I didn't expect much when Connor Sharpe followed me back.
Just some random notification while hanging out with my best friend.
But one simple "hi" turns into something neither of us saw coming.
A couple of years apart, different grades, and a millio...
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It's Saturday
Exactly one year since Connor asked me to be his girlfriend. One year since that summer where everything changed. Where I stopped wondering and started knowing what it felt like to really love someone.
And we were back.
Back at the Sharpe house like we promised we’d be.
The minute we stepped through the gate, Barbra gasped so loudly you’d think I was a celebrity or something. She was already mid hug before I could even drop my bag.
“Sweetheart! I missed you so much,” she said, squeezing me so tight I heard my spine politely crack.
I laughed, hugging her back just as hard. “I missed you too, Barbara.”
She pulled back to look at me and gave me that mom look. The kind that says "you’ve grown" even if I’d only aged like six months and maybe added one new pair of earrings. Then she hugged me again.
I wasn’t the only one who came with backup this time. My actual parents were there too.
Ron and my Dad were already out in the yard, flipping burgers and calling everyone champ. Samantha was helping set up the drinks.
“Wait,” I said, squinting. “You guys know each other? Like fr? I thought you were joking.."
My mom grinned. “We used to go to the same BBQ nights years ago, when the twins were just toddlers!”
“Why are we just hearing about this now?” I laughed.
“Because none of you ever ask about the adults!” Barbra chirped from behind a tray of cookies.
Connor came up behind me, hands sneaking around my waist like he’d done it a million times which, okay, maybe he had.
“Hey,” he whispered in my ear.
I tilted my head to smile at him. “Hey.”
We kissed. Soft and warm.
Behind us, Aidan fake-gagged. “Get a room.”
“Still single?” I raised an eyebrow, smiling sweetly.
“Painfully,” he replied dramatically, throwing himself onto the lawn chair.
Jake fist-bumped him. “Same, bro.”
“Shocking,” Yumi said from the cooler, pulling out sodas. Ariana stood beside her, already wearing Jake’s sunglasses.
Yumi caught me looking and wiggled her eyebrows. “Guess who’s now legally allowed to kiss her girlfriend in public without having a panic attack?”
“Ariana?” I teased.
Ariana nodded. “She’s thriving.”
Yumi grinned and kissed her cheek. “Hard launch summer, baby.”
We were all laughing.
No drama. No tension. Just us. One big found family reunion.
Sometime later, I found myself in the kitchen with Barbra and Samantha, chopping vegetables for the salad. It felt just like that day a year ago. Except this time, I wasn’t awkward or nervous. I wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I was just… there.
Loved.
Connor leaned in through the kitchen window, grinning. “Still can’t cook?”
“Still hotter than you,” I replied, tossing a cucumber slice at his face.
“Bold of you,” he laughed, catching it midair with his mouth.
Barbra giggled. “Get out of my kitchen, flirt boy.”
He winked at me and jogged off.
Later, we all ate under the twinkle lights. My dad told the embarrassing story about me at age four and a watermelon. Barbra topped it with one about the twins shaving off each other’s eyebrows by mistake.
We couldn’t stop laughing.
It felt like breathing in peace.
Connor sat beside me on the porch steps. Our hands touched first, then our shoulders until we just leaned into each other entirely.
“Déjà vu?” I whispered.
“Totally,” he said, his voice low, smile sleepy. “Except this time, you’re mine for real.”
“You’ve always had me,” I murmured, resting my head on his shoulder.
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THE END.
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