"Believe it or not, it was a one night stand." Willow giggled. "After that fateful night, they couldn't get enough of each other. So they kept on meeting up until they married, and had me," she said, wistfully remembering the day that she told 9 year old her.
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"That was definitely not what I was expecting," Sterling laughed. "That's pretty funny, though. My parents are boing compared to that."
Willow couldn't help but stare when he laughed, the light hitting his blue eyes just right, so they stood out more than usual. She sucked in a breath. Jeez, has he always been that pretty? Willow soon shakes her head, knocking herself out of the daze. Forget it Willow, he'd never be interested in a girl like you.
"Sure, but your parents' is romantic. I'm a sucker for a good love story," she said, her tone light. She wouldn't mention to him the dozens of romance novels tucked away in her closet.
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Sterling grinned and winked at her quickly. "Good to know. Now I know what to get you for your birthday. Or Christmas… When is your birthday?"
Willow felt a blush creeping up the back of her neck, but she forced it down quickly. "August 1st, 2000," she said, cocking her head at him curiously. "And why do you want to get me a birthday gift? I've just met you." Sterling Ainsley is a character, that's for sure.
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"I was teasing you, Willow," Sterling chuckled, nudging her playfully. "But I will still probably get you something, anyway."
"Oh," Willow's ears burned. God, how could I be so naive? "Sorry, but you don't have to, I mean, only if you want to. But you don't have to! And my birthday's so far away, so you'll probably forget about it-which is totally fine, I understand completely-but you really don't have to, even if it's really nice of you-" She shut herself right up when she realized she was babbling, a nervous habit of hers.
What could she say? She was home alone with a cute boy and no idea what to do. What could possibly happen? she sarcastically thought to herself.
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Sterling laughed softly. "Your babbling is cute. And I'm still going to get you something. What kinds of things do you like? Besides romance, that is."
"Um, tiny houseplants?" Willow said, the sentence sounding more like a question than an answer. What did she like? She usually just accepted whatever her parents got her, since they knew what the family could and could not afford. "Or, uh, journals? I'm not really sure." She pursed her lips, racking her head for ideas.
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"I'm sure I'll find something by the time it's your birthday," Sterling mused, nodding slowly. "I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of each other."
Willow's eyes lit up. "Really?" She then noticed how happy she seemed, and hurried to fix it. Clearing her throat, she spoke in a calmer tone. "Really?" When will this blush go away?
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Sterling's lips quirked up in a small smirk when he heard her excitement. Gosh, she was cute…
"Yes, really," he chuckled. He raised an eyebrow at her teasingly. "Unless you'd rather not?"
"No no no no!!" Willow shook her hands, denying it. "I'd love for us to see more of each other," She smiled at him brightly.
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"I'd like that, too," Sterling agreed, his voice holding a bit of laughter at her insistence.
Willow's ears burned, and she played with her fingers, looking down. "Do you wanna play twenty questions?" she asked shyly. Why am I shy? I literally just said I wanted to meet with him on the regular.
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“That sounds good. Do you want to go first, or should I?” Sterling asked, popping another animal cracker in his mouth.
"I'll go first: what's your favorite color?" Willow asked. It was a basic question, but essential for their relationship to bloom.
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“Hm… Dark blue,” Sterling answered, relaxing into his seat. “Do you answer that one as well, or would I have to use a question?”
Willow hummed. "I don't care, either or is fine with me," she popped another cheez-it in her mouth and leaned back into the couch, relaxing slightly.
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“Okay, then I’ll save my question if you want to just tell me,” Sterling said with a smile.
"It's maroon," Willow was suddenly reminded of something, and she sat straight up. "Hey, do you know maroon is just navy red?" she said with a cheeky grin.
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Sterling’s eyebrows shot up. “Huh… I guess that’s technically true…” he shook his head as if clearing it and chuckled. “All right. My turn. What’s your favorite animal?”
"Lion. Yours?" she said, relaxing on the couch once again. Willow dug her hand into the box and munched quietly, the movie forgotten.
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Sterling hummed before answering. “Tiger,” he lied, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he popped another animal cracker into his mouth.
Willow nodded, and opened her mouth to respond when a crash sounded from the front. Her blood ran cold, and she immediately stood up, looking at the kitchen. A man stumbled out, obviously drunk, and Willow's heart dropped. She turned to Sterling and beckoned him to get up. "Sterling, you need to go," she said, eyes pleading to him to agree with her.
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Sterling stood quickly, his gaze flashing from the girl to the man and back again. "Sure… Maybe you should come with me, though," he murmured softly. He didn't want to leave her alone with this guy…
Willow’s eyes flickered back nervously to the man, presumably her father, and Sterling. She rung her hands together to stop them from shaking. God, he wasn’t supposed to be home until 6, and it’s 4:30. “No, I, uh, I can’t, but really, you should go,” Another crash sounded, and she winced. Sterling needed to go before the other man noticed him, unless Sterling wanted a fight. She put her hands on his chest, gently pushing him. Please Sterling, just listen, she pleaded silently.
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Sterling looked down at her and sighed. "All right… But call or text me or something if you need help, okay?" he offered gently as he stepped toward the door.
Willow nodded vigorously. “Yes, ah, will do,” She walked on the other side of him, hopefully blocking him from her father’s sight. Glancing once more at the figure slumped on the dining table, she opened the door for Sterling. She shot a small smile at him, which was hopefully reassuring.
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"I'm serious, Willow. If you need anything, call me. No matter the time of day," Sterling insisted before slipping his shoes on and opening the door silently.
