Falling in Love

Music drifts down the hallway, soft and sweet, and I can’t help but smile. I lean against the wall, arms crossed, just soaking in the moment. There’s this little bubble of excitement in my chest, and I let myself count along with the beat. One…two…three…

Suddenly, the door swings open. Emrich’s voice bounces around the room, but everyone’s talking over each other. I press my hand over my mouth, trying not to laugh.

“Where is she?”

“Did she sneak out? Are you playing a game with me?” Dad’s voice is sharp, and I hear Mom gasp.

“No, why would I play a game when I know I won’t win?” Mom sounds tired, but there’s a smile in her words.

I can just picture Dad rolling his eyes while Emrich giggles.

“What are we going to do now?” Mom asks, sounding a little lost.

“We’re going to call her mobile. And I’ll check with the palace guards to see if she snuck out with her friends.”

“She didn’t sneak out! She would tell me.”

“You wouldn’t tell me.”

“Theo… I would tell you everything.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Are you two going to fight all night? The candles are melting!” Emrich interrupts, his voice impatient. “Who is going to blow the candles?”

“Me.” I step out of the closet, and suddenly, all eyes are on me.

“Thea,” Dad breathes, relief all over his face. Mom’s eyes go wide, like she can’t believe I’m actually here.

“You didn’t sneak out?”

Dad turns to Mom, eyebrows raised. “She was going to sneak out?”

“She was supposed to, but she’s here. I think she isn’t going to.”

Dad rubs his forehead, looking tired. “You said you had no idea about her sneaking out.”

“I honestly don’t.”

Emrich tugs on Mom’s dress. “We’re supposed to sing a birthday song and let Thea blow the melting candles, Mom.”

I laugh and walk over, standing right in the middle of my room.

“Happy birthday, darling.” They start singing, and I close my eyes, making a wish before blowing out the candles.

Dad pulls me into a hug, warm and safe, and kisses my forehead.

“Happy birthday, Thea. I love you.” His smile is soft, and the wrinkles around his eyes deepen.

“I love you, Dad.” Mom hands the cake to Dad and wraps me up in her arms, squeezing me tight.

I breathe her in—roses, vanilla, jasmine, and that hint of something spicy that always reminds me of Dad.

“Happy birthday, baby.”

“Thank you, Mom.” I glance at Emrich, who’s eyeing the cake like it’s the only thing that matters. I flick his forehead.

“Ouch.” He frowns, but then he hugs me around the waist. “Happy birthday, sister. I hope you grow up this year.”

“Emrich…,” Dad warns, and Emrich quickly scoots over to Mom, who just laughs.

She ruffles his hair. “Why would you want her to grow up?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Complicated?”

He opens his mouth, then closes it, thinking better of whatever he was about to say. “Okay, I don’t want her to grow up. Now, can we have the cake? I really like Megan’s cakes.”

Mom shakes her head. “No, not before the family picture.”

Emrich groans but stands in front of me anyway. Dad calls the guard from outside.

Mom hands her phone over and stands next to Dad. Dad wraps his arm around both of us, and we lean into him from either side. Emrich stands in front of Dad, leaning back against his legs, while Mom and I each rest a hand on Emrich’s shoulder.

The four of us gather around the fireplace, and I start opening my gifts. Emrich sits on the floor, eyes wide as he stares at the pile.

“There are so many gifts,” he says, sounding amazed.

I pick up the first one, the one from Mom. She looks excited, but Dad looks like he’s bracing himself.

I pull out the books, and my eyes go huge.

“Oh my god! Thank you so much, Mom. I love it!”

Dad groans, but Mom just beams.

“I know you always wanted the collection.”

“Yeah, I do! I can’t believe you gave it to me…”

I remember being shocked, but I’ve wanted them ever since. I know how much she loves her special editions.

“This isn’t a good influence,” Dad mutters.

Mom playfully swats his hand. “She’s seventeen, and of course she’s going to read steamy romance novels. There’s nothing wrong with it—it’s just a different kind of love story.”

They keep bickering in the background, but I can’t stop grinning at my new stack of books.

Emrich blows a raspberry. “Why is everyone making such a big deal? Aren’t you going to open the rest of your presents?”

I glance at him. “What did you get me?” I ask, and he nods toward a tiny box sitting next to the bigger one.

I set the books on my lap and pick up the box. Mom and Dad have stopped arguing and are both watching us now.

I open the lid and find a little cube inside. I frown, confused, and look up at him. “I have no idea how to solve one of these.”

Emrich just rolls his eyes.

“Emrich,” Dad says quietly, his voice a gentle warning.

Emrich’s cheeks flush pink. “Sorry. I know you don’t, but I’ll teach you. It’s not that hard, I promise.”

I laugh. He’s been obsessed with learning how to solve cubes with Dad lately.

He’s always loved puzzles—jigsaws, Sudoku, anything that makes his brain work overtime.

I toss the cube to him, and he catches it easily. “Okay, show me what you can do.”

Mom leans into Dad, and we all watch Emrich.

His eyes light up as he starts twisting the cube, totally focused. I can’t help but smile, watching my little brother work his magic.

“That’s amazing, monkey. You’re getting so good at this.” I ruffle his hair, and his cheeks go even pinker.

“Good job,” Dad says, and Mom kisses the top of Emrich’s head. “My babies.”

Emrich looks right at me. “You’re going to learn how to solve this cube before you leave for university.”

“Aww, I hope so.”