An hour spent with the one you love

Flies as swiftly as one mere minute

"Hey," Will's dad stopped him just before he could sneak out the door. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I was just..." Will looked to Alice for some kind of support, but her nose was buried in a book. Will cleared his throat. "I already asked mom if I could go over to James' house tonight."

"James..."

"Platt?... He's the quarterback?"
To Will's surprise, his dad let out a laugh as he lit a cigar that he pulled from thin air. "Right, James! I remember that kid. Great football player." He let out a large puff of smoke.

"Clyde, please go outside to smoke," Will's mom urged, her tone quiet. Clyde simply waved Betty away. She continued silently washing the dishes from dinner.

"Isn't his dad Bob Platt?"

Will nodded, wondering what this had to do with him leaving. "So... am I allowed to go?"
"Yeah, yeah," Clyde harshly patted his son on the back. He clearly didn't care what Will did or did not do; he just wanted a quick power trip. He maneuvered his way into the living room, sitting in the plush chair in front of the television and tuning in to his favorite sports channel.

Will stood by the doorway, watching as his mom cleaned up practically the entire dining room and kitchen by herself while her husband sat in the living room. He looked upon her sympathetically before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I'm sorry, mom." He consoled her.

Betty smiled, obviously fighting tears as she turned off the sink and wiped her hands on a towel. "There's nothing to be sorry for, Willy." She shook her head, quickly glancing into the living room. Clyde's eyes were glued on the TV as he gave the occasional "ha" or "oh!"

Betty placed her hands on her hips. "I barely recognize him. It feels as though the man I fell in love with all those years ago is now long gone, replaced with some lazy, ignorant, controlling slob." She slapped a hand over her mouth. "Sorry, was that too aggressive?"

"Of course not," Will shook his head. "I can't even remember dad being any other way..."

"I think he may just need to be reminded of the man he used to be... and how much his family loves him." Betty smiled weakly at Will. To Will's surprise, she reached up and gave him a hug. "Even if he's not who I remember, he sure did give me some amazing children."

"Thanks, mom." Will squoze a bit tighter. "I love you."
"I love you too, Will." Betty exited their embrace, patting him on the head. "And, because I love you, I have the authority to command you to get a haircut."

Will chuckled as he fixed his mop of fluffy curls. "You don't like the shag?"

"Not when it looks like a bird's nest, sweetheart." His mom winked. "Oh, by the way, have fun on your date."

Will blushed instantly. "You... you know?"

Betty smirked. "Moms know everything, Will." She exhaled. "Now get going, you don't wanna leave your girl waiting!" Her tone was quiet, yet excited.

Will shook his head and smiled as he grabbed his coat. "You're the best. See you at eleven," he began to open the door.

"Ten!" Betty called after him.

"Ten thirty," Will challenged.

"Just... get home safe." Betty rolled her eyes.

"That's fair." Will laughed. "I'll see you later. Bye, Buttons!" He yelled into the living room.

"Bye, weirdo," Alice said under her breath.

Will closed the door behind him as he stepped out into the brisk evening air. Brown and orange leaves crunched beneath his feet as he made the short trek to his car. The sky was mingling between sunset and nighttime, combined to create a strange orangish-purple hue. He set off into the night, windows down, "Juke Box Hero" by Foreigner spewing from Will's speakers. He quickly turned it up in an attempt to distract himself from his heart, which was practically beating out of his chest.

Will pulled into the driveway of Indie's quaint little house—or, at least, the house at the address she'd given him. He turned off his car, his breathing shaky and unsteady. He gently gripped the edge of his pocket journal. He was unsure as to why he was nervous, considering he'd hung out with Indie a few times before, but something about this planned encounter felt heavier, more pressuring, or different... somehow.

Will swallowed his fears, remembered that this hang out was meant to be fun with no crazy, unrealistic expectations attached, and knocked on the door.

He was slightly taken aback when the person who opened the door was not Indie, but was instead a woman who looked like an older, more tired version of Indie with frizzy ginger hair and piercing blue eyes. Will smiled warmly and held out his hand before Mae even had the chance to speak.

"I'm William Whitlock, average teen." He shook her hand firmly. "It's really a pleasure to meet you, ma'am. Thank you for allowing me to visit your daughter."

Mae smiled, raising a brow. "Well, um... you're quite welcome!" After a moment or two of awkward eye contact, she gestured toward the small dining room. "Please, please, come in! Don't be shy."

As Mae shut the front door, Will surveyed the house. Every nook and cranny was full of life, whether it was a collection of old knick knacks, colorful crocheted blankets, potted plants, candles that made the whole place smell like cinnamon, or shelves overflowing with books surrounding nearly every room. He noticed two cats sitting on the jade colored couch right away, curled up like little croissants. It looked like the perfect place to write poetry or come up with his next big project.

"Did you eat before you came over? Because if not, we have some leftover baked ziti-"
"No, no, I'm stuffed. Thanks, though." Will replied, patting his stomach.

"Indie's just in her room, down the hall." Mae added, pointing. "You'll be able to pick it out pretty easily. It's the one with the scraps of yarn everywhere." She added with a wink.

"Thank you," Will nodded. Before venturing down the hall, he made sure to give both cats a few love pats and scratches behind the ears, which Magnus enjoyed. Violet, however, was another story, her claws extending almost instantly.

Will knocked on Indie's bedroom door. He heard a few shuffling noises coming from inside it. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, tilting his head. He almost knocked a second time until he heard a quiet, crackly version of the Carpenters' "We've Only Just Begun." He smiled just as Indie opened the door.

"Oh, there you are," Will assessed. He was already having a hard time focusing with Indie's sunshiny face a mere few inches away from his own, deep brown eyes sparkling in the dim light of the hallway, her long blonde waves pulled into two braids that hung loosely on her shoulders. She gave him a warm smile.

"Well, are you gonna come in, then?" Indie asked.

Will nodded, snapping out of his trance. "I- uh- yes, I will indeed do that, yes."

Indie opened the door to reveal her little living space. Will awkwardly stepped past her with his lanky long legs, swallowing as he surveyed the new scenery surrounding him. Indie's mom had been correct: there were, in fact, a lot of yarn scraps. Her pastel yellow record player had a Carpenters record spinning atop it, emitting just enough background noise to bypass awkwardness. He noticed a lonesome bookshelf in the corner that looked more like a dust collector than anything else. Indie's classic novel collection sat there, stacked this way and that on top of one another. He was immediately transported back to the day he'd gone to Redding's with Alice, the day when he and Indie first met.

"Like what you see, Mr. Poet?" Indie smiled, crossing her arms as she sat casually on her bed. She patted the opening next to her and Will immediately took the opportunity.

"Well, yes, of course. Your living room was dazzling. A poet's dream writing room." Will nodded.

Indie laughed. "I'm glad. I love it here... this whole house. I find I'm able to create so much more freely than I used to."

"I can see why," Will marveled. He noticed a crocheted frog bucket hat that stared at him from atop Indie's dresser.

Indie pushed both braids behind her ears, revealing her dreamcatcher earrings. She stood somewhat abruptly. "Do you want anything to drink?" She asked, peeking out her window at the sky. "The stars are starting to come out. We'd better get out there."

Will noticed how her golden hair reflected the burnt orange color of the loosely knit sweater she wore, but tried to focus on the words that came from her lips. He looked up at her, still sitting in his awkward, shrimp-like position on the bed, and cleared his throat. "I don't kn- what do you have?"

Indie shrugged. "Water, milk, oj, bottles of root beer..."

Will snapped his fingers. "Root beer would be just divine."

"Do you always talk like that?" Indie asked, the tiniest snort escaping from her nose.

"Like what?" Will asked. He joined Indie in standing.

"Like... I dunno... a 1920-something billionaire who's giving a toast over champagne and caviar?"

Will mimed fixing a bowtie. "While you may consider that an insult, my dear Miss Argyle, I shall take that as a compliment." He held up an invisible glass. "Cheers!"

Indie rolled her eyes playfully as she grabbed hold of Will's chestnut brown flannel sleeve. She turned off her bedroom lights and pulled him into the kitchen.

Mae had moved into the living room, sitting on the couch beside Magnus and Violet. She quietly read the Bible with her highlighter at the ready. She smiled, glancing up as Indie grabbed two bottles of root beer from the fridge. Indie gestured toward the sliding doors on the other side of the kitchen that led to the back porch. Will walked ahead of her as he opened his root beer.

Indie looked back at her mom. "Don't forget a blanket, sunshine." Mae said with a wink.

Indie quickly snatched an old quilt from the wicker basket by the couch. "Good idea," she said with a smile. She hurried back over to Will, who held the door open for her.

"M'lady," Will bowed his head slightly.

"M'sir," Indie replied sarcastically with a curtsy.

Will laughed as Indie led him into the breezy night. Will slid the door shut behind them as Indie laid the blanket out on the porch for them to lay on together.

"After you, weird Will," Indie gestured toward the blanket. Will sat down, hugged his knees against his chest, and looked up at the night sky as Indie sat down next to him.

"Wow," Will said under his breath, "this really is beautiful."
"I know..." Indie smiled. "No matter how many times I've seen it, it somehow never gets old."

There was silence now; not awkward or uncomfortable silence like previous silences between them, but a silence that was meaningful and deep. Both Will and Indie were taken by the view of the starry sky, but every so often, they'd steal a glance at one another and instantly melt into puddles of sheepishness.

Will scooted ever so closer to Indie, who pretended she didn't notice anything. "So... Do you have a favorite planet?"

Indie scrunched her eyebrows together with a laugh. "Wow, that is not what I was expecting to talk about with you tonight."

"Hey, I don't see you asking any of your usual comprehensive questions. I thought you had a never-ending list," Will replied, chuckling.

Indie rolled her eyes, ignoring Will's prodding completely. "The answer is Saturn."
"Really?"

"What, is Saturn not good enough for you?" Indie asked jokingly. "Well, then, what's your favorite planet, Mr. I-crap-all-over-saturn?"
"No, no, that's not what I meant," Will smirked, "I actually thought that's what you would say."
"Stop it, you did not."

"I swear!" Will put his hands up in surrender. "Saturn is actually really cool. I mean, some of the other planets have rings, too, but Saturn's are the most iconic."

"True," Indie nodded. "What's your favorite planet?" She asked again.

Will rubbed his chin in thought. "Mm... Pluto." He placed a hand over his heart, a solemn look in his eyes. "It will always be a planet in my eyes."

Indie laughed. "Whatever, weirdo. That's kinda cheating. I was gonna guess that Mars was your favorite."

Will shrugged. "Hey, Mars is pretty legit too. I'm not a man who wields the unfair wand of favoritism." He added. "Unless, of course, we're talking about people."

Will's ears burnt red as Indie looked up at him, her face only inches away, just as it had been in the doorway of her bedroom.

"Oh, really? Is that so?" Indie inquired.

Will managed a nod.

"Well, then, who's your favorite person?" Indie challenged, crossing her arms.

Will tapped his chin as if he actually had to think about his options. "Well, it seems as though one person has taken the lead in that category as of late."
Indie shook her head knowingly. "Oh really? And who might this great honor be bestowed upon?"

Will found the courage to look Indie right in the eyes, adjusting his glasses so his focus was completely on her. "I think you know her quite well," Will whispered.

Indie turned her eyes back toward the sky in an attempt to hide the fact that she was blushing as if her life depended on it. "I feel the same way about someone you know quite well, too. What a small world."

Will chuckled, stealing another glance at Indie. He couldn't stop looking at her; it was like Redding's all over again. He was absolutely, without a doubt, 100% smitten, there was no way to hide it.

Will cleared his throat. "So, um... I don't mean for this to sound forward or anything, but... I noticed that it seemed to be only you and your mom in the house."

Indie's heart nearly stopped. She wasn't ready to have this conversation yet; not even with the person she had begun trusting the most. She wanted to softly whisper it in passing rather than have to explain everything in full detail.

"Is your dad... in the picture?"

Indie began twirling her hair between her fingers. Her heart rate quickened. The painful reminiscing began as abruptly as fireworks in the sky. She didn't want to lie, but she also didn't want to reveal the truth. So, she made a split-second decision.

"Um... well... it's funny you ask that actually. He... just left for some big business conference at work."

Will raised his eyebrows. "Oh, really?" He asked. "What does he do?"

"He... um... something with computers, I'm not really sure. Very tech-y, though."

"Wow, neat." Will smiled. "Any idea how long he'll be gone?"

"I think mom said it'd be about... two weeks?"

"That seems like quite a while. He must be the best in the business." Will noted.

"Yeah, uh... speaking of being the best in the business, I've been so curious about your poetry." Indie changed the subject, leaning closer to Will. "Would I be able to read some... or maybe you read some to me? Sometime?"

Will's face flushed the color of strawberry fields. "I'm... I'm not the biggest fan of sharing my work," he chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. "I'm sorry, I really want to, but... I don't think it's ready. Not just yet."
Indie nodded. "No, yeah, I get that, don't feel bad." She added, looking up. "When you are ready, though... could I be the first one to hear it?"

Will's eyes met Indie's. He once again got lost in her deep pools of honey. He blinked rapidly and cleared his throat. "Yeah, yeah, of course." Will smiled. "I promise." He then stood, a bit abruptly, and smiled down at Indie. "I'm gonna hit the John."

"Alright," Indie laughed, a twinge of nervousness in her voice. "Have fun with that one, I guess."

As Will went back into the house, Indie hid her head in her hands. When she knew that he was officially out of earshot from her, she looked up at the stars and smiled weakly.

"Hey, uh... dad?" She said quietly. "I miss you. Like, a lot. Oh, and mom misses you too." She laughed awkwardly to herself. "If you've been following along as of late, I seem to have stumbled upon a pretty neat guy. He's a poet, dad. He gets really frazzled around me, and he's just... so adorable." She admitted, smiling wide. "I know it was wrong to lie about you still being here... but I just couldn't bear the thought of telling him. Not yet, anyways. It seems too soon, I guess?" She buried her face in her hands again. "I don't know. It doesn't make any sense... I should've just ripped the band aid off, but... I just want to be treated like... a normal person? Who still has two loving parents and some kind of stability?" She shook her head, reaching one hand up toward the sky. "At any rate, I miss you so much. I promise I'll tell Will about you soon. I love you," Indie breathed. At the same moment that she finished her spiel, she felt a chilly breeze blow past her. She shivered just as the sliding glass door reopened. Will had returned with another blanket in hand.

"I come bearing fluff." Will smiled as he placed the blanket over Indie's shoulders like a cape.

"I didn't ask you for this," Indie laughed. She grabbed the edge of the blanket and held it up, slightly confused.

"I know, but it's getting chillier. I figured it was time to double up." Will sat back down beside Indie. To his surprise, she threw half of the blanket over Will's shoulders and leaned up against him. Will felt his insides heat up as he carefully put his arm around Indie.

"Hey, Will," Indie whispered.

"Yeah, Indie?"
"Are we, like... officially snuggling?"

Will smiled, looked up at the stars, and laughed. "I think so," he replied quietly. He looked down at Indie. She closed her eyes and leaned further into Will. She looked so at peace, so comfortable. "Indie?"

"Hm?"

Will cleared his throat. "Could we, maybe, uh... start dating... officially?"
Indie's eyes snapped open. She looked up at Will, already smiling like crazy. "Are you officially asking me?"

Will smiled. "I am."

Indie sat up. "Well, my official answer is yes," she exclaimed, pulling Will in for a hug.

Will held Indie in his arms as if his life depended on it. He closed his eyes, taking a mental picture of the moment to save in his memory forever; the way Indie squoze him tight, the way her hair smelled like birthday cake, the way she leaned her head on his shoulder... he wanted to savor and remember it all.

It was the official beginning of a new chapter of Will's best days ever.