Young Forever

Chapter 17

After their outing at the amusement park, Angela and Aaliyah officially became a couple. They would show it unashamedly. They'd hold hands in public, go on dates, frequently blushed at each other. They became kind of known in their school, much to Monica's chagrin of course. Valentina and Hanh were happy their plan worked. They would leave Angela and Aaliyah alone when they needed to.

Everything was perfect.

It was almost too perfect.

"So I see you and Aaliyah have become a couple now" said Rosalia.

"Yes. We're a couple, we have amazing friends, this is the life I wanted. Everything is perfect" said Angela.

"I'm glad you feel that way. But isn't there a part of you that misses your adult life?" asked Rosalia.

"I mean... yeah sure but this is the youth I wish I'd actually lived."

"What if someone told you this was all a dream?" asked Rosalia.

"Well, if it is, then its such a good dream. I'd wish to never wake up" said Angela.

"I see..." said Rosalia.

There were times they held hands and just stared at each other. They didn't need to say anything. Even the silence between them wasn't awkward in the slightest. It was like they were having their own silent conversation through their eyes. It was like they were saying "I love you" in a thousand different ways without even saying anything. That was the kind of relationship they had.

"Angela"

"Yeah?"

"Don't you think everything is perfect now?" asked Aaliyah.

"It is. Me and you are an official couple, you're not under Monica's thumb anymore, and we have some amazing friends. It couldn't get more perfect than this" said Angela.

"I couldn't agree more" said Aaliyah. "If this is a dream, I never want to wake up."

"Same here."

Valentina and Hanh were watching from behind.

"They're so corny, I love them" said Hanh.

"Hey, don't you think its rude to watch them like this?" asked Valentina.

"Come on Val, we're just looking out for them."

"More like spying on them."

"Uh, we're not spying."

"Then what are we doing."

"I told you. They're our friends and we're looking out for them."

Just then, someone caught them from behind.

"Aaahh!"

"Thought you could get away with spying on us, huh?" Aaliyah teased them.

"W-W-We weren't spying. We were just looking out for you!" said Hanh.

"Yeah, sure, if that's what you wanna believe" said Angela.

"Its true."

"See, I told you this was a bad idea" Valentina chided.

"Come on Val!"

Later that weekend, the four girls were on a stargazing outing.

".....and if you connect those stars there, you'll see Orion" said Aaliyah.

"Ooh, I see it now" said Angela.

"Isn't it amazing how the stars can make patterns?" asked Hanh.

"I know right? Its amazing. We never get to see this stuff in the city because there are just so many lights" said Valentina.

"Things are just so perfect now, I almost don't miss my old life" said Angela.

"What do you mean?" asked Valentina.

"Ahh, uh, nothing, hahahaha."

"But I can see what you're saying. We're happier than ever" said Aaliyah.

"Hey Aali, watch out, there's a bug on you!" Valentina said.

Aaliyah felt something on her and she jumped. Hanh and Valentina laughed and revealed it was just Hanh tickling her with some grass.

"Oh I'll get you for that!" Aaliyah said.

"I'm with you! No one messes with my girlfriend!" Angela said.

"Nooo, stop! Have mercy!" Hanh exclaimed.

Hanh and Valentina ran while Angela and Aaliyah chased them.

                                                                                                  ***

Rosalia fluttered into the room, with all white beds and curtains, and only one window to look out from. There were four beds. In them lay four girls, fast asleep.

"Looks like these four may stay in their dream," said Rosalia. "Should I visit them? They always choose to stay in their ideal dream in the end."

She pondered over it for a while, and then fluttered away.