It had been a long, warm Saturday — the kind of lazy, slow day that Clara had started to look forward to every week. She’d spent most of it at Miller’s, curled up on his bed while he got ready for his evening shift at the diner. They’d been dating for a few weeks now, quietly, secretly. Her mom didn’t know — not because Clara was hiding something bad, but because she wasn’t ready for the questions, the teasing, or the “you’re too young to be serious” talk.

With Miller, things were easy. He made her laugh without trying, listened when she spoke, and always noticed the small things — like how she hated loud goodbyes or how she liked her coffee with more milk than sugar. He felt safe. Familiar.

But he had to work, and she didn’t want to linger around his gramps farm while he changed, so she kissed him goodbye — quick, soft, careful — before heading home.

By the time she reached her street, the sun was dipping low, washing everything in that amber glow that made the world look peaceful. She unlocked the front door quietly, expecting to hear the TV or her mom on the phone.

Instead, she heard laughter.

Soft. Intimate. From the living room.

She stepped inside, setting her bag down without thinking. The laughter stopped.

And then she saw them.

Her mom. And Jonah.

Her late aunt’s fiancé.

They were standing close — too close. Jonah’s hand rested lightly on her mother’s arm, and before Clara could process what she was seeing, her mom leaned forward and kissed him. It wasn’t long or dramatic — but it was enough to knock the air out of Clara’s lungs.

Her heart stopped.

For a split second, it was like the entire room froze — the quiet hum of the refrigerator, the fading light, her mother’s startled gasp when she realized Clara was there.

“Clara—wait, honey, it’s not—”

But Clara couldn’t hear it. Couldn’t process any of it. Her pulse roared in her ears as she turned and walked straight down the hall, her shoes loud against the wood floor. She closed her bedroom door behind her, locking it , pressing her back against it, her hands trembling.

She didn’t cry. She just stood there, staring blankly at the floor, her mind spinning in circles that made no sense.

Jonah. Her aunt’s Jonah. Her mom.

Her throat tightened. She grabbed her phone and sank onto the edge of her bed, unlocking it with shaky fingers. There was only one name she could type.

Clara: “Come by after your shift.” She hesitated for a moment and then typed “ bring a condom “.

She had wanted to wait for prom for her first time but after what she just saw. She just wanted to get back at her mom. Miller had full understanding of her wanting to wait but right now she wanted it more than anything.

Miller responded with “ are you sure ?” Caring and sweet as always.

“ I’m sure “ Clara texted back “ third window to the right “ she added then , not wanting her mom to see him.

Meanwhile while she waited she cleaned her room and made sure everything was good and clean. She wanted it to be perfect for him too even though she knew it wasn’t his first time.

So after his shift at the cinema he drove to her families house, parked down the road and made his way to her window. She had thankfully left it open for him. He quietly climbed inside and landed on the carpet floor with a soft thud. His gaze fell on Clara who was standing infront of him , looking absolutely perfect , and a smile spread across his face “ hey “ he said warmly.