the truth(37)

The morning light streamed through Alex's window as he stood in front of his mirror, trying to fix his hair for what felt like the hundredth time. He adjusted his jacket, then shook his head and took it off. He put on a different one—then another.

Alex:

"Damn it. Why am I stressing over this? It's just Marie."

But even as he tried to convince himself, his heart was racing. Today wasn't just another hangout. Today was a date—a real date—with Marie.

A knock on his door made him jump.

Michael leaned against the doorframe, smirking.

Michael:

"You're nervous, huh?"

Alex scoffed, turning back to the mirror.

Alex:

"Nervous? Please. I'm just—making sure I look decent."

Michael chuckled.

Michael:

"Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that."

Alex glared at him before sighing.

Alex:

"Fine. Maybe I am a little nervous."

Michael:

"A little? Dude, you're acting like this is a marriage proposal."

Alex rolled his eyes.

Alex:

"Shut up. It's Marie. I don't want to mess this up."

Michael smiled, patting Alex's shoulder.

Michael:

"You won't. Just be yourself."

Alex took a deep breath.

Alex:

"Yeah. You're right."

---

Meanwhile, across town, Marie was having her own struggle.

Her bed was covered in rejected outfits as she held up another dress, staring at herself in the mirror.

Marie:

"No. Too fancy."

She threw it onto the growing pile and groaned.

Marie:

"Why is this so difficult?"

Emily sat on the bed, watching with amusement.

Emily:

"Because you're in love with Alex and you want to look perfect for him?"

Marie froze for a second before scoffing.

Marie:

"Shut up."

Emily grinned.

Emily:

"Admit it. You're head over heels for him."

Marie sighed, finally grabbing a simple but cute outfit—light jeans, a soft pink sweater, and her favorite sneakers.

Marie:

"Okay. I'm ready."

Emily smirked.

Emily:

"You sure?"

Marie hesitated, then nodded.

Marie:

"Yeah. I'm sure."

Alex and Marie met up at a small plaza in the heart of the city. The second Alex laid eyes on her, he felt his brain short-circuit.

She looked… beautiful.

Marie smiled as she approached.

Marie:

"Hey."

Alex, still slightly dazed, blinked.

Alex:

"Uh. Hey."

Marie raised an eyebrow, amused.

Marie:

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

Alex coughed, rubbing the back of his neck.

Alex:

"Yeah! Yeah. Just thinking about where we should go first."

Marie smirked.

Marie:

"Uh-huh. Sure you were."

Alex cleared his throat, looking away.

Alex:

"Alright, let's go."

Their first stop was the arcade.

Marie's eyes lit up as she spotted the claw machines.

Marie:

"Oh my god, I have to win something."

Alex smirked.

Alex:

"You think you can actually win?"

Marie:

"Watch me."

She slid in a token and maneuvered the claw, her tongue poking out slightly in concentration. The claw grabbed a plushie—then let it go at the last second.

Marie:

"Oh, come on!"

Alex chuckled.

Alex:

"Want me to show you how it's done?"

Marie crossed her arms.

Marie:

"Oh, please. Like you'll do any better."

Alex smirked, inserting a token.

A few seconds later, he successfully grabbed a small cat plush and handed it to her.

Alex:

"For you, m'lady."

Marie rolled her eyes but took the plush, a faint blush on her cheeks.

Marie:

"Lucky shot."

Alex grinned.

Alex:

"Sure, let's go with that."

After a few more rounds of arcade games, they headed to a nearby café.

Marie:

"Okay, their pastries are the best."

Alex took a bite of his croissant and raised an eyebrow.

Alex:

"Okay, you might be onto something."

Marie grinned.

Marie:

"Told you."

They talked for over an hour, reminiscing about childhood memories, teasing each other, and laughing. It felt easy. Natural.

Marie:

"You know, I always thought we'd end up like this someday."

Alex paused.

Alex:

"Yeah?"

Marie smiled, twirling her straw.

Marie:

"Yeah. Just… us."

Alex felt warmth spread through his chest.

Alex:

"Me too."

As the sun set, they found themselves sitting on a tree branch in the park, watching the sky turn into shades of orange and pink.

For a moment, everything was quiet. Then—

Marie:

"Alex?"

Alex:

"Yeah?"

Marie took a deep breath.

Marie:

"Do you truly love me?"

Alex didn't hesitate.

Alex:

"Yes, I do."

Marie's eyes softened.

Marie:

"Truly?"

Alex met her gaze.

Alex:

"Yes. Truly."

Marie smiled—then leaned in and kissed him.

Alex, completely caught off guard, turned red but immediately kissed her back.

When they pulled away, Alex stared at her, flustered.

Alex:

"Why would you do that…?"

Marie grinned.

Marie:

"Well, if you truly love me, then… will you be my boyfriend?"

Alex turned even redder—but his answer was immediate.

Alex:

"Yes. I will."

Marie let out a small, happy laugh before pulling him into another kiss. This time, Alex didn't hesitate.

When they finally pulled away, Marie rested her forehead against his.

Marie:

"I've been waiting for this moment forever."

Alex chuckled.

Alex:

"Me too."

Back at the dungeon, the group was gathered around, talking about Alex and Marie's date.

Ava:

"That was the most romantic thing I've ever seen."

Liam:

"Yeah. Even I gotta admit, that was beautiful."

Mia:

"It was perfect."

Jack smirked.

Jack:

"Didn't think Alex had it in him."

Lucas was silent, but a faint blush dusted his cheeks.

Nobody noticed.

Except Dakota.

Dakota:

"Yeah, yeah. Cute, cute. But honestly… it was a beautiful moment."

The group turned to him in shock.

Ava:

"Wait. Did Dakota just say something positive about love?"

Before Dakota could respond, Alex, Liam, and Mia suddenly turned red.

Alex:

"Whoa, whoa, why am I blushing?"

Liam:

"Oh god. What's happening?"

Mia:

"Why do I feel like this?!"

Dakota suddenly burst out laughing.

Liam:

"Why are you laughing, Dakota?"

Dakota smirked.

Dakota:

"Oh, nothing. Just enjoying the moment."

Lucas crossed his arms.

Lucas:

"Of course, he's not answering us. Goddamn you, Dakota."

The entire group burst into laughter.

And for the first time in a long while, everything felt light.

Everything felt right. Because soon enough, everything will feel wrong, very wrong.