"The purpose of life is to be happy." -Dalai Lama

Never let anyone take away your sunshine. Always be happy, Gabrielle. -H💋

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Let's go out," I told Xander immediately when he answered my call. Today is Saturday and a few days have passed since Dad told me that I can be Xander's girlfriend. I tried finding a perfect moment to tell him but I failed. We were either interrupted or the timing isn't right.

"Are you seriously asking me out on a date?" he asked.

I chuckled. "Yep."

"Isn't that against the rules?"

"Will you tell my dad?" I asked. He didn't answer. The line just stayed silent. "Hello?"

"I probably would," he answered.

My eyes widened. I did not expect him to answer yes.

"The f*ck? You should've answered no!" I scolded.

"I don't want to get into your dad's bad side. I need his approval," he answered.

I shook my head. Oh, dear Alexander, you already got it.

"Just pick me up and tell Dad that you asked me out and not the other way around," I instructed.

He sighed. "Alright. Where are we going?"

"Well, I want to see a movie and eat at the diner across the street right after watching," I answered before looking at the red box on my bedside table. I'm planning to give it to him after we eat at the diner.

"Hmm... that plan sounds oddly familiar," he said.

I giggled. I can't believe he didn't forget about our sudden hangout because we both got stood up. Faith canceled on me and his sister which was Maddie didn't show up. It's funny how he was my secret admirer back then and with the way he acted, it didn't feel like he had feelings for me at all.

"I'll pick you up by 5. Is that okay?" he asked.

"Of course," I answered.

"See you later, Brielle," he said.

"See you later, Xander," I replied before ending the call.

I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling before walking over to my closet to decide on what I will wear later.

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Ah, Xander," I heard Dad say from down the stairs. My eyes widened. He doesn't know that I haven't told Xander of his approval.

"OMG! Please don't say it," I said before running down the stairs. I almost tripped on the last step. Good thing I held on the railing for support.

"Be careful, Marina," Mom told me.

"I'm alright. Sorry," I answered.

"Are you really that excited to see your boy–"

Dad wasn't able to finish his sentence because I glared at him. He furrowed his eyebrows and mouthed, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"I'm taking Brielle on a date, Sir. I hope that's fine with you," Xander politely told Dad.

"Why are you–"

"Please allow us, Dad," I said, cutting him off again.

"Uh, sure," he answered before walking over to the couch.

I walked over to Xander and asked him to meet me outside. He nodded and walked casually out of the house.

"Doesn't he know that I gave my approval?" Dad asked.

"No, he doesn't," I answered.

"Tell him already! You don't want me to change my mind, right?"

"I didn't get the chance to tell him, okay? I'll talk to him later," I answered before turning back.

"Be home before 11," Dad reminded.

"Okay," I answered.

"Love you!" Mom yelled.

"Love you more!" I yelled back before closing the door.

When I got outside, I saw Xander leaning on his car and waiting for me. He saw me walking towards him so he immediately walked over to the passenger's seat to open the car door for me.

I smiled by the gesture. Yes, Xander does that all the time but it still feels different. It feels nice to be treated in that way.

Before I knew it, we have arrived at the cinemas and are already paying for our tickets. We have decided not to buy popcorn because we want to stuff our faces with diner food later.

The movie I chose is a comedy. I considered Xander's taste in choosing a movie. I think he is not the guy who is into romantic films and sappy things like that so I chose the safest.

While watching the movie, I would sometimes lean my head on his shoulders or slip my hand into his. I always laughed at his reaction. He keeps reminding me that Dad wouldn't like what we were doing.

After the movie, we walked over to the diner. The diner was almost empty. There were just a few people getting soda or milkshakes.

I ordered a cheeseburger and milkshake while Xander ordered a hotdog, fries, and a soda.

I'm planning to give him the red box after eating. I want to show it to him once we are alone so I've decided to hand it to him before we enter his car.

Time passed by quickly. I was getting more and more nervous when I saw that we were about to finish our meal. I prepared for this day and yet my palms are still sweating due to nervousness.

"I want to give you something," I told him when I saw that he was about to open the passenger seat for me. We are now outside the diner, getting ready to leave.

He furrowed his eyebrows. "What is it?" he asked.

I opened my bag and grabbed the red box. I handed it to him. Inside that box is a couple elephant keychain. I thought it will look cute hanging on our stuff and this will be our first couple item so it'll be very special.

"What's this?" he asked, taking out the blue elephant keychain.

"Couple keyrings," I answered.

"Why would you give me this when we're not even together yet?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Maybe because I want us to be like these elephants."

His eyes widened. "You want us to be–"

"Dad already approved. What are you gonna do about it?" I asked as if I don't know the answer to the question.

"Does that mean you're my girlfriend now?" he asked.

I nodded. "It's a yes, Xander," I answered. I yelped when he carried me and spun me around. "Xander, put me down!" I said while laughing.

He did put me down and inched his face closer to mine. He was so close that our foreheads were already touching and I can feel his breath fanning on my face.

"And there is something those elephants are doing that we should be doing too," he said.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What is it?" I asked.

He just smirked before crashing his lips onto mine. I stiffened. It took me a few seconds before I was able to return the kiss due to shock.

His lips tasted like coke. Probably because that was the last thing he drank. His kisses were sweet but a little rough at the same time.

I placed both of my hands on his shoulder and pulled him closer, deepening our kiss a little. We pulled away to catch our breaths.

We looked at each other and laughed.

He placed both of his hands on my waist and hugged me tightly. "This is for real, right? You are really mine?"

I chuckled before answering, "Yes, Xander. Everything that's happening is real. I am yours and you are mine."