I woke up around noon. I really didn’t want to get up, I still had a couple of hours before lunch. I decided to just lie in bed for another half hour and think about what happened the day before. Peter has been my friend for seven years. Why did this have to change now? I didn’t want to change anything. But this could hardly remain in the same state.

  Yesterday we were left to ourselves for a short time before the holiday and went to the restroom, where we loved to spend time with the twins, the granddaughters of one of our grandmother’s friends. Then Peter often sat in a bean bag chair in the corner and read books, not paying attention to us. Now we have come there again to remember the old days. Isat down in that same chair, and Peter went to the window. He wanted to talk to me. First cycmen, now conversation. All this really bothered me.

  “I’ve known you for years, but tely you’ve become more than just a friend to me. I asked myself many times, maybe I was imagining something for myself. When you sent me a message by email, I was very happy. We haven’t seen each other often in recent years. And not only because of my studies away from home. I just wanted to figure myself out, and I think I finally figured it out. I don’t want to demand anything from you, but you are very important to me, and I would be happy to move to the next level of retionship.”

  I wanted to object, but he turned around, came closer and put his finger to my lips.

  “I’m not going to rush you, just think and give an answer when you’re ready. Until then, I won’t bother you, and yet I can’t help myself, I’m sorry.”

  He took my hand and I stood up. We often hugged before. But now he paused, and then leaned down and lightly touched my lips with his.

  “Sorry, I couldn’t resist…”

  With these words Peter left. He had to say hello to John, although he had no particur liking for my brother. I could still smell the subtle scent of men’s perfume after his hug. I hurried to get dressed for the feast to put all thoughts aside for ter. I just didn’t want to think about it before Christmas.

  ***

  I was still lying in bed. I wrapped myself in the bnket tighter. But not from the cold. I just couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that our friendship was over.

  “No no no. I just dreamed it. I felt comfortable with this guy... Although yes, he is already twenty-one years old. Maybe he just thinks differently now. What to do?” - fshed through my head.

  “How come I didn’t think of this right away?!”

  I jumped up, turned on the ptop, and waited for it to boot. Dad can probably help.

  “Merry Christmas, daddy!

  I know you’re probably celebrating on the other side of the world, but I need to share my thoughts with you. Something happened. Yesterday Peter came and gave me a flower. It seems that he is asking me to date, and I don’t even know what to answer him. He doesn’t rush me, but that doesn’t make me any happier. We’ve been friends for so many years. We were just talking. Whether I refuse or agree, nothing will ever be the same as before? What am I supposed to do?”

  I got up, washed, got dressed and went down to dinner.

  “Hello Ae, how did you sleep?”

  “It’s okay, Chris. But I wouldn’t refuse to continue. And you?”

  “And I surprisingly slept well. I just y there in bed for a while.”

  “Someone is lucky, I see,” she smiled at me and continued ying out the cutlery.

  ***

  “Hello, sunshine!

  I can’t say that this is unexpected for me. I think sooner or ter this could happen. You are of different genders, and he may well be attracted to you. Of course, you can try if you want, but think carefully. Peter is a decent young man. I think he can keep himself within the bounds of decency. After all, your age difference is not the smallest. And you should be careful. The main thing is, if it doesn’t work out, don’t bme yourself for it. People are all different, and when they are together or apart is normal. It’s just life. You’ll always be Daddy’s baby, but experience is great too. Especially when it isn’t sad.

  I hug my daughter tightly.”

  It was probably really worth a try. If I had refused, communication could have ended completely. But he was my best friend, and I didn’t want to lose him. So, I decided to agree, because at least we could continue to communicate, albeit a little differently. I decided to write Peter a letter by email, out of old habit. It was easier for me this way, although I still didn’t feel too comfortable with this proposal in general.

  “Hello.

  If you want to see our retionship in a new format, this is possible. But for me this is unexpected and therefore not too easy. I’m used to the fact that you and I are friends, that we communicate, and I can ask you for advice. There is only one person who is closer to me than you - my dad. Thanks to him, I agree to date you. But if we don’t succeed, please don’t bme yourself or me for it. We are just trying something in this life.”

  The next day Peter asked me out on a date. If this, of course, could be called a date. It was terribly awkward for me to walk holding his hand. I looked around, worried that someone we knew would see us. But then he invited me to go visit him and his family. We drank delicious tea with rose petals and ate sponge cake that Mrs. Wilson baked. Mr. Wilson grinned as he looked at us. It seems he knew something. I was confused. But Peter’s parents were so kind to me that I quickly calmed down. And then we watched Charlie and the Chocote Factory. In general, the evening passed comfortably. Only when I returned home, my grandmother was unhappy that I was te. But Ei came to my aid and assured my grandmother that it was the Wilsons who invited me to visit, and furtively winked at me. Grandmother grumbled something and went to her room.

  “Thank you, Ae…” I nodded to her gratefully, “...but it’s true, Peter called me home, and we ate cake and tea. So it’s okay. you didn’t even have to lie.”

  “I’m always happy to help,” she responded, fshing her snow-white teeth in response.

  I sat down near the window and looked out of it. Wet snow fell heavily to the ground.

  “Not the best weather…” I thought, “...It’s good that I’m already home. And the evening turned out to be pleasant. Maybe it’s not so bad.”

  Peter kissed me goodbye on the cheek as I got into his dad’s car to drive me home. Mr. Wilson and I hardly spoke. In parting, he smiled, patted me on the head and said:

  “There’s always a first time for everything. In any case, I’m gd.”