'Burn all ties' will be my quota until I see the start of a white casket. Not white because I want it to be, but because my parents say it's purification. That and something about it being a sure sign. Anyway, I'll make sure that they don't put a tie on me after my death- especially since it may be the very cause of it.

It's not a requirement for church either, and that's where I'm going for the evening. I'm more excited than usual because Scarlette said she'll try to come. The keyword is try, so I'm trying to calm down the raging feeling that's sending butterflies and bees fluttering around my stomach.

It happens any time I even think about seeing her. Her chocolate brown eyes that glisten in the sun, her perfect smile that creates her cavern-like dimples. All of it makes me feel like there's a zoo pounding around in my stomach.

It's a rounded ten minutes that I stand in the middle of my room, wasting time. My tie is still loose, so I tighten it before heading down with my light blazer, and phone. Mom somewhat gained a constant worry of being late. I don't think either dad or me has gotten used to it.

"Come on, boys, put a little more peps into your steps," she rushes, like we know she would.

Dad and I send each other amused looks before leaving the house with mom right behind us. We pile into the car, getting into our familiar seats. I'm hit with a feeling of shock when my mom turns on the car radio, a soft humming flowing through the car.

"Nolan, will Scarlette be joining us?" dad asks, from his designated spot in the driver's side.

"Um," I look away from the window, meeting his eyes in the rear view mirror. "Maybe."

My parents have showed clear signs that they're favorable of Scarlette. She's all they talked about after everyone left. It was a little awkward- which I think is normal, but I was more than happy to tell them about how happy my sweet girl makes me. Scarlette was a little happier than I was when I called her that night, telling her about my parents and I conversations.

I left out the part of my dad apologizing for judging her too quickly. I'm not sure if she knows about the situation in the first place, but I don't want to go backwards. Moving forward is the only thing that I'm accepting.

"I hope she does attend," mom adds on, "I'd like to see her again. Meet her family too if they they tag along."

I smile, nervously, the feeling that we're going too fast coming back to me. Scarlette and I may have been friends first, but our relationship is new. A thought that shamefully lingers in the back of my head is that I'll be the one to ruin things between us. I don't want us to be ruined, but if it happened, it'd be my fault somehow.

"We're here, Nol," mom's voice intrudes my thoughts, bringing me back to the reality of earth.

I blink a few times to clear my vision. Families in their nicest clothes pass by, and I step out to see if I can eye Scarlette. I look for a whopping five minutes before dad reminds me that church services start soon. I nod in understanding, but that doesn't stop my hopeful eyes from wandering. It's when the front of the church starts to clear that I turn around to join my parents.

"Were you going to go in without me?" my favorite voice says from behind me.

I turn around to be met with my girlfriend. She's dressed in a nice blouse and neat pants to match. My eyes take her in one or two times- maybe three. She looks beautiful in every aspect, and this is just a reminder. Scarlette laughs at my stunned and adored look. I snap out of it, meeting her halfway as she walks to me.

The butterflies and the bees make their return as the first thing Scarlette does when she gets to me is take my hand in hers. I lock our fingers together without a single thought. She does her own once over of me, my favorite smile of hers showing- her dimples capturing my eyes.

"You look dapper," she teases, the familiar glint in her eyes shining down at me.

"As do you, madame," I joke along as I tug her in the direction of the church. "Come on, my parents are waiting inside."

Scarlette lets me pull her along, her hand never loosening in mine. It's silent between us until we reach the open doors of the church. We're about to enter when she leans down to whisper to me.

"You really do look handsome, sweetheart," she says so softly, it makes me question if she even said it in the first place.

I glance up at her, a pink shade coloring my cheeks all the way to the tips of my ears. "Thank you, Scar. You look beautiful."

She hums and that's when we fully enter my family's church. Not that we own the entire thing, we've just been going here for as long as I can remember.

My parents are standing when they see us hand in hand. Mom's the first to wave at Scarlette, who returns the gesture with a soft smile. Dad does his usual dad nod, but it's accompanied with a smile. I start to head over when Scarlette slightly pulls me back.

"Okay if I sit back here? I don't think being in the front is best. Saying amen is probably the only thing I know how to do."

"Sure," I say, "you don't have to explain to my parents."

Scarlette nods, her wavering smile returning. I give her a comforting smile before kissing her hand, and joining my parents. They sit me between them, and services start.

The pastor looks across the first row, smiling when his eyes drift past me. It's a proud smile. Almost as if he knows the uplift of my life lately. I return it, a light feeling flowing through me instead of the heavy one I felt when with my parents in a church. The pastor then greets everyone, and I look back to make sure Scarlette's comfortable and okay. I find her golden eyes in no time, the beauty of them already staring back at me.

I'm sent a reassuring smile, and it only makes me wish that I stayed with her. I'm used to sitting with my parents during services, and it seemed like Scarlette was okay sitting on her own for an hour or two. I'm glad I asked her to come for a shorter service. She's mentioned to me once or twice how her family is religious, but not her. Well, not as much as her family.

We hold eye contact for another minute. I struggle to look away from her; everything about her forever capturing me in a state of euphoria. It's only when she motions for me to turn around, that I give her a sheepish smile before listening.

"Try to pay attention to the service, Nolan," my mom leans over, whispering to me.

I nod, my eyes forward on the pastor. I know my mom's not being rude. Church is important to the both of them. It's important to me too. Still, I find myself glancing back at times when we sing a few songs, and read some scriptures. All times, Scarlette is there, her eyes already on me.

It's the fifth time that I look back, that I don't see her amazing smile and god-made eyes. I survey the church, but she's not anywhere in the templed building. My smile falters a little, and I try not to think too much of it. There's only twenty minutes left for this service. I'll see her then.

"Everything okay, Nolan?" dad looks to me, concern shown on his face.

"Yeah," I answer, "I just haven't felt so lifted in a church in so long."

"That's good to hear, son," he claps me on the back then goes back to focusing on the last few minutes of service.

I nod and listen in on the pastor's last words for today. He finishes out strong, gaining praises and claps from the entire church. I stay a few minutes after for respect of the pastor, and my parents, before heading off to find Scarlette. I'm also used to Madaline being here, but her parents are getting into family bible studies, and personal church services. They believe it can strengthen bonds, and no one can fault them for that.

Still looking around, I check the confession box, the private studies room, the bathrooms (which I knocked, and didn't go in), and the main service room for a second time. I give up looking on the inside, and head outside. I don't see her at first, until I walk further out to see her sitting on a church made bench. Her head is in her hand, her brown hair falling in front of her face. She's faced the opposite way, so I walk up to her and move her hair gently out of her face.

"Having fun?" I ask, looking down at her with nothing but adoration.

She looks up the second I speak, her hand moving up to grasp at my wrist. "Now that you're here, I am."

"I'm glad," I say, then go to sit beside her. She takes that opportunity to lean her head on me, and I take the chance to play with her hair.

"Sorry I left during the service."

"No, it's okay," I reassure her, instantly. Her coming was enough- it means a lot to me. I understand if she got a little uncomfortable along the way. "I'm glad you came."

"Any time, sweetheart."

We sit in moments of silence after her words, the sun beaming down on us as music from the church starts to drift out. It's never uncomfortable when we don't say anything. Its always comfort and joy that I feel. It's all I can feel when I'm with the beautiful girl next to me.

"Want to get milkshakes?" Scarlette asks when we finally see my parents exit the church. "We can ask your parents first?"

"Okay," I agree, wanting to spend more time with her today. "Be right back."

Scarlette leans up from my shoulder, giving me the chance to ask. I speed walk over to my parents who meet me halfway, since they were headed my way in the first place.

"Can I go with Scarlette? We want to get milkshakes."

"Sure, your dad and I were heading over to grab coffee with a friend. I'm sure you wouldn't want to sit through that," mom says, waving at a woman. I think it's the friend they're getting coffee with.

"When will you be home?" dad asks next.

"I'm not sure, I wanted to spend more time with her. Is that okay?" I ask, just to be sure.

"Just keep us updated, Nolan. Have fun," dad says as he pats my shoulder. Mom kisses my cheek and they walk away to hurry for their coffee thing. The worry of being late doesn't go away in the minimum of two hours apparently.

I smile, happy that my parents said yes, and excited because I get to be with Scarlette more. I turn around, quickly, to tell Scarlette the good news. Quickly may have been a little too fast as my foot gets caught with the other one, and I feel myself going down.

Well, I did feel myself going down until two arms steady me. I already know who it is, my shy smile pointing directly at my girlfriend when I look up. She's looking down at me with a sort of loving smile that makes my heartbreak pick up, and an amused smile that has my ears turning pink.

"Do I need to expect this every time I see you near a church?" she questions, her arms still around me.

"No, it was a simple trip," I try to defend myself.

"It was a simple trip last time, sweetheart," she counters, her amused smile getting bigger.

I push away from, in a playful way, and begin to walk off in the direction I think her car is. That gets a laugh out of her, and I hear following after me.

"I'm sorry, church boy," she tries.

"Stop!" I groan, thinking I finally got away from the nickname.

"Okay, I'm sorry, love! Also, my car isn't that way."

I stop in my tracks, looking back to see if she's lying. She catches up with me by then, her hand interlocking with mine. She leads me in a different direction and it's quiet for a very minimal amount of time.

"So, is tripping a hobby of yours or something?" she asks.

"Scarlette!"

"Okay, that was the last time! I promise!"

"You're buying me two milkshakes," I mumble.

"Of course, sweetheart."