On Saturday, I made sure to get Lena up bright and early—which she wasn't too thrilled about—to get ready for The Arcade. Malcom and I decided the three of us would spend the whole day together, and we wanted to start the day at 9:00 AM. 

I wasn't able to confess to Malcom for obvious reasons on Thursday, and Friday just didn't feel quite right. So, today is the day I confess to my best friend. For real this time. 

Running down the stairs, I was happy to see my mom setting the table. After she and Dad told me about them starting marriage counseling, she had been sure to make breakfast for Lena and I every morning. A part of me thought she was doing it because she felt bad for the worry her and Dad's fights put us through, but when I brought it up to her, she was quick to reassure me. She said she just enjoyed cooking for her family and that was it. 

"Hey, Mom. I'm taking Lena out today with Malcom. Is that okay?" I asked after kissing her cheek and began helping her set up the table. 

"Of course, do you need any money? Our counselor has given us a plan to keep our finances in check and its working wonders! I have some extra money here if you need, Hun." Ever since she told me about their counseling, she couldn't hold back her happiness. I hadn't seen my mom this happy in so long, it was nice to finally see both of my parents trying.

"No, no. I got payed yesterday. We'll be fine." I replied, filling my plate with the sausage and an omelet Mom cooked. 

"Alrighty, well if that changes just let me know." I hummed in response and smiled as Lena raced down the stairs. 

"Lena, Sweetie, don't run down the stairs like that. You might get hurt." It was something so small to everyone in the room, but to me hearing my mom lecture Lena like that meant the world. It was finally starting to feel like I was their child instead of their babysitter. 

I smiled so big it hurt. 

"Here, Lena. I made your favorite! You two have a good day today, okay?"

"Okay! Thanks, Mommy!" Lena's blonde hair swayed with her movements as she took a seat at the table, digging into her omelet.

I watched as Mom called Dad down for breakfast and I almost wanted to pinch myself when he came down with a smile and pecked Mom's cheek before taking a seat across from at the table. This feels like a dream. 

It wasn't long after that Lena and I were entering The Arcade. I spotted Malcom's car as soon as I pulled into the parking lot and when we went inside, Malcom was already sitting at a table with drinks already ordered.

"Hey, Mal! What did you get me to drink?" Lena jumped into Malcom's arms—who luckily stood up just in time to catch her—and Malcom spun her around. 

"I got you lemonade. That's your favorite, right?"

"Yes! How'd you know?" Malcom sat her down and watched as she took a big drink from her cup, her face lighting up immediately after. 

"I have my ways." I laughed at that. Malcom asked me our favorite drinks yesterday, not so magical when you know said 'ways'.

Mal looked at me and winked, and my face heated up so quick my head was spinning. 

"Hey." I suddenly became nervous, but tried to shake it off. This is Mal, he's not like Dominic or like Natalie. He would never try to hurt me on purpose. 

"Hey, Lu! Sit down." I took a seat across from and looked toward Lena. 

"Here, Little Monster. Go exchange this for tokens and play some games, okay?" I instructed, handing her a $20. She'll come back for more, I just know it. 

"Okay! Thanks, Lu!" She smiled her crooked smile and ran off into the arcade. 

"Something on your mind?" I jumped, forgetting where I was until Malcom broke me out of my daze. 

"Yeah, actually. Can I. . .talk to you about something?" I can't believe I'm doing this. 

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something, too." I looked up from my fidgeting hands into Malcom's hazel eyes, my own grey ones widening at his statement. 

"You did? Is everything okay?"

"More than. You go first though." I shook my head.

"No, you can go first. Mine isn't urgent or anything."

"Neither is mine." Malcom laughed and I'm sure it's because he's never seen me act so nervous around him. Maybe that's why he wanted me to talk first, because my nerves were creating nerves of his own. 

"How about, we say what we need to say at the same time?" I knew it was stupid, but it felt right. 

"On the count of three?" Malcom chuckled at our childish behavior, but I nodded my head. 

"3." He started the count down. 

"2." I took in a deep breath.

"1." Malcom looked me in my eyes. 

"I like you. . ."

We both stared at each other with wide eyes, but then I couldn't hold it in anymore and began to laugh, laughing harder than I had in a while. Malcom joined me and took my hand into his own. 

"I've liked you since middle school, Luca Brooks. I know that's cheesy, but its the truth. I wasn't going to tell you because I wasn't sure if you liked boys at the time, and then I had my suspicions but when you finally came out to me, you said you liked Dominic. I wasn't sure what to do, but I knew I needed to tell you eventually." I'm sure my face was beet red and I didn't even know what to say. But, somehow, I found the words. 

"I think. . .I think I've liked you for a long time. It just. . .took awhile for me to realize. Thank you, you know, for waiting." Malcom's smile was so big it was contagious and I couldn't help but run my hands through his ginger hair, counting the freckles scattered over his face. 

"Can I kiss you?" My words failed me, so I simply nodded my head in confirmation, instead. 

My first kiss was with my best friend, Malcom Shoney, and it was the best kiss I'll ever have, except for all of the other kisses I receive from him, of course. 

I knew we were still young and we had a lot to work through, we both needed to come out to our families and figure out life after graduation, but for now, we just enjoyed the feelings of our lips together as the loud pop music played in the background. 

"I knew it!" The sound of Lena's voice was what broke up apart, and I looked at her in question.

"I knew you guys were together! I just knew it!"

At that, the three of us laughed until our breathing became harder and our stomachs hurt. Yeah, I'm sure she did. 

~FIN~