Chapter 1

I could feel both of them staring at me, their eyes filled with curiosity and a little bit of mischief. My mom gave me that soft smile of hers, the one that always managed to make me feel both comforted and a little embarrassed at the same time.

Mom rested her elbows on the table and leaned closer.

 “ David , sweetheart, you’re nineteen now. You’ve moved out, you’ve got your own place, your own job… don’t you want someone special to share things with?”

I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly, avoiding their eyes.

 “I… I don’t know, Mom. I guess I just haven’t really thought about it that much.”

Aunt  Jessica  chuckled softly, sipping her coffee before setting the mug down with a clink. 

“Oh, come on,  David . You expect us to believe that? You’re young, you’re decent-looking, and you work with your hands all day. You’re telling me there isn’t a single girl you like? Not one?”

I shrugged, feeling my ears burn.

 “I mean… there are girls at work, sure. But I… I wouldn’t even know how to start something like that.”

“Hmm.” 

Aunt leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs as she gave me that sly little smirk she was famous for. 

“Sounds like someone needs a bit of… guidance.” Mom shot her a look. 

“ Jessica , don’t start,” she warned, though there was a tiny smile tugging at her lips. “He’ll figure it out in his own time.”

“I’m just saying,” Aunt replied, hands raised in mock surrender. 

“It wouldn’t hurt to, you know, socialize a little more. There’s a whole world outside this apartment and the carpentry shop, kiddo.”

I sighed and slouched back in my chair, staring at the ceiling for a moment. 

“It’s not that simple,” I muttered.

 “I… I guess I just haven’t met the right person yet.”

There was a short silence before Mom reached across the table and placed her hand gently over mine. Her touch was soft, comforting—just like always. 

“That’s okay, sweetheart,” she said softly.

 “You’ll know when the time comes. No need to rush.”

But Aunt  Jessica  wasn’t done yet. She leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

 “Alright, alright… no rushing.” 

Then she tilted her head slightly and asked, “But… do you at least look? You know, when you’re out and about?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “Uh… I mean… sometimes,” I admitted, feeling the heat creep up my neck.

Aunt chuckled, exchanging a quick glance with Mom, who was trying hard not to laugh. “See? That’s a start,” she teased.

 “Our little  David  is growing up.”

I groaned, hiding my face in my hands. “Can we not make this a thing?”

Hi, I’m  David . I’m nineteen years old, and for the first time in my life, I’m living on my own. A few weeks ago, I moved into this small but cozy apartment in the middle of town. It’s nothing fancy — just one bedroom, a tiny kitchen, and a dining area — but to me, it feels like freedom.

I work at a local carpentry shop, and honestly, I like it there. The smell of fresh wood, the sound of saws and hammers, the feeling of creating something with my own two hands… it gives me a strange kind of satisfaction. I’m not rich, but I make enough to cover the rent and bills, and for now, that’s enough.

My family… well, it’s small, but it’s everything to me. My mom,  Julie , is actually my stepmom — though I’ve never called her that. My biological mother passed away when I was born, and  Julie  adopted me right after. She lost her best friend that day, but she chose to love me as her own. For as long as I can remember, she’s been “Mom.” Nothing less, nothing more.

Then there’s my aunt,  Jessica  — Mom’s younger sister. If Mom’s the caring and steady one, Aunt  Jessica  is the fun, adventurous one. She does freelance web design, so she’s always had the freedom to drop by, take me out, or just hang around the house when I was younger. Growing up, it always felt like the three of us were a little team, and honestly, I never missed having a dad. Between them, I had all the love and guidance I needed.

Mom works at the local library — I can still picture her sitting behind the counter, surrounded by shelves stacked high with books, wearing those round glasses she thinks make her look older. She just turned forty recently, which worried her way more than it should’ve, but Aunt  Jessica  and I threw her a small celebration to make her smile.

Life has been quiet, simple, and… well, kind of sheltered. I’ve never been the outgoing type. I don’t party, I don’t drink much, and I’ve never really been in a relationship. It’s not that I don’t want to — I just… don’t know where to start.

And yet, even though I’ve just moved out, Mom and Aunt  Jessica  visit me a lot. Sometimes I think they come more to check up on me than to hang out — but I don’t mind. When it’s the three of us together, it still feels like home.

I didn’t know it back then, but everything was about to change… starting with one simple question my mom asked during one of those visits:“So,  David … do you have a girlfriend yet?”