MILES
I took a deep breath and plastered a smile on my face. It was Saturday morning, and today was the day I had been looking forward to all week.
 
As I stood in front of the mirror, I assessed myself with both excitement and nervousness. My clothes were neatly pressed, and my hair, though perpetually unruly, looked decent after a careful comb through.
 
"Miles! Your date is here!" my older brother, Jackson, yelled from downstairs, his voice filled with amusement. I rolled my eyes, both embarrassed and grateful that he had reminded me. He always had a knack for teasing me, especially when it came to matters of the heart.
 
I hurriedly ran my hand through my hair one last time, trying to tame any stray strands that might misbehave. I am satisfied with my appearance—at least as much as I could be.
 
"Coming!" I yelled back, and I heard Jackson and Tyler continue their hushed conversation in the living room. I was in the middle of getting ready to head out when I abruptly remembered that I had left my phone in my room.
 
Rushing back to retrieve it, I couldn't help but feel a tingle of annoyance at myself for forgetting such an essential item. As I entered my room, my eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for the familiar glow of my smartphone. However, what I found instead was something far more puzzling.
 
"Shit! Where did I put it?" I murmured to myself and searched for my phone all over my room, but I couldn't find it anywhere. I must've misplaced it somewhere.
 
Frantically, I overturned pillows, shuffled through clothes, and even searched underneath my bed. But the sleek smartphone remained elusive, hiding from my desperate eyes. As panic began to tighten its grip on me, I ransacked every nook and cranny, my mind racing with thoughts of missed calls, important messages, and the constant sense of disconnection.
 
"Looking for this?" I almost jumped when I heard a familiar voice. I glanced at Tyler, who was standing right outside my door with one hand in his pocket and the other holding my phone. He then looked at my phone and gave me a goofy smile.
 
"Ty!" I exclaimed, relief washing over me.
"I feel so over the moon that you made my face your phone's lock screen wallpaper," he said, chuckling in excitement. I rolled my eyes playfully, unable to hide my smile.
 
"I'm glad you are, Ty," I replied, a smile of my own forming on my lips. His presence alone stirred a warmth within me that could battle any storm. As he drew nearer, his steps filled with purpose, and my heart skipped a beat in anticipation.
 
Ty closed the distance between us, and as he reached me, he gently took hold of my hand, intertwining our fingers. His touch sent electrifying shivers down my spine, igniting a flame of desire within me. The feeling of his fingertips against my skin was both comforting and thrilling.
 
His eyes, a deep shade of azure, gazed into mine with tenderness. "I'm delighted to see you again, Miles," he said in his most gentle voice, causing my heart to flutter. His voice was like a symphony, soothing and melodic, resonating deep within me.
 
I couldn't help but lean into his touch as his hand caressed my face, his fingers guiding me towards him. The world around us stood still as if time itself were holding its breath, allowing us this cherished moment. My heart pounded with anticipation, and our lips were inching closer together.
 
And then it happened.
 
Ty's lips met mine, creating an explosion of emotions within me. It was a kiss filled with love, tenderness, and longing. I felt a rush of warmth enveloping my entire being, erasing any doubts or worries that once lingered. In that single moment, I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
 
As our lips parted, Ty's smile told a thousand stories. It was a smile that said he cherished me, a smile that spoke of a future we would build together. With him by my side, I knew that life would never be the same again.
 
"Now give me my phone!" I told him playfully, a mischievous glint in my eyes.
 
"Not so fast!" he replied, a playful smirk on his face. He held my phone just out of my reach, teasing me like a child.
 
Chuckling, he raised his hand upward, challenging me to jump for it. My competitive nature kicked in, and I eagerly accepted the challenge. I crouched down and jumped, stretching my arms as far as they could go. But to no avail; my fingertips barely grazed the cold surface of the phone.
 
With a burst of energy, I leaped into the air again, propelling myself towards the tantalizing device. The room filled with laughter as I threw myself into a series of failed attempts, like a determined athlete on an obstacle course.
 
He skillfully dodged my desperate lunges, his laughter becoming louder with each failed attempt. It was as if he possessed a sixth sense, anticipating my every move.
 
"You're so close!" he teased, wagging a finger at me as I panted for breath. I shook my head as a sign of my defeat, unable to control the blush creeping up my cheeks. The mischievous glint in his eyes was infectious, making it hard to resist his charms.
 
"Just one more kiss and I'll give it back to you," he whispered, his warm breath tickling my ear and sending shivers down my spine. His voice, filled with a playful allure, possessed a certain magnetic pull that made resisting him feel almost impossible.
 
I rolled my eyes and could not contain my laughter as I landed a quick kiss on his lips. He smiled a mischievous glint in his eyes, and he handed the phone to me.
 
"Let's go?" He asked, his voice filled with a mixture of anticipation and excitement. He extended his hand towards me, offering it like an invitation to a grand adventure. I couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity and a desire to break free from the monotony of everyday life.
 
I nodded in response, my heart pounding in sync with his infectious enthusiasm. As he gently enveloped my hand in his, our shared energy instantly ignited a spark of spontaneity within me. It was as if he had unveiled a hidden part of myself, longing to explore the world beyond the confinements of the familiar.
 
Together, hand in hand, we made our way out of the house. The air outside was crisp, filling our lungs with the freshness of a new beginning. The world around us seemed to shimmer with possibilities that stretched far beyond what our imaginations could grasp.
 
As Tyler and I made our way through the front door, a familiar, black, luxurious car was waiting for us. From a distance, I saw Morris sitting in the driver's seat. He was a tall, elegant man with a neatly trimmed beard and piercing eyes. Morris had been Tyler's family butler for as long as I could remember, and he had always been like family to them.
 
"It's nice to see you again, Morris!" I greeted him with enthusiasm as I leaned close to the car's window. His eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and joy as he recognized me.
 
"Nice seeing you again, kiddo. How have you been?" Morris asked, a warm smile spreading across his face as Tyler and I both went inside the car. His voice carried a sense of familiarity and comfort that had been absent from my life for far too long.
 
"I'm doing just fine, Morris; thank you," I began, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of my lips. Morris was wearing a sleek black suit, and his dark hair was immaculately fixed. It was a rather striking departure from his typical casual attire, prompting my curiosity to get the better of me. "By the way, you're looking good today. Are you going somewhere?"
"Dad is on his way from his business trip from Korea, so Morris will pick him up at the airport after dropping us off at Central Park," Tyler said. Surprised, I turned to him.
 
Leaning closer to him, I whispered, "Which Dad are you talking about? You've got four of them." With a swift movement, I held up my hand, concealing my thumb behind my closed fist. But instead of showing him three fingers, I extended all four, my little finger included. A mischievous glint danced in my eyes as I watched his reaction. It took him a couple of seconds before he burst into a fit of laughter, his deep chuckles reverberating through the car. Shaking his head, his laughter still lingering in the air.
 
"My Dad, Hanz Waldorf—the one who adopted me, remember?" he said, a playful glimmer dancing in his eyes. Before I could react, he swiftly reached out and pinched my cheek like a child would. Surprised, I let out a gasp.
 
"Since Mr. Waldorf just arrived, I had to get back to work and attend every business meeting with him," Morris added as he adjusted his glasses and adjusted the rearview mirror, ensuring that his reflection was pristine before starting the car's engine. He was meticulous about maintaining his image, always wanting to make a good impression. His sleek black sedan roared to life, the purr of the engine matching his confident demeanor.
 
"Miles, don't come home late. Mom and Dad will be home tonight!" I heard Jackson yell from the veranda of our house. Startled, I glanced at him and saw the concern etched on his face.
 
I gave Jackson a thumbs up, assuring him that everything was alright. With a radiant smile, I waved my hand to say goodbye, and my heart filled with an odd mix of excitement and joy. Jackson nodded his head and waved back as the car's engine roared to life, and the car slowly pulled away.
 
"Was that your brother, Jackson, kiddo?" Morris asked, his voice filled with intrigue. His eyes sparkled with anticipation as if he knew there was more to the story.
 
"Yeah, I'm glad you still remember him, Morris," I replied, a hint of nostalgia tugging at my heartstrings. Despite the age difference between me and my brother, we had always been close growing up. The memories of our adventures and shared secrets still resonate with me.
 
Morris chuckled, his eyes wrinkling at the corners. "I'm not that old, though," he added, his voice carrying a playful undertone. The three of us sat there, enveloped in a shared laughter that echoed inside the car.
 
As the laughter subsided, Morris leaned in, his expression turning more serious. "I remember when Jackson was just a little kid. He used to follow you around like a shadow, protecting you from the world," he confessed, his voice filled with fondness.
I watched as the car slowly pulled away, Jackson's familiar silhouette growing smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.
...
As we stepped out of the car, the warm rays of the sun embraced us, promising a beautiful day ahead. Central Park, with its sprawling greens and vibrant atmosphere, never failed to captivate me. I shared a mischievous grin with Tyler, knowing that we were about to embark on another memorable adventure.
 
"Enjoy your day, kiddos and Tyler. Please take care of yourselves, okay?" Morris said, his eyes filled with a mix of love and concern. He had been Tyler's guardian for as long as I could remember, and his gentle words always reminded us of his unwavering care.
 
"We'll be fine, Paps; don't worry," Tyler replied with a hint of assurance. Morris just nodded and smiled.
 
Morris glanced at his watch and jokingly remarked, "I'll get going now because I don't want to piss your Dad off." He waved his hand playfully at us and started the car's engine. We continued to exchange waves and smiles, reluctant to let him leave. With a final honk, he peeled away down the driveway and disappeared into the distance, leaving us with a bittersweet ache in our hearts.
 
"So do you want something?" Tyler awkwardly asked, trying to fill the silence between us as we strolled through the majestic Central Park. I couldn't help but glance at him with a mischievous smirk on my face. He was just too cute to resist.
 
Tyler was acting a little strange, which had me puzzled and amused. I noticed his cheeks would flush with a rosy hue, and he would fidget, avoiding my gaze as if secrets were hiding behind his eyes. It was evident that something was bothering him, and I couldn't help but wonder what it could be.
 
"Why are you acting like that?" I asked, unable to contain my chuckles any longer.
 
"Acting what?" Tyler asked, curiosity dancing in his eyes as he tried to suppress his laughter. His attempt failed, as a mischievous chuckle escaped from his lips. I couldn't help but laugh along with his infectious energy as he glanced at me.
 
"What's so funny?" he asked, his face perplexed yet amused.
 
I couldn't contain myself any longer and burst out laughing. "Nothing!" I managed to say between giggles. "It's just that you look so cute, even though you're acting so weird!"
 
His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and a hint of a smile played on his lips. "Weird? Me?"
 
I nodded, still chuckling. "Yes, definitely weird. But in the most endearing way."
 
"I'm not acting weird!" he said in his most defensive tone while trying to stop himself from laughing.
"Yes, you are acting weird," I reiterated, my voice softer this time. His eyes met mine, their vibrant gray color flickering with a mix of emotions. He seemed taken aback by my response, as if not expecting me to say those words.
 
He rolled his eyes playfully, shaking his head, but the wide smile adorning his face remained untarnished. It was the kind of smile that could light up a room and make your heart skip a beat. Despite his attempt to play it cool, I could sense the vulnerability lurking beneath the surface.
 
It took him a couple of seconds before he finally spoke, his voice laced with a hint of uncertainty.
 
"It's just that I'm so happy I get to spend this day with you, but I'm just too shy to call this a date," he said with a hint of nervousness, his eyes momentarily fixed on the ground. Curiosity peaked within me, and I couldn't help but follow his gaze.
 
"A date?" I asked as soon as our eyes met, and we both stopped walking and gave ourselves a moment. Tyler nodded his head as he bit his lower lip. His smile was sheepish, but there was a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.
 
"Yeah," he replied, his voice trembling slightly. "I was hoping you'd say yes."
 
"Oh, so this is what it's all about! Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I asked, exasperated, my hands on my hips. Tyler simply laughed, his mischievous eyes twinkling with amusement.
 
"Because it's my first time asking someone to go out with me, and it's you, I didn't know what to say," Tyler explained, his voice filled with vulnerability.
 
I couldn't help but find his innocence endearing. While his confession lacked eloquence, it made my heart flutter with joy. Tyler had always been the type to stumble over his words, but it only added to his charm.
 
With a mischievous glint in my eye, I decided to play along. "Well, it's not too late to ask me now," I teased him, and he chuckled, shaking his head once more.
 
"Okay, okay, I've been practicing this since a week ago; please do not laugh at me!" he pleaded, his eyes twinkling with excitement.
 
"I won't; just show me what you've got," I challenged, leaning closer to him. My eyes twinkled mischievously as I waited for him to muster the courage to ask me out.
 
Taking a deep breath, Tyler glanced nervously around the park before finally blurting out, "Miles O'Malley, would you like to have a date with me?" He stammered.
 
"I can't believe you've been practicing that line for a week," I chuckled, unable to contain my curiosity any longer. "And because of that, I'm glad to say that my answer is definitely yes."
 
A wave of relief washed over Tyler's face, and he took my hand in his, squeezing it gently. We exchanged glances, a mixture of excitement and love painting our eyes.
 
"I want to kiss you so bad right now," Tyler said, his voice laced with a playful tone as he leaned closer to me. His words took me by surprise, but the desire in his eyes was unmistakable.
 
"Not here, Ty," I whispered back, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks. An involuntary smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I glanced around at the sea of people passing by. The thought of stealing a kiss in such a public place both thrilled and amused me.