Nothing happened

CHAPTER 11

The soft glow of morning sunlight crept through the thin curtains of Emma's bedroom, spilling onto the floor in golden patches. Outside, the world was slowly waking. Birds chirped in the distance, and somewhere down the street, a dog barked twice before falling quiet again. The cool, early breeze drifted through the crack in the window, making the air in the room fresh and crisp.

Emma stood there for a long moment after Lucas disappeared down the street, the quiet of the morning wrapping around her. She took a deep breath, bracing herself. Okay. You've got to face her sometime.

Sure enough, she heard it — the soft creak of a door opening down the hall. Footsteps. And then a voice.

"Emma? Are you up?"

Her mom.

Emma swallowed hard and opened her door slowly, stepping into the hallway. Her mom stood there, arms crossed, still in her work clothes from the night before, her hair pulled back, looking tired but sharp-eyed.

For a second, neither of them spoke.

"Morning," Emma said, her voice small.

"Morning." Her mom's tone was even, but there was something behind it. A mix of confusion, concern, and... was that amusement? Emma couldn't quite tell.

Her mom tilted her head slightly. "So. Want to tell me what that was about last night?"

Emma felt her cheeks flush. "It wasn't what it looked like. I swear. We were watching a movie, and we talked, and then we... we fell asleep. That's it."

Her mom raised an eyebrow. "And you didn't think to wake him up and send him home before I got here?"

"I didn't mean for him to stay!" Emma protested, the words tumbling out. "We just... we didn't plan it, Mom. It just happened."

There was a long pause. Her mom studied her, as if trying to decide how much she believed. Then, slowly, her arms uncrossed, and she let out a sigh.

"Emma... I trust you. But you can't blame me for being surprised. I come home at midnight and find a boy asleep in your bed? Come on."

Emma's heart thudded. "Nothing happened. I promise."

"I know," her mom said quietly. "But that doesn't mean I wasn't worried. You're still my daughter."

Emma looked down at her feet. "Sorry."

Her mom stepped forward and gently lifted Emma's chin so their eyes met. "I'm not mad. Just... next time, think, okay? You're growing up, but you're still under this roof. There are rules."

"I will," Emma whispered.

Her mom smiled faintly, brushing a piece of hair from Emma's face. "Also... he's cute. But don't tell him I said that."

Emma's eyes widened. "Mom!"

Her mom laughed softly and shook her head. "Come on. Let's get some breakfast before I crash. I'm starving."

As they walked toward the kitchen, Emma felt the tightness in her chest loosen. The talk hadn't been as bad as she feared. But still, her heart kept drifting to Lucas.

What's going through his head right now?

Lucas

The cool morning air felt sharp on Lucas's face as he jogged away from Emma's house, his heart pounding for more reasons than just the quick escape.

Well, that was smooth, Lucas. Real smooth.

He couldn't believe he'd actually fallen asleep there. Couldn't believe her mom had caught them. Couldn't believe he'd left like some thief in the night.

But even through the embarrassment, he couldn't stop replaying the way Emma had looked at him. The way she'd smiled, even when she'd been nervous.

He slowed his jog to a walk, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. The street was quiet, the sun warm on his back now as it rose higher.

As he turned onto his block, he could already see his house — the familiar red front door, the overgrown bushes his mom kept saying they needed to trim. He took a deep breath.

Please let Mom still be asleep.

He stepped inside quietly, shutting the door behind him without a sound. Maybe, just maybe, he could sneak to his room.

"Lucas James, where have you been?"

So much for that plan.

His mom stood at the bottom of the stairs, wearing her bathrobe, her arms crossed — just like Emma's mom had looked, only shorter and with wilder hair.

"Hey, Mom," he said, trying for casual. "You're up early."

"Don't 'hey, Mom' me. Where were you? I woke up and you weren't in your room. I was about to call the police!"

Lucas winced. "I'm sorry. I should've left a note or something. I was at Emma's."

His mom's eyes narrowed. "All night?"

"We were watching movies. Talking. I fell asleep. That's it."

His mom gave him that look. The one that said I was a teenager once, too, you know.

"Lucas—"

"Mom, seriously. Nothing happened. I promise. Her mom even caught us. It was super awkward."

That made her pause. "Her mom saw you?"

Lucas nodded, running a hand through his messy hair. "Yeah. She wasn't thrilled. I left first thing."

His mom studied him for a moment longer, then sighed. "Okay. I believe you. But you can't be doing that, Lucas. People will talk. And more importantly, I worry. You're my son."

"I know. I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

She gave him a tired smile. "Good. Now go shower. You smell like grass and regret."

Lucas grinned, relieved, and darted up the stairs.

But as he closed his bedroom door behind him, he leaned against it for a second, closing his eyes.

What even was last night?

He couldn't stop thinking about her. About the way she'd said "thanks for staying." About the way she'd looked at him at the window.

Lucas smiled to himself.

Whatever it was... I don't think I regret it at all.

 Honestly this was the first time lucas felt this way , because it has always been him thinking about his mom and brother, having someone that is not family seems not to be bad, Emma he whispered. Still reminiscing their memories last night.