“Once again, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, Nico. Remember, come back in three hours, ok?”

  Finally, Thursday—the day I’ve been waiting for—is here. I feel a slight tremor in my hands at the thought of going out with Serene. Still a bit self-conscious, I ask, “Do I look ok? Do I still smell like decaying food?” Dr. Inez shakes her head. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry, Nico, you’ll do just fine.” That gives me at least some reassurance. Gosh, I’m equally excited and scared. What if I mess things up? No, don’t think about that. I’ll do just fine… hopefully.

  Dr. Inez leads me through the dark hallways. All lights are off due to maintenance work, including cameras—which is how we’re able to make our escape.

  I wish Riven was here. He’d be proud of me. He still didn’t come back from the special care center and I don’t know when he will.

  Currently, I have a bouquet of white tulips in my hand. I don’t really know whether she would like these. Dr. Inez gave them to me and said they’d apparently be good enough to impress her. But I, for a fact, know that she isn’t the one to be swayed by pretty gestures and flowers. I have no idea why she’s giving me a chance, because Serene is… well, like a firecracker, to say the least. She deserves someone who has a spark like hers—not some introverted PTSD guy.

  But falling for her was never my plan, was it? It just… happened. She looks mesmerizing—hell, she’s divine. Her eyes are dark enough that one could easily get lost in their depths.

  She’s loud, chaotic. She’s everything I’m not. But here we are. Opposites attract, I guess.

  I can see Serene standing near the exit and my heart does a little upside-down leap in my chest. Just then, I hear Inez’s voice: “Listen kid, no trying to overpopulate the world. Understood?”

  My eyes widen as the implication dawns on me. “I-I’m not even—We won’t do—ugh just… just shut up.” I can feel my cheeks burning so bad that even from a distance, Serene might notice it. Christ, I really hope she didn’t hear the whole overpopulate dialogue. Or else, she’s going to tease me about it forever.

  Wait, and what am I supposed to say when I see her? Hey, hello? How are you? Oh my god, I don’t even know. What did I get myself into? Right, I’ll give her the flowers.

  Inez walks me till where Serene is standing and drops me off with a “Have fun, guys.”

  I take in her hair, her clothes, her edges, her everything. Damn, she looks even more perfect in the dark than she already is. “So, where are we going?” she asks.

  I’m nervous but I manage to keep my voice from stuttering. “There’s a mall nearby which is open at this hour too. That’s where.”

  Suddenly, a stupid idea comes to my mind and I feel the urge to reach out for her hand. First, I barely graze my finger against her palm at which I see it slightly twitch. I try again, and this time she willingly intertwines her fingers with mine.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Shit…

  Shit…

  Shit…

  Act fool.

  I try not to smile but it’s hard when I feel like jumping around like a lovesick fool. Gods, this one’s going to be the death of me, I swear. She’s got me writing songs and playing them on the guitar.

  ****************************************************************************************

  The mall is crowded even at this hour, and I’m not surprised by it. Currently, I am a lip gloss test subject for her; my hand is filled with different shades of red. I’m trying to be grumpy but oh, I secretly love it. How could I not love anything SHE does? After spending at least half an hour at the shop, she walks out with a single lip gloss in her hand while I have many shades of it smeared on me. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though.

  For some reason, I can’t tear my gaze from her, and suddenly it becomes a challenge to look away. Turning to me with a mischievous smirk, she says playfully, “So, want to overpopulate the world?”

  Oh no.

  So she did hear that. Now she’s going to tease me about it forever. “Ugh. You weren’t supposed to hear that.”

  She laughs at that. Damn, she’s enjoying this, isn’t she? Despite myself, my lips twitch up in a small smile which I can’t help.

  But a part of me wonders… that maybe I’m signing up for the biggest heartbreak. What if one day she realizes I’m not good enough and just… leaves?

  Suddenly, I feel a tug at my arm as Serene drags me to the trampoline park inside the mall, and I willingly follow. “Let’s go there!” she exclaims.

  “Trampolines? Really?” I say, despite the excitement bubbling up in me. She scoffs playfully in response. “Why not? Are you scared I’ll jump you?”

  I know that this girl is capable of doing that, so I just roll my eyes in response.

  Entering the trampoline, she starts jumping instantly and I’m stuck staring at her. She looks ethereal like this—all laughter and messy hair.

  Before I could compliment her, a ball hits me square on the head and I lose my balance, falling straight into the ball pit. At that, she laughs even harder. She made me fall again—first for her and then inside this pit.

  How embarrassing. Struggling to get up, I try to catch her but she’s already making a run for it. Finally, I manage to catch her. Holding her by the wrist, I spin her around as she squeals in laughter. “Caught you.”

  “Oh yeah? What are you going to do, huh? Push me in the pit?”

  Oh no. I’m having a stupid idea again…

  Before I can stop myself, the words blurt out of my mouth and my hands act on their own. “Even better. I’m going to throw you in myself.” Within moments, she’s draped across my shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and that catches her completely off guard as she doesn’t utter a single word. She seems to come back to her senses when I throw her into the ball pit.

  “Ha! Serves you right.”

  Her face emerges from the pit and she looks slightly flustered. “Damn. My pretty boy is quite strong, huh?”

  My…

  My…

  SHE CALLED ME HERS!!