Elio-

The brisk air of a crisp morning greets me as I step out of the bus and onto the school grounds. My backpack feels heavier than usual, and the lingering fatigue from yesterday’s migraine makes my steps feel sluggish. I push through the doors of the school, eager to catch up on what I missed. I navigate the crowded hallways, weaving through clusters of students chatting and laughing in the middle of the hallway. 

My locker is just a few steps away from Max’s, so I head in that direction, scanning the faces passing back to me for him. When I finally spot him, he’s leaning against the row of lockers, his gaze darting around as if he’s waiting for someone. His face brightens when sees me, though there’s a tinge of worry in his eyes. He pushes off the lockers and strides over and leans against the locker beside mine. 

“Hey, Elio,” Max says, his voice laced with concern. “I didn’t see you at school yesterday or at the game. Are you alright?”

I force a smile. “Hey, Max. Yeah, I’m okay now. I was pretty out of it yesterday. I had a bad migraine. Ended up having to stay home.”

Max’s expression softens. “I’m sorry to hear that. I was worried when you weren’t at the game. I figured something must have come up.” 

“Yeah, it was rough,” I admit, leaning against my locker beside him. “I slept most of the day and felt like crap, but I'm a bit better today. Just a little tired.” 

Max nods, his brow furrowing. “That sounds awful. I hope you’re feeling a bit more like yourself now.”

“Definitely better than yesterday.” I say. “Just dealing with postdrome fatigue. It’ll probably take a little while to go away.”

Max reaches out and gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze “If you need anything, just let me know.”

“Thanks, Max.”

The school bell rings, signaling the start of classes. Max glances at the clock, then back at me. “We should get to class. I’m looking forward to catching up with you.”

“Yeah, that sounds good,” I say. “I’ll see you at lunch?”

“If you need a break between classes, just find me. I’ll be around.” Max replies with a smile.

We head toward our respective classes.

Max-

The lunchroom buzzes with the usual midday clamor: the clatter of trays, snippets of conversations blending together, and the occasional burst of laughter. I spot Elio at our usual table. Elio looks up from his lunch, a tired but genuine smile gracing his face. He’s already digging into his sandwich. I slip into the seat next to him. 

“Hey, Elio,” I say. “How’s the day going so far?” 

He nods, swallowing a bite of his sandwich. “It's going alright.”

I take a deep breath,trying to steady the nerves. I’ve been planning this for a while, and now seems like the perfect time. “So, I’ve been thinking…”

Elio looks up at me, his eyebrows raising. “What about?”

“Well,” I start, feeling a bit self-conscious. “I was wondering if you’d like to go on our first official date.”

His eyes widen. “Really? What do you have in mind?”

I can’t help but grin, relieved that he seems interested. “I’ve been planning something special. How about we go to the planetarium this weekend? I thought it might be cool to spend time together and look at the stars.”

Elio’s expression shifts to one of genuine excitement. “The planetarium? That sounds amazing! I’ve always wanted to go there.”

I’m glad he likes the idea. “Great! I thought it would be a nice change from our usual hangouts. We could check out the exhibits, and maybe catch one of the shows they do. I heard they have this new presentation.”

“That sounds perfect. I love space stuff. When were you thinking of going?”

“I was thinking Saturday afternoon,” I reply. “We could grab a bite before or after, depending on what you prefer. I just wanted to make sure it was something you’d enjoy.”

Elio’s smile broadens, and he reaches over and squeezes my hand briefly. “Saturday sounds great. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The warmth of his hand on mine makes me smile. “Awesome. I’m really looking forward to it too.”

I stand on the front steps, nervously adjusting my shirt. It’s Saturday evening, and the sky is just beginning to darken. I’ve been looking forward to this date all week, and now it’s finally here. I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves. I raise my hand and knock on the front door. After a moment, the door swings open, and Gia appears.

“Hey, Max!” she says. “Elio’s just finishing up. Come on in.”

I step inside, removing my coat and hanging it over my arm. “Thanks, Gia. I’m really looking forward to tonight.”

Gia leads to the living room, where Mr.Rizzo is sitting in his armchair, reading the newspaper. He looks up and gives me a nod of acknowledgement. “Evening, Max. Elio will be down soon.”

I smile and nod back. “Evening, Mr. Rizzo. Everything’s all set for tonight.” 

A few moments later, I hear the sound of footsteps descending the stairs. I turn and catch my breath as Elio appears at the bottom, and my heart skips a beat. He looks stunning. 

Elio’s wearing a crisp button-down shirt in a soft blue that compliments his olive skin tone and his eyes, paired with dark jeans that fit him perfectly. His curls are neatly styled, and a touch of cologne lingers in the air.

“Hey, Max,” Elio says with a smile, coming closer. “How do I look?”

“You look amazing,” I reply, unable to hide my admiration. “Seriously, you’re going to make everyone at the planetarium jealous.”

Elio chuckles, a hint of blush rising on his cheeks. “Thanks. That’s what I was going for.”

Before I can respond, Mr. Rizzo clears his throat, drawing our attention. “Elio, remember, curfew is at eleven.  Expect you to be back by then.” 

Elio nods. “Got it, Dad. We won’t be late.” 

His dad gives a final nod, then returns to his newspaper. “Have a good time. And, Max, take good care of him.” 

I offer a smile. “Of course, Mr. Rizzo. We’ll be back right on time.”

Elio and I head toward the door, and I can’t help but steal another glance at him. He looks both excited and slightly nervous, and that only makes him more endearing. As we step outside into the cool evening air., I feel a rush of anticipation for the night ahead. 

“So,” I say as we walk toward the car, “are you ready for an evening of stars and space?”

Elio grains, his eyes shining with excitement. “Definitely. I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”

We get into the car, and I glance over at Elio, feeling a thrill of excitement. 

The drive to the planetarium is filled with easy conversation and laughter. As we pull into the parking lot, the glow of the building’s exterior lights reflects off my car, creating a soft, welcoming ambiance. I park and turn to Elio, who looks out the window with a mix of anticipation and excitement. 

“This place looks amazing,” Elio says. “I’ve read about it, but I’ve never been here before.”

“I’m glad you’re excited. I thought it would be a fun place for our date.” 

We get out and make our way to the entrance. As soon as we step inside, the planetarium’s vast, open space and the soft hum of visitors create an atmosphere of curiosity. Elio’s eyes light up even more, and I can practically see the wheels in his head turning as he takes in the surroundings.

Once we’re in the main hall, we join the line for tickets. Elio is practically vibrating with excitement. “Did you know,” he begins, his voice animated. “The Milky Way galaxy is just one of the billions in the universe? And that’s about 100,000 light-years across.”

I nod. “I didn’t know that. Tell me more!”

Elio’s face brightens, and he starts rattling off facts with contagious enthusiasm. “And the stars we see at night are just a small fraction of the stars in our galaxy. Some of them are so far away that their light takes millions of years to reach us. That means when we look at them, we’re actually seeing them as they were millions of years ago!”

His excitement is infectious, and I can’t help but smile. “That’s incredible. I love how passionate you are about this. It’s like you got a whole universe of knowledge in your head.”

Elio’s cheeks flush slightly at the compliment, but his enthusiasm doesn’t wane. “Oh, and did you know that there are planets out there with totally different conditions from Earth? Like, Jupiter has a stronger magnetic field and gravitational pull than Earth, and Venus has a thick atmosphere that traps heat, making it the hottest planet in our solar system even though Mercury is the first planet from the sun.”

We make our way to the dome theater, where the show is about to start. As we settle into our seats, Elio continues to share tidbits about space. 

“The thing about black holes is that they’re regions in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that not even light can escape,” he says, leaning in closer. “And they form when massive stars collapse under their own gravity.”

“You really know your stuff. I’m impressed.”

“Thanks! I’ve always always been fascinated by space. There’s so much out there we don’t even know about yet.”

The lights dim as the show begins, and the room falls silent, the audience’s collective awe evident. Elio’s hand brushes against mine, and I feel a comforting warmth. The dome above us lights up with a breathtaking display of stars and galaxies, and I look over at Elio, who’s practically glowing with joy.

As the presentation unfolds, Elio’s commentary which is now whispered continues, but it’s now about the show we’re watching, his voice filled with awe. “Look at that! That’s the Andromeda Galaxy. It’s on a collision course with the Milky Way, but that won’t happen for another four billion years.”

I squeeze his hand. “This is amazing, Elio. Thanks for making it so special.”

Elio’s smile is radiant even in the dim light, and he leans in to whisper. “I’m having a great time too, Max. I’m glad we’re here together.”

The restaurant we’ve chosen for dinner has a cozy, intimate atmosphere, with soft lighting and a gentle hum of conversation filling the air. After our visit to the planetarium, we decided to continue our evening at a nearby Italian place. We’re seated at a small, corner table, and the aroma of garlic and herbs fill the space. 

As we settle into our seats and browse the menu, I glance over at Elio, who seems to be in high spirits, the excitement from the planetarium still evident in his eyes. I’ve been thinking about how much he shared about space earlier and decide to ask him more about it.

“So, Elio,” I start, leaning forward slightly. “How do you know so much about space? You really went into detail about stars and planets back there.”

Elio looks up from his menu. He seems taken aback by the question, as if he hadn’t really considered why he’d shared so much. “Oh, uh, I don’t know. I guess I got a bit carried away. When I get nervous or excited, I tend to start rattling off facts”

I chuckle softly. “It’s definitely charming. But seriously, how did you get so far into space?”

Elio fiddles with his menu, his gaze drifting as he thinks. “Well, when I was little, my mom worked at the library. I spent a lot of time there, and I’d always pick out books about space and astronomy. I guess I just developed a fascination with it. Plus, like most kids, I wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up. I thought it would be the coolest job ever.”

“That’s really cool. It makes sense now. The planetarium must have been a dream come true for you.”

“Yeah, it really was. I loved every moment of it. It’s amazing how much there is to learn about space. Even now, I still find it fascinating.”

The waiter arrives with our drinks, and I take a sip of mine. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. It was a great hearing you talk about something you’re so passionate about. I learned a lot, too.”

Elio smiles. “Thanks, Max.”

As we place our orders and continue our conversation. Elio’s earlier nervousness seems to have faded, replaced by a relaxed confidence. 

The evening air is cool and crisp as we walk back to Elio’s house. The streetlights cast a gentle orange glow on the sidewalk. We stroll slowly, savoring the last moments of our date. As we approach Elio’s front door. The night has been perfect, and I want to end it on the right note. We stand on the stoop, the soft light from the foyer spilling out onto us, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. 

Elio turns to face me, his eyes reflecting the light of the streetlight. “I had a really great time tonight, Max.” he says, his voice gentle. 

“I did too,” I reply, smiling back at him. “It’s been a fantastic evening, and I’m really glad we did this.”

There’s a moment of stillness, where the world seems to fade away, leaving just the two of us standing there, inches apart. I lean down slightly, and Elio tilts his head up, closing the small distance between us. Our lips meet in a gentle, tentative kiss- soft and sweet, but filled with emotion. Elio’s hand rests lightly on my chest, and I feel the warmth of his touch through my shirt. The kiss is brief, but it feels like everything in that moment is right. When we pull back, there’s a softness in Elio’s gaze that takes my breath away. 

“Elio…” I start, unsure of what to say, but before I can find the right words, he smiles up at me, a small, affectionate smile that makes my heart swell.

“Amore mio,” he whispers, his voice tender and full of emotion. I may not know Italian fluently, but I understand those words perfectly. My love. 

The phase hangs in the air between us, and I can’t help but smile, feeling a rush of warmth and happiness that I’ve never quite felt before. “You’re amazing, Elio.”

He blushes fully, the color spreading across his cheeks, and he looks down for a moment before meeting my eyes again. “You make me feel amazing, Max.” 

We stand there for a moment longer, just basking in the connection between us. Then, with one last smile, Elio steps back towards the door. “I should go inside,” he says softly, though there’s a hint of reluctance in his voice.

“Yeah, of course,” I reply, not wanting the night to end but knowing it has to. “I'll see you tomorrow?”

Elio nods. “Definitely.” 

With that, he opens the door and steps inside, pausing to give me one last look before closing it behind him. I stand there for a few moments, the warmth of our kiss still lingering, before turning to head back to my car, a grin plastered on my face.