𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐚𝐞𝐮𝐧 𖤐 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐫

09: first date?!

"It's not a date!"

Benny and Spencer face palm themselves, "You have got to be the dumbest admirer to walk the earth!" Spencer fusses. "When a girl asks to hangout with you, one on one, it's called a date. Got it?"

I shake my head no. "Or! It's just two friends agreeing to be alone for the first time." I cross my arms over my chest making a pout with my lips.

"Y/n why are you in denial? You've liked Marcella for a whole month and we see you two flirting when we hangout together." Benny also crosses his arms. "And it's obvious she likes you back."

I sigh as I look at my best friends. "Guys...you're right. I like Marcella, I like her a whole lot."

"But?" They ask in sync.

"I don't want to lose her as a friend..."

Benny and Spencer look at me with a sympathetic look. "I know how you feel buddy." Spencer says, "I've liked this girl that I'm close with for a long time, but I know for sure that our friendship will be more valuable if we just stayed friends." He says.

"Exact-!"

"However!" Spencer interrupts me. "You and Marcella's connection goes farther than a friendship. You lo-"

I stop him from finishing. "Hush!" I blush madly, "I haven't gotten to that point in my feelings. And I don't even know if Marcella feels the same about me." I explain. 

They roll their eyes, "Just enjoy your date. And make some moves or something." Benny suggests.

"Why?" I question.

He shrugs, "She seems to like when you flirt with her." Spencer agrees.

Maybe my friends were right. Whenever with Marcella I feel a sense of happiness that I've never felt for even my friends. A few weeks ago when we had that watch party at Spencer's, we cuddled for the first time. Even after the movie ended we kept holding each other and it was honestly the best interaction I've ever experienced. What if I look at this 'hangout' as a date? Who knows, she might be doing the same.

After school I went home and showered, putting on all sorts of fragrances. "Crap! Marcella hates roses!" I panic seeing I accidentally sprayed myself with a rose scented perfume. "Welp...back to the shower..." 

I took yet another shower and as I was drying off my hair I checked my phone to see the time, it read 5:37...I was supposed to meet Marcella at the park 7 minutes ago.

Cursing myself out constantly I quickly got ready again and practically sprinted towards the front door, only to be stopped by my mother. "Y/n? Where are you going?" She asks, raising her eyebrow at me dressed fashionably for once.

I face my mother. "I'm just going to meet a friend..." I mumble quietly.

"Speak up, child." She snaps.

"I'm going to meet a friend." I repeat louder. "I have to go, I'll be late."

She walks over to me and fixes my hair and my outfit a little. "She must make you happy." She smiles at me. 

I roll my eyes and blush, "Mom~ we're just friends." I whine.

She chuckles and shakes her head, "Not for long~ Don't stay out too late."

"I won't. See you later." I open the front door and sprint to the park, now being 10 minutes late to meet Marcella. "I hope she didn't leave yet..." I pray in my head.

Arriving at the park I totally forgot to expect other people. There were families and children everywhere, which made it hard for me to look for Marcella, but that didn't stop me from trying. I walked around the entire playground looking high and low for her.

It felt like hours but I turned my head at the perfect time to spot a girl with a beautiful blue blouse and the cutest sparkly blue bow in her hair. When our eyes met, I felt my heart beat happily which has never happened before. She was gorgeous. And I like her, a lot.

She waved at me with her cute little smile and we walked up to each other. "You dressed up as well." She said, checking my casual yet classy outfit.

I nodded, "Yeah, I don't know why but I'm glad I did. You look beau..." I paused. I don't know why. I took a deep breath, "You look beautiful." 

She did it again, that cute freaking smile that makes my heart melt. She really was beautiful, with and without the dress. "So, is there anything you want to do?"

She looks around the area seeing all the fun things. "That playground over there is empty." She points to the small playground with a jungle gym, slide, and swing set. 

I nodded my head agreeing to her plan, then she...grabbed my hand and lead me toward the playground. Her palms were so soft! I've touched her hand many times before but never held them. I should hold them more often.

We may be in high school but you're never too old for the playground. Marcella brings out my inner child, since she acts so young I feel like I must protect her with my life. She shed a lot of tears after moving here from Korea, and now I'll make sure she doesn't cry anymore.

After going down the slide a couple times and playing tag, we settled down on the swings and watched as the sun started to slowly set. "This is what me and my dad did when I was little." Marcella says.

I look at her. "You should do this with him again. I know it won't be the same as Korea but America is somewhat similar when it comes to sunsets." I smile. But it faded away after seeing Marcella's head look down, looking sad. "He's...not here isn't he?" I ask feeling guilty.

"He worked in the military. He got drafted to Germany for a war." Her eyes started to water. "I...didn't get to say goodbye." 

I hopped off my swing and stopped her swing so I could look at her. I lifted her chin up with my hand and looked into her dark doe eyes, wiping away a tear that escaped her eye. "I'm sorry...let's change the subject. Is there anything you want to know about me?" 

She looked at me in my eyes. "Sebin-ah?"

"Yes?"

"Do you...like me?"