Youiful
Family Dinner – Performance
It was spaghetti night. Diane insisted on using the “good” plates—white porcelain with gold trim—even though Mark was guaranteed to drop his fork three times.
Anna sat quietly, twirling pasta, letting the voices wash over her.
Lily was talking about a new internship
Lily Northwest
They're merging with a Paris firm. I might get to go overseas.
Diane Northwest
See? That's what happens when you push yourself.
Anna's fork paused mid-twirl. She glanced up, wondering if that was a jab.
Alan Northwest
I finished that coding course, by the way.
Marcus Northwest
That's wonderful, son,
Marcus said, reaching to pour him more juice.
Lily Northwest
Anna, you haven't said anything. What's new with you?
Anna Northwest
I started sketching something... Different. A collection inspired by vintage lingerie, but modernized. It's really personal-
Diane Northwest
Just make sure it doesn't look trashy. You don't want people getting the wrong idea.
Silence. Anna set her fork down. Marcus tried to step in.
Marcus Northwest
I'm sure it's tasteful. Anna always has a good eye.
Diane Northwest
I'm just saying... Perception matters.
Lily stayed quiet, but her eyes said "I wouldn't have said it like that but I agree."
Mark Northwest
I think Anna's clothes are cool, She made my superhero cape!
The table chuckled. The tension cracked just barely. But Anna was already shrinking inside, her appetite gone.
After the dinner, Lilly left and went back to her own apartment.
Alan and Mark went to bed,
Marcus and Diane were talking while Diane was washing the dishes.
Anna was in her room, thinking "am I really like worth it or I did something that in my past life that is affecting me in this life. Maybe I not perfect at all." she tried to fake a smile
Talking about moving out & The hot guy
It's another Sunday, family dinner tense, quiet, the sound of cutlery clinking louder than it should.
Anna sat at the table, her plate barely touched. Across from her, Lily scrolled on her phone, Alan was hunched over his pasta, and Mark was humming softly to himself.
Diane, her mother, glanced up.
Diane Northwest
You're not eating.
Anna said quietly, then looked at Marcus, her dad, for courage.
He smiled softly encouraging but silent. Anna took a breath, her fingers tightening around her fork.
Anna Northwest
I've decided.... I'm moving out.
Anna Northwest
I'm moving in with Layla. She found an apartment, and I'm going to help with rent.
Diane Northwest
What are you talking about? Since when?
Anna Northwest
Since I decided I want space,
Anna replied voice softly but steady.
Anna Northwest
I need to grow up on my own.
Lily Northwest
You can barely keep your keys on you. You think you're ready to handle bills and a lease?
Anna Northwest
I'll figure it out.
Diane sat her fork down, sharp.
Diane Northwest
You'll off to play dress up with that reckless friend instead of focusing on college?
Anna voice cracked slightly.
Anna Northwest
Layla believes in me more than you ever have.
Marcus cleared his throat.
Marcus Northwest
Let her go if it's what she needs.
Diane Northwest
Fine. Go. But don't come crawling back when it gets hard.
Mark looked at her, hurt in his eyes.
Mark Northwest
Can I still visit?
Anna's tone softened instantly.
Anna Northwest
Of course, little bro, always.
Anna walked upstairs, and walked in her bedroom.
Closed the door behind her
And started crying her heart out.
Anna wasn't used to the city's energy yet. After decided to move in with Layla, the pace still caught her off guard especially when Layla dragged her to their new favorite cafe, "Grind Theory," a place buzzing with indie playlists and too many hot people in flannel.
She walked in first, turning to say something to Layla behind her only to collide smack into a hard, warm chest. Espresso flew. So did Anna's nerves.
Anna Northwest
Oh my god I'm so sorry!
She stammered, eyes widening as her instinctively landed on bare skin. Bare. Skin. The man she bumped into shirtless under a zip-down hoodie stood completely still, blinking slowly like her touch short circuited something. Drops of coffee ran down his toned abs.
His hair was damp, like he'd just come from a workout or maybe a shower, and his towel wait, was that a towel? Peeked out from his open hoodie just barely covering his...
Anna Northwest
Y-you're not wearing a shirt,
Anna blurted, then mentally slapped herself. Duh.
He said, voice gravel smooth, one eyebrow raised, amused. Layla choked on her iced matcha.
Anna Northwest
I-i didn't mean to grab..uh...touch...your abs. Not that they're not nice, because they're very nice. I mean...
Anna backed up still hit a chair.
The man finally chuckled, low and wicked, sending a tremor straight through her.
Caleb Reed cho
Maybe I should be the one apologizing,
He said, lips tugging into a smirk.
Caleb Reed cho
Didn’t mean to give you a front-row seat to... this.
Anna Northwest
I didn't mind the view,
She mumbled before realizing her mouth betrayed her brain. His smirk deepened.
Caleb Reed cho
Good to know.
Layla, who had completely abandoned pretending not to watch, gave a theatrical cough.
Layla Green (Anna's friend)
Anna. Introduce yourself before you propose.
He replied, eyes lingering like he was already trying to memorize her. They stared a second longer than polite. Layla grinned, sipping her matcha.
Layla Green (Anna's friend)
Wow. This is better than Tinder.
Heat, Coffee & a Confession
Anna tried to recover by focusing on wiping espresso off her jacket, but her hands were trembling. Caleb noticed—of course he did—and wordlessly offered her a napkin from the counter. Their fingers brushed.
It felt like electricity.
Caleb Reed cho
You sure you're okay?
Caleb asked, his voice dropping just a bit—more intimate now that the adrenaline was wearing off.
Anna nodded too fast.
Anna Northwest
Yeah. Totally. Just... caffeinated and clumsy.
Layla leaned on the counter, smirking.
Layla Green (Anna's friend)
You two need a table or a room?
Caleb Reed cho
I'm open to both.
Layla Green (Anna's friend)
Oh, he's bold,
Layla whispered herself, living for drama.
Caleb Reed cho
I'm kidding,
Caleb said with a soft laugh, turning to Anna.
Anna stared at him, completely torn between wanting to melt into the floor and asking him to keep talking forever. So she tried to salvage what little dignity she had left.
Anna Northwest
You work here?
She asked, gesturing at the espresso machine and his low-slung towel-hoodie-situation.
Caleb Reed cho
I live in the apartment upstairs. My best friend Jordan manages the place.
Anna Northwest
And you just... come here half naked and flirt with strangers?
She teased, finding a little of her boldness again. Caleb's smile went slow and wicked.
Caleb Reed cho
Only when the stranger looks like you.
Anna's heart did a triple lurch. Layla blinked.
Layla Green (Anna's friend)
Okay, I'm going to go... sit over there and pretend not to be listening.
As Layla walked away, Anna adjusted the strap on her bag and took a shaky breath.
Anna Northwest
Well. I guess I owe you a coffee.
Caleb Reed cho
You owe me a first date.
Anna Northwest
Wow. You really don't waste time.
He leaned in just enough for her to catch his scent—fresh soap and heat. Her eyes flicked to his lips. Damn it, she thought. This is bad. This is very, very bad.
Caleb Reed cho
When something looks that good, why would I?
Her eyes flicked to his lips. Damn it, she thought. This is bad. This is very, very bad.
But all she said was,
Anna Northwest
I'll think about it...
He stepped back, giving her space again, but his gaze didn’t let go.
Caleb Reed cho
I’ll make it worth your while.
Then he winked. Anna walked to Layla in a daze. Layla didn’t even look up from her phone
Layla Green (Anna's friend)
So... when’s the wedding?
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