Summer break had finally arrived. With no classes to worry about, Celeste was on vacation—and this time, she wasn't spending it alone.
Ash had taken personal leave from work. Rowan, unfortunately, had been left behind in the city, drowning in paperwork and client meetings. For the first time ever, Ash was going to Celeste's hometown—something even Rowan hadn't done despite being best friends with Ash since college.
Inside the car, the windows rolled down just enough to let in the warm, provincial breeze. Celeste's hand rested in Ash's, their fingers tangled together on his lap. His other hand was on the wheel, driving them steadily through the winding roads.
Celeste glanced down at her phone, giggling quietly as she opened her messages.
Rowan:
Good luck!!
No—no, y'all don't need luck.
It'll be fine.
So don't sweat it.
She quickly typed back:
Celeste:
Hahaha no sweats ekekeke
Her group chat lit up next.
Celeste:
We're heading to the province. Just me and Ash.
Lyka:
Yieee they're finally official—no more hiding! HAHAHA
Liam:
That's nice.
I'm happy for the both of you.
🎉🙌🏾🎂
Lyka:
What's with the cake emoji?!
Liam:
Oops—typo 😭
Celeste:
😆😆😆
She chuckled and turned to Ash.
"Nervous?"
Ash gave a faint smile and nodded.
"Yeah."
"Don't worry, they won't eat you," she teased.
He laughed softly.
"Only I can eat you," she added with a cheeky grin.
Ash nearly choked on air, his face turning red.
"C-Cel…"
Celeste burst out laughing, thoroughly amused at how easily she could fluster him.
.
.
.
Later that day…
They pulled up to the gate of her family home—a modest yet cozy house surrounded by trees, with the distant sounds of countryside life filling the air.
Celeste and Ash stood at the doorstep, her hand still firmly in his.
The wooden door creaked open, and her mom appeared.
"Hiii, Ash!" her mother greeted brightly, immediately pulling him into a warm hug—completely bypassing Celeste.
Celeste raised a brow.
"Wow. Betrayal," she muttered with mock offense, but the corners of her lips curved into a smile.
Ash stiffened, clearly surprised by the sudden hug, but returned it politely, flustered as ever.
Then her dad stepped into view behind the door.
"Celeste," he said gruffly, arms open.
Celeste immediately stepped forward and embraced him. Meanwhile, her mom and Ash parted, leaving him face to face with her dad.
Ash bowed slightly.
"Good evening, sir."
Her father gave him a long look, scanning him up and down before stepping forward and giving him a firm pat on the shoulder.
Ash straightened, offering a small, nervous smile—just in time for her dad to reach out and ruffle his hair.
Celeste laughed at the scene as they all headed inside together.
__________
Days later, at Amusement park…
Screams echoed from the roller coaster as Lyka and Liam staggered out of the exit platform.
"W-Wait—my legs—" Liam muttered, stumbling.
Lyka was laughing so hard she could barely stand. She reached out and rubbed Liam's back in slow circles.
Celeste was lying on her childhood bed, scrolling through her phone with one hand and munching on dried mango slices with the other. A video call lit up her screen—it was Lyka.
Celeste answered, and the camera immediately shook with laughter. Lyka's face appeared in the foreground, flushed and sweaty, the wind still tousling her hair. Behind her was Liam, wobbling like a newborn deer.
"Cel! Look who's dying beside me!" Lyka cackled, turning the camera toward Liam.
Celeste's eyes widened, then she burst out laughing. Liam looked like he'd seen all stages of life flash before his eyes—his face pale, his shirt slightly damp, hair a total mess.
"Oh my god," Celeste said between snorts, "you dragged him to the front seat, didn't you?"
"He wanted to sit there!"
"I didn't know it would feel like my organs were levitating!" Liam groaned in the background.
Celeste grinned and pointed at the screen.
"Aw, Lyka. Your boyfriend's so brave."
Lyka rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the blush on her cheeks.
"He's not my boyfriend—"
"But he's with you. On a date. Riding rollercoasters. Suffering for your happiness."
"Shut up," Lyka muttered, though she was smiling ear to ear.
"You look good together," Celeste teased, waving the dried mango slice like a fan. "He's tall and dying, you're short and thriving—it balances out."
"I hate you."
"No you don't." Celeste winked.
Liam stumbled closer to the screen.
"Can you please tell her no more rides that turn upside down? I like my brain where it is."
Celeste gave a thumbs up.
"Only teacup rides next time. Maybe a merry-go-round."
"Bless you," Liam whispered.
Lyka shoved him gently.
"Don't be dramatic."
Celeste was still giggling when the call ended. She stretched on the bed and whispered to herself with a grin, "She's so gone for him."
_________
Back in the city…
Inside a quiet office, Rowan leaned back in his chair, phone in hand. He scrolled through his gallery and stopped at a photo—an old college pic.
There was Ash, long-haired, bespectacled, with a gentle smile. On Rowan's other side sat Isadora, her arm draped over his shoulder, both of them grinning like idiots. Several other friends from their college org were scattered in the background, raising beer cans and making goofy faces.
Rowan smiled softly at the memory, thumb resting on the screen a little longer.
__________
Back at Celeste's home...
The house was quiet. Only the soft hum of crickets outside filled the silence. Celeste lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her heart still felt full from everything that had happened in the past few days—the trip, her parents, Ash. For the first time in a long while, things felt simple. Peaceful.
She smiled to herself, letting the warmth of it all settle in her chest.
Then her phone buzzed.
A message lit up her screen.
Ash:
I'm outside your room.
Celeste blinked, then sat up straight. She didn't hesitate—she hopped off the bed, crossed the room, and opened the door.
Standing just beyond it was Ash, still in his pajamas, wearing his glasses. He gave her a sheepish smile, and raised one hand—holding a small box wrapped in deep blue paper with a silver ribbon.
"Happy birthday," he whispered.
Celeste glanced at her phone.
12:01 AM.
July 29.
She smiled and looked back at Ash. Then, without a word, she grabbed his wrist and tugged him gently into her room, quietly closing the door behind him.
Ash blinked, stunned. He turned to face her, clearly flustered.
"C-Cel… I'm just here to give the gift, nothing more than that—really."
Celeste chuckled, crossing her arms as she leaned against her desk. His reactions never got old.
"Then give me my gift," she said sweetly, her tone innocent—but her grin gave her away.
Ash studied her for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly—half-suspicious, half-surrendering. When he saw no trace of teasing beyond her expression, he sighed and carefully opened the box.
Inside was a silver bracelet. Thin, delicate, and elegantly crafted, the chain gleamed faintly under the room light. At the center was a small charm shaped like a moon crescent entwined with a star, with a tiny blue gem at the center—her birthstone.
Celeste's eyes sparkled. Without waiting, she lifted her arm toward him. Ash gently took her wrist and fastened the bracelet on her.
"Thank you…" she whispered, her gaze soft as she admired it on her skin.
Ash let out a breath of relief and smiled.
"Thank God, you like it."
A quiet pause settled between them.
"O-Okay then," Ash said, stepping back awkwardly. "I should go now—"
He leaned in and kissed her forehead before turning toward the doorknob.
"I want it on the lips," Celeste said quickly, her voice soft but firm.
Ash froze mid-step.
She turned to face him fully.
"I want it on the lips," she repeated, now pouting.
Ash gulped and turned around, his face flustered.
"F-Fine… j-just a kiss, okay?"
He stepped closer, raising a finger as if to confirm the rule.
"Cel, just a kiss. Okay?"
She nodded once.
With a deep breath, Ash leaned in and gently kissed her lips—a short, nervous peck.
But the moment he began to pull away, Celeste's hand shot up to the back of his neck. She held him close, pulling him right back into her space.
And then she kissed him.
Her lips pressed firmly against his, warm and demanding. His eyes widened, caught off guard, but he didn't resist.
She parted his lips with her tongue, slow and unhurried. It wasn't rushed—it was deep, deliberate. Celeste kissed him like she meant it, like she was claiming every second of this moment for herself.
Ash let out a soft noise in the back of his throat, hands instinctively gripping her waist to keep his balance as the kiss overwhelmed him.
His heart pounded. Her lips, her tongue, the soft hum in her throat—it all melted together into a kiss that lingered with heat and meaning.
When they finally parted, both of them breathless, Celeste smiled smugly.
"That's better."
Ash stood there, stunned—cheeks flushed, glasses slightly crooked, lips tingling.
"…Y-You really don't play fair," he mumbled.
She only laughed, then reached up and fixed his glasses.
"Happy birthday to me."
_______
The next morning came gently.
Sunlight spilled into the kitchen as the smell of garlic rice and grilled meat filled the air. Ash stood beside Celeste's mom, both of them in aprons, preparing breakfast together.
"Cut that thinner," her mom instructed.
"Yes, ma'am," Ash replied politely, adjusting his grip on the knife.
"Don't be so formal with me, Ash" she said, nudging him playfully.
Ash chuckled. "Sorry. Habit."
Outside, in the backyard, Celeste's dad was by the grill, flipping skewers of marinated meat. The scent of smoke and barbecue wafted through the open windows. Music played softly in the background, mixing with the sizzle of food.
Upstairs, Celeste was still fast asleep—blissfully unaware of the small birthday feast being prepared just for her.
.
.
.
Later that morning…
The scent of grilled meat, garlic rice, and frying eggs drifted into Celeste's room.
She stirred beneath the covers, eyes squinting against the golden light filtering through the curtains. Her brows furrowed slightly.
Barbecue?
She groaned, rolled over, and sat up—messy-haired and bleary-eyed. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand. Several notifications blinked on the screen, most from the group chat.
Lyka:
Happy Birthday, btch!!! 🎉🎉🎉
May Ash kiss you until you forget your own name!! 😘
Liam:
Happy birthday! 🥳
Enjoy your day. You deserve the best.
Celeste snorted. She typed quickly, thumbs dancing over the screen.
Celeste:
Thanks, guys. For real. Appreciate all the greetings.
Rowan:
Another year older. Still chaotic. Still allergic to rules. Proud of you. Happy birthday.
She rolled her eyes with a small grin.
Celeste:
Shut up. Thanks though hihi.
Isadora:
Haaappy birthday, Celesteee 💋 So… you're Ash's girlfriend now huh? 👀 Not gonna lie, I'm actually happy for the both of you. Don't mess this up, lovebirds.
Celeste blinked. Then laughed.
Celeste:
Thank you, Isa. And yeah… I guess I am.
She set her phone down, still smiling—and then her stomach growled.
She shuffled downstairs, still in her oversized shirt and pajama shorts, and paused on the last step.
In the kitchen, Ash was plating food beside her mom, both of them smiling and chatting softly. Outside, her dad flipped skewers like a pro, the smoke curling upward.
"Looks like someone's been kidnapped by my family," Celeste called out, folding her arms.
Ash turned, apron still on.
"Morning, Cel."
"Why are you cooking?"
Her mom answered first.
"Because someone needed to be spoiled today. Now sit."
Celeste blinked, then smiled as she took a seat. Ash placed a plate in front of her—garlic rice, fried eggs, and perfectly grilled skewers. He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
"Happy birthday."
Her heart fluttered.
"No kiss on the lips?" she teased.
Ash looked around, cautious.
"Your mom is right there." he whispered.
"I'm pretending not to hear anything," her mom replied flatly, slicing onions.
They all laughed.
___________
The Next Morning
The light was golden and slow, stretching over the quiet riverbank like a warm sigh. Birds chirped lazily from the trees, and the gentle ripple of water lapped at the edge where two chairs sat beneath a crooked mango tree.
Ash sat beside Celeste's father, both of them holding fishing rods, lines swaying in the current.
It was peaceful. No one was talking for a while—not out of awkwardness, but comfort.
Then, her father spoke.
"She used to catch dragonflies with her bare hands," he said suddenly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Would come home muddy, scratched up, but grinning like she conquered the world."
Ash chuckled softly.
"That… sounds exactly like her."
Her father gave a fond shake of his head.
"One time, she tried to jump off the roof because she thought she could fly if she made wings out of banana leaves. Rowan caught her before she hit the ground. He was furious."
He snorted.
"She told him he was ruining her experiment."
Ash laughed fully this time, imagining little Celeste being scolded by a teenage Rowan.
"She gave us headaches every week," her father said, eyes on the water. "But I wouldn't trade a single day of it."
Ash glanced over, smile softening.
"She still has that fire in her."
"She does." Her father turned to him. "But she's steadier now. More grounded."
There was a beat.
"I think you have something to do with that."
Ash blinked.
"Me?"
Her father nodded.
"You look at her like she's more than just beautiful. Like you see her soul and still want to stay."
Ash lowered his gaze, a light warmth blooming in his chest.
"She's… everything," he said quietly.
Her father gave a small, satisfied hum.
"Good."
They sat in silence again.
The sun climbed higher, casting orange and gold over the still water.
Then they heard her.
"Dad! Ash!"
And in that moment—watching her arms wave above her head, a wild grin on her face as she neared—his lips curled into a quiet smile. The kind that slipped out before he could stop it.
That was the girl he'd fallen in love with.
____________