youth

seventy five ; real life

dan knocks with a rush of adrenaline in his veins. his smile is wide and he's shaking a little. the door creeks open to reveal mabel. "wow" is all dan can say. mabel is stood wearing a flowing black dress with some short heels. her make-up is very natural but to dan, she's breathtaking. he sticks his arm out with a beaming smile, to which she accepts, and they begin their walk down the stairs. of course, dan and mabel never make much small talk because any conversation their chattering always connects to another topic somehow.

it isn't too cold outside, but mabel gets goosebumps. she assures dan countless times that she's okay and she's not actually cold but dan doesn't listen. he lets her slip her arms into the sleeves of his jacket. dan's arm goes around her waist, pulling mabel close to his body. the boy's large feet scuff loose bits of concrete as they walk towards shops. they're both smiling like idiots and they always are happy when with each other. 

the fish and chips shop smells of greasy chips and fish. british people are very familiar with the scent of a fish and chips shop and could probably smell one from a mile away. mabel tells dan to get whatever he's having for her and he nods before leaving up to the till. mabel just sits on her phone for a minute, her body slouching on the orange stool until dan comes back. they talk more of course.

dan and mabel both share a comfortable silence on the way from yobu. mabel is absorbed in the beauty of nature and dan is absorbed in the beauty of her. there are moments like these that dan just can't take his eyes of her. the way her eye crease, when she smiles and laughs, is so mesmerising to dan. she is so gorgeous to him and yet he still can't figure out why she doesn't see herself in this way sometimes. he will teach her to love her image. mabel is now staring at him also and he only realises. he peels his eyes off her porcelain face and looks straight ahead, an obvious blush falling on his cheeks. mabel giggles at him. "you're too cute dan"

dan is sat on a blanket by the pond with mabel sat on him; she says he's a comfy seat. the water ripples as fish surface, their tails swishing in the cold liquid. the autumn leaves are scattered across the dying grass. dan shuffles beneath her, wanting to get up. she groans at him, telling him that he's comfy and he's not allowed to move or she'll be grumpy. dan stifles a laugh anyway and moves, standing up. he puts out his hand to signal mabel to get up.

mabel watches as he starts to talk, his hands holding hers. "mabel, i love you so much. ever since we first met i couldn't take my eyes off you. you're mesmerising and i'm so glad to be here with you right now. thank you for staying alive and trying to be as positive as you can. your endless love towards me is craved every single day and i will always return that love in full. i love the lazy days we have, where we're both in pyjamas watching something on the television. i love the days where we hang out with everyone else. whether its you, me and phil or us plus dodie and felix. i'm so thankful for you and i can't express my love towards you enough. you deserve more thank i can give, hell you deserve more than the entire universe. i'm so lucky to have you," mabel is choking back tears at this point. dan's right hand is cupping her cheek, wiping any tears that fall with his thumb. he begins to pull out a small velvet-covered box and kneel.

"mabel kjellberg, will you do the honour of marrying me?"

ITS NOT OVER YET