Imperfectly perfect

[Music recommendation: Electric by Alina Baraz ft Khalid]

Kamsi leaned casually against the doorway, her silhouette framed by the dim glow of the living room light. Her lips curled into a sly smile as her eyes met Xavier's. "Why don't you come in? I'll make us some hot cocoa," she said, her tone playful yet warm, like an invitation to something deeper.

Xavier hesitated, his hand gripping the edge of the doorframe. Rain dripped from his hoodie, soaking his shoulders and darkening his jeans. He felt the chill seep into his skin, but her presence was enough to make him forget it. "Are you sure? What if your mom comes home and finds me here?"

Kamsi's eyebrow arched as she pushed off the doorway, closing the small distance between them. Her voice dropped, teasing. "She's not home. Just us. Unless…" Her smile turned mischievous. "You're scared?"

A low chuckle escaped Xavier, shaking off his hesitation. "Scared? Of you? Never." Still, as he stepped inside, he couldn't shake the nervous flutter in his chest. The warmth of the house wrapped around him, carrying the faint, spicy aroma of home cooking and something floral—her perfume, maybe.

"You're dripping everywhere," Kamsi said, her eyes darting to the puddle forming beneath his feet. She grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the hallway. Her fingers were soft and warm, and he felt a jolt of electricity at the contact. "C'mon, let me grab you a towel."

Xavier let her lead him, his gaze drifting over the vibrant African patterns on the cushions and the bold, colorful art on the walls. Everything about the space felt alive, full of stories. "Your place is beautiful," he said, his voice quieter now.

Kamsi turned back, pride flickering in her eyes. "Thanks. I like keeping a little bit of home around me. It reminds me of who I am."

Xavier nodded, his lips curving into a soft smile. "It suits you."

In the kitchen, Kamsi moved with a quiet confidence, gathering the ingredients for cocoa. The faint clatter of spoons and cups filled the silence as Xavier leaned against the counter, watching her. His eyes followed her every movement—the way she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, the way her lips pursed as she measured out cocoa powder.

"You're staring," she said without looking up, though her cheeks betrayed her with a faint blush.

"Can you blame me?" His voice was low, teasing, but there was an edge of seriousness that made her pause.

Her hands stilled for a moment, and she glanced at him. "What are you thinking?" she asked softly, almost afraid of the answer.

Xavier straightened, his gaze unwavering. "I was just imagining us like this… years from now."

The words hung between them, and Kamsi felt her chest tighten. She set the spoon down, her heart beating faster. "Years from now?" she repeated, her voice barely audible.

"Yeah," he said, stepping closer, the wet fabric of his hoodie brushing her arm. "In that future, we're happy. Together. Maybe even married."

Her breath caught. The raw honesty in his words sent warmth flooding through her, but it also scared her. She glanced away, pretending to focus on the cocoa. "Xavier, you can't just say things like that so casually," she murmured.

"Why not?" His brow furrowed as he closed the gap between them. "Don't you want to be with me?"

Kamsi swallowed hard, the spoon trembling slightly in her hand. She met his gaze, her voice trembling. "I do. But—"

"But what?" he pressed gently, his voice steady.

"It's just… everything feels so uncertain," she admitted, turning back to the stove. "You're a senior. You'll graduate soon, and then what? What happens to us?"

Xavier exhaled slowly, stepping even closer until he was right beside her. His hand brushed hers, stilling its nervous fidgeting. "I think about that too," he said quietly. "But you know what I'm sure of?"

She tilted her head toward him, her eyes searching his. "What?"

"My feelings for you," he said, his voice firm, like a vow.

The intensity of his words sent a wave of warmth through her, stronger than any uncertainty she felt. For a moment, she was lost in his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. Slowly, he leaned in, his hand rising to brush a strand of hair from her face.

Kamsi felt her breath hitch, her lips parting slightly as his face drew closer. The room seemed to shrink around them, the scent of cocoa mingling with the rain still clinging to him. His eyes flicked to her lips, and her heart skipped.

And then—

A sharp hiss and a piercing whistle broke the moment. The cocoa boiled over, steam rising as the gas cooker screamed for attention.

"Ah!" Kamsi yelped, whipping around to grab the pot. Her hands fumbled in her haste, nearly knocking it over.

Xavier burst into laughter, his deep chuckles filling the kitchen like music. "Perfect timing," he teased, leaning against the counter with a grin.

Kamsi groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead. "I can't believe this," she muttered, her voice a mix of embarrassment and amusement.

Still laughing, Xavier reached over, his hand gently tugging hers away from her face. "Hey," he said softly, his eyes crinkling with warmth. "This is us, right? Messy, unpredictable… and perfect."

Her lips twitched despite herself, and she let out a reluctant laugh. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," he quipped, his grin widening.

Kamsi shook her head, but the warmth in her eyes betrayed her. "Yeah," she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I do."

As the cocoa steamed between them, the air felt lighter, their laughter lingering like a promise of everything yet to come.

Kamsi handed Xavier a steaming cup of cocoa as they settled into the cozy living room. The amber light from the lamp cast a warm glow over the space, and the faint scent of nutmeg lingered in the air.

"Here you go," she said, her voice soft yet playful, as she passed him the mug.

Xavier took a sip, his lips curling into a smile. "This is really good. You could seriously open a cocoa shop."

Kamsi chuckled, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "Oh, is that your way of saying I should stick to cocoa because my other talents are questionable?"

Xavier grinned, leaning back into the couch. "Not at all. But hey, if you ran a shop, I'd be your number one customer."

She laughed, her cheeks warming under his gaze. As she brought her own cup to her lips, a smudge of cocoa clung to her upper lip, forming a tiny, comical "cocoa mustache."

Xavier's eyes crinkled with amusement. "What's that on your face?"

Kamsi froze, her hand instinctively darting to her mouth. "What? What is it?"

He set his mug down, his grin turning mischievous. "Don't worry, I've got it."

Before she could react, he leaned in, his thumb grazing her upper lip with deliberate slowness. Her breath hitched as his touch lingered just a second too long.

"You're clean now," he whispered, his voice low and teasing, his lips hovering dangerously close to hers.

Her pulse quickened. The air between them felt electric, charged with something fragile yet intense. And when his lips brushed hers, it was gentle at first—tentative, like a question waiting to be answered.

But as the kiss deepened, their connection ignited into something undeniable. Kamsi felt her heart race, her mind spinning between exhilaration and panic.

A faint click broke the moment like glass shattering. The front door.

Kamsi pulled back abruptly, her wide eyes darting to Xavier's. "Oh my God, my mom's back!" she whispered, her voice a frantic hiss.

"What?" Xavier's face shifted from surprise to concern. "Now?"

"Yes, now!" Kamsi jumped to her feet, her hands flailing in panic. "You need to hide. Like, now!"