As soon as the end of the day bell rang, Katelyn’s heart raced as she hurried home, her curiosity bubbling over. Ryder and Samantha trailed behind her, struggling to keep pace.

“Geez, slow down, speed racer!” Ryder called, his voice tinged with amusement.

Samantha huffed, trying to keep up. “Kate, I can’t run this fast!”

Katelyn glanced over her shoulder and slowed her steps, offering a sheepish smile. “Sorry, guys! It’s just... Mom said there’s a surprise waiting for me today when I get home.”

Ryder’s eyebrows raised in interest. “A surprise? What kind of surprise?”

Katelyn shrugged, excitement dancing in her eyes. “She said it’s a special person.”

“Well, let’s hurry then,” Samantha urged. “I want to see who it is!”

Katelyn winked at Samantha, blowing her a playful kiss. “Thanks, bestie. I knew you’d understand me.”

The two girls hooked arms, quickening their pace again, while Ryder jogged behind them, calling out, “Hey! Wait up for me!”

They passed Ryder’s house, and soon after, Katelyn dropped Samantha off at her place. With a wave and a promise to text later, Katelyn turned and sprinted the last stretch to her own house, anticipation driving her forward. She burst through the door, breathless, excitement spilling over.

“Mom, I’m home! Where’s the special person?” she called, her voice echoing through the hallway.

Katelyn rushed into the living room, her eyes instantly falling on a familiar figure seated on the couch. A boy, her age, was chatting casually with her mom and Aunt Rachel. His back was to her, but Katelyn knew that silhouette anywhere. Her heart skipped a beat.

“Aunt Rachel!” she squealed, rushing forward to hug her.

Rachel beamed as Katelyn embraced her tightly. “Oh, my Katelyn! Look at you—you’re all grown up. A beautiful young woman now!”

They held each other in a long, warm hug, Rachel smoothing Katelyn’s hair affectionately. “Last time I saw you, you were just three,” Rachel said, her voice filled with nostalgia. “I’ve missed you so much, sweet girl.”

“I missed you too,” Katelyn said, stepping back slightly before Rachel’s eyes twinkled with a sudden thought.

Rachel smiled. “Do you remember my son, Lucas?”

Katelyn blinked in surprise as she turned, and there he was—the new boy from her class, the one who had barely spoken to her that morning. The one she had tried not to obsess over all day. Lucas sat on the couch, his expression just as surprised as hers.

“You!” Katelyn blurted, her voice full of shock.

Lucas grinned, clearly recognizing her now. “It’s me.”

Her mom and aunt exchanged confused glances.

“Wait,” Emily said, her brow furrowing. “You two know each other?”

Katelyn sighed, crossing her arms. “He was the new kid in my class today. I tried to be nice and show him around, but he was—” she glanced at Lucas, unsure how to say it, “kind of rude.”

Rachel’s smile faded, and she lightly swatted the back of Lucas’s head. “You were rude to Katelyn? Why on earth would you do that?”

Lucas let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Mom, I wasn’t trying to be rude. It was my first day, and I was nervous. I didn’t feel comfortable talking to anyone.”

Rachel raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Nervous or not, I raised you better than that. You should have at least been polite.”

Lucas nodded sheepishly. “I know, I know... I was going to apologize the next time I saw her.” He turned to Katelyn, meeting her eyes. “Sorry.”

Katelyn felt her heart soften as she saw the sincerity in his eyes. “It’s okay. I didn’t know you were nervous. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.”

Emily chuckled softly, leaning toward Rachel. “Well, I guess we don’t have to worry about them meeting now.”

Rachel laughed too. “Looks like that’s been handled already.”

Before Katelyn could relax into the moment, her curiosity returned. “Where’s Uncle Greg? Didn’t he come with you?”

The room fell into an awkward silence. Lucas’s head dropped, his expression darkening, and Rachel’s smile faded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Katelyn’s mom gave her a sharp look, silently urging her to stop.

Katelyn’s voice faltered. “Did I... say something wrong?”

Rachel wiped away a stray tear as it slipped down her cheek. “Your Uncle Greg... he passed away two months ago. It was a car accident.”

Katelyn’s stomach twisted with guilt. She hadn’t known. She glanced at her mother, who immediately crossed the room to hug Rachel.

“I’m so sorry,” Emily whispered. “I should’ve told Katelyn before you came.”

Rachel shook her head, her voice breaking. “No, it’s fine. She didn’t know. It’s... just hard.”

Katelyn felt a wave of sadness wash over her. “Aunt Rachel, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Rachel gave her a tearful smile. “It’s okay, sweetheart.”

Emily gently guided Rachel toward the kitchen. “Come on, Rach. Let’s have some tea. Kate, why don’t you sit with Lucas for a bit?”

Katelyn nodded, still feeling terrible as her mom and aunt left the room. She noticed Lucas sitting on the couch, staring down at the floor, his hands clenched into fists. A single tear fell from his eye and landed softly on the carpet.

Without thinking, Katelyn sat down next to him, her heart aching for him. She reached out and placed a gentle hand on his back, rubbing soothing circles.

“Lucas, I’m really sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to bring up something so painful. If you need to talk, or if you just want someone to sit with... I’m here.”

Lucas stiffened at her touch, surprised by the warmth that spread from her small hand. He didn’t pull away, though. Instead, he let her comfort him, the soft pressure of her hand easing the tightness in his chest.

“I’m okay,” Lucas said quietly, wiping the last traces of his tears. “Sorry for worrying you... and for being cold to you at school.”

Katelyn smiled gently. “It’s okay. We haven’t seen each other since we were three. A lot’s changed since then.”

Lucas chuckled softly, finally looking up at her. “You’re a lot prettier now.”

Katelyn felt a blush creeping up her neck. “And you’re... a lot more handsome.”

They laughed, the tension easing as they began catching up on everything that had happened in the years they hadn’t seen each other. The grief still lingered, but for a moment, they found comfort in each other.

Later, when Eric returned home and dinner was shared, the warmth of family filled the house. Laughter replaced sadness, and for a few hours, everything felt lighter. As the night wound down, Emily showed Lucas to his room—the one right next to Katelyn’s.

Lying in bed, Katelyn felt her heart race again, knowing Lucas was just a wall away.