I stood outside, staring at Jeremy's car until it disappeared down the street. My chest felt heavy — a storm of emotions I couldn't name. Anger and happiness tangled inside me, leaving me breathless.
When I finally walked back into the house, I ran straight to my bedroom and let out a scream — half frustration, half joy. What had just happened between Jeremy and me? It felt like everything and nothing all at once.
After a quick shower, I slipped into a soft top and jeans, trying to calm my racing thoughts. That's when I heard a knock at the door. My heart lifted — probably Mom and Dad back from work.
But when I opened the door, my world stopped.
There he was — Louis Cunningham.
Tall, broad-shouldered, his hair falling perfectly over one eye. His diamond-blue eyes locked on me, his sharp nose and soft pink lips forming the kind of face that belonged in a dream.
What the heck?
What was Louis doing on my doorstep?
"Hi, Laranie," he said softly.
"H…hey, Louis. What in the world are you doing here?"
He gave a half-smile. "Well, I came to see you — my friend."
Friend. That word hit differently now. Especially after what happened last week.
"What's going on? What do you need from me?" I asked, trying to sound calm.
He ran a hand through his hair. "I need your help. I just… need someone to comfort me tonight."
My stomach tightened. "Okay… what happened?"
He sighed. "Something bad. Between me and Emily."
"Oh no, what did you do this time?"
He looked up, his voice breaking. "It's not what I did. It's what I found. Emily — she was with another guy. In my house."
I froze. "Louis… I told you she wasn't right for you. But you didn't listen."
"I know." His eyes were glassy. "And I wish I had."
"I warned you this day would come."
He gave a bitter laugh. "Yeah, I guess this is your 'I told you so' moment."
I tried to smile. "Apology accepted, Louis."
He looked at me for a long moment, eyes tracing my face until I grew nervous.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing," he said quietly. "Just realizing how beautiful you are."
My heart stuttered. "Louis, are you okay up there?"
"Perfectly fine," he said with a small grin. "I mean it. I never really saw it before, but you're beautiful, Laranie."
"Please don't joke about that."
"I'm not joking. I was so blinded by Emily's games that I didn't see what was right in front of me."
"Louis, I—"
He stepped closer, gently placing a finger against my lips. "Shh. I know you love me, Laranie. Just let me in."
"Louis… I don't know…"
"Please," he said softly, his voice trembling. "I love you. And I know you can't say no to me."
I stared up at him — those blue eyes I'd dreamed about since high school. Every wall I had built slowly crumbled.
"Okay," I whispered. "I love you too."
His face broke into a relieved smile. "Then… could you be my girlfriend, Laranie Reeves?"
"Yes," I said, feeling my heart leap. "I'd love to."
He pulled me into his arms and kissed me — tenderly at first, then deeper, as though every unspoken word between us had waited for this moment. For a second, it felt like the world had finally stopped spinning.
But then — a sharp knock at the door.
My heart dropped. "Oh no — my parents!"
He stepped back, panicked.
"Louis, go! Out through the back door," I whispered urgently.
"I don't want to leave you."
"They'll kill us both if they see you here!"
He sighed. "Okay… I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yes. I promise. Now go."
He kissed me once more and slipped out the back as my parents and brothers came in through the front. I caught his silhouette in the dark, waving goodbye before disappearing into the night.
"Welcome back, Mom and Dad!" I said, forcing a smile.
"Thank you, sweetheart," Mom replied.
Dad asked, "How was your day?"
"It was good. I went out with Jeremy and his friend for a bit."
Mom narrowed her eyes. "You took a while to open the door. You weren't with another boy, were you?"
"Mom!" I laughed nervously. "I was in my room listening to music."
She sighed. "You know how I worry. You're still my little girl."
After dinner, I curled up on my bed, headphones in, my mind replaying every second of what had just happened.
I couldn't believe it — after all the waiting, the heartbreak, the wishing… Louis was finally mine.