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Chapter XXVII (27) (Part I)

Ally's POV

I wore a strapless white dress, covered with a black cardigan. I waited outside for Troy, holding my hand purse in my hand. I stood patiently for our date. Our third date in two months.

I hear an engine from afar, and soon enough, a black car pulled up in the driveway in front of me. Troy, wearing a gray shirt with a red and blue checked flannel, walks out and runs over to my side. He kneels down on one leg and offers his hand, "M'lady," he says.

I smile at his cuteness and take his hand. He opens my side of the car and holds my hand as I get in. I take a seat and put on my seatbelt. He runs around and gets behind the wheel.

"Where do you want to go?" Troy questions.

"I thought you were deciding?" I ask.

He chuckles. "I'm just playing with you. I know where I'm taking you."

"And where is that?" I ask.

"A new restaurant called Wanda's," Troy answers. "And then, if we have time left, we can go to the park, have some more fun."

"Sounds amazing," I comment.

He smiles and begins to drive off. During the ride, we sang along to the radio. Well, I did for the most part. We had some short conversations, and they were pretty nice and calm.

When we arrive, Troy helps me got out of the car. We walk inside and a waitress greeted us. We walked to a booth of our choice. We sat in the center of the restaurant beside a wall. The waitress came and got our orders. She was sweet and shy.

While we waited and got our food, Troy and I hopped along to multiple subjects, changing from one every deep thought to another. It was nice. I feel like I can tell him anything now, but there were still some walls that are up.

After we're done eating, we went to the park like we had planned. Troy and I walked along the sidewalk hand in hand until I decided to run to the swing set. He followed shortly. I sat down and put my hands around the chains. Troy comes around and begins to push me lightly to where my feet could barely touch the ground.

We resume our conversation. "Okay. How about Paris?"

He shakes his head. "No, I wouldn't."

I question, "You wouldn't take me to Paris if you had the chance."

"I would rather spend it on something the two of us would love. I'm not a big fan of Paris and wouldn't want to marry someone who lives there."

"Not even if you love her?"

He walks in front of me. "I wouldn't invest myself to love her," he points out.

I nod my head. "Fair enough."

"But I do want to invest myself to someone," he holds a finger up, "I've been taking my time to think about us for the past two months. And it does seem a little fast, but I don't want to scare you, so if you know what I'm going to say, please stop me."

He paused, and I stare at him. I knew it. And I don't know how I feel about it.

"So...?" He says after a long moment of silence.

"I don't think I'm ready to hear those words yet," I respond. "I can hardly get my life together. I have to work and study. I'm just glad I have time for you, but-"

"But you don't have time to figure out your feelings," he interrupts.

I crease my brows. "What? My feelings?"

"Your so-not-obvious feelings for Liam," he says.

My mouth dropped. My pulse vibrates. I look at him astounded, but I shake my head in denial. "No. What are y...I don't. I don't have feelings for him."