Vapor: The Tagaytay Timeline

Chapter 15

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Chapter 15: The Permission

The Morning Conversation

The sun streamed through the kitchen window as Vapor nervously paced back and forth, glancing at the clock. Today was the day he would ask his eldest sister, Esper, for permission to go on a date with Rosie. It felt monumental, not just because of their ages but because it was a significant step in their relationship.

“Hey, Vapor! You look like you’re about to take an exam,” Esper joked as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

Vapor took a deep breath, finally mustering the courage to approach her. “Esper, can I talk to you about something serious?”

“Sure, what’s up?” she replied, leaning against the counter, her expression shifting to one of concern.

“I want to ask Rosie out on a date,” he said, his heart pounding in his chest. “But I wanted to get your permission first.”

Esper raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “How serious are we talking?”

“Serious enough that I want to be respectful,” Vapor replied, glancing down. “I know there’s a three-year age gap, and I just want to make sure it’s okay with you.”

Amber's Surprise Entrance

Just then, Amber rushed into the kitchen, her backpack bouncing against her back. “What’s going on? Are we having a family meeting?”

Vapor exchanged a glance with Esper, knowing he couldn’t hide it any longer. “I’m asking for permission to date Rosie.”

Amber’s eyes widened, excitement bubbling over. “Can I come with you guys?”

“Amber, it’s a date, not a family outing,” Vapor said, chuckling at her enthusiasm.

“I promise I’ll be super quiet!” she insisted, her face lighting up. “I want to see you two be all cute together!”

Esper rolled her eyes playfully but smiled. “You know what? Why not? It could be fun to have you tag along, as long as you don’t embarrass Vapor.”

Vapor groaned but felt relief wash over him. “Okay, I guess you can come. But you have to stay out of the way.”

“Yay!” Amber cheered, clapping her hands together.

Making Plans

After breakfast, Vapor texted Rosie to see if she was free for a date. “Hey! I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me and Amber today? Maybe catch a movie?”

Rosie replied quickly, her enthusiasm evident. “That sounds great! I’ll bring popcorn. Where should we meet?”

They agreed to meet at the local cinema, and Vapor’s heart raced with excitement. It was their first official date, and he was determined to make it memorable.

At the Cinema

As they approached the cinema, Vapor felt a mixture of nerves and excitement. Rosie arrived wearing a cute sundress that made her look effortlessly beautiful. Amber walked beside Vapor, chatting animatedly about the latest movie releases.

“Hey, you two!” Rosie greeted, her smile lighting up her face. “Ready for a fun day?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Vapor replied, trying to keep his cool.

They entered the cinema, and as they walked toward the concession stand, Amber excitedly pointed out the different movie posters. “Look! There’s that superhero movie we wanted to see!”

Vapor noticed Rosie glancing at him, her eyes sparkling. He felt a flutter in his chest and took a deep breath. “So, Rosie, what do you think of the movie choices?” he asked, hoping to steer the conversation toward something more personal.

Age Gap Reactions

While they waited in line, a couple behind them overheard their conversation. “Isn’t that the boy dating the older girl?” one whispered to the other.

“Yeah, I think they’re, like, three years apart,” the girl replied, clearly surprised.

Vapor caught their words, and a flush crept up his cheeks. He exchanged a glance with Rosie, who seemed unfazed by the comment but squeezed his hand reassuringly.

“Don’t let them get to you,” she whispered. “Age doesn’t define how we feel about each other.”

Feeling emboldened, Vapor turned to Rosie and smiled. “You’re right. I really like you, and that’s all that matters.”

Rosie blushed, her cheeks turning a soft pink. “I like you too, Vapor.”

During the Movie

As they settled into their seats for the movie, Amber sat on the other side of Rosie, clearly thrilled to be part of the outing. Halfway through, during an intense action scene, Vapor instinctively reached for Rosie’s hand. She looked at him, surprised at first, but then she intertwined her fingers with his, a soft smile spreading across her face.

Vapor felt a rush of warmth. They were dating, and this simple gesture felt monumental. He was filled with a mix of giddiness and calmness, knowing that they were building something special together.

After the movie, as they stepped outside, the sun was setting, casting a golden glow over everything.

“I had so much fun today!” Amber exclaimed. “You two were so cute together!”

“Thanks, Amber,” Vapor replied, grinning at Rosie, who playfully nudged him.

A Moment of Affection

Rosie looked at Vapor, her expression softening. “So, what’s next for us?”

Vapor hesitated for a moment, then took a bold step. “Can I kiss you?”

Rosie’s eyes widened in surprise, and then she nodded, her cheeks flushed.

As Vapor leaned in, he felt his heart race. Their lips met in a gentle, tentative kiss, a sweet promise of their growing affection. Amber watched, wide-eyed, and immediately started giggling, which broke the moment and made them both laugh.

“That was awesome!” Amber cheered, clapping her hands.

Rosie laughed, pulling Vapor closer, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “Okay, okay, we can save the kisses for later,” she teased, a playful sparkle in her eye.

The Evening's End

As they walked home, the conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and shared stories. The age gap didn’t seem to matter as much to Vapor anymore. He felt a sense of belonging and connection with Rosie and Amber that he had longed for.

When they finally reached home, Vapor felt a mix of emotions. He had faced his fears, taken a step toward a deeper relationship, and had fun along the way. As he said goodbye to Rosie, he couldn’t help but smile, knowing that this was just the beginning of their journey together.

“Goodnight, Vapor,” Rosie said softly, her smile lingering in the evening light.

“Goodnight, Rosie,” he replied, his heart soaring.

As he closed the door, he felt a warmth envelop him, knowing that family and love could come in many forms, and he was ready to embrace it all.

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