It was a lazy afternoon. Lemon lay sprawled on her bed, her phone resting on her chest, the soft whirr of the ceiling fan above swirling the silence in the room. She was texting in the group chat with the girls—Riley, Autumn, Hazel, Scarlett, and Evelyn.
Lemon: Guys, I just talked to Mom… she said she recognizes Ellara.
Riley: WAIT WHATTTT?? How?
Autumn: GIRL YOU BETTER NOT BE MESSING WITH US RIGHT NOW.
Evelyn: Lemon, seriously? That's huge!
Hazel: Whoa whoa whoa. What did she say?
Scarlett: Omg waitttt, what does she remember???
Lemon: That's the thing. She doesn't fully remember. But she says she's sure she's seen her somewhere. Like she knows that face.
Riley: THIS IS GETTING CREEPY.
Lemon: Right??? I was like, what if Ellara was around us even before all this?
Hazel: What if she crossed paths with your family before? Maybe you met her before uni and forgot??
Evelyn: WAIT! Could she have been near your house or neighborhood once?
Scarlett: Maybe she was a neighbor… or visited your area or something.
Lemon: Yeah maybe… ugh. I'm getting chills.
Autumn: Lemon, seriously, try getting more out of your mom. Maybe something will click.
Lemon: I will… I told her to try remembering anything, even small stuff.
Hazel: Good… this might be a lead. Ugh I've got goosebumps.
Before Lemon could type another message, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the house.
Ding dong
"I'll get it!" her mother called out from the living room.
Lemon rolled off her bed, curiosity peeking. She heard the front door creak open, followed by her mother's surprised voice. "Do I know you?"
"You don't," a calm male voice replied, "but your daughter does."
Lemon froze.
"Lemon!" her mother called, her voice holding an odd blend of confusion and curiosity.
"I'm coming, Mom!" Lemon called back, quickly pushing her phone into her hoodie pocket and stepping out of her room.
As she turned the corner, she stopped in her tracks.
There, at the doorstep, stood Mr. Leon Hawthorne—in a Black shirt, handsomely disheveled, and holding a bouquet of white and red roses.
Lemon blinked. "Yo-u-u, Leon, w-what are you doing here?"
Leon smiled softly, his tone casual but warm. "I thought that I should meet you and your mom."
Lemon's cheeks flushed instantly, and she tried to form words but failed.
Her mother, meanwhile, smirked from the side, her eyes twinkling. "Oh, so you are her boyfriend."
"Mom! No, he's not! He's just my friend!" Lemon stammered, shooting her mother a glare.
Leon raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Friends?" he repeated, then turned toward Lemon's mother. "By the way, auntie, this is for you." He extended the bouquet toward her. "You're really pretty."
Lemon's mother's cheeks pinkened. "Oh, my child... thank you. You are also... so handsome."
Leon casually touched his hair and chuckled. "I know."
Lemon stared at both of them, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Her mother coughed softly, still blushing. "I'm going to the market. You guys enjoy yourselves."
"MOM!" Lemon exclaimed, but her mother was already halfway out the door.
Leon chuckled as he stepped in. "She's cool."
Lemon sighed, dragging him inside. "She's embarrassing. That's what she is."
Back in Lemon's room, she pointed at the bed. "Sit here."
Leon followed her gesture and sat down, looking around her room—light purple walls, a few books scattered on the table, a bulletin board with memories and doodles.
"So," he started, folding his hands behind him. "What were you saying about your mom recognizing Ellara?"
Lemon plopped beside him, her legs folded. "She said she's seen her somewhere. But she can't remember where."
Leon's eyes widened. "WHAT?!"
Lemon hissed, "Don't shout!"
He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "Oh... hehe, sorry. But seriously, where?"
"She doesn't know. Maybe she just saw her walking somewhere or at some event. She's been trying to figure it out."
Leon leaned back, thoughts racing. "That's... weird. It can't be a coincidence."
Lemon nodded. "I feel the same."
Silence followed. The fan kept spinning slowly. Lemon stared at her hands, Leon stared at the floor.
Then softly...
"I love you," Leon said.
Lemon hummed, lost in thought. "Hmm?"
"I said..." Leon repeated, a bit louder now, "I love you."
Lemon turned abruptly. "WHAT?!" She stood up, startled, nearly knocking over the water bottle on her desk.
Leon stood too, his eyes serious. "I love you, Lemon. I've been wanting to say this for a long time. I was scared. But now, I'm not."
Lemon stood frozen, her lips parting slightly, her heart racing. Before she could react, Leon stepped closer.
He cupped her face gently and leaned in. Their lips met—soft, unsure, but full of emotion. Lemon's fingers trembled before she clutched his shirt. He pulled her in, deepening the kiss.
Then, breaking away, Leon whispered, "Sorry... I just... couldn't hold it back."
Lemon's eyes met his. "I love you too."
Leon's jaw dropped. "Oh my God!" he blurted and literally started jumping in excitement. "She loves me back! Oh my God!"
Lemon laughed, covering her mouth.
Leon pulled her into a tight hug. "You're my first love and you'll be my last."
She smiled against his chest. "If you wouldn't have said it, I'd never have had the courage to."
"Well now you're stuck with me forever."
She chuckled. "Guess I don't mind."