7

Julian & Shawn were sitting on a garden bench taking a break and hydrating themselves. Julian was just about to put the water container in her bag when she froze, Shawn had just invited her to go with him on a date and was now eyeing her for her response. Julian managed to answer yes with a straight face and a small smile, despite the blush that was threatening to arise on her cheeks and despite her heartbeat that had skyrocketed. She nodded towards him saying bye before rushing home. Calming her wildly beating heart she looked at her watch for time and noticed that her grandmother will be here in 30 minutes, she entered her home.

Although Shawn didn't give any outward reaction & watched her rush off without meeting his eyes, internally a chibi Shawn was raising his fist in the air and bouncing off the walls. He looked towards his watch and left for his apartment.

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Julian's House

Hiran whose shift ended early today was sitting on the dining chair and reading a magazine while drinking coffee. She watched as the door opened and Julian came in with a spring in her step, which she was trying and failing to control, she was trying hard to make everything seem normal and usual but Hiran caught her act with her experienced eyes. Thinking for a few seconds about why her grand-daughter was acting this way she was immediately hit with a thought that caused her to smile and blink back tears that had sprung to her eyes.

She rose from the dining seat on which she was sitting, putting away her empty coffee mug and magazine, her lovely grand-daughter didn't even notice her. Following Julian to her room she saw from the ajar door; her grand-daughter sitting before a dressing-table and neatly twisting her hair into a braid which she then pulled into a bun before pulling out wisps of her hair and curling them to frame her face which was flushed with excitement.

Can't hold it back anymore she entered the room teasing her grand-daughter she said,

"I can't believe it, my little girl has grown up and now she is going out on her first formal date. She finally found herself and a serious boyfriend, who she hid from her beloved grandmother".

Julian blushed furiously in embarrassment getting caught. She turned towards her grandma and said,

"You are home early. Grandma!"

"Grandma! Don't embarrass me in front of him".

"And I am not a little girl anymore! I'm in my final year".

Hiran nodded in agreement and said,

"Fine, Fine Juli! But I will take pictures for keepsakes". She smiled softly before continuing. "You didn't date much in high school or college".

They heard a bell ring, Julian startled turned her attention towards the clock hanging over her bed and noticed that she still has 20 minutes left, but just in case she said to her grandma,

"Grandma! he is early, please ask him to wait for 10 minutes".

Hiran was smirking and gave her advice,

"Sure but remember to take your time Juli. All woman keep their boyfriends waiting. It increases the anticipation".

Blood rose to Julian's cheeks on hearing her grand-mother and Hiran laughed seeing her blush before going to see who was at the door, was it the secret boyfriend or someone else. Her interest was peaked, this was the first time that she would see the secret boyfriend that Julian was hiding.

Hiran was thinking of spending more time with her grand-daughter and her new boyfriend-to-be, she made a silent vow to herself for arranging for an easy schedule for herself so that she can get to have more time off.

She opened the door in excitement and a smile but as soon as she saw who it was standing on the other side of the door waiting. The smile on her face faded as she spoke,

"Aiden!".

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