FINDING YOU AT LONG LAST

Chapter 9: A PORTRAIT OF YOUR LOVE

Afternoon activities were much more unalike than those of the morning. Competitions begins at this hour and ofcourse, Amanda and Courtney failed not to be show offs. I completely ignored them and went to the stadium for the photography competition. Rolan was part of it so the two evil sisters were so not missing this. That would be the same for Blaze and Luke. Well Luke just came for his sister and Blaze, maybe for Rolan or stir up some trouble. When the judging was about to commence, I saw Rolan waving at me and I waved back. I also noticed his entry was covered in black cloth. That's weird. When the judges came to his table, he removed the cloth and they were shocked.

Soon everyone did, including me! His picture was me smiling, at the cliff on the campsite with my finished piece, when I didn't know. So that's what he was taking a picture of!? And why he asked for a permission. Did not see that coming. And on top of that, he literally put "My Beloved Moonheart" as a title. Wow great, now we're so gonna be a big gossip. I saw Amanda and Courtney with red faces like ripe tomatoes. I could sense their anger from afar. They glared at me but I was hysterically laughing inside, and because of that my temper at Rolan for doing such lessen. The judges asked Rolan why he chose this as his portrait like the other candidates. He smiled at me in the crowd and proudly replied phrases I never thought was in his mind.

"Well long story short, I was looking for something unique as an entry, then I came upon the first picture my love has on my camera. I starred at it for awhile then realised, that very day I found her beautiful in an unsual way and so was her art. I have always wanted to see her smile like this, truly happy and beaming with love and passion. When fate gave me that single chance, I took it. A side of her I never thought I'd see, and this may sound stupid but, I don't want her to smile like this to any man other than me. I hated that. If everyone has things to be selfish with then this is what I'm selfish for. Her heart beats for me as mine to hers".

The crowd went wild with aplauses and cheers and the judges seemed to be one of them too. They were mesmerised by his art and declared him as a winner. Some of the girls in the crowd were literally crying. Blaze turned livid and got a bag full of tomatoes and fired at him. When I saw his intents , I ran to the scene and kicked the tomatoes, flying and landed on his face. He stormed off as the crowd started laughing. Rolan came down and pulled me after.

Rolan:"Are you alright?"
Liz:"Well other than being mad at you for putting a dramatic show like that infront of a massive audience, I'm perfectly fine"
Rolan:"What? I told you I'm full of surprises and I did ask for your consent, maybe indirectly but still I asked"
Liz:"(laughed) But the looks on those brat's faces were epic, so I forgive you"

He gently kissed my hand and wrapped his arms around me. I rolled my eyes but he cared less. So yeah we did eventually became a couple. What? I told you he was irritatingly irresistable. It happened at one of our hangouts near the port. He confessed to me about his "love since the moment our eyes met" and I despise cheesy moments- I have to say that. I gave him a disappointed look. His head turned down and as I saw at how sad he was of thinking his courting me was a failure I chuckled, finding him so cute. I put my hand on his face and said the word.

He was jumping like a monkey from excitement but I told him of 3 conditions. Number one was to tell my family first, which he immediately told everyone when we got home and they approved. Ruth was over the moon for it. Second was to keep it a secret from the public eye, especially at school, but turns out that didn't quite work and third, don't break my heart... what? Nobody said I can't do that.

Chazee:"No way! Are you serious? Since when? Who made the first move? Where did it happen?"
Rolan:"A-"
Liz:"Don't answer that"
Erica:"I knew it, ha! In your face Ian, you so owe me that 10 bucks"
Liz:"You seriously?"
Erica:"What, I told you the whole school was into it, and why not? It was a harmless bet"
Ian:"(high fives) I'm proud of you man, finally got the girl you've been chasing since the first day"
Rolan:"(high fives back at Ian) Thanks dude"
Liz:"For real?"
Rolan:"I wasn't kidding when I said I was crazy about you and your sassiness Luney"
Willow:"So does make the "Twilight Duo" a real thing?"

She literally came unknowingly. Why am I not surprised of the school's gossip queen.

We walked out of the stadium and within an hour, the Art Fest will soon end. Before that, Rolan took me to a garden. Is this one of his silly gimmicks again? We sat down at the grassfield and he took out a box. It was filled with rainbow-colored macarons, my favorite. I have been looking for this around but to no avail. My eyes were sparkling the moment I took a bite. My mouth is in full paradise now.

Rolan:"There were no stalls selling these tiny sandwhich cookies, so I figured to make one my own. It's filled with all your favorite flavors, especially passion fruit"
Liz:".... Why are you doing this Ray? We've only been dating for a month and yet you're already doing so much for me."
Rolan:"I want to make up for lost times I wasted on frivolous events"
Liz:"Amanda?"
Rolan:"You know me too well. Yeah, I can't tell you right now so please-"
Liz:"I know. You trust yourself in dealing with whatever you're doing and I trust you with all my heart. I know you have a reason for doing this. I always see you putting up a poker face, in a different way.
Rolan:"Besides trusting your heart and giving your love to me was the best thing that ever happened to my life. I have been waiting for this for so long and alot had say that in the past, many have failed to win you over. Well, I took the risk and here I am, finally yours alone"
Liz:"Well…I appreciate your efforts for this... and the other things"
Rolan:"Anytime Luney, I love you"
Liz:"(whispers) I know"

He gave me a small kiss on the forehead as I played with his shiney golden hair. And that pretty much covers of how the school knows about our relationship. We became inseparable for the past few weeks and because of our uncanny harmony, many bullies had feared us. Blaze even backed out a little while the two can't do anything but watch us, being a couple.

The looks on their faces, haaa now thats pure bliss. Our relationship stayed strong and it wasn't a hindrance to our education. My friendship with the 4 also remained. I could have never been this grateful to have such great people in my life. It appears that my life changed from gloomy to bright light. All because I have found them. I found you, My Ray.