March 12, 1990 - Gladiolus (Part 5/6)

After walking a few blocks, they finally arrive on the university. The university is now dark, only lit up by pathway lights. It's weirdly quiet, unlike how it usually appears in the morning.

"It's oddly quiet." Eleven talks to Sol as they walk through the pathway.

"Yep, and I kind of like it. It gives me a place to breathe instead of being constricted by people and social conventions."

"Well, you are right about that." Eleven then looks at the dark shadows of trees and birds flying of in the distance.

"We're here." Sol says as they stop at the science building.

"The science building? What are we doing here?" Eleven asks Sol.

"Just follow my lead." Sol asserts as they enter the building, turning on his flashlight.

"This better not be related to a poltergeist." Eleven says as they walk through the quiet hallways up to the stairs.

*Bang* a loud noise consumed the eerie silence.

"What was that?" Eleven shrieks and holds tightly.

Sol points the flashlight in the same direction, revealing a cat. "Don't be such a Nervous Nelly, Eleven." Sol exclaims. They continue walking through the stairs until they reach the fifth floor.

"Are we going higher?"A confused Eleven asks.

"Yep."

"So, the rooftop?"

"Yep."

"Isn't it locked?" Eleven asks as they approach the rooftop door.

"Not locked for four months." Sol answers as he twists the doorknob and pushes the rooftop door open. "Not locked since that Astronomy Club activity we had." Sol answers as the door reveals a telescope complete with gear.

"Wow!" Eleven exclaims. "How did you know about this, Sol?" Eleven asks with full excitement as she looks at the telescope gear.

"Mr. President of Astronomy Club here." Sol replies.

"Really? That's amazing! You are really talented, I envy you." Eleven says as she continues to explore the equipment.

"Don't say that, I'm embarrassed" Sol scratches his head as his cheeks flush a pink tint concealed by the darkness.

"By the way, Eleven" Sol says as he approaches the telescope. "I want to show you something." He adjusts the telescope's direction while looking through the lens. "Look," he goes away from the lens and allows Eleven to view the lens. "It's Jupiter." Sol says as Eleven looks through the telescope.

"It's so bright isn't it?"

"Not as bright as you." Sol says in a low voice.

"Say what?"

"Nothing."

From this point on, the point of view shifts to Eleven.

"Not as bright as you." I heard that Sol. If you're going to say it, just say it out loud. Actually, it kinds of gives me butterflies in the stomach. Sol's not usually so outspoken, but this time he actually speaks up, even he said it quietly.

"Say what?" I ask. I want to hear it again, you know. I just wanted to confirm what I heard. Sol, just like I said earlier, is not very outspoken.

"Nothing" Nothing? Even though I asked you, I'm pretty sure that you said it the way I heard it. I brushed it off.

"Do you want to see something else, Eleven?" Sol asks me. I face him. He's still blushing from earlier. He's super cute, acting shy and all.

"How about showing me a planet that reminds you of me?"

"Sure." He answers. For a while he scrambles for a bit. He's taking a while. I decided to strike up a conversation.

"Sol, you know, I thought you were really weird when I first met you. You were always red as red-hot chili, you know. You never looked at me in the eyes too, especially when I first met you on that New Year's party."

"I was embarrassed you know."

"Embarrassed about what?" I ask him. I mean, he didn't do anything embarrassing. He was actually quite decent when I first met him.

"Well, you know. You wore a red dress, and you kept smiling at me." He answers.

"Kept smiling at you?" I laugh. "I smile at everyone, Sol. Not just you."

"Well, for me, it was special you know."

"Special? How so—"

"I'm done, Eleven." He cuts me off again, signifying he has finished setting up the telescope.

"Fine. Don't answer that question, I'm going to ask you again later anyway." I warn him.

I look at the planet. It's weird. It's also bright. It's less of a red than Jupiter.

"What is this planet, Sol?" I ask him. "And in what way does it represent me?"

"That's Venus. Venus is the roman goddess of beauty and love." He says. I'm the goddess of beauty? I chuckle. I feel hot on my ears again. Crap. He's really good at this. I tuck in my hair. Gosh, it's getting hot.

"Well, what about you, Sol. Which planet represents you? Which planet represents your own little world?" I chuckle.

"Me? I can't really show it through the telescope."

"Why? Is the telescope not powerful enough?"

"Well, actually..." He stutters.

"Actually what?"

"I can really only show it to you using a mirror." He answers.

Crap. Crap. Oh no. I'm feeling butterflies all over my body. I can't help but smile like an idiot.

"Uhm, Eleven..." he asks me nervously while he slowly grabs one of my hands.

"What?" I ask, still smiling. Stop smiling, you pig.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" Crap. I'm smiling widely now. I bow down. Why can't I hide this smile.

"Depends." I answer him while still looking down. I grab a small box, the box we bought earlier today. I gave him the box in a rush. "It depends if you agree to be my Superman, Sol."