EUPHORIA | B. SAKA

• 34 •

The whole evening both Lianne and Bukayo have been avoiding talking about what happened between them. It's kind of bothering the girl, but she doesn't want to kill the mood.

Now they're on the dance floor. Bukayo's hands on her waist and her head on his shoulder. Lianne really enjoys this and wishes this could last forever.

"I like this," she whispers, just loud enough for Bukayo to hear. Slowly the girly haired girl lifts her head from his shoulder and looks him in the eye.

"Me too," he replies with an adorable smile on his face.

Lianne takes a deep breath. "Will you go out with me?" she asks quickly.

Bukayo's eyes widen and he opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. He's totally stunned by sudden question.

Lianne immediatly lets go off him. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked. Sorry for making things awkward," she says before trying to walk away.

Bukayo grabs her hand trying to stop her. "I'm sorry Lianne," he says and Lianne feels tears starting to form, because she can feel the rejection coming. "I'm sorry because I should've been the one to ask you out properly, but I'm a fucking coward. Maybe we should go outside to talk."

A breath of pure relief leaves the girl lips. He's not rejecting her. She nods and follows him outside. The cool spring air engulfs them and Bukayo almost immediately takes off his jacket to give to Lianne. Carefully he drapes them around her shoulders.

"I truly am sorry Li. I just didn't believe you'd be into me. You're so beautiful and smart, why would you want to date me? I'm just a footballer who didn't finish school."

Lianne smiles. "I don't care B," she says while taking his hand. "I like you for you. To me you're still that silly boy I liked when I was nine."

"You liked me back then?" he asks surprised. "I liked you too and I still do,"

Gradually Lianne gets her confidence back. "So if you still like me, will you go out with me?" she asks again.

Bukayo laughs quietly. "Yes Li, I'd love to go on a date with you," he answers while pulling her closer by her waist. "But please don't tell anyone you were the one to ask me out,"

"Why not? It's the 21th century," Lianne grins draping her arms around his neck, making his jacket fall on the ground.

Bukayo smiles and bring his face a bit closer so she can feel his breath on her face. "Is it allowed to kiss someone before the first date in the 21th century?"

"Maybe this can be our first date," she whispers. "I like your confidence by the way,"

"I like yours too," he says quietly before closing the small gap between their faces and placing his lips on hers.

They're both so caught up in the moment that they don't notice a small crowd gathering at the window.