the truth(36)

The morning sun cast a warm glow through Ethan's window as he stared at himself in the mirror, adjusting the collar of his shirt. He wasn't one to get nervous easily, but today felt different.

Today, he was going on a date with Lisa.

Not just hanging out, not just a casual meet-up like they always did—this was an actual, official date.

Ethan:

"Alright, no big deal… Just Lisa. Just a date. Just… spending the whole day with her."

He exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair.

Ethan:

"Okay, maybe I am a little nervous."

A knock on his door snapped him out of his thoughts.

Alex leaned against the doorway, smirking.

Alex:

"Dude, you're overthinking this. It's Lisa. You two have known each other forever."

Ethan shot him a glare.

Ethan:

"Yeah, but this is different."

Alex chuckled.

Alex:

"It's only different if you make it different."

Ethan groaned, throwing on his jacket.

Ethan:

"Whatever. Let's just get this over with."

---

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Lisa was going through her own version of chaos.

Marie and Emily sat on her bed, watching in amusement as she threw outfit after outfit onto the floor.

Lisa:

"Why is nothing working?!"

Marie smirked.

Marie:

"You're acting like Ethan's never seen you before."

Lisa huffed, finally grabbing a casual but cute outfit—a white sweater, black leggings, and a pair of sneakers.

Lisa:

"I just… I don't know. I want to look nice."

Emily:

"You always look nice."

Lisa rolled her eyes, putting on the outfit and checking herself in the mirror.

Lisa:

"Okay. I'm ready."

Emily and Marie exchanged knowing looks.

Marie:

"You sure?"

Lisa hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath.

Lisa:

"Yeah. I'm sure."

Ethan and Lisa met up in front of the shopping district. The moment Ethan saw her, he felt his brain short-circuit for a second.

Lisa:

"Hey."

Ethan:

"Uh. Hey."

She looked… beautiful.

Not that she didn't always, but today, something about her just felt different. Maybe it was the fact that he was finally seeing her as more than just Lisa, his best friend.

Lisa smirked.

Lisa:

"You good? You're just staring at me."

Ethan coughed, looking away.

Ethan:

"Yeah, yeah. Just thinking about where we should go first."

Lisa raised an eyebrow.

Lisa:

"You totally just panicked, didn't you?"

Ethan:

"Nope. Definitely not."

Lisa:

"Mhm. Sure."

Ethan sighed.

Ethan:

"Alright, let's just go."

Their first stop was the arcade.

Lisa had always been competitive, and Ethan knew this would be fun.

Lisa:

"Bet I can beat you at the racing game."

Ethan smirked.

Ethan:

"You sure about that?"

Lisa:

"One hundred percent."

Ten minutes later, Lisa was pouting as Ethan raised his hands in victory.

Ethan:

"Guess I win."

Lisa:

"Okay, rematch. Right now."

Ethan laughed.

Ethan:

"Nah, I like watching you lose."

Lisa punched his arm, making him chuckle even more.

They moved on to other games, playing until they ran out of tokens. By the time they left, Lisa had managed to beat him at least once, which was enough to soothe her pride.

Next, they went to a café.

Lisa:

"I swear, their milkshakes are the best."

Ethan took a sip of his.

Ethan:

"Okay, you're not wrong. This is actually really good."

Lisa grinned.

Lisa:

"Told you."

They spent an hour just talking, reminiscing about old memories, teasing each other, and laughing about the dumb things they had done as kids.

It felt easy. Natural. Like things had always been this way.

---

After the café, they walked around the city, stopping at random shops, watching street performers, and just enjoying each other's company.

Lisa:

"I'm glad we did this."

Ethan:

"Yeah. Me too."

She smiled, and for a moment, Ethan felt his heart race.

As the sun began to set, they found themselves sitting on a bench at the park, watching the sky turn shades of orange and pink.

Lisa was silent for a moment before she turned to him.

Lisa:

"Ethan?"

Ethan:

"Yeah?"

Lisa took a deep breath.

Lisa:

"Do you love me?"

Ethan's heart stopped.

His face immediately turned red as he stumbled over his words.

Ethan:

"I—uh—well—yeah. Yes. Yes, I do."

Lisa's eyes softened.

Then, before Ethan could react—

She leaned in and kissed him.

Ethan froze, his brain shutting down completely.

Lisa pulled away, her face close to his.

Lisa:

"Then… will you be my boyfriend?"

Ethan, still red, nodded slowly.

Ethan:

"Yeah. Yeah, I will."

Lisa smiled before pulling him into another kiss.

This time, Ethan kissed her back.

For a moment, the world around them didn't matter.

It was just the two of them.

As they finally pulled away, Lisa rested her head on Ethan's shoulder.

Lisa:

"Well… let's hope our relationship will be a good one."

Ethan smiled.

Ethan:

"I think it will be."

And as the sun set on their perfect day, they sat there, enjoying the quiet moment—together.

Back in the dungeon, the group was gathered around, talking about Ethan and Lisa's date.

Ava:

"Oh my god, did you see that kiss? That was the cutest thing ever!"

Liam:

"Yeah, I mean, I expected them to get together eventually, but wow, that was really something."

Mia:

"It was perfect. So romantic."

Jack:

"I'll admit, even I thought it was nice."

Lucas had been silent the whole time, but for a brief moment, a faint blush appeared on his face.

Nobody noticed.

Nobody except Dakota.

Dakota felt a strange, simmering anger rise within him, though he didn't say anything about it. Instead, he crossed his arms, scowling.

Dakota:

"Yeah, yeah, cute, cute. But fuck off. Okay, like I said, fuck off."

The group turned to him in disbelief.

Ava:

"Wow, what a way to ruin a beautiful moment, Dakota."

Dakota's expression darkened.

Dakota:

"There is no beautiful moment with her in it. Whatever moment she's in, it's always a terrible moment."

The group fell silent. No one knew what to say to that.

Dakota turned away, his fists clenched.

The mood had completely shifted.

And deep down, Dakota knew why he was angry.

But he refused to acknowledge it.

Not yet.