Am I Really In Love?

"Sorry, I'm just a bit upset since the festival and the school year is ending." Alice said with a small smile. "Anyway, thanks for hanging out with me." she continued.

"It's nothing. I really am looking forward to this you know?" Mark said as he looked at the crimson sky. "Alice, what's your opinion in love?" Mark directly asked.

Alice frowned. She slouched down and leaned on the railings. "I don't like it," she bluntly answered.

"But why, I don't get it? Back then you helped us with our love issues but never once did we hear you talk about your own." Mark asked.

"You want to know why? It's because I'm scared, I'm scared to fall in love again." Alice fiercely said.

"Why?" Mark managed to ask.

"I lied when you asked if I ever had an experience with love, I lied because it's something I don't want to remember anymore. Back when we were still freshmen I really liked this guy and got my heart broken. There's this guy who said he'd wait for me but next thing I know he's with another girl. I still remember how stupid I felt that time, because I was accused to be an assuming flirt." Alice bit her lip.

"Since then I never wanted to fall in love again and I never trusted guys wholeheartedly, but then I met you guys. You were all different and when I helped you with your love problems honestly, I never thought that their relationships would last but look at them now, and I can see their sincerity, loyalty, respect, and love for their girlfriends. Maybe there are some guys who are worth trusting but the fear of me loving again never left my mind." she slowly narrated.

Mark noticed a glint of sadness in her eyes even though she had a smile on her face. "I never knew, sorry for asking." Mark muttered.

"It's fine, I know that someday I'd have to tell you and the others about it but never mention it again," Alice said.

Then the sky got dark and the lights around the school were open. "The lights are so colorful," Alice smiled.

"You finally smiled again," Mark chuckled. "You were kinda down a while ago."

"I guess it's because I'm not yet ready to leave the school year, a lot has happened this year." Alice sighed.

Mark gently placed his hand on top of Alice's, "You know, you can't fear love forever, it's unfair to both you and the people who love you." gentleness was in his voice.

"What's the point of love anyway? All it does is make people expect then hurt. I don't want to experience those all over again," Alice scowled. The hand on top of hers tightened but remained gentle.

"You can't treat everything as a whole Alice. I love you, I really do, I just don't understand why you didn't believe me." Mark faced her and she immediately blushed.

"W-well… it's," she stammered.

"I don't know if you're really dense or you're just not being honest about your feelings," Mark said nonchalantly. Alice's mouth was left agape. "I've been in love with you for a long time ever since the retreat. I've attempted to tell you numerous times but you're such a clueless idiot but you know, I fell in love with you not because of your looks, your coolness, or your popularity but because of a reason I don't know. But that's love, right? Something a person can never really explain." Mark told her, a faint blush appearing on his cheeks.

Alice was as red as a tomato. She covered her mouth because of the shock. "Mark really was telling the truth,"

"If that's not enough then watch this," Mark grinned as he stood on the railing. "I'M IN LOVE WITH ALICE VILL—" he wasn't able to continue shouting because Alice pulled him.

"That's enough, I get it okay?" she sighed as she tried to calm herself down.

"I'm glad, took you long enough to get it, let's go back down shall we?" Mark asked with a relieved smile on his face. Alice nodded, when they were about to go down Alice suddenly pulled Mark's shirt causing him to stop.

"I-I have to tell and ask you something," she said shyly.

"Go ahead," Mark said with curiosity.

For a moment, Mark thought Alice looked frustrated. "It's so annoying!" she yelled.

"Huh? What?" Mark gasped.

"Why is it that my heart starts beating faster when you're with me? And that I easily get flustered? Why do I get annoyed whenever Mia or Tiffany are trying to flirt with you? Why do I show my vulnerability and weaknesses to you? Why was I disappointed when I wasn't your first dance at prom? I dreamt about you saving me, I was so sad when you got mad at me, Why did I feel fireworks when you kissed me? Why do I feel happy whenever I'm with you?!"

"I can't explain these feelings, I only feel them when I'm with you! Why? Why am I feeling like this?" Alice was obviously frustrated but the blush on her face never left.

Mark could only smile at her. "I get it, you're in love with me." he looked her in the eyes.

"I don't! It's something else, didn't I say that I won't fall in love?" Alice grunted.

"Don't be stubborn. Didn't I just tell you that you can't fear love forever? Admit it, you fell for me." Mark said. He was truly amused by the situation.

"No, no, no… that's not true you idiot!" Alice covered her ears and shook her head.

"If it isn't then look me in the eyes and tell me that you don't love me," Mark said as he leaned closer to Alice causing her to take a step back. "Well?" He almost smirked.

"I-I wanna try something… can I?" she asked nervously. Mark only shrugged. Then his eyes widened in shock at what Alice did next.

Alice pulled him down to her level by grabbing his shirt collar, she stood on her tiptoes then she leaned in and stole a kiss from him! A few seconds later, she stepped back and covered her lips with her arm, her face was red as usual.

"Shoot," she cursed.

"You felt fireworks didn't you?" Mark had a smug look on his face.

"Am I really?" she whispered to herself.

"All you have to do is accept your feelings," Mark smiled sweetly as he pulled Alice towards him, he rested his head on Alice's own. "And open your heart to love again." Alice buried her face on Mark's chest, she took his hand and entwined her fingers with his.

"Mark! Alice! Get down here, you've been there long enough." they heard their teacher speak through the speakers. The two immediately separated and went to the railings to see what is going on below. They were both surprised to see their teachers on the stage and the whole student body looking at them. "Have you both forgotten that there are microphones set at the rooftop because of the band that will be performing tonight?" their teacher said.

"Mic-ro-phones?" Alice said as she tilted her head, it took a few seconds to register in her mind. "You heard everything?!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, too bad there are no cameras but get down here, the band is waiting."

Afterwards, everyone shouted. "CONGRATULATIONS MARK!" followed by a lot of whooping and cheering.

"My life is ruined!" Alice blushed furiously.

"Come on," Mark reached out his hand. Alice turned away and took Mark's hand, they rejoined everyone. Afterward, the band performed and the big bonfire was lit up.

"So you two dating yet?" Alex and Lance snickered.

"Shut up," Mark growled.

"Dude finally, after numerous attempts you finally got it right." Josh chuckled.

"So Alice finally gave in eh?" Gerald teased.

"But there are still three words I want to hear from her," Mark grinned.

"Why three when you can only have one?" Alice asked.

"And she's back," Vincent laughed. The others gathered around the two for a group hug. "Whatever, we're happy for the both of you."

A few moments later, the winner was announced and obviously the winner happened to be Alice's class. Miriam was the happiest of course, she did a lot of threatening and bargaining to win and thankfully they won.

"This is great, a whole amusement park reserved to only us." Alice smiled.

"By the way Alice, are you prepared to be in a relationship yet?" Grant asked.

"Leave me alone," Alice shoved him away.

"Is Alice gonna forget about me now that you like Mark?" Grant looked at her with puppy eyes and a pout.

Alice turned away, "What are you talking about?" she blubbered.

"Ouch, that's so mean of you. I'm hurt." Grant said in a teasing voice.

"Don't tease her Grant," Mark warned.

"I won't… don't worry," Grant laughed. "I'm happy for you both. It took you long enough." He said with a grin.