Living the Dream

Chapter 8: Gifts

It was the twenty-fourth of December, a Monday, and the Christmas spirit was really evident and was getting stronger every second.

As I was walking through the streets, people were heard singing Christmas songs in their houses, different-colored Christmas lights were hanging on the front of people's houses, and everyone had huge, sincere smiles on their faces.

I wasn't in that spirit because I was still traumatizing from the incident two days ago.

(Sean) "Hey, Liz!" - he called me from afar.

Then I looked up. I gave him a low wave as I was running towards me.

(Elizabeth) "Uh, hi, Sean." - I said monotonously and my face was facing the ground.

(Sean) "Hey, hey, hey." - he grabbed my chin so I could face him - "What's with the sad face? Hm?"

(Elizabeth) "Uh, it's nothing, forget it."

(Sean) "Hm, okay." - he smiled - "I was actually heading to your house to come and greet. I thought it was better greeting in person than online. You know, it would sound more genuine." - he said to lighten up the mood and chuckled.

Yes, my parents were strict and would kill me if I talked to the opposite gender but my parents' trust on him grew when I told them about the other day. So, they welcomed him home, but as my dad jokingly said, quote: "...only with good in intentions."

(Elizabeth) "Oh okay, I'll walk with you because I was going home anyway. I wasn't really going anywhere."

As we were walking, we had a conversation about a lot of different things. There were also times when we had awkward silence, but someone would have broken that.

We arrived at front on my house but he stopped me.

(Sean) "Liz, uh," - he paused for a second - "I planned to give you a gift since last month but I didn't really know what to give you because all you asked for was food." - he awkwardly laughed - "I would want to give you food, but I wanted you to have something that would stay with you for a long time. Well, I'd still give you food, but not always because you'll get fat." - he paused and looked at him. He stopped walking, so I did, and was already looking at me waiting for my respond, but he just laughed - "Uh, I decided to give you this." - he took a red velvet box out with the necklace I've been wanting for months from his back pocket and opened it. - "Will you be my girlfriend?"

(Elizabeth) "Wait, huh?" - I was so confused but my eyes started to get watery - "But my par..."

(Sean) "Sorry that this is such a sudden for you." - he cut me off - "I already asked your parents about my desire to be with you. They would only allow me if I would prove myself worthy. And after what happened two days ago, they saw my sincerity and good intentions towards you. The next morning, they texted me if we could meet and talk. I mean, man, my heart. I was terrified. What could have I possibly done?" - he laughed - "But, that afternoon when they left, we met. They didn't tell you, I don't know why."

That's why they were being a little suspicious. I knew it; there was something.

(Sean) "They asked me questions about me and my heart. I mean, it's still pumping blood."  - he joked and slightly laughed - "Well, I told them the truth, no lies. I told them that I would do my best to be a part of your life despite not being a perfect person. I told them a lot of things." - he smiled" -"Uhm, I'll repeat it. Will you be my girlfriend?" - he took the necklace out of the box and put it around my neck. His eyes were also starting to create tears.

Aaaahhh. What will I say? My eyes, stop cryinggg.

(Elizabeth) "Yes. Yes, I do." - I wanted to laugh because this looked like a marriage proposal - "Come here, you." - I hugged him.

He smiled like a lunatic and put the ring on my ring finger on my left hand and stood. We hugged.

Just as we separated from the hug, the front door opened. My mom appeared and smiled as she saw us.

(Elizabeth) "Mom!" - I was smiling and said with excitement - "Sean and I are together!"

(Josie) "I'm so happy for you, two! Come in, come in."

I went to find Dad and told him the news, he replied with a huge smile.

We sat at the table and ate dinner. Mom asked about the scene of when Sean asked me and laughed about Sean on the verge of tears.

After an hour, Sean had to go because his dad called him to go home.

(Sean) "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Santos for this dinner and for allowing me to be with your wonderful daughter."

(Josie) "Our pleasure." - she smiled.

Sean and I stood and I escorted him out.

(Elizabeth) "Be safe, okay?" - I told him with furrowed eyebrows.

(Sean) "I will." - he came close and kissed my forehead - "Bye, Liz." - he smiled.

(Elizabeth) "Bye, Sean." - I smiled back.

Walking back in, I thought: I have a boyfriend and it's my best friend.