Chapter 87 Its official
Chapter 87 Its official
The rest of the afternoon felt like sunlight had settled beneath Amelia’s skin.
Every class seemed brighter, every hallway warmer, every small moment touched by the quiet thrill humming in her chest. She kept replaying the art club’s words — We’d love to offer you a spot — and each time, her heart fluttered all over again.
She had done it.
She had walked into that room.
She had shown her work.
She had been chosen.
And then there was Ryan.
Her cheeks warmed every time her mind drifted back to the kiss under the tree — the way he’d leaned in, the way her breath had caught, the way she’d kissed him back without thinking. The memory made her stomach flip in the best way.
In math class, she caught him looking at her from across the room. He didn’t look away when she noticed — he just smiled, soft and warm, like he was seeing her in a new light. She ducked her head, trying to hide her grin, but she could feel her face heating.
During science, he passed her a note.
Proud of you.
Just three words, written in his messy handwriting, but they made her heart squeeze. She tucked the note into her pocket like it was something precious.
By the time the final bell rang, she felt like she was floating.
Ryan was waiting for her at the gate, leaning against the fence with his hands in his pockets. His hair was ruffled by the breeze, and he straightened the moment he saw her.
“There she is,” he said, his smile widening. “My favorite artist.”
Amelia’s cheeks warmed. “Stop.”
“Never,” he said, falling into step beside her.
They walked together, their shoulders brushing occasionally. The air smelled faintly of rain, the sky streaked with soft clouds. Students passed them in clusters, laughing, talking, heading home — but Amelia felt like she and Ryan were in their own little world.
“So,” Ryan said, nudging her lightly, “you gonna tell me more about the mural team?”
She nodded, excitement bubbling up again. “The theme is ‘Hope in Bloom.’ They want to use nature and light and color to make the space feel… comforting. Like a place where people can breathe.”
“That sounds perfect for you,” he said. “You’re good at drawing feelings.”
Amelia blinked. “Drawing feelings?”
“Yeah,” he said, shrugging. “Your art… it always looks like it means something. Like it’s saying something you don’t always say out loud.”
Her chest tightened — not in fear, but in something warm and grateful. “Thank you.”
They walked a little further, the silence between them comfortable, full of unspoken things.
When they reached her driveway, they both slowed.
Ryan turned to her, his expression softening. “So… this is where I say goodbye.”
Amelia nodded, her heart thudding. “Yeah.”
He stepped closer, lifting a hand to gently tilt her chin upward. The touch was soft, careful, but it sent a warm shiver down her spine.
“Can I…?” he whispered.
She didn’t even have time to answer before he leaned in.
The kiss was deeper this time — full of passion, full of feeling, full of everything he hadn’t said out loud yet. His hand cupped her cheek, thumb brushing her skin as he pulled her closer. Amelia’s fingers curled into the front of his shirt, holding on as her heart raced.
The world blurred around them — the breeze, the distant sound of cars, the soft rustle of leaves. All she felt was him. His warmth. His breath. His certainty.
He tilted her head slightly, deepening the kiss, and Amelia felt her knees weaken. She leaned into him, letting herself melt into the moment, into him, into the feeling of being wanted — really wanted — for the first time.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, cheeks flushed, eyes wide.
Ryan rested his forehead against hers, his voice low and earnest. “Amelia… will you officially be my girlfriend?”
Her answer came instantly, without hesitation, without fear.
“Yes.”
Ryan let out a soft laugh — relieved, joyful — and pressed a quick, sweet kiss to her forehead. “Good. Because I really, really like you.”
She felt her cheeks burn. “I really like you too.”
They lingered for another moment, hands brushing, hearts steadying, before Ryan stepped back.
“I’ll text you later,” he said, still smiling.
“Okay.”
“Bye, Amelia.”
“Bye, Ryan.”
She watched him walk down the street until he turned the corner, her heart still fluttering wildly.
When she stepped inside the house, her dad was standing in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a mug of tea. The moment he saw her face — the flushed cheeks, the shy smile she couldn’t hide — his eyebrows lifted.
“Well,” he said with a knowing grin, “someone looks happy.”
Amelia froze, her face going bright red. “Dad…”
He chuckled. “Do I need to have the birds and the bees conversation with you?”
“Dad!” she squeaked, covering her face with her hands. “No!”
“Alright, alright,” he said, laughing. “Just checking.”
She peeked at him through her fingers, mortified but also fighting a smile.
He softened. “So… how was your day?”
Amelia lowered her hands, her embarrassment fading into excitement. “Actually… really good.”
“Yeah?”
She nodded, her smile returning. “I made it onto the mural team. And I got accepted into the art club.”
Her dad’s eyes widened. “Amelia, that’s amazing!”
She felt her chest warm. “I’m really excited.”
“This calls for celebration,” he declared, setting his mug down. “We’re ordering whatever you want for dinner tonight. Anything.”
Amelia blinked. “Anything?”
“Anything,” he repeated. “You earned it.”
She felt a swell of pride — warm, full, steady. “Can we get Thai?”
“Thai it is,” he said, grabbing his phone. “Extra spring rolls?”
“Yes, please.”
He smiled at her — a real, proud, fatherly smile — and Amelia felt something settle inside her. Something peaceful. Something whole.
She slipped off her shoes and headed toward her room, her heart still fluttering from the day’s events.
She was part of the art club.
She was on the mural team.
She had kissed Ryan — twice.
And she was officially his girlfriend.
For the first time in a long time, her life felt like it was opening up instead of closing in.
And she couldn’t wait to see what came next.