~Kaylen~

limpid /●adj. clear, transparent

When I was dropping Jordon to his grandparents', he was bouncing on the seat next to me, whining that he wanted to hold the steering wheel. I tried to tell him how risky it could be and that he was too small to demand things like these but he was a kid, he just wouldn't listen.

Softly bantering with him as I drove, it all became limpid to me. Why Emerald was so protective over him, why he got upset if Jordon was put to the slightest of possibilities of facing danger, why he was hell bent on giving his all in providing him a scarless life from his side – it all made sense. He loved him. And if that was what love was about, if it was something so natural and simple, then...Then maybe I loved him too. Both of them.

~Emerald~

Why did he come back?

Why was he hell bent on making it so difficult for me?

He loved Jordon, he was fond of Jordon, he wanted to see Jordon. And not me. Nothing for me. I was just an accessory.

"So you had history with this guy?" Mark had murmured as I drove us back from the school to my place.

"Kind of." I replied, hoping he wouldn't ask further. Because I was in no mood to share it with him and revisit history.

"Mhmm..." He hummed instead, turning his head to look out the window so I couldn't see his expression. Was he jealous or something? Honestly, at the moment I did not care. I could do with a little less drama in my life for now.

I dropped Mark off at his house, only a couple of houses down from mine and then I returned to my place where I knew mom would be waiting for me with freshly prepared lunch. What a beautiful mother she was, supporting her son and grandson without expecting anything of them. And what a deceiving son I was, who hadn't even told her the reason why he had suddenly come crashing back to her place after these years.

I would tell her my story, I decided. I would come out to her today.

I pushed the door open and went inside, removing my shoes by the door as I strode forward with fake confidence. I was shaking from the inside. I didn't know how she was going to take it.

"Mom?" I called as I entered the kitchen. She was bent over the kettle, preparing tea for herself but turned around with a smile when she heard me.

"Hi honey, back from school? Where's Jordon?"

"He's with..." I stopped, shook my head a little and started over again. "Mom, I need to tell you something."

"Sure, what is it?" She asked normally, turning the stove off and pouring herself a cup.

"I think I'm bisexual." I blurted, clutching the edge of the kitchen table as I stood there, waiting for the reaction.

My mother turned to me and smiled.

"I think everyone is." She chuckled, sitting down on a chair. She carefully placed the cup on the table and looked up at me.

"No, I mean. For real, mom. I– I dated a guy back in my university and it caused s–some problems so... That's why I came back." I had started to quiver and I knew I was about to cry. My mother's heart probably broke to see her son like this so she cooed and got up to wrap her hands around me.

I cried, stammering as I did so.

"I don't know why I did it. I really s-started to like him and–and it all came cr–crashing down."

"Sweetheart," she whispered with love, rubbing my back and looking at my face with admiration only a mother can have for her child. "It's perfectly alright. Why would you think anything is wrong with that? You liked somebody but it didn't turn out the way you wanted– this is completely normal and it happens with everybody, you know that."

I nodded, dropping my head on her shoulder and tightening my arms around her. My tears didn't cease but my mind was now at ease. The burden on my chest felt considerably lighter and dare I say it, I was happy after a long time. It felt good to be home.

"It's okay, baby. You're so strong. I love you so much." She said. And that was all I needed.

~~

"Can I ask a few questions about him? If you don't mind."

I chuckled and nodded. Mom and I had started with our lunch since we figured dad and Jordon would probably get late.

"How did you meet him?" She asked with an excited smile.

"He um...He was my student." I replied uncomfortably. Her eyebrows shot up. I shouldn't have allowed the questions.

"That's quite an interesting story lined up for me right there." She said going back to her food. I forced a smile.

"Mom–" I began to protest weakly just when the doorbell rang. I stood up to attend the door, wondering if it could be Kaylen with Jordon. My heart began speeding up, as usual, as I walked to the door, anticipating to see his face.

Breathing out and composing myself a bit, I pulled the door open only to be greeted with Mark's coy face.

"Hey," he smiled. "I got you some cookies."

He was red. Because he was flirting and trying to be nice. Friends do not flirt and try to be nice. He was trying to be more than that to me. It was now as limpid as distilled water. He liked me and he was trying.

And I was confused what to feel about it.

"Come in." I invited, stepping aside and letting him enter.

"You were low, so I thought... I had some cookies left from last night so..." He tried to explain as I led him to the kitchen.

"Oh hey, Mark!" Mom greeted when she saw him.

"Hi, Linda." He said, taking a seat next to her and placing the box of cookies on the table. "Got some cookies. Our little Emmy was feeling low." In no time he was back to being the best friend Mark I was comfortable to be around. The atmosphere was cheery again as I took my seat and resumed eating, as did mom and Mark. We fell into casual chit-chat, laughing and arguing over little things.

Maybe if I didn't resist it much, I could give this a chance. Maybe it wasn't as bad an idea as my heart was telling me. Maybe it would go well in the end. Because finally somebody was taking an interest in me and –

Ding dong!

"I'll take this." Mark offered and went to check the door. He was semi-family now and it was a warm feeling to have.

"Cookies and all, hunh?" Mom gave me a look and winked. I blushed and rolled my eyes. I wasn't entirely sure about this, but I was considering. Definitely considering.

The sound of little footsteps rushing in broadened my smile immediately. My baby was home.

"Gramma!" He called happily as he ran past me and attacked mom in a hug.

"Ouch." I faked hurt, placing my hands over my chest. "I thought daddy came first." Jordon stuck his tongue out at me and hid his face in his grandmother's neck, making me smile.

"Sure he does." I heard the voice. And it made me catch my breath, again.

I followed my mom's gaze and looked up to my left. The brown eyes caught mine in an instant and before I could comprehend anything else, his lips fell on mine in a heart-stopping kiss during which I probably (definitely) moaned out loud. But it was when he pulled back and opened his mouth again when I completely dropped dead. Because he said–

"I love you."

A/N: Hey guys! It's good to be backkk. An update to cheer you up!

Let me know what you think!