Charlie won the science fair. He got second place because first place went to some kid who invented his own smart sneakers or something. Charlie didn't care about not coming first though, the smile on his face as he hugged his trophy was more than enough proof of his happiness.

"So Charlie since you won where do you want to go for dinner to celebrate?"I asked as we walked to the car.

"Don't we get to choose, it was our project after all."Henry lamented next to me.

Henry had come with me to the science fair to support Charlie. Jack had wanted to be there but Friday night was a busy day at the arcade so we asked him to stay back. I was happy to have Henry by my side, his support was most appreciated.

"You'll get to choose next time."I grinned patting his back comfortingly.

He pouted but didn't argue with me after that.

"Have you decided bud?"I asked.

"I want tacos."Charlie announced with a grin.

"Tacos it is."I replied as we got to the car.

I unlocked it and helped Charlie to his seat buckling him in. When I turned to get his wheelchair I found that Henry had already folded it and put it in the bed of the truck. I hadn't even taught him how to do that so it warmed my heart that he had learned just for me.

"Thank you."I expressed with a smile.

"You're welcome."He replied.

I got into the driver's seat while Henry got into the passengers seat next to me. I backed out of the parking lot before merging with traffic and driving to town for dinner.

Charlie and Henry soon got engaged in a conversation about all the projects that had been at the fair. I was only half listening chipping in when needed.

I looked at Henry from the corner of my eye and smiled to myself when I saw how happy he looked talking to Charlie. We had gotten significantly closer as the days went on because I actually enjoyed getting to know him better.

Our conversation at the arcade kept replaying in my head over and over. It was nice to know that Henry was straight and that he actually liked me. It meant that my attraction towards him was reciprocated. I wasn't going to act upon it but it was good to know he liked me too. I had also opened up to him about my family and my aversion to white men. Instead of trying to talk me out of it, Henry just held me as I cried. I'd never had a friend like him who didn't judge me or want something from me before so I was was not going to ruin what we had by adding romantic feelings into the mix. We were good as we were without complicating things by dating.

We arrived at the Mexican restaurant in town and got in immediately finding a table. Charlie sat next to me while Henry took the seat opposite me. The waitress who came to serve us was nice so we all ordered the tacos we wanted and our drinks.

"Are any of you allergic to anything?"The waitress asked.

"Sea food for Charlie, nuts for me and you Henry?"I inquired posing the question to him.

"Nuts and watermelon."He replied.

"Okay noted, thank you. Your food will be served shortly."The waitress replied before walking away.

"How can you be allergic to watermelon? Who is allergic to fruit?"I teased as I helped Charlie with the coloring paper provided by the restaurant.

"Don't joke about that, I almost died when I was three."Henry answered.

"I'm sorry, I've just never met anyone allergic to fruit before but I'm glad you didn't die. It would've robbed me the opportunity of making fun of you. Seriously fruit?"I jabbed making Henry groan.

"I'm rethinking our friendship."Henry lamented.

"No you're not."I countered with a grin.

Before Henry could reply our drinks arrived and I drowned him out by slurping my soda.

"Childish."He muttered rolling his eyes at me.

I stuck my tongue out at him proving him right.

Our food arrived a few minutes later and we enjoyed it with some light conversation among the three of us. It was always nice hanging out with Henry and anytime I thought about leaving him behind when we left my heart hurt. I always tried not to think about it but sometimes it was hard not to. He was the first genuine friend I'd had in a while and I didn't want to lose him.

"Hey are you okay?"Henry asked nudging my hand with his.

I looked up at his blue orbs and smiled"Yeah I'm okay."

It was true I was okay, just sad but I decided to not dwell on those thoughts and just enjoy being with him.

After dinner we had ice cream for dessert before we drove home after a long and successful evening.

"I'm not sleepy yet, wanna meet in the backyard after I put Charlie to bed."I asked Henry as he helped me get Charlie onto his wheelchair.

"Yeah, I'll be there."He replied with a smile.

Henry said goodnight to Charlie before we entered our house. We found Robert in the lounge reading a book and he looked up as soon as he saw us.

"Hey kids, what's the trophy for?"He asked getting up from the sofa approaching us.

"I won second place at the science fair."Charlie replied bursting with happiness.

"Wow, congratulations. I wish you'd told me, I would have come to support you."Robert replied.

It had never occurred to me to ask Robert about attending Charlie's science fair. My mom had never bothered, neither had any of her ex-husband's so I assumed Robert wouldn't either.

"Maybe next time."Charlie consoled.

"Next time it is."Robert replied with a sad smile.

I wanted to say that we wouldn't be around next time but I held myself back.

"Willow can I talk to you? "Robert requested just as I was about to wish him a good night.

It took me by surprise but I nodded nonetheless.

"Yeah sure. Charlie wait for in your room, I'll be over in a while to help you take a bath."I said bending over to give him a kiss.

"Okay. Goodnight Robbie."

"Goodnight Charlie."

We waited until Charlie was was out of earshot before Robert spoke. I had no idea what he wanted to speak about in private but I really hoped it has nothing to do with my mom. Talking about her would ruin my night and I was in a very good mood.

"I'm just going to get straight to the point."He started and I nodded for him to go ahead."I know you don't like me."He continued taking me by surprise.

"Wow, ripping it off like a band aid are we?"I commented.

"Just putting it out there."He replied but I cut him off before he could continue.

"Before you say anything else, it's not that I don't like you, I just don't know you or want to waste my time trying to. I've gotten attached before with one of my mom's husband's and it didn't end well. You're different but it doesn't mean you'll last forever."I explained.

Robert didn't looked shocked by my words, he actually looked a little bit relived to know the reason behind my attitude towards him.

"It's okay I totally understand. As I was saying you may not like me but I think you're a great sister and Charlie is lucky to have you. I know you don't want to spend Thanksgiving with my family which is totally understandable but I also don't want you two being all alone in the house. Your mother and I will not be back in time for Charlie's birthday but you and him can still do something fun. I bought you guys a three day stay at Morgan's Inspiration Island Water Park for the Thanksgiving weekend."Robert informed me showing me the tickets.

I'd heard of the water park he was talking about and even though the place was free for all wheelchair users getting admission was hard. The wait list was three months long so Charlie and I never got the chance to go. I didn't even want to ask how Robert got the tickets.

"Wow that's very generous of you but I can't accept those."I replied.

"It's not for you, it's for Charlie. Just think of how much fun he'll have."Robert insisted.

He was right, Charlie did love water. He would be elated to go.

"But.."I mumbled.

"No buts, take the tickets and you can invite anyone you want to accompany you. The extra tickets were for your mom and I but you kids will have much more fun without us."Robert replied.

"If you insist, thanks Robert."I appreciated taking the tickets from him.

"You're welcome. Goodnight."He said with a smile.

"Goodnight."I replied before turning around and walking towards our rooms.

I found Charlie making room for his new trophy on his shelf. I helped him out before getting him undressed and into the bath. If everything had gone according to plan Charlie would be taking a bath by himself in a few weeks but I didn't have enough money to get him the surgery he needed in time for his birthday. Talking to Henry had helped but I still felt bad that I couldn't do the one thing for Charlie. I could have asked Robert and he seemed like he would be happy to help but I never wanted to feel like I owed him anything. Besides this was something I personally wanted to do for Charlie. The time would come though and when it did, Charlie would finally be able to walk and do all he ever dreamed of.

"So bud I have some news about your birthday."I informed Charlie as I washed him.

"We said no ruining the surprise."Charlie lamented.

Charlie liked surprises so he hated it when I told him my plans for his birthday.

"I know but this is not from me and I want your opinion on something."I countered.

"Fine, what is it?"He asked and I went ahead to tell him about the trip.

He got so excited it took me a few minutes to calm him down.

"So who do you want to invite to come with us?"I asked after he was calm enough to talk.

"Do you think Alex's mom will agree?"

"I'm sure I can talk her into it if you want him there."I assured him.

"I do."He insisted.

"What about the other ticket?"I inquired.

"Let's invite Jack."Charlie proposed.

"Kiddo Jack might be a little too old for the water park."I countered.

Jack had always expressed his dislike for public pools and swimming so inviting him would be met with a huge no.

"Too bad. Let's invite Henry then, I like him."Charlie suggested taking me by surprise.

I thought he was going to suggest another friend from his class so it was a surprise hearing him suggest Henry.

"Are you sure?"I asked.

"Yes."Charlie assured me.

"Then I'll ask him."I replied.

"Hooray, it's going to be so much fun."Charlie yelled splashing around in the tub.

"It definitely is."I chuckled sharing his excitement.

After a while I got him to settle down so I could finish bathing him. By the time I was done drying him and putting him to bed he was already dozing off having tired himself out from the excitement of the day. I tucked him in, kissed him goodnight before turning off his lights and walking into my room. I knew Henry was waiting for me but I decided to take a quick shower as my shirt was already wet from Charlie's bath.

I changed into a hoodie and leggings after I showered before joining Henry outside. He was lying down on his back on a blanket with a packet of Doritos next to him. We were making a habit out of sharing Doritos and it was a tradition I actually didn't mind.

He turned to me once he heard my footsteps and smiled. I took my place on the empty space next to him using my hands to prop my head up.

"Sorry I took so long, Robert wanted to talk to me and Charlie was a little too excited during his bath so I had to take a shower after."I explained.

"It's okay, I haven't been out here long, I took a shower too."He replied and that's when I noticed his change of clothed and damp hair.

My hair was too kinky to just wash anytime I wanted so I always covered it when I showered.

"What are your plans for next weekend?"I asked broaching the conversation about the waterpark visit.

"Nothing major I think. It's Thanksgiving weekend so my mom will be hosting her annual Thanksgiving dinner than I'm not invited to anymore."He replied.

"Why?"

"A few years back I laced the Turkey with laxative. It was funny as hell seeing everyone fight for the bathrooms but it got me a six week grounding."He explained and I burst out laughing.

"Wow, just wow. I'm sorry for you but more for your victims."I choked out after I was done laughing.

"It's okay, I don't have to ever attend Thanksgiving again so I got lucky."Henry replied with a smile.

"Well since you're free how do you feel about accompanying me, Charlie and his best friend Alex to the Water Park in Texas for disabled kids. We've got an extra ticket and Charlie wants you to come with us."I asked hoping he'd say yes.

"How long will we be gone for?"He inquired.

"We leave Friday morning and drive back Sunday afternoon in time to be back for classes on Monday."I explained.

"I thought it was longer, would have made the offer much more exciting."Henry replied.

"So does that mean you'll come with us."I inquired.

"It would be my honor."He answered with a grin.

"Great, Charlie will be happy to have you there."

"Just Charlie?"He asked turning to meet my gaze.

We locked eyes and for a moment and the air around us sizzled with electricity. It felt like the earth around us had stopped moving, the stars seemed like they had formed a spotlight on us and gravity was pushing us towards each other. In that moment I wanted to throw caution to the wind and kiss his pink lips losing myself in his arms. With the way Henry's breathing had changed I knew that he wanted the same thing too.

I blinked once, the spell was broken and I was back to the reality where I knew kissing Henry would be a huge mistake.

"Well Alex will he happy too."I mumbled awkwardly breaking the tension between us.

Henry chuckled softly and I knew that we were back on track and ignoring that moment between us.

"Sure let's put it all on Charlie and Alex." Henry muttered shoving Doritos into his mouth.

I smiled before doing the same as we both looked up to enjoy the stars. The wish I made when we first star gazed was coming true after all. I had wished for happiness and in that moment with Henry lying on a blanket under the stars, I was happy. The happiest I had been in a while and I hoped the feeling would be there to last.