37

LUNA

IT WAS A TYPICAL SATURDAY AFTERNOON. I found myself in Hudson's garage, the air thick with motor oil and the faintest hint of his cologne. He was teaching me how to fix the engine of an old car, and I couldn't help but admire how adorable he looked doing it. Enthusiasm was clear in his voice as he explained the intricacies of the machinery. His presence was close, his arms wrapped around me to show what was important. I could feel his body heat through the thin material of his beloved Oasis shirt.

I tried to focus on his explanations, but my attention kept drifting to the tattoos that adorned his arms and how his breath tickled my neck. My heart raced, and I found myself lost in the moment, my mind far from the engine in front of me.

"Got it?" he asked, giving me a gentle shake. "What were you thinking about?"

My cheeks flushed a deep red.

"Sorry, something distracted me."

He chuckled.

"I could tell." He said, leaning down to capture my lips in a kiss.

The kiss was soft and steady yet filled with an unspoken promise. My heart was still racing when we pulled away.

"Valentine's Day is coming up." I said, searching his face for a reaction.I felt him stiffen as his hold on me tightened. His eyes darted around the garage, avoiding my gaze."Are you okay?"

He pulled away and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I forgot to do something. I'll see you later."

He leaned down to kiss my cheek, but the gesture felt rushed and distracted. Before I could question him, he was halfway out of the garage towards his bike, leaving me confused.

?

I was sitting in my room with Maya, discussing the events in Hudson's garage a few days prior.

"So, he ran out of his garage?" she asked, leaning against my stacked pillows.

"He couldn't get out of there fast enough. One mention of Valentine's Day was like the plague."

My mom knocked on my door with the widest smile I have ever seen on her face. She held up an envelope with a familiar emblem on it. I gasped, recognizing it as a letter from my dream college. The one I never thought I'd have ever applied to. My heart raced as my mom handed it to me. I felt a mixture of nerves and anticipation, my hands trembling. Maya and my mother urged me to open it, their faces full of encouragement. I tore it open and pulled out the letter. My eyes scanned the words before I squealed in delight.

"I got in!" I exclaimed; my voice filled with joy.

My father, who had been nearby, rushed into the room at the sound of my excitement.

"What's going on?" he asked, looking around at our beaming faces.

"I got into college, Dad!" I said, waving the acceptance letter in the air.

My parents and Maya took turns embracing me, their congratulations filling the room. We shared a special moment, their pride and happiness palpable. I felt a warmth spread through my chest, knowing how much this meant to all of them.

"I need to share this with Hudson."

My excitement was still bubbling over. I grabbed my coat and walked out with Maya, who hugged me one last time before we parted ways. I hurried across the street to Hudson's house, my heart still pounding. His dad was outside, working on a car in the driveway.

"I got into college, Mr. Wilder!" I called out as I dangled the letter in front of me.

He looked up and smiled.

"I knew you could do it," he said, giving me a proud nod. "Congratulations."

I thanked him and made my way upstairs to Hudson's room. I knocked on his door and noticed it was slightly open. Pushing it open further, I found him sitting at his desk, hiding a piece of paper as he saw me.

"What's that?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Nothing important," he replied, standing up and walking towards me.

I decided not to press the issue, my excitement took over.

"I got accepted."

He glanced down at the acceptance letter in my hand. A wide smile spread across his face as he pulled me into a tight embrace.

"I'm so happy for you, Snow." He said, his voice full of genuine pride. He leaned down and kissed me, our joy mingling in that sweet moment. "I knew you could do it."

He took the letter from my hands and looked at it, his smile growing even wider when he saw it was from my dream school.

"You're amazing," he said, gazing at me. "I'm so proud of you."

We sat on the edge of his bed, my acceptance letter still clutched in my hand, while he sat beside me, our fingers intertwined. The warm moment enveloped us, and our laughter filled the room. He reached out and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, his fingers brushing against my skin. His eyes softened with adoration as he gazed at me, taking in every detail of my happiness. My heart fluttered under his tender gaze. His expression shifted to something more serious.

"I need to apologize."

"For what?"

"For running off when you mentioned Valentine's Day." He said. "I've always hated it, but I know you love it."

I looked at him, concern mingling with curiosity.

"Since when did you hate Valentine's Day?"

He took a deep breath, his eyes searching mine.

"Since I lost you."

My heart melted at his words. How am I supposed to respond to something as heartwarming as that?

"Well, you have me back and I'm not going anywhere."

He moved closer to me with a determined look in his eyes. He gripped my hands in his.

"So, does that mean you'll be my Valentine?"

My face lit up with pure joy, my happiness radiating from within.

"Always."

In a burst of emotion, I leaned forward and kissed him, pouring all my happiness and love into that moment. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. As we pulled away, our foreheads rested against each other with a smile, our breaths mingling in the small space between us.

"This is going to be the best Valentine's Day ever."

He nodded, a grin spreading across his face.

"I promise I'll make it perfect." He said, placing his hands on my waist. "You deserve only the best."

?

I sat on Hudson's bed. Our conversation about our weekend plans still lingered in the air. We'd spent the entire morning cuddling, wrapped up in each other's warmth, when his dad's voice called from downstairs, asking Hudson to help him with something. Hudson kissed me on the head before untangling himself from me and heading downstairs.

Left alone in his room, I wandered around, my eyes catching glimpses of his childhood photographs scattered on the walls and shelves. My eyes fell on a picture of his mother, like the one in our home. Her radiant smile was always gentle and warm. My eyes fell on a picture of us when we were seven at the carnival. I picked it up and a piece of paper slipped out from behind the frame and fluttered to the floor.

Curious, I picked it up and unfolded it, my heart stopping when I realized it was a college acceptance letter. He said he wasn't interested in college. My mind raced with a million questions and emotions as reality sank in. Why would he keep this a secret?

The door creaked open, and Hudson walked in. He froze when he saw me holding the letter. His expression shifted from confusion to apprehension.

"Why did you never tell me this?"

He shrugged, trying to play it off.

"It wasn't important. It's not like I was planning to go."

Anger flared within me.

"You cannot pass up an opportunity like this, Hudson. This is an enormous deal."

I could see the annoyance on his face, but I doubt it could match mine.

"It's not like I can go, Luna. So, it doesn't matter."

"Why not?" I asked, my frustration growing.

He ran his fingers through his hair and gripped his roots so hard. In a burst of anger, he shouted.

"Because. I can't leave my father alone! I can't stand the idea of him being in this empty house while I'm having the time of my life at college!"

The room fell silent, the weight of his confession hanging in the air. Our heads turned at the sound of the door creaking. His father stood in the doorway, having heard every word. Hudson's eyes widened in realization before he bolted past his father. His footsteps echoed through the house as he rushed out the door. I stood frozen, my mind reeling from the revelation. His dad stopped me when I moved to follow him.

"Let him be." his dad said. "He needs the space right now. I'll talk to him."

I nodded, tears welling in my eyes. As his dad left the room, I felt the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Hudson had been grieving since his mother's death, but I never understood the extent of it until now.

?