Without Words

29- Home

A/N: Italicized are flashbacks.

"I don't understand why you insist on me watching you play basketball." Elle complained as Dan shoots the ball. "I know I hang out with you guys but I'm not exactly a' one- of- the- boys' kind of girl."

"I heard some rumors in school." Grabbing his water bottle, Dan sat beside her on the grass. They were in the Fortress grounds where Mr. Page kindly installed a basketball hoop for the boys to play with. "They said a lot of guys asked you for Homecoming dance."

This made Elle beam. "And this made you jealous."

"Is that a question?"

"Nope, it's a statement." She said assuredly. "I never knew I'd see the day of seeing you jealous. You always look so closed off."

He chuckled lightly, wiping the sweat from his face. "I'm always jealous when it comes to you, Elle."

"Well, my teenage-self demands you to make it more obvious." She retorted then stared at him expectantly. "So, what are you waiting for?"

Dan was confused at a moment and when he finally connected the dots, he howled in laughter. "I don't know if I should laugh at your confidence or applaud you for it."

Elle huffed in annoyance and stood up, dusting her skirt in disdain. "I could get back at the guys I turned down if you are going to tease me for this."

"I'm joking."

"Well, I'm offended." Elle pursed her lips, crossing her arms stubbornly and in anger. "I know what I want and when I heard about the dance, you're the only one I wanted to go with. You're just so busy with club activities so I gave you time to realize it too."

Dan shook his head, not believing the lengths he would go to appease Elle. Dropping his towel and running a hand to somehow fix his hair, he walked over her and dramatically fell down on one knee, spreading his arms wide "Eliza Forbes, would you do me the greatest honor of allowing me to escort you to the Homecoming Dance?"

Elle bit her lip from the cheesiness but secretly liked it anyways. Still, he made her mad so she has to play hard-to-get. "You'd have to go to our house and pick me up for the dance. And mom would probably take pictures of us."

"I think my mom would too."

"I want a bouquet of pink roses as well."

"Done."

"I have to go shopping with Violet for the dress but I want you to wear a blue tie to match mine. I look good in blue."

"Enchanting." He agreed, biting back a huge smile.

"Would you give me a corsage?"

"Anything." Taking both of her hands, he kissed her knuckles lightly. "I'll even dance with you all night if you want to."

Elle smiled brightly then pulled him up to his feet. "So you'll be my escort and dance partner?"

"Anything you want."

"Then I want you to be my boyfriend too." Elle said confidently, her big smile stretched and lighting her face.

Dan laughed, pulling her closer and cupping her cheeks tenderly. Twelve years with her and she can still floor him like no other. "I stand corrected, I should be in awe of your confidence."

"I told you, I know what I want."

"I never doubted it."

"You'll officially be mine so the other girls should just go away after that." She suddenly scrunched her face in annoyance. "I don't like them surrounding you at school. You're mine."