I'm curled in someone's arms. As my eyes flutter open, I stifle a yawn. My gaze drifts over to Isaac. His arms are wrapped warmly around me. He looks so cute when he's sleeping. 

I slowly sit up and look around, momentarily unfamiliar with my surroundings. Soon, however, I remember Isaac bringing me here last night. I remember the beautiful garden with all of its colourful flowers. And I remember the kiss. Or, actually, kisses.

As I stare at Isaac's sleeping form. I'm suddenly wondering if this is what it's like to love. My heart beats rapidly just reliving the kiss in my mind and I get those butterflies all over again wishing for another kiss from him. And then I wonder if he likes me as much as I like him. He must since he kissed me. Or is it just part of an act? To get me to reveal who I really am and hopefully get me back to my old self...

Being my old self. That would be nice.

But having this right here is the best thing in the world. If all the bad in my life added up to this moment, then I'm somehow grateful for it all. If none of it had happened to me, what were the chances that Isaac and I would've met? Probably slim. It's a miracle to me.

Isaac yawns and slowly wakes up, his eyes immediately finding mine. I blush a little when he smiles at me, rubbing his eyes then standing up. 

"Best sleep ever," he says, holding out his hand to me.

I let him help me up and as he does so, he brings me close to him. He wraps his arms around me and dips his head down, kissing me passionately. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss back, my eyes closed and my heart open. I wish this would never end.

But all good things do. Isaac pulls away, smiling. Silently, we walk back to his car and drive down the deserted road as the sun comes up. I can see the town ahead and then I remember Holly. She can't really be mad since she knew about the date. It's also possible Isaac told her we'd be out all night so there should be nothing to worry about. But, then, why am I? 

I always worry, though. I worry about the smallest and biggest things. I know I really shouldn't since it's not good to worry about every single thing, but I just do and I don't know why. Perhaps because nobody really worried about me and, so, I tend to worry for others. I worry that the same bad things that happened to me will happen to someone else. 

We soon reach Isaac's house where he cuts the car in his driveway. We sit silently in his car, neither of us really wanting to move. I wish we could've stayed in that garden forever. It was so nice and calm there. 

I watch as Isaac climbs out of the car and trots over to my side, opening my door like the gentleman he is. Smiling, I step out and wait for him to close the door and lock the car. 

Usually, Isaac is talking but today, he's quiet. I'm not sure why. 

We walk up to his front door where he unlocks it then lets me in. "Bella's probably still asleep and your friend is coming to pick you up soon."

I nod and pad over to their living room where I lie down on the couch. Isaac comes over and sits down in front of me, his back leaning against the couch. Rolling onto my side, I take a few strands of his hair in my hands and gently play with it. He hums in approval, tilting his head back a little and closing his eyes. 

After a few silent minutes, he leans forward and turns around. "Angie, I'm not really sure how to say this. I've never really been good with words."

I cock my head to the side, furrowing my brow. Is he going to say what I think he is?

He sighs, looking down at the ground as he crosses his legs. "I really like you... more than a friend, that is. I'm not sure what you're feeling or if you're gonna reciprocate what I feel for you. I'm also not sure if this is going to work out."

My eyes widen. 

Isaac swallows and his eyes slowly look up at me. "Do you like me?"

My lips break out in a smile and I lean forward to hug him. He laughs and hugs me back, his quiet mood easily lifting. 

"Good, wow. I've been wanting to tell you that for a while. I know we just met and all but I do really like you. Will you, uhm, be my girlfriend?" Isaac rubs the back of his neck, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

I nod eagerly, jumping up to hug him again, wrapping my legs and arms around him. He stumbles back but wraps his own arms around me. I bury my head in his neck and hold him tightly. He waddles over to the couch and sits down. Pulling back a little, I see his wide grin for a split second before his lips crash onto mine again. 

Pure bliss. That's all I can explain it as.

"Angie? Isy?"

My eyes widen, and I pull away from him, looking over at Bella who's rubbing her eyes tiredly. 

"Oh," is all Isaac can say.

"Were you guys kissing?" 

"Uh..."

"If you were, that's okay. I've wanted you two to be together since day one, just so you know." She saunters over to us and slides up onto the couch. "I hope you become my big sister someday, Angie."

My eyes widen even more and my mouth drops but I quickly close it.

Isaac stiffens, clearing his throat. "Young lady, don't you have school today or something?"

Bella nods grimly. "Yeah, but I wanted to stay home with you guys."

"Holly's going to come pick Angie up real soon so it'll just be me. Unless, of course, you'd like to stay home with me."

Bella scrunches her face and races upstairs.

"Ouch."

I giggle then cuddle on his lap. Isaac hugs me tightly.

Then the doorbell rings and we're pulling apart.

Isaac goes over to the door and swings it open, revealing a beaming Holly. 

"So, how'd things go?" She wiggles her eyebrows.

"She's my girlfriend now," Isaac says simply, giving her a blank look.

Holly freezes. "Say that again."

"She. Is. My. Girlfriend. Now."

"Thanks, that's what I thought." Suddenly, Holly bursts over to me, jumping up and down, squealing. Typical. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! You have a hot, new boyfriend! Get me one, too! I need one! I'm so bored!"

She's being too happy. I'm not sure if I like it. But it's always nice to see her happy.

I just smile and nod at her, watching as she dramatically blabs about upcoming dates and things we should and shouldn't do. 

As I'm watching her, my thoughts turn dark for some reason. What if she steals Isaac? Or, what if Isaac only became close to me in order to be closer with Holly? What if this is all fake?

I push the thoughts back and return to the moment where Holly's still blabbering about some random things. At this point, I don't think Isaac or I are listening to her. My eyes wander over to him, and I blush upon seeing him staring intently at me. He smirks and shakes his head. I smile and shrug. Perhaps it is real.

"Okay, we have to go now. I must plan your next date. Come along, dear friend of mine." Holly troops out the doorway, silently expecting me to follow her. 

I kiss Isaac before following Holly outside who's already halfway down the street. I guess she didn't bring the car. I jog down to meet her and she's quietly mumbling to herself. Something about dates. I think this is getting to the point of obsession and it's only been a few minutes. But I let her be. This is Holly just being Holly. 

We walk silently the rest of the way but I can just hear the gears turning in her head.

What if she's not planning the next date between Isaac and I but, instead, between her and him? 

Why am I thinking like this? Holly would never do that... right? I trust her enough. I think. 

And, suddenly, I'm second-guessing everything. Why do my thoughts spiral so darkly? Why can't I ever think positively about something for once? Isaac and Holly would never do any of this to me. Or, at least, I don't think they would. I've known Holly for a long time and she'd never do anything like that. While I've only known Isaac for a short amount of time, I don't think he'd ever cheat on me, either.

Sighing, I push those thoughts away again and try to focus on the now. I have a boyfriend. I have a boyfriend. And he's liked me for a while now. All my worrying was for nothing. Maybe things are starting to turn up. Maybe I'm reaching that light at the end of my impossibly dark tunnel. Maybe I can actually be happy.

We soon reach our apartment and Holly leads me inside where I spot Dave at the kitchen counter, sipping a soda and flipping through a beauty magazine.

"Hey, Dave. We're home." Holly walks over to the fridge and pulls out a bottle of water. 

Dave sets down his magazine and grins at me. "So, I heard you went out with that boy from the bar."

I blush and nod.

"Is he alright?"

"Of course, I was there. I had to approve first and my judgement is always on point." Holly waves him off.

Dave rolls his eyes, scoffing. "Like that time you set me up with a guy but he wasn't even gay. Or what about that other time you set me up with a creeper who stalked me at night? Or what about that time you set me up with a guy and he already had a boyfriend who came in later and nearly tore the place apart? Oh, yes, your judgement is perfection."

Holly stutters for words. "I tried?"

"Sure you did."

I listen to them go back and forth, my mind occupied by a certain god. He's so perfect in so many ways, it just isn't fair. How could he ever love me? I'm a broken mess, and I'll probably end up hurting him unknowingly. 

But this is my life. I have to make my own decisions in order to bring about my own happiness. And if Isaac equals my happiness, then, of course, I'll take that chance. 

I needed to just accept this and make the most of it.

"You guys hungry?" Holly asks, resting against the far counter.

"No, I've gotta go to work in a few anyway. Thanks." Dave scoops up his magazine, hugs holly, places a kiss on my forehead, then wanders out the door.

"What about you?"

I shrug and shake my head.

"Okay." Holly walks over to the living room and I follow. She sits down and picks up the remote controller but never turns on the television. Instead, she twists herself and looks at me.

I look at her curiously.

"You just be careful, okay? I know you like Isaac and I know he likes you, but I don't want you to get hurt. Even when you think you've got it, it may fall apart. I already gave him the 'if you hurt her, I'm going to murder you' talk."

I give her a crazy look and shake my head.

"Don't give me that look, missy. I'm just looking out for you. You've been through too much, and it's just not fair," Holly huffs, upsetting herself.

I scooch closer to her and hug her tightly. She hugs back then pulls away, wiping away a few tears. She's crying? What?

Holly sniffles then laughs. "Look at me crying. Gosh, I've become soft." 

What? When was she ever not soft? I'm so confused.

For the rest of the day, we watch different movies. She continues to comment on a hot actor or a stupid line. It's really fun, and I'm glad Holly's with me. I don't know where I'd be without her. 

~~~

❝Maybe I'm reaching that light at the end of my impossibly dark tunnel.❞