No really, I'm okay. I'm also a great liar.

it's not acceptable to wear full-on pete wentz eyeliner at six in the afternoon

I have no idea where we stand.

Nothing seems different or awkward between Annabelle and I now. I'm extremely glad. It's probably because we both knew deep down in our hearts how the other person felt, but were just too scared to acknowledge it.

The morning after it happened, I was woken unceremoniously by Jenna jumping on my bed and partially landing on my foot and screaming.

I proceeded to fail at pretending to be annoyed and she proceeded to demand to know everything and Jacob proceeded to lie on Jenna's bed and smile like a smug idiot because he called it.

"What does this make you?" Jacob asked.

I still haven't figured it out. Datemates? We haven't gone on any dates, unless you count last night. Friends? We are friends, just maybe also something different. People who love each other but don't know what they're doing? Most likely.

I decide to take a shower, because I have nothing else to do and my shift at the ice cream shop isn't for another hour and a half.

I hadn't even realized how tense the muscles in my back were until I got under the hot water. Jenna always complains about how damp I make the bathroom because of how hot I make the water, but she doesn't really mind too much because she loves me.

When I get out and wipe down the mirror, I look at myself and try to see me the way Annabelle does.

I get closer and look at my eyes. They are rather pretty, I think. Gold and brown and green. And my cheeks do look soft. My nose is kinda cute too. And my lips are a peachy color that I quite like.

And I tell myself that it's okay to like how I look and compliment myself. It's not vain to love yourself.

I wish someone had told me that sooner.

At any rate, I'm happy that Annabelle said that.

I smile at my face in the mirror, then turn to get dressed. It's just jeans and a Fall Out Boy tank top today.

I open the window in our room and turn on my CD player. Mr. Brightside comes on, and I turn on my computer and pull up No really, I'm okay.

It makes me ridiculously glad to see how much color is in recent posts. If I step back and look at the blog, it had been black and white for three years. Even though it wasn't happy, per se, it made me happy through dark times.

And in just the last couple months, the posts have gotten more and more colorful, inspiring, and positive. I still remember the first post with color. The day I met Annabelle for the first time. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

And it seems I've gotten better as the posts got brighter.

When I get back from my shift (which was uneventful except for eating gummy bears), there's a text from Annabelle.

i'll be at your place at six?

I don't have to respond -- she knows I read it and will be ready. I glance at the clock. 5:32.

Jenna and Jacob always get back around this time, so they can help me get ready. We all know I'm hopeless at doing it myself.

And they come through the door within seven minutes. Jacob goes into my closet and pulls out something I'd forgotten I owned. It's a red dress, and it goes down to my calves and it's soft and beautiful.

Jenna tosses me an eyeshadow pallet and some eyeliner.

"Not full on Pete Wentz though, Haze. It's only five."

I smirk at her, then head into the bathroom.

When Annabelle knocks on the door, I swing it open with my hair freshly styled by Jacob.

She's in this thick-knitted dark blue sweater with planets and stars embroidered into it and black pants and her sneakers and her hair is piled on top of her head and she's so adorable.

"Before we proceed," she says. "I must say, you are the most gorgeous thing I have seen in much too long. And I have a very important question."

"Hopefully I have a very important answer."

She laughs, and it's the best sound.

"Would you be my datemate, Hazel?"

My eyes widen and my lips quirk up and I try to look like this isn't what I've imagined for the past couple of months. "I'd be delighted, Annabelle. And I must say, you are the most gorgeous thing I have seen in my entire life, and that is not an exaggeration."

"Now we're getting coffee," she cuts in.

"I love drinking caffeinated drinks past the advised time," I sigh. She laughs (Best. Sound. Ever.) and offers her arm to me. I take it, and we skip down the hallway to the elevator. I can't take my eyes off of her.

a/n: sorry this is kinda late but i was binge-watching panic! videos so i have a v valid excuse