story prompts.

prompt # 5

"Allie, can I talk to you?" Mio inquired. "Right now?" He was clearly in a hurry, but why? I shook my head, my gaze shifting between him and my plates. "I'm a little busy right now; how about later?" I asked as I organized my desk. "No," he said, causing me to pause and look at him. "We need to talk right now," he said firmly. I looked down at my plates once more. I could use a rest. "It wouldn't take long, right? I need to finish these," I said, my lips pursed. He gave a nod. I took his wrist in mine and led him to the elevator. He was fidgeting and muttering something I could not understand in the elevator. His strange behavior perplexed me. We arrived at the rooftop area not long after. I take a deep breath of the cool, fresh air.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" I break the silence, my gaze fixed on the campus lights rather than on him. I could sense his hesitation. "Just spit it out," I tell him, finally turning to face him. "I like you," he said out loud. I was...surprised. He continued when he noticed I was just staring at him. "Like a lot. I'm not sure when it happened." Silence. "No, I know when it happened; remember the camping trip we all went on?" I nodded in response to his question.

"When we were talking by the fire and everyone was busy playing around, you looked so ethereal. You kept talking about your dreams and goals in life, and you talk about those like every day. Don't get me wrong, I love hearing you talk about them and everything, but there was something different that day. I couldn't decipher it." I nodded to encourage him to continue. "Deep down. I have always liked you but was so afraid of ruining our friendship that I pushed it down. I kept telling myself in my head that it was wrong to think of you that way, and I believed it for a while."

"I felt out of your league, and I was afraid I would lose you," he admitted. I was at a loss for words. He became tense as a result of my silence. "Please say something," his eyes begged. I keep my gaze away from his. "I-" I manage to say. "This is," I say, shaking my head to focus. "Mio, this is a lot to take in," I finally said, turning to face him. "I'm glad you told me," I said, smiling comfortingly. "That explains how you get so possessive of me," I joked. He lets out a breathless chuckle. "Believe me, if I could, I would make you all mine," he says. His response made me blush, which made me smile.

"Then go ahead and do it," I said. His eyes glowed with delight. "Allie? Are you serious?" he questions, not believing me. "I like you too, Mio," I admit. "For quite some time, actually," I shrugged. He smiled so big that it reached his ears. His cheeks had turned bright red from blushing. "Allie! God, if you are playing with me right now," he said, still smiling. As a no, I shook my head. He wrapped his arms around me and lifted me off the ground. The action made me squeal. I laugh as he spins me around.

"Mio!" I exclaimed once more. We both laughed as he carefully placed me back on the ground. We both smiled as we looked into each other's eyes. He still had me by the waist, and my arms were wrapped around his neck. He looked at my lips. My smile broadens slightly. I close the gap between us, allowing our lips to finally meet. Fireworks. Butterflies. Sparks. Confetti. It was as if our lips were tailor-made for each other. Our lips brush against each other slowly. We were taking it all in. Our kiss was passionate, long, and sweet. We had waited a long time to do that. He pulls away first, resting his brow on mine.

"You have no idea how long I have wanted to do that," he exhales. "I think I have got an idea," I tease, making him smile. We remained silent, allowing the significance of the moment to sink in. He gives me quick kisses on the lips. "Can I kiss you again?" he politely asked. I nodded slowly. He kisses me gently this time. I feel him smile into the kiss as I return his kiss. I was the one who drew back this time. "Allie?" he says, addressing me. I responded with a hum.

"Can I be your boyfriend?" he asks again before I can say yes. "I know you don't like it when people make promises because they will only break them, so I'm not going to make any. I will prove to you that I mean all these words I am about to say. I will learn to love you. I will court you every day. I will cherish every moment with you. I would choose you every day. If I didn't give up before, I certainly will not give up now. You're the one I want to make memories with." I nod enthusiastically. "Yes!" I exclaim joyfully.

Our journey together began at that point, marked by laughter, shared dreams, and the warmth of a love that grew stronger with each passing day. As promised, he demonstrated his dedication not through words but through actions, making every effort to comprehend and cherish the unique essence of our bond.

Our days were filled with simple pleasures and grand adventures, each memory woven into the tapestry of our shared existence. We navigated the highs and lows of life side by side, from quiet nights stargazing on the rooftop to exhilarating adventures that left us breathless with laughter.

His initial words became a testament to the unwavering dedication he held to our relationship as time passed. He never made grand promises, but his consistency was more powerful than any vow. Our love endured, standing resiliently like a beacon in the storm, despite challenges that tested our patience and moments that celebrated our victories.

Years passed, and we found ourselves reflecting on a journey that had been more beautiful than we could have imagined. The love that began with a simple question had grown into a deep, profound bond woven with threads of trust, understanding, and a shared vision of the future.

On a quiet evening, surrounded by the warm glow of candlelight, he took my hand in his and looked into my eyes with the same intensity that had me hooked from the start. "I never promised you forever, but here we are," he said softly, a gentle smile on his lips. "I didn't give up before, and I will not give up now; you're still the one I want to make memories with."

At that point, I realized that promises were not always made with words; they could also be written in the consistency of actions and the silent vows of two hearts that had chosen each other day after day. I whispered, "I love you," as we embraced the beauty of our shared past and the promise of an unwritten future, knowing that our love story was a masterpiece, painted stroke by stroke and destined to be a timeless work of art.