Max-

The clinking of silverware against plates is only the sound in the dining room as I push my pasta around, lost in thought. My parents, seated across the table, glance at each other before turning their attention to me. It’s a familiar scene- a quiet dinner, the smell of roasted vegetables filling the room, but tonight the atmosphere feels heavier than usual. 

Mom’s voice breaks the silence. “Max, you’ve been awfully quiet tonight. Are you feeling alright?”

I look up, startled out of my reverie. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I say, trying to sound casual as I fork a piece of chicken into my mouth. “Just a lot of my mind, I guess.”

Dad raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “You sure? You usually have more to say, especially after hanging out with Elio.”

“Yeah, usually you’re full of stories,” Mom adds with a concerned look. “Is something bothering you?”

I hesitate, pushing my food around my plate. It’s not that I want to keep secrets, but this is different. This is something I’m not sure how to articulate. Finally, I take a deep breath and look up at them.

“Well,there’s something I’ve been thinking about,” I admit, my voice a bit shaky. “I think I really like someone, but I don’t know if they feel the same way about me.”

Mom’s eyes widen, and she immediately smiles. “Oh, honey, is it a girl? You’ve been so quiet lately. We were wondering if something was up.”

I feel a lump in my throat. “Uh, actually, no. It’s not a girl.

Dad’s eyebrows furrow in confusion. “Oh? Then who is it?”

I take a sip of water. “It’s…well, it’s Elio.”

Mom looks puzzled, and Dad’s expression mirrors her. “Elio? But he’s your friend. I didn’t realize you felt that way about him.”

I shrug, trying to keep my voice steady. “Yeah, I didn’t really know how to talk about it. I mean,we’ve been friends forever, and I just started realizing that I might like him more than just as a friend.”

Mom’s expression softens, and she reaches across the table to pat my hand. “Max, it’s okay to have these feelings. It’s important to be honest with yourself and with the people you care about.”

Dad nods in agreement. “Yeah, and it’s okay if you’re not sure what to do about it yet. Sometimes feelings can be complicated.”

I manage a small smile, feeling a bit relieved. “Thanks. I guess I’m just trying to figure out how to deal with it. I don’t want things to be awkward between us.”

Mom gives me a reassuring look. “Take your time. And remember, it’s always good to talk things through with Elio, too. You never know how he might feel.

Dad adds, “Just be yourself and don’t rush anything. Sometimes the best relationships start with a strong foundation of friendship.” 

I nod. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for understanding.”

As we continue with dinner, the conversation shifts to lighter topics like how Dad’s lectures went today. But the earlier discussion lingers in my mind. 

I stand nervously outside his front door, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. I’ve spent days building up the courage to talk to Elio about my feelings, and now I’m finally here, I’m struggling to find the right words. The sounds of Elio’s voice drifting through the door, punctuated by the occasional thud of a soccer ball, does little to calm my nerves.

I take a deep breath and knock gently on the door. A few moments later, Elio’s figure appears in the doorway, his soccer gear already on. 

“Hey, Max,” Elio greets, his face lighting up with a smile. “What’s up? You need something.”

I shift awkwardly on my feet. “Hey, Elio. I, uh, just wanted to talk to you for a minute. Is now a good time?”

Elio’s expression turns curious, but he steps aside to let me in. “Sure, come on. I’ve got a few minutes before practice. What’s on your mind?”

I walk into the living room, taking a seat on the edge of the couch. Elio follows and sits down across from me.

“Okay, so,” I begin, feeling my palms grow steady. “This might be a little awkward, but I’ve been meaning to tell you something.”

Elio raises an eyebrow, looking both intrigued and concerned. “Alright, I’m listening.”

I clear my throat, gathering my thoughts. “I’ve been feeling something for a while now, and it’s been hard for me to figure out how to say this. But I think I really like you, Elio. More than a friend.

Elio’s eyes widen slightly, and he blinks as if processing my words. A moment of silence stretches between us, and I feel my heart sink, wondering if I made a mistake. Then, Elio’s face softens, and he leans forward.

“You know,” he starts, his voice gentle. “I’ve been feeling the same way.”

“You-you have.”

Elio nods. “Yeah. I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you, too. I just didn’t know how or when was the right time.”

A wave of relief washes over me, and I let out a shaky laugh. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting that. I mean, I hoped, but…”

Elio chuckles softly, a smile spreading across his face. “I guess we were both a bit nervous about this. But I’m glad you told me how you feel. It’s a relief to know we’re on the same page.”

I smile. “Yeah, me too. I was really worried about making things awkward between us.”

Elio shakes his head. “Nah, you didn’t do that. If anything, I’m just happy to know we’re both feeling the same way. It makes me look forward to what’s next.”

“I’m glad you feel that way,” I say. “So, what now? Do you want to talk about it more or…”

Elio grins and stands up, grabbing his soccer bag. “How about we save the deep conversations for later? I’ve got practice soon, but let’s talk more after. Maybe we can grab some ice cream or just hang out.”

“That sounds perfect.” I say.

As Elio heads for the door, he looks back at me with a playful glint in his eye. “Don’t go getting all mushy on me while I’m gone.”

I laugh, standing up and following him to the door. “I promise. I’ll just be eagerly waiting for our ice cream date.”

Elio chuckles, giving me a quick, friendly hug before stepping outside. “See you later, Max.” 

Elio-

The cool air of the evening feels refreshing against my skin as I walk back home from soccer practice. My muscles are pleasantly sore and my thoughts keep drifting back to the conversation Max and I had earlier. It’s a strange, exhilarating feeling, knowing we’re both on the same page now.

As I enter the house, I head straight for the shower, peeling off my sweat-soaked practice gear and letting the warm water wash away the sweat and dirt. Afterwards, I pull on a clean pair of jeans and a simple T-shirt. I make my way downstairs, where I find Max waiting in the living room. 

“Hey, Max,” I say as I reach the bottom of the stairs. “Ready for some ice cream?”

Max looks up and stands, giving me a nod. “Definitely.” 

I grab my keys and we head out together. The city streets are bustling with evening activity-people heading to dinner, kids playing hopscotch on the sidewalk or jumping rope, and the occasional street performer. The walk to the ice cream parlor is only a few blocks away, and we chat about our day.

“So,how was practice?” Max asks.

“It was good,” I reply. “We had a pretty intense session, but it felt great to get out there and run around. It’s nice to have a break from school and stuff.”

Max nods. “Yeah, I know what you mean. Sometimes it feels like everything is go-go-go.”

We reach the ice cream parlor, a cozy spot with retro touches and a display case filled with colorful, tempting flavors. The bell above the door jingles, and the sweet,creamy smell makes my mouth water.

“So, what’s your flavor tonight?” I ask, scanning the options.

Max grins, looking excited. “I’m thinking of going with chocolate chip cookie dough. You can’t go wrong with that.”

I laugh. “Good choice. I’m leaning towards mint chocolate chip.”

We approach the counter, and the clerk greets us. “Evening! What can I get you guys?”

I order our ice cream, and we both pay, and wait for our cones. 

“Got any plans for the weekend?” I ask.

Max shrugs, his eyes fixed on the counter. “Not much, really. Just planning to catch up on some studying and hang out. What about you?”

I think for a moment. “I was thinking of doing the same. Maybe we could hang out and do something fun.”

Max’s face lights up. “That sounds great. I’m looking forward to it.”

Our ice cream arrives, and we both grab out cones with a mix of eagerness and relief. We both take bites of our ice creams.

“This is exactly what I needed.” Max says.

I nod in agreement. “Totally. It’s the perfect end to a weirdly amazing day.”

We sit down at one of the small tables by the window, watching people as they walk by. The conversation drifts back to our favorite games, movies, and everything in between. It’s nice to be present, enjoying the moment and the company.