So Close to Ruin

Then suddenly I heard the lock of the door lock click shittt we were definitely done for…..

Everything stopped right there in the living room.

My body went completely still on top of him, my heart slamming so hard against my chest it felt like it was about to give us away.

He just froze there too. It was like we both snapped back to reality at the same time.

The front door was opening and someone was about to step inside.

“Mac…” I whispered, my voice shaky now, barely holding together.

His hands dropped instantly, like he had just realized what we were doing, and where we were doing it.

Slow footsteps followed and it was getting closer.

“Oh my God…” I breathed, quickly getting off him, my hands fumbling as I tried to fix myself, my hair, my clothes, anything to make it look normal. He stood up fast, running a hand through his hair, trying to pull himself together, but I could see how tense he was.

The footsteps got closer, each step louder than the last.

“Bea?”

My mom’s voice.

My stomach dropped instantly.

“She’s here,” I mouthed, panic flashing across my face.

“I know,” he replied quietly, his voice tight.

I grabbed my bag from the couch and rushed forward just as she stepped into the living room.

“Mom!” I said quickly, way too quickly. "Hey."

She paused.

Her eyes landed on me first.

Then slowly… shifted to him.

Standing just a few steps behind me.

She just stood there staring at him, my soul was literally about to leave my body I just hoped she wasn't suspecting anything.

“You’re home,” she said.

It wasn’t a question.

“Yeah,” Mac replied, forcing a smile. “We just got back.”

She didn’t respond immediately.

Her eyes moved between us again.

“You two look…” she started, with a calm voice.

My heart skipped immediately. We were definitely done for.

“…a little flushed.” She continued.

My throat went dry.

“Hot day,” I said immediately.

She hummed softly, like she wasn’t fully convinced.

Then she walked further into the living room, dropping her bag on the table.

“I forgot something earlier,” she casually said.

"Oh? What's that?"

I said in an attempt to ease the tension.

She reached for her bag and brought out a gift box. I couldn't hold my smile.

"Happy 18th B, I know I'm tough too tough sometimes," We chuckled. "But, I'll always love you and you'll always be my beautiful treasure. I hope you know that." She said shoving my stray hair behind my ear. I was trying my best to hold in my tears, I don't remember the last time my mom said something that sweet to me.

"I love you okay B?"

"I love you too, mom."

I chuckled a bit and hugged her tightly.

Mac was still standing behind me just watching before he spoke up.

"C'mon B, open it."

I didn't look at him cause I would have folded on the spot and my mom was there, so I just picked the gift box and opened it. It was a jewelry set and it was so beautiful, the necklace had a picture of

the both of us. I couldn't hide how happy I was.

"Momm." I said softly almost breaking down, she just smiled and went into the kitchen. I kept looking at the set, the bracelet had "Mommy's Little Girl" engraved in it, I couldn't hold it anymore. I was just sad because we used to be so close until my dad died, She always called me her little girl, but I haven't heard it from her since my dad died. I was still there just staring at the necklace and chain while Mac comforted me, when my mom came in with a birthday cake with candles and a birthday hat singing happy birthday for me.

I chuckled and sang along with her. She put the hat on my head and made me make a wish. I think we all know what I wished for. We cut the cake and each had a slice. It was a really wholesome moment.

"Okay, how about we get some rest, while I make dinner."

Mac said.

“Alright.”

My mom said, without looking at him, I guess she was still upset with him. She hugged me again and gave me a little smile before she walked off towards her room.

The moment she disappeared down the hallway, the air shifted. That was too close.

I turned around slowly to face him and we just stood there staring at each other.

We both knew what just happened, and what almost happened.

“She almost saw us,” I whispered.

He didn’t respond immediately.

His jaw was tight, and his eyes were unreadable.

“That can’t happen again,” he finally said.

I swallowed and took a small step back trying to steady myself and acting like I wasn’t affected.

But I was.

“I should go to my room,” I said quietly.

He nodded but didn’t move.

I turned and walked away, my legs feeling weak and my mind spinning.

And as I reached my door, I paused for just a second. Because deep down… I knew that despite how close we just came to getting caught…despite how wrong it was…I knew one thing.

I wasn’t going to stop.