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The next few hours disappear in a blur, in what some might call not-so-comfortable silence. I know I’m still trying to process everything that has happened between us, but I can’t get a read on Oliver. He stays focused on the road as I inspect his side profile. A piece of hair has just begun to curl under his ear and I have to fight the urge to twist it around my fingers.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Hmm?”
His eyes briefly leave the road as they meet mine. “You’re staring.”
Heat creeps up my neck. “I am not. I just zoned out.”
“You are so. Is it about uni?”
“The presentation’s at the end of next week.” I drum my fingers on the windowsill. “I’ve started planning but that’s about it.”
“You’ll be fine. After your scores on the reflections this will be a piece of cake.”
I snort. “Yeah, no thanks to you. Not like I can have you there when I do the presentation.”
He laughs as we turn a corner. “You’d be surprised with what strings I can pull, Eden. Tutors always seem to love me. And parents.”
The mood shifts, ever so slightly. I don’t know why this keeps happening to us. We find a good groove and then something happens that makes us so awkward. I clear my throat.
“Have you heard anything from your dad or brother?”
He shrugs nonchalantly, but I can see his jaw tense. “I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
“I turned my phone off.”
“Oliver!” My mouth drops open. “You had your phone off this whole time? They’re probably worried sick!”
“In my defence, it was only in airplane mode. And they’ll be fine. I left them a note explaining where I was. I bet you they didn’t even notice I was gone.”
He turns the maps off and starts driving with more confidence. We must be getting closer to his house. One more turn and we pull up outside. He turns the car off. “Thank you for this, Eden.” Something glimmers in his eyes. “It has been so great to spend all time with you and I— “
“I’m coming in!”
“I—what?”
I don’t know why I said that, but now I know there’s no backing out. “I’m coming in. With you.”
“In, like my house?”
“Yes. I mean…no, unless you don’t want me to?”
Staring in disbelief, a scoff escapes his lips. “You want to come, with me, into my house, and meet my family?”
“Yes.”
“You’re crazier than I thought.”
“Are you going to let me in or what?”
The corner of his lips tugs up as he shakes his head. “Alright.”
That settles it. I slide out of his car and suddenly feel self-conscious. Which I definitely shouldn’t, considering Oliver has spent the last few days with my family. I deserve to meet his, right?
Oliver swings his bag over his shoulder and we make our way towards the front door. His house is nestled between some trees I recognise as oak, and the dappled sunlight dances over the covered porch. Pulling out a key, he unlocks the blue door, faded from years of use. It swings open and we walk into a cozy kitchen, memories of Oliver making me pancakes coming back to me.
