Yellow Lights

Chapter 14 : Officially Yours

I've arrived at the airport after a week, the semester just ended at East High and I was just in time for the summer break. I went to the gate and saw Ej waiting for me. I am so excited that my mom gave me permission to stay in Salt Lake and finish my studies here once the next semester begins.

I am really ecstatic to see Ej, it's been a while since we last saw each other and he was still courting me. I appreciate all the efforts that he made and that made me fall harder for him. I now am sure with him and I want to make it official now. That's also the reason why I am back here in Salt Lake, and that's what I told my mom as well when we had the talk.

"Ej!" I shouted his name excitedly and quickly ran up to him. He caught me in his arms and gave me a kiss.
"I am so glad you're here Gi! I've missed you so much!" He said.
"I know, but I'm here now." I said smiling
"Yeah, and boy I'm glad. So, let's get you to Ashlyn's?" He said, his smile is much bigger now.
"Yeah, but can we go grab some food first? I'm hungry." I said, pouting my lips and giving him the puppy eyes. He willingly obliged and we got some food on the way to Ashlyn's.

The ride going to Ash's was fast, and we got food along the way. His car made a stop in front of her house and we went right in so that I could put down all of my stuff. We went in and I heard someone squeal.

"Welcome home Gina!" Everybody from the drama club erupted into shouts when Ej and I came in. They prepared a surprise for me, I was speechless.
"Wow! Thank you guys! I don't know what to say!" I said
Nini, Kourtney and Ashlyn enveloped me in a hug
"We missed you Gina!" Nini said
"Yas girl! We missed you and your moves!" Kourtney added
"Roomie!!! I'm so glad you're here! Oh, the room is already prepared so Ej can just put your stuff upstair." Ashlyn said
"Yep, that's what I'm gonna do. I'll be right back." He said

"Hey Gi, what's up? It's so good to see you!" Ricky said, patting me on the back while clinging close to Nini.
"Giiinnaaaa" Seb and Carlos said in unison while bobbing up and down

"I'm so glad to be back guys! And I can say that I'll be in East High when next semester starts! I missed you guys a lot and I'm so happy to be here. And it's all thanks to you guys, and Ej" I said
Carlos and Seb exchanged knowing looks, as well as Kourt and Ashlyn pretending to not know anything.

It was well into the night and everybody was having fun when I decided to go outside the backyard, it was cold and the moon looked so beautiful. I kept thinking how lucky I was to have friends just like them, and I am more thankful to have met Ej.
I was lost in my train of thought when I heard someone behind me, and put a jacket on my shoulders.

"Much like the night we were on the rooftop, don't you think?" I immediately recognized that voice, it was Ej. I smiled and looked down with my back still turned on him.

"Yeah, pretty much." I chuckled "and you were such a diva back then." I smiled while saying it, teasing him. I turned and faced him, the moonlight were glimmering in his green eyes and it was beautiful. I sometimes forget how beautiful they are, those eyes that are full of love.

I stood closer in front of him, and put my hand on his cheek. He leaned in on my hand and gave me a sweet smile. "I like it when you smile." I said, smiling back at him. I wanted to tell him how I feel. To tell how much I love him, he asked me about two months ago if we could make it official, but I still wasn't ready yet, he understood. We had an argument about a week after that, and haven't spoken for a few days. I admit it was my fault, 'cause I was supposed to go home after going to the gym but I got sidetracked and went home late causing my mom to worry so much that she had to call Ej to check if he had known where I was. My phone's battery was drained, so I wasn't able to answer his and my mom's calls. He got so mad, and I started to argue with him, he didn't talk to me for a few days. I tried calling him but he wouldn't answer any of my calls until one time he ended up calling me. He said that he was just so worried and he wasn't here if something bad would happen. I apologized and we were able to work it out.

"Is everything okay, Gi?" He asked
"Yeah, everything is more than okay." I said, reassuring him.

"I just want to thank you for all the effort that you gave this past 6 mos. For taking care of me, even reaching out to my mom and convincing her to let me back here in Salt Lake and in East High. You know, I was never the type to make that many friends, let alone be really close to someone because of my family's situation.
This is also the first time someone went out of their way for me. I was always that independent because I have to be and had to be strong, not just for me, but also for my mom. Thank you, for always being there for me. For caring and loving me. I know it's hard for you to go to Atlanta every now and then, but you still did it anyway. So, after all of the things that we've been through, we had some arguments here and there but we worked it out in the end. So, what I am trying to say is..."

Ej looked so nervous and excited at the same time.

"What is it, Gi?" He asked
"I just wanted to say is that, I love you. I have always been in love with you, and I am officially yours." I said

Ej was dumbfounded.

The people inside Ashyln's house were a riot but it seemed like it was only just the two of us under the moonlight.
I walked a little more closer to him, took his hand and leaned in to kiss him. I felt his arm wrap around my waist and pulled me closer, my hand went around his neck and I felt him smile in our kiss. When he pulled away, I can see him with the widest smile. And I saw a tear fell on his cheek.

"Are you okay?" I asked
"Me? I am better than okay. Can you give me a moment?" He said.
"Okay?" I replied in confusion.
He turned his back and shouted, "Yes!!! Thank you!!!" While looking at the moonlight.
I was laughing. He turned and faced me again,
"Thank you, Gi! You never know how happy you made me right now. I won't make any promises, but what I can give you is this." He took my hand and held it over his chest. "My heart is all yours and yours completely. I love you, more than anything. I am always here for you, to support and take care of you. Thank you for making me a better person everyday and I just want you to know that I'll never get tired of loving you."

He gave me a hug and I went on to kiss him. It was so sweet and we didn't care about anything that moment. It was just me and him, until...

"Wooooh!" The both of us heard some shouting and squealing. And we even heard a party popper.

We suddenly broke off the kiss and turned to look, only to see our friends staring at us and freaking out.

Carlos was speechless, while Seb was holding onto him. Ashlyn was holding Big Red by the collar almost choking him out of giddiness. Kourt and Nini were both smiling from ear to ear.

"Finally!" said Ashlyn.

I buried my face on Ej's chest, smiling. And he hugged me.

"Okay. Okay. Gina and I are official." Ej declared.

"Yes!!!" They shouted in unison.

"Hey! What did I miss?" Ricky said

"Really, Ricky?" Nini was annoyed.

We partied all night, and had so much fun until everybody got tired and went home. After we finished cleaning up, Ashlyn was the first one to go up to her room while Ej and I were left alone downstairs.

"So, I gotta go, so you may be able to get some rest. I know you're tired. Let me walk you up to your room. I'll lock up the doors."
We walked up to my room and said our good nights.

"Good night, babe. It feels so good to finally say that." He said, looking so proud.
"Yeah, good night, babe." I kissed him good night.
"Sleep well. Okay? I'll see you tomorrow." And he gave me another kiss.
"You too, babe. I love you." I said to him, finally wasn't afraid to say it.
"What was that?" He said, teasing me.
"I said. I *kiss* love *kiss* you *kiss* was that enough Mr. Caswell?"
"Yes, Ms. Porter. I love you too." He said.
"Let me know when you get home, okay Eej? I said to him
"Yes, I will. I love you. So much, Gi." He said to me, and my heart melted.
He gave me a kiss on the forehead and he then went home.