As I walked down the street, my thoughts began to slow and my mind cleared.The sun shined bright the birds chirping.It was a peaceful moment, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for it.

I walked and began to notice the beauty around me. The sun cast a warm glow on the pavement, and the trees rustled gently in the breeze. I felt my body relax, and my thoughts slowed even further.

As I rounded the corner, I saw a familiar figure up ahead. It was Jake, walking in the opposite direction. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a flush rise to my cheeks. I wasn't sure what to do - should I say hello? Pretend I didn't see him?

Before I could decide, Jake looked up and saw me. He smiled and waved, and I felt a small smile tug at the corners of my mouth. Maybe it was fate that brought us together like this.

'Hey,' he said, as we drew closer. 'What are you doing out here?'

'I needed some fresh air,' I said, trying to sound casual.

Jake nodded, his eyes searching mine. 'Listen, about earlier - I hope I didn't make things too awkward. I just thought it would be cool to hang out sometime.'

I felt my heart race at his words. Was he really asking me out?

'Yeah, that would be great,' I said, feeling a grin spread across my face.

Jake grinned back, and I felt a warmth spread through my body. Maybe this was the start of something new.

As we continued to walk, we chatted easily, our conversation flowing like a gentle stream. I felt a connection between us, a spark of something special.

Out of sudden he say " wanna make a bet?" He says with a smirk.

"Umm, okk bring it on" I said not sure what to say .

He chuckled "I bet you 50 bucks I can tell you your favorite ice cream without you even telling me anything or even hints."

I looked at him, surprised. "Okay, tell me," I replied, looking at his sparkling eyes, which were full of happiness.

"Banana Split," he said confidently and with a smirk.

"Eh, noooo," I replied, showing him side eyes.

He was surprised. Usually, he always gets it right. "No way, my winning streak broken," he chuckled.

"I hate banana split," I said, making a face.

His face turned into shock. "Man, I lost the bet." He then handed me 50 bucks.

"Yayyy...I won," I said, being kiddish.

"Well, what will you spend my 50 bucks on?" he asked teasingly.

I thought for a moment. "Ummm...maybe buy a cat food," I said, teasing him.

He chuckled. "No ice cream or anything?" he said jokingly.

"Okay, I will buy ice cream for both of us," I said with a smile.

He smiled a perfect smile. "Okay, then. But I get to pick the ice cream flavor," Jake said with a smirk.

"Sure thing," I replied, feeling excited.

"Alright, let's go to the store then," he said as he opened the car door for me. "Ladies first," he said with a cheeky smile.

I giggled and got into the car. As we drove to the nearest ice cream store, I couldn't help but feel grateful for Jake's company. He was always so much fun to be around, and I knew that he would always be there for me no matter what.

When we arrived at the store, Jake said, "Alright, let's see what flavor should I pick," while giggling.

"I want caramel," I replied, feeling confident.

"Alright, one Caramel ice cream for you," he said as he took a note of it before picking his own ice cream. "Hmm, should I pick my favorite ice cream, or should I surprise you with the flavor?" he asked with a grin.

I smiled back at him. "Surprise me," I said, feeling adventurous.

He then thought for a second* "... alright, I'll get my favorite flavour" He said before parking at the ice cream shop

Jake was quick to open the door for me , I smiled at him thinking he's such a gentleman.

He then orders a caramel ice cream for me and a chocolate peanut butter sundae for himself , then sits next to me.

As we ate our ice creams, we chatted about all sorts  Jake was about to say something, but he kept on smiling

My heart skipped a beat as Jake leaned in closer . I could feel his breath on my ear as he whispered  "I have feelings for you more than you can imagine," he said in a deep, serious tone.

I instantly felt shivers run down my spine as I heard his words. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I had always thought of Jake as a special friend ,  but now I wasn't so sure is it more then just a special friend or something more.

Jake pulled back a bit and looked at me with a smirk. "I like the way I leave an impact on you," he said, his eyes sparkling.

I felt my cheeks flush as I looked back at him. I didn't know what to say. I had never been in this situation before. I had always been the one to keep my emotions in check, but now I felt like my heart was about to burst out of my chest.

Jake reached out and took my hand in his. "Sarah, I know this might be sudden, but I had to tell you how I feel. I can't keep it inside any longer," he said, looking into my eyes.

I felt his touch on my skin and looked back at him. I could see the sincerity in his eyes, and I knew that he was telling the truth. I took a deep breath and spoke. "Jake, I don't know what to say. I never thought of you in that way before, but now that you've said it, I feel like I might have feelings for you too," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jake smiled at her "I'm glad you feel the same way. Sarah, I promise to make you happy and to always be there for you," he said, holding my hand close to him.

I felt safe and loved. I knew that this was just the beginning of a new chapter in our lives, and  was excited to see where it would take us.

We were walking to the car when I saw someone familiar in the distance. As we got closer, I could see that it was Uzma with a suitcase. I hadn't seen or spoken to Uzma since the trip, and I couldn't help but wonder if she was okay.

I felt a knot form in my stomach as we approached them. Uzma looked up and saw us coming towards her. She looked horrified , I could tell that something was off. Her eyes were red, and she looked like she had been crying.

"Hey, umm hi guys," Uzma said, trying to sound cheerful. "What are you doing here?"

"Where have you been, I texted you I searched for you in school, you don't even reply to any of my messages"

"I.. I am sorry" she tried to control a sob.

"Are you alright" I asked being concern.

"Umm yeah what makes you'll come here" she tried to change the topic.

"We just finished up our icecream and were heading back to the car," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Uzma looked at me and then at Jake. "Can we talk for a minute?" she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course," Jake said, putting his arm around my shoulder. "We're here for you."

Uzma took a deep breath and looked at us. "I don't know how to say this, but I need your help," she said, her voice shaking.

"Anything," I said, taking her hand in mine.

Uzma looked down at the suitcase and then back at us. "I need to get away from here. I need to leave the town," she said, tears streaming down her face.

Jake and I looked at each other, unsure of what to do. We had never been in a situation like this before, and we didn't know how to help her.

"Uzma, what's going on? Why do you need to leave?" Jake asked, his voice calm and reassuring.

Uzma took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. "I can't stay here anymore. I need to go somewhere where no one knows me. I need to start over," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jake and I looked at each other, both of us unsure of what to say. We had never seen Uzma like this before, and we didn't know how to help her.

"Umar would be coming anytime we will go far away from everyone" she says as a sob escaped..

As I hugged Uzma, she began to cry and told me that Umar was coming soon and they needed to go somewhere far away from everyone. I felt a wave of concern wash over you as she continued to sob.

"Hey, hey, hey, what happened, Uzma? Please tell me," I said, trying to comfort her.

Suddenly, everything clicked me as I remembered the conversation I had with Uzma a few weeks ago. The one where she told me that Umar was about to ask her parents for her hand in marriage. "Oh no...this can't be happening,"I thought to myself .

I held Uzma tighter, feeling a sense of protectiveness towards her. "Can you tell me clearly what happened? We could help. Come here," I say pulling her into a hug. I listened as she told me everything, and I felt my heart break for her.I knew that Umar was a good guy, but I also knew that Uzma wasn't ready for this.

I sat with Uzma for a while, comforting her and trying to figure out what to do. We knew that Umar was coming soon, and I didn't want to leave Uzma alone. I decided to stay with her until Umar arrived, and then we would figure out a plan together..
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