As Michael finished his class, he hurriedly biked to his next one. But on the way, he spotted his pals Jack, Maya, Chris, and Lou strolling with Olivia. His heart skipped a beat seeing her, knowing she was once his high school crush. He waved nervously, trying to play it cool, before pedaling away to his next class.
After four long hours, Michael was finally leaving the university when he got a text from Olivia asking about their coffee plans. He almost forgot about it!
Michael quickly replied, "Yeah, let's go! Meet you at the café in 15?"
As he waited for Olivia, Michael couldn't shake off the memory of comforting her when her mother passed away. He wondered if she still felt the same way about him as she did in high school.
When Olivia arrived, they chatted about their day and everything else under the sun. Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was getting late.
As they left the café, Michael realized he had missed calls from his friends wondering where he was. Laughing, he explained the situation to Olivia, who teased him for being so forgetful.
Grateful for the fun afternoon, Michael said goodbye to Olivia, secretly wondering if he should confess his feelings for her, just as Olivia pondered whether she should do the same.
The next day, as Olivia went about her usual routine in her dorm, she found herself constantly thinking about Michael. She couldn't shake off the butterflies in her stomach from their coffee date. Meanwhile, Michael found himself in a similar situation, replaying their conversation over and over again in his mind while going about his daily activities.
Later that afternoon, Michael's phone buzzed with a group message from Jack, Maya, Chris, and Lou. They were planning a picnic trip to the nearby park on March 27th and wanted both Michael and Olivia to join them. Michael's heart skipped a beat at the thought of spending more time with Olivia outside of class.
Excited but nervous, Michael hesitated for a moment before replying, "Sounds awesome! Count us in!" He glanced over at Olivia, who nodded with a smile, her own excitement evident.
As the days passed, anticipation for the picnic trip grew. Michael and Olivia found themselves exchanging messages more frequently, discussing what snacks to bring and eagerly looking forward to spending time together with their friends.
On the day of the picnic, the sun was shining brightly as Michael and Olivia arrived at the park, greeted by the cheerful faces of their friends. As they spread out the blankets and unpacked the food, laughter filled the air, and Michael couldn't help but steal glances at Olivia, wondering if today might be the day he finally confesses his feelings.
As Michael spent more time with Olivia, he couldn't help but marvel at how wrong his high school self had been about her. Back then, he had held onto a rigid set of standards, convinced that he knew exactly what he wanted in a partner. Olivia didn't quite fit into that mold – or so he thought.
But now, as he got to know her better, Michael realized that those superficial standards were just that – superficial. Olivia's warmth, intelligence, and genuine nature were qualities that far surpassed any checklist he had once clung to. Her laughter was infectious, and her perspective on life challenged his own in the best possible way.
With each passing day, Michael found himself drawn to Olivia in ways he had never expected. It wasn't just her physical appearance that captivated him, but the depth of her character and the sincerity of her heart. He admired her strength in the face of adversity, and the way she always managed to find the silver lining in every situation.
Slowly but surely, Michael's preconceived notions began to crumble, replaced by a newfound appreciation for Olivia and all that she brought into his life. He realized that sometimes, the people who challenge our expectations are the ones who ultimately leave the biggest impact on our hearts. And as he looked at Olivia, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to discover that for himself.
As the picnic wound down, Michael felt a mix of nervousness and excitement churning in his stomach. He knew that he couldn't let this opportunity slip away – he had to tell Olivia how he felt. Gathering his courage, he turned to her and asked if she'd like to take a walk with him in the park before they headed home.
Olivia's eyes lit up with a smile as she agreed, and together they set off towards the serene beauty of the park. The setting sun cast a warm glow over everything, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the promise of a new beginning.
As they strolled along the winding paths, Michael found himself stealing glances at Olivia, his heart pounding with anticipation. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have her by his side, and he knew that he had to tell her before it was too late.
Finally, they reached a secluded spot overlooking a small pond, the water shimmering in the fading light. Michael took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before turning to face Olivia.
"Olivia," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "there's something I need to tell you."
Olivia's gaze met his, her expression curious yet attentive. Encouraged by her silent encouragement, Michael continued.
"I never thought I would feel this way about you," he admitted, his words tumbling out in a rush. "But the more time we spend together, the more I realize how much you mean to me. You've shown me a side of myself that I never knew existed, and I can't imagine my life without you in it."
Olivia's eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting in astonishment. Michael pressed on, his heart pounding in his chest.
"I know it might seem sudden, and I understand if you don't feel the same way," he said earnestly. "But I couldn't keep this to myself any longer. Olivia, I... I think I'm falling for you."
Silence hung in the air as Michael waited with bated breath, unsure of what Olivia's response would be. Then, slowly, a smile spread across her face, illuminating her features with joy.
"Michael," she said softly, reaching out to take his hand in hers, "I've been waiting for you to say that."
Relief flooded through Michael as he gazed into Olivia's eyes, realizing that his feelings were reciprocated. In that moment, everything else faded away – the sounds of the park, the colors of the sunset – until there was only the two of them, bound together by the unspoken promise of what was to come.
As they stood there, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, Michael knew that this was just the beginning of their journey together. And as they walked hand in hand towards an uncertain but hopeful future, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance to share it with Olivia by his side.
As they continued their stroll through the park, Michael found himself drawn to Olivia's presence more than ever before. He marveled at the way her laughter rang out like music in the evening air, and the sparkle in her eyes seemed to mirror the stars above.
As they neared Olivia's dorm, Michael hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "Olivia, there's something else I wanted to ask you," he said, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Olivia turned to him, her brow furrowing slightly in curiosity. "What is it, Michael?" she asked, her tone gentle.
Taking a deep breath, Michael plunged ahead, his heart pounding in his chest. "Will you be my girlfriend, Olivia?" he blurted out, the words hanging in the air between them.
Olivia's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat. She had dreamed of this moment ever since she was in high school, but now that it was actually happening, she found herself at a loss for words.
For a long moment, there was silence as Olivia struggled to process the enormity of Michael's question. Finally, she found her voice, her words coming out in a rush.
"Yes, Michael," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, I'll be your girlfriend."
A smile spread across Michael's face, relief flooding through him at Olivia's answer. He reached out to take her hand in his, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging wash over him.
As they walked the rest of the way to Olivia's dorm, their fingers intertwined, Michael couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for the future. He knew that this was just the beginning of their journey together, and he couldn't wait to see where life would take them. And as they said their goodbyes at Olivia's dorm, he knew that he had made the right decision in taking a chance on love.
