous to say yes. My silence stretched out awkwardly, but Serco just kept watching me, his eyes warm, patient… amused
I couldn't take that look, so I turned away. But I slowly extended my hand toward him, hoping he'd understand.
He did. He gently intertwined our fingers and clasped my hand in his. His warmth seeped into me, steadying my nerves. We sat like that in silence. And even though we didn't say a word, I didn't feel bored—not even a little. Just being near him was enough.
About two minutes later, Nacina burst back into the house.
"I got his address. I asked Kriss to make sure he stays home. Now we're going to make him pay."
"There's no need to do anything!" I protested, voice rising in panic.
"What's going on?" Serco asked.
"Nacina's just being a mama bear," I said quickly, trying to defuse things.
"Yesterday a guy let her walk home alone in the middle of the night just because she turned him down," Nacina explained.
Serco's expression darkened.
"I'm really okay now... I'm over it," I added, hoping to calm him.
"I'm not," Serco said, cracking his knuckles. "Where is this f**ker at?"
His voice was approaching the same level of rage I'd heard from him yesterday.
I begged them to stop—my voice thin, desperate—but even Cam was on board now, eyes gleaming like this was some kind of team mission. My stomach twisted. Why was this spiraling? Why were they all ready to throw hands over me?
What do I do?