One And Only

The announcement came during the last period.

Tyler Brooks, one of the loudest guys in class, stood up at the front like he owned the room.

“Yo, listen up!” he shouted, grinning. “It’s my birthday this Friday. I’m throwing a party at my parents’ lake house. Starts at 8 PM. Everyone’s invited. The hockey team, skaters, cheer squad, whoever. Bring whoever you want, just don’t be boring. There’ll be music, food, and no adults. Be there or be lame.”

The class erupted in cheers and whistles. Someone yelled “Free drinks?” and Tyler laughed.

I wasn’t really planning to go. My head was still messy from everything — Mom’s recovery, Mason’s confession in the practice room, the way his words kept replaying in my mind like a song I couldn’t turn off.

But when the final bell rang, Mason appeared beside my locker.

“You going?” he asked, voice low.

I shrugged. “Wasn’t planning on it.”

He leaned against the locker next to mine, arms crossed. “Come. Even if it’s just for a bit. I… I want to talk to you. Properly, away from school.”

The way he said it made my stomach tighten. Later that evening, the lake house was already packed when I arrived, music thumped from the speakers. People were laughing, drinking, dancing on the wooden deck overlooking the water. The air smelled like bonfire smoke and cheap beer.

I spotted Mason almost immediately. He was standing in a quieter corner near the railing, away from the main crowd, wearing a black hoodie and jeans. When he saw me, his whole face changed to something like relief mixed with something nervous.

He walked over. “You came,” he said, voice soft.

“Yeah.”

We moved to an even quieter spot at the edge of the deck, away from the noise. The lake stretched dark and calm behind us, moonlight reflecting on the water.

Mason rubbed the back of his neck, looking more vulnerable than I’d ever seen him.

“Ezra… I meant what I said the other day,” he started, voice rough. “You’ve been on my mind, and I don't know. But it's so funny how I lose myself in time at the mention of your name. And I kept thinking, will I ever know how it feels to hold you close… and have you tell me whichever road I choose, you’ll go?”

He stepped closer, eyes locked on mine. “I dare you to let me be your one and only, I promise I’m worthy to hold in your arms. So come on and give me the chance… to prove I am the one who can walk that mile.”

The words hit me hard. My heart was racing. For a moment, the party noise faded away. It was just us, the lake, and the heavy air between us.

Mason leaned in slowly. I didn’t pull away. Our faces were inches apart. I could feel his breath on my lips. Just as our mouths were about to touch — “Ezra?”

Lila’s voice cut through the moment like a knife and we jerked apart.

She stood a few feet away, holding a red cup, looking surprised but trying to smile. “Sorry,” she said quickly. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just… I saw you and wanted to say hi.”

Mason cleared his throat, stepping back. His face was flushed. “We were just… talking. I’ll give you guys some space.”

He gave me one last look that looked like a mix of frustration and longing, then excused himself and disappeared into the crowd.

Lila watched him go, then turned to me, her expression softer.

“Ezra… can I be honest with you for a second?”

I nodded, still trying to calm my racing heart.

She took a deep breath. “I will leave my heart at the door. I won’t say a word. They’ve all been said before, you know. So why don’t we just play pretend? Like we’re not scared of what’s coming next… or scared of having nothing left.”

Her voice trembled a little. “Look, don’t get me wrong. I know there is no tomorrow. All I ask is… if this is my last night with you, hold me like I’m more than just a friend. Give me a memory I can use. Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do. It matters how this ends… ‘cause what if I never loved again?”

She looked up at me with hopeful, nervous eyes. The party continued around us with laughter, music, splashing in the lake but everything felt distant.

I stood there, heart pounding for a completely different reason now.

Mason’s confession still echoed in my head, and now Lila had just laid her heart bare too.

I didn’t know what to say because for while, in a long time, I realized I was standing at the center of two completely different futures… and I had no idea which one I wanted.

Or if I was ready for either.