Shadowheart

Chapter 24

Daniel drives Dahlia back home. Dahlia held on to her flower and stroked its petals lightly. Both had permanent smiles on their faces. They can't even bear to look at each other because once they do, they smile widely.

-"So... Dahlia... Had a good night?"

-"I had a fantastic night, Daniel..." She turns to him, smiling widely. -"What about you? You had fun?"

-"Yeah... I had a wonderful night actually..."

He turns to Dahlia, and both look at each others eyes... But Daniel had to turn away to keep his eyes on the road.

-"You know... It's unfair when we raced back there, like holy hell, you're fast."

-"Well sorry for being so speedy, I never asked to be born this way." She giggles, not admitting her augmented speed.

-"You're strong and fast... Like what do you take? Steroids, serious track and field exercises? What's your deal, girl?"

-"It's a secret... I'll tell you when you're ready." She turns to him with squinting eyes.

-"Come on, man... I could use a work out, just lend me your secret."

-"I... Don't know if you're ready for it..."

He turns to her with a determined look -"I'm ready for anything."

-"Not so sure if you're ready for this..." She hands Daniel a sheet of paper from her shorts' pocket.

-"What's this?" Daniel grabs the sheet.

-"Read it..." Dahlia smiles widely.

He slowly reads it... And the more he reads, his eyes widen... Until he reached a certain point. -"You got accepted to Santa Fe School of Arts!"

-"Yep! I'm gonna be a college girl!"

-"That's... Amazing... I'm amazed, Dahlia..." He grabbed her hand and took it to his lips, kissing it. -"I'm gonna sound like a dad by saying this... But I couldn't be prouder, Dahlia."

Dahlia giggles, blushing hardly as she took her acceptance letter back. Both arrive at Dahlia's home. Daniel sets his brakes on and turns off the engine.

-"Well... That's a wrap for tonight."

-"Yeah..." Dahlia looks away awkwardly.

-"Yeah..." Daniel looks away awkwardly.

Apparently, both didn't want the night to end... But at least they made the most of it.

-"Daniel...?" She turns to him, smiling wide.

-"Yeah, Dahlia?"

-"This was... The best day of my life... Thank you..."

-"Well... You're welcome, Dahlia." He smiles at her, but his smile was cut off by Dahlia leaning to him, kissing his lips one more time before pulling back.

-"I love you, Daniel."

-"I love you too, Dahlia. You sleep well, ok?"

-"And you sleep well too... Bookworm." She gets off the truck giggling.

As she shuts the door, Daniel starts his engine and goes off. Dahlia held her flower closely, admiring its beauty. Maybe the flower meant more than just her name. It meant her beauty as well. Dahlia stood on the front door and kneels down to peek under the doormat, as her key was there. Trouble is... No key. Her smile disappears. She looked around and there was no key. Dahlia's come to realize... What if...?

She slides her hand to the doorknob and realizes that it was unlocked. She opens the door slowly... Nervously. She walked inside her house and set her flower down above a nearby table. She looks around nervously.