Last to know
Category: Drabbles

It was a quiet evening at the West household. Hunter had just gotten home from another grueling day of practice with Ophelia. As he trudged into the living room, still catching his breath, his parents looked up from their respective books.

"Hey champ, how'd it go today?" his dad Michael asked, offering a warm smile.

Hunter opened his mouth to respond, but then paused, a new realization seeming to dawn across his features. He furrowed his brow pensively as he replayed a particular interaction between him and Ophelia from earlier. The way her hair fell across her face as they nailed that final spin...how her laugh made his heart flutter...the reassuring squeeze of her hand in his as they took their bows.

"You know..." Hunter began slowly, choosing his words carefully. "Ophelia and I have been partners for what, over a decade now? Since we were just kids messing around at the local rink."

His mom Evelyn nodded, sharing a knowing glance with Michael. "That's right, dear. You two have grown up together on that ice, chasing your dreams side-by-side."

"Right. And obviously our connection and chemistry has always been...special, you know?" Hunter continued, pointedly avoiding his parents' amused expressions. "She's my best friend. The person who knows me better than anyone in this world."

He exhaled heavily, mentally working up the nerve to finally voice the thought that had been swirling more and more frequently.

"What I'm trying to say is...I think..." Hunter faltered momentarily before barreling forward with the confession. "I think I might be in love with Ophelia."

The words hung in the air for a beat before his parents began chuckling in unison. Hunter's brow furrowed in confusion and slight indignation at their reaction.

"What? What's so funny?" he asked defensively.

Evelyn shook her head with a warm smile. "Oh honey, we're not laughing at you. It's just..."

She glanced at Michael, who was still wheezing with laughter, before finishing her thought.

"Congratulations on being the last one to finally realize what everyone else has seen for years, sweetie."