The Best Feeling

The Best Feeling
LUCAS

As I watched Ella get into her car and drive off, I smiled happily to myself. Tonight went really well, better than I had expected. I knew I had fallen too; I had fallen for her.

She was such a sweet girl, full of life and so adorable. She had no idea how much effort it took for me to hold back tonight.

I was actually looking for common ground between us; something fun we could do together. I could not remember the last time I went swimming though; it wasn't really a hobby for me.

It was something I probably did once in two years but it was an opportunity to spend time with her, so when I heard her say that swimming was her hobby, I instantly took advantage of the opportunity and told her it was mine too.

With that, I was able to arrange another date. This time, we will meet as a couple and I was so badly looking forward to it.

As I drove back home, I kept thinking about how I was going to tell my daughter, Nova that I was now in a relationship. Since we were both open to each other, I didn't think there was a need for me to hide it from her anymore.

After all, she had already told me about what was going on in her life so, if I was going to have something permanent with Ella, Nova needed to know. So, I decided that tonight, I would tell her everything, especially since she had already given me the go-ahead to be with whoever I wanted to.

NOVA

After I kissed Aiden the previous night, I was so happy, we spoke about it as well and he said he enjoyed it. However, he did not make any move to ask me out or to tell me that he wanted to take our relationship to the next level.

I felt something was going on with him at first but, seeing how he spoke to me freely and happily, I concluded that he was just being shy so I asked him out tonight. I wanted us to go somewhere other than the bar close to our school; we had been there three times and I was already sick of the place.

After our classes today, we went to the library together, studied, and after that, we both got into our cars and drove to a different bar which was far from my school but much closer to my house. It was much more lively, more beautiful, and high-end.

Aiden seemed to be distracted though. I couldn't see the initial happiness I always saw on his face. So I asked, “Is something bothering you?”

He shook his head, “No, nothing is bothering me, it's just that there's something I have on my mind but I can't bring myself to say it out.”

I felt excited, Aiden had something on his mind but he couldn't say it. What else could it be? It must probably be his feelings for me. I told him “Go ahead and tell me, come on you can share anything with me. If I were in your shoes, I would tell you.”

He smiled, “Yes, I know but...I don't think I can say it. To be very honest, I... I can't really share it with anyone.”

I smiled, “Okay.” It dawned on me at this point that Aiden was shy. Of course, if he did not feel something for me, he would not be happy to come out with me so I decided to take the lead and I said "Aiden, I have something to tell you.”

He nodded, “Okay, I'm listening.”

I smiled while he kept staring at me and after a while I said, “I love you, Aiden. I love you so much. I have loved you for so many years. The fact that you're here and you're happy tells me that you feel the same way and I also want to believe that, that is what you have in mind to say but you don't know how to say it.

I want you to know that with me you can be yourself, there's no need for you to hold back; don't do that, always tell me how you feel, and no matter what, I will understand.

My feelings for you are genuine and I'm not here to play around, which is why I'm being upfront with you. So, if you feel the same way, you should let me know. I believe you do but if I am wrong, please tell me I am wrong.”

Aiden stared at me in surprise and finally smiled. Well, I took that as a "Yes" and went further to ask, “So, can I be your girlfriend?”

“What?” he asked. “You want us to become a couple?”

I shrugged, “Well, yeah, we are almost graduating. I have feelings for you and you have feelings for me. I don't see what's stopping us. So, what do you say? Would you like to be my boyfriend?”

He stared at me for a while and finally nodded, “Of course! if it makes you happy, then let's do it but please, do not tell anyone, let it be our secret.”

I wondered why he didn't want me to tell anyone. Those who were close to me knew that I have loved Aiden for so long and I was more than ready to shout it out to the world but perhaps he was just shy and didn't want people to know about it.

I would have suspected his intentions but I had never seen him close to another girl. Ella was the only one whom I had seen him with and I knew they were just friends. So if there was another girl in school he was interested in, he wouldn't have been giving me the attention he was giving me.

This made me conclude that he was feeling shy and that is why he did not want me to tell anyone. So I said, “Alright, let our relationship be a secret for now but eventually those around us will get to find out.”

He nodded in agreement.

Soft music began to play and I said, “Come on, let's dance.”

He got up and we joined a few couples who were dancing and began to dance. I stared at him as we danced and he was looking at me as well. After a while, I held his cheeks and crashed my lips against his.

His arms circled my waist and it made me so happy. After that, we went back to our seats, had a few drinks, and spoke at length.

I asked him if he would ever be comfortable inviting me over to his house and he asked, "Why not? I am going to arrange for it to happen."

It was fine by me. I had so much fun and I finally had a boyfriend. Even though I had to be the one to take the bold step, I was so happy about it.

As we got to our cars at the parking lot, Aiden hugged me warmly and said good night to me. I felt content. Nothing else could beat such an amazing feeling. I got into my car and drove back home and when I got into the house, I saw my dad. He was beaming as well; smiling from ear to ear.

I instantly knew that he was also in love, I could tell. It was a good thing we both found love at the same time. Both father and daughter being so happy was something amazing.

I was hoping he would tell me about it but since he didn't, I decided to wait for the right time. knowing my dad, it was bound to happen sooner than later, he couldn't keep a secret from me for long.

I was going to give him some time and when he was ready, he would tell me about it.

"Hi, Dad. Hope your day went well?" I asked.

“It sure did," he replied. "What about your boyfriend?”

I smiled “He's fine.”

I kissed him good night, before rushing into my room to continue my conversation with Aiden.

ELLA

As I went home, I was filled with so much joy at how amazing my date had gone. I said, 'Hi" to my parents who were drinking together in the living room.

My mom kept staring at me and I knew she was itching for some gossip but because of the conversation we had last time, she didn't want to say anything about it.

Because I was so happy, I said “If you have something to say, Mom, you can say it.”

After saying that, I passed both her and my dad and went into my room. I freshened up and changed into my pajamas, and after a while, my mom knocked on my door.

I smiled, I knew she couldn't resist. Of course, she was going to tell my Dad about it. So I welcomed her into my room.

“So, from the look in your eyes, I can tell you are very happy,” my mom said. “Tell me about him. Who is he and what does he do?”

“Calm down, Mom,” I said. “I'll tell you about him when the time is right. We just started dating for now. He's such an amazing guy.

He's sweet, he's sexy, he's attractive, he's loving... I'm head over heels in love with him Mom and I've never been this happy before.”

“I understand this feeling you have in your heart. It is one of the best feelings in the world and I wish you all the best.”

I stared at her, “One of the best feelings? I would say it is the best feeling in the world.”

“I wouldn't say so.” My mom replied.

“Really! Isn't being in love with Dad the best feeling in the world for you?”

My mom smiled, “Yes, it is one of the best but it wasn't the best feeling for me.”

I was genuinely surprised. “So, what was the best feeling?” I asked.

“Carrying you in my arms for the first time, after I birthed you; nothing could beat that. Even your dad would agree.” My mum said.

I became touched when I heard that. I had always heard that a mother's love was the best. Perhaps because I wasn't a mother yet, I didn't understand but I felt happy that my mom had experienced all the good things in life.

I smiled and hugged her. “I love you so much, Mom. Thank you very much and good night.”

She got up and said, “Okay, good night, Princess. Once you're ready, your Dad and I would be happy to meet your prince charming. So, let him know that when the time comes, he'll have to meet your parents if he's serious about you.”

“Of course, he's serious about me.” I said, “Do not worry when the time comes.”

The next day, I got ready and went to school. When I met Aiden, I asked, “Why did you keep calling me last night? I mean, I told you that I was going to meet with Lucas and try to get him to like me but you almost ruined it for me.”

Aiden frowned, “What are you saying to me, Ella? Is it now a crime for me to call you? I mean, these days you don't even call me.

Forget about calling me, you don't take my calls and you don't return them. It seems ever since you found Lucas, you forgot about everyone else.”

“Please don't say that, it's not true,” I replied. “I've just been trying so hard to hold on to something and it's affecting every other thing around me but once I get what I'm searching for, everything will go back to normal.”

“So, how is it going?" he asked.

“Well, there's hope," I replied “He spoke to me and he agreed to meet with me today. I'll see how it goes and then I'll let you know.”

He nodded, “Alright, I can't wait for you to return to the Ella I use to know, who was sweet, charming, and ready to fight for her grades.”

I threw my head and laughed. “Yes, I deserve that but I'll make a comeback soon. Yeah I know I didn't do so well in my biology test but I'll make up for it during my exam, besides, I'm no longer missing my classes. It was just for a few days.”

“It is okay, I just want the best for you,” Aiden replied.

After school, I drove myself to the mall and got some swimsuits. I bought almost a hundred because I couldn't decide on which one I wanted.

When I got back home, I struggled for hours and finally decided on the one I felt looked good enough on me. This time, I didn't want to drive myself to my date, so I told Lucas to pick me up at a popular mall.

I didn't want him to pick me up at home, I couldn't take the risk of allowing my parents to see him. So, I took a cab to the mall; something I hadn't done in a long time, and I waited for him there.

When he came and picked me up, he asked, “What happened to your car?”

I said, “I sent it in for maintenance.”

He replied, “Oh really! Okay, it's fine, let's go.”

He drove into a classic and beautiful hotel. Yeah, I knew about it but I hadn't been there before. I really didn't have much of a life before I met him, since I was so focused on my education.

So, there were a lot of places I knew but hadn't been to and this was one of them.

We spoke at length about irrelevant things and had dinner together. After that, he led me to the private pool and I was in awe.
The place was so beautiful and yet there was no one there.

He began to take off his clothes and my heart began to race. When he was left with only his briefs, he jumped into the water.

Having carried my swimsuit in my bag, I went into the changing room and changed before coming out. As I walked towards the water, I noticed him staring at me as though nothing else mattered at that moment.

I was happy, it meant that merely staring at me had an effect on him and I liked it. I got into the water and we began to swim side by side. We competed for a while and he lost to me each time.

After a while, we sat by the pool and stared at each other. He moved much closer to me and held my hand but then, his phone which was lying not so far away on the floor began to ring.

He let go of my hand and smiled, "That must be from Nova, my daughter. I have told you about her, right?"

I nodded and as he got up to pick up his phone, I gulped, knowing that the time for me to come clean had arrived.