In a heartbeat

Chapter 25: Valentine's Day

Seb's POV

The day is here. Valentine's Day. And I'm asking Carlos to prom. Wow, I'm really nervous. I'm setting up where we had our first date. I lay down blankets, roses, and light candles then the fire. Then I text him.

S: hey love. Come to where we had our first date

C: on my way ❤️

I stand by the fire and wait for him to arrive. After about fifteen minutes, I hear footsteps coming towards me. He comes into view.

"Hi sweetie," he says.

He walks over to me and kisses me.

"Wow, this is amazing," he says, sitting down. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I um," I start but stop when I look into his eyes.

"Are you sure? Oh, no. Are you breaking up with me? Whatever it is, we can fix-"

"Carlos!" I shout. Then I lean down to kiss him. "I'm not breaking with you."

"Oh good," he says.

I gather my courage. "Will you go to prom with me?"

"Wait, is that what this is?" he asks.

I nod and smile nervously. He hugs me tightly and then pulls back to stare into my eyes.

"I would love to," he says.

"Really?"

"Yes," he says.

I give him a big smile and then kiss him.

"But I get to ask next year," he says.

"Deal," I say.

"I love you."

I love you too."

Carlos' POV

Seb looks so excited and happy that I said yes to prom. And I can't wait. We're cuddling by the fire when the words I've been thinking slip out.

"You're the one for me," I say.

He sits up and stares into the fire. Uh-oh. Wait, is he crying?

"Seb?" I ask, worried. He sniffles. "Seb, honey. Talk to me."

"I just need a minute," he says.

"Baby-"

"I'm not mad or upset. I'm happy, I just-" he trails off.

"Just what?" I prompt.

"I know I hurt you when I kissed- when I cheated. So hearing you say that, I just felt bad all over again."

"Oh, Sebby. I thought we were past that," I say.

"We were, we are. I just feel guilty," he says, tears falling. "I just love you so much. And I don't want to lose you."

"You won't," I say.

"But we don't know what will happen. I mean, we're in high school," he says.

"I know. But wherever life takes us, I'm not leaving you ever. We'll face life together," I say.

"You can't promise that Carlos."

"Yes, I can because wherever you go, I will still be with you. Soulmates Seb. That's what we are."

"You mean that?" he asks.

"I think it's time I give your gift," I say, handing him a box.

He opens it and I remove the ring from the box.

"It's a promise ring and look," I say, pointing out the inscription.  

I slip the ring onto his finger. He kisses me. 

"Soulmates," he says with a smile. 

"Always," I say. 

"And forever," he says.