Tearing Paper

Date Night

This was it.

He looked at his reflection in the dusty mirror-he was never fond of dressing up like this, but screw that. This was all for her.

He tidied his gray necktie and gave his hair one last ruffle. This could drive him crazy-he tried his best to fake a natural look, so that she wouldn't think he put too much effort on this.

But again, he did. He put his whole heart into this.

After promising he would never love again...

"You're joking, right?" he heard Dianne's voice from the closed bathroom door. "I look silly. I've never worn something like this-"

"Just don't break it! You'll look perfect," he shouted back, rubbing his hands together impatiently. He heard the door click open, and in front of him was the most mesmerizing view he had ever seen.

The dress he spent half of his monthly savings on was worth it. It matched Dianne's skin tone perfectly-the top was white, with a pattern that left her back slightly shown. As it flowed down her body, the color went from white to a calmer shade of pink, falling just before Dianne's knees. Dianne looked at Nate shyly, realizing that he himself had changed his outfit and wore a tuxedo over his white shirt, tie and long pants.

"This is really silly," Dianne laughed.

"No it's not," Nate took her hands. "Are you ready?"

"W-where? I thought we agreed that I am never leaving this place. Not with my face known by the whole town because of those stupid flyers," Dianne looked worried.

"Who says we're going anywhere?" Nate smiled, leading Dianne to the balcony of the flat. He pointed an old metallic stairs that took them to the roof of that building. "Climb up!"

"In this? No," Dianne at her dress and fussed.

"Come on, I chose one that's not too long that it might make you trip over," Nate smiled at her reluctance. "It's gonna be great. Just-look at the sky."

It soothed Dianne. It was those few minutes after sunset when the sky appeared both dark and light at the same time-when stars were just beginning to appear, and the sun was still partly visible. Patches of violet and orange filled the sky, blending into an unlikely harmony. Soon enough, Dianne followed Nate to the rooftop.

"Nate!" Dianne looked around her in amazement. She held Nate's hand tighter, admiring everything Nate had prepared up there-a mat just enough for both of them to sit on, a radio, two baskets filled with some food, glasses and drinks, and-

"Voila. I did my best," Nate sat on the mat and signalled Dianne to sit with him. In the middle of it was Dianne's poem book. "Everything was set-all that's left to do is hope for the best."

"Thank you so much," Dianne smiled. "I really..."

"Let's skip that tearful thanksgiving part," Nate joked. "I don't deserve anything from you because you basically saved my career by being with me in Namiri. It's just the least I can do to pay you back."

"Thank you," Dianne repeated all over again. "So, shall we start eating?"

"Why not," Nate opened the basket and took some bread and jam. "I just wanna-make this special. I mean, the book's done, and I don't have a reason to burden you here much longer..."

No.

Stay.

Stay, Nate.

I want you here.