𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮

ᴰᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵃˡˡ ᵐᵉ ᵇʳᵒ !

The doorbell rang, echoing through the house. Aurelia's twin brother, Aidan, called out, "I'll get it!" as he bounded down the stairs.

Aurelia, upstairs in her room, was putting the finishing touches on her hair. She could hear the excited voices from the entryway as Walker's family was welcomed inside.

"Hey Heather and Pete , Come on in!" Aidan greeted warmly.

"Aidan, good to see you!" Heather, Walker's mom, responded cheerfully. "Is Aurelia around?"

"She's still getting ready, as usual," Aidan said with a smirk, glancing up the stairs. "Walker, why don't you go up and check on her?"

Walker grinned, giving his mom a quick nod before heading up the stairs.

" Leena ! Tanner ! Hurry up and get inside !" Heather shouted out

Once he reached her room . He knocked gently on Aurelia's door.

"Come in," Aurelia called, thinking it was her sister Violet. When Walker stepped inside, she looked up in surprise, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Oh, hey Walker. I didn't realize you were here already."

Walker smiled, leaning against the doorframe. "I came to make sure you weren't getting lost in all that hair."

Aurelia laughed, turning back to the mirror. "Just trying to make sure it looks decent."

"It always looks great," Walker said softly, moving to stand beside her. He watched her in the mirror for a moment before picking up a strand of her hair, gently twisting it. "Need any help?"

Aurelia shook her head, her heart beating a little faster. "No, I think I'm good. Not after last time " she mumbled

" it was an accident ! I didn't know that strainers can burn you hair !" He shrieked putting his hands on his head with a smile "

"And this is why your brain is full of kelp ! Aurelia laughed nudging him with her hand .

Walker watched as she applied a final touch of makeup. "You look really nice tonight, Aurelia."

She turned to face him, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thanks, Walk , couldn't say the same about you tho "

" hey !" He said chasing her down stairs

their families mingled, laughter and conversation filling the house. Aurelia's older brother Jack and Walker's older sister Leena were deep in discussion about whatever they talk about .

while their younger siblings Tanner and Violet, played a game in the living room.

Jackie, Aurelia's mom, emerged from the kitchen with a tray of snacks. "Help yourselves, everyone. Dinner reservations aren't for another hour."

Heather smiled appreciatively. "Thank you, Jackie. This was such a good idea. It's nice to have our families spend time together."

Pete, Walker's dad, nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. The kids get along so well, it's like we're all one big family."

Back upstairs, Aurelia finally finished her hair. She turned to Walker, taking a deep breath. "Okay, I think I'm ready."

Walker offered his arm in a mock-gentlemanly fashion. "Shall we, m'lady?"

Aurelia giggled, linking her arm with his. "We shall."

As they descended the stairs together, their families turned to greet them. Jackie clapped her hands. "Look at you two! Don't they make a handsome pair?"

Leena winked at her brother. "Walker, I see you've made yourself useful."

Walker shrugged, grinning. "What can I say? I aim to please."

Aurelia elbowed him in the stomach " ew just don't walk "

Aurelia's dad ,  Collin , smiled warmly. "Let's get going, everyone. Don't want to be late for our reservation."

The group headed out, piling into their cars. At the restaurant, they were greeted warmly and led to a large table in the center of the room. The atmosphere was lively, with the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses all around them.

As they took their seats, Walker found himself next to Aurelia. Heather sat on Walker's other side, with Pete and Tanner across from them. Aurelia's family filled the other side of the table, with Jackie and her dad sitting at the ends to keep an eye on the group.

"Alright, everyone," Jackie said as she picked up her menu. "What looks good tonight?"

Leena scanned the menu. "I'm thinking of the grilled salmon. What about you, J?"

Jack, Aurelia's older brother, nodded. "Whatever I don't really care "

Tanner, Walker's younger brother, leaned over to Violet. "What are you getting, Violet?"

Violet grinned. "I'm getting the mac and cheese. It's my favorite."

Tanner smiled at his best friend " well I'll get the same as you then "

The waiter came by to take their orders, and soon enough, they were all chatting away.

"So, lia ," Pete started, leaning back in his chair. "Any new projects coming up?"

Aurelia  nodded. "Yeah, actually. Me and Vi actually auditioned for a movie together so fingers crossed you know ?"

Heather smiled at him. "You'll nail it. I just know it."

As the food arrived, the table fell into a comfortable rhythm of eating and talking. Walker turned to Aurelia during a louder moment. "I'm so bored what the fuck "

Aurelia looked up from her plate, her eyes meeting his " not my problem , that's just not my problem " she said in a singsong voice

" oh my gosh ! Not this again bro !" Walker said leaning to us chair

" well I can sing louder if you li-"

" no ! Please no !" Walker said with a grin

Heather, catching the moment, smiled softly and nudged Pete. "Look at them. They're such good friends."

Pete nodded, sipping his drink. "It's good to see. They bring out the best in each other."

As dinner progressed, the families continued to share stories and laugh together. At one point, Tanner and Violet decided to swap jokes, each one more ridiculous than the last.

"Why did the scarecrow win an award?" Tanner asked, barely containing his laughter.

"Why?" Violet replied, eyes wide with anticipation.

"Because he was outstanding in his field!" Tanner said, bursting into giggles.

Violet laughed, shaking her head. "That's so silly!"

As the meal wound down, Walker turned to Aurelia again. "Hey, want to take a walk outside for a bit? Get some fresh air?"

Aurelia nodded, appreciating the chance to talk more privately. "Sure, let's go."

They excused themselves and stepped out into the cool evening air. The stars were beginning to twinkle overhead as they walked around the small garden outside the restaurant.

"I love nights like this," Aurelia said softly. "The air is so fresh."

Walker nodded. "Me to bro me to "

" oh my god ! Walker William scobell stop calling me bro "

" my bad duuuudeeeeee"

—YOU ARE IN LOVE —