Chapter 5
Tuesday afternoon felt calm in that familiar after‑school way. I was stretched out on the couch, watching YouTube on my laptop while the house hummed with its usual background noise. Dad was in the garage, music drifting through the walls as he worked on something only; he understood. Jasmine was in the backyard with one of her friends, laughing about something I couldn’t hear.
I bounced between the group chat on Instagram and texting Chase. We were still in that soft, early stage of getting to know each other — the kind where every message feels warm and new.
Then he sent something that made my stomach twist.
Chase: I hope your mind won’t change after I tell you something. I debated saying this, and I know we just started dating. Before I matched with you on Tinder, I was talking to another girl. Before I went to meet you on Saturday, I told her I was meeting someone else — you — and that I wasn’t interested anymore. After our meetup, I blocked her.
I stared at the message, taken off guard.
I didn’t know that. I didn’t want to know that. Why tell me now? Why tell me at all?
But he had been honest. And honesty mattered.
Still… I didn’t know how to feel.
I typed back:
Me: No, it didn’t change my mind. But why tell me this now, especially after making our relationship official last night?
I hit send and watched the typing bubble appear immediately.
Before the message came through, I got up to grab a drink from the kitchen. When my phone buzzed again, I returned to the couch and opened it.
Chase: I don’t know why… I just wanted you to know where you stood in my eyes. And I wanted to be honest now rather than later, you know? Cutie.
I exhaled slowly.
Me: I mean… I honestly didn’t want to know that. But thanks for being open with me.
Before I could overthink it, Jasmine walked inside with her friend Cristal. They both smiled when they saw me.
“Hey Cristal,” I said.
“Hey hey!” She chirped, cheerful as always.
I joined them in the kitchen, sitting at the table while they grabbed drinks.
“So,” Jasmine said, leaning forward, “how did it go yesterday?”
I wasn’t ready to talk about Chase’s confession — not yet — so I focused on the good parts.
“It went really good,” I said. “We saw the live‑action Jumanji. The movie was fun, and we ended up cuddling a little.”
They exchanged a “that’s adorable” look.
“How cute,” Jasmine said. “Anything else happen?”
I hesitated only for a second. “He asked me to be his girlfriend. And I said yes.”
Jasmine blinked. “Already? Wow… just like that?”
She wasn’t judging — just surprised.
“Well,” she continued, “as long as you’re sure about this, and it’s something you really want, then I’m happy for you. I just hope he treats you good.”
Cristal nodded in agreement.
“I’m happy about it,” I said. “And thanks. I appreciate your support.”
We talked a little longer before they both said they were heading out. Once they left, the house felt quieter again — just me and Dad.
I decided to check on him.
I knocked on the garage door.
“Come in,” he called.
I lifted the door, ducked under it, and closed it behind me. Dad turned, smiling when he saw me.
“Hey, kiddo! What are you up to?”
“Not much,” I said. “Just talking to Jasmine and Cristal. They just left to go do something — not sure what.”
“Oh, okay. Thank you for letting me know. Need anything?”
“No,” I said. “Just wanted to see what you were up to. Thought maybe you’d want some company.”
He smiled warmly. “I’ve just been relaxing and listening to music. But I welcome company anytime.”
I hesitated, nerves creeping in. I didn’t usually talk to him about relationship stuff — but maybe I should. He was my dad. And if anyone should know what was going on in my life, it was him.
“Hey, Dad… there’s something I want to tell you.”
He paused, giving me his full attention. “What is it?”
I took a breath and told him everything — how I met Chase online, how we met at the mall, how Jasmine drove me to the movies yesterday, how we ended up becoming boyfriend and girlfriend.
When I finished, a worried but controlled look crossed his face.
“Oh…” he said slowly. “Well, thank you for telling me, Lola. I appreciate you being open with me. I know you were probably nervous.”
He paused. “What does he look like?”
“He’s 6'3,” I said. “Brunette.”
Dad nodded. “Okay. Well, I’d like to meet him soon. I want to know who my daughter is dating. I don’t want to hear anything bad between you two — I want to hear the good things.”
“I’d like you to meet him too,” I said. “We’ll see how things go.”
The sun was setting, the garage dimming with it.
“I’m going to head inside,” I said.
“Alright,” he replied. “I’ll be in soon.”
I went back inside, got ready for bed, and texted the group chat:
Me: See you guys tomorrow.
Then I texted Chase:
Me: Hey love, I’m going to head to bed. Text you in the morning
I set my phone down and lay back, trying to close my eyes. But my mind wouldn’t shut off — not after everything today.
Not after everything he told me.
Not after everything I felt.
Eventually, exhaustion won, and I drifted off to sleep.