Officializing Love

After the hike at Crystal Springs Reservoir, Sack took me to the restaurant he had reserved in advance: The Velvet Vine , an elegant place known for its intimate atmosphere, dim lighting, and panoramic views of the city. From the moment we walked in, I could feel that this wasn't just another ordinary day. Everything seemed carefully planned to be special, and it made me smile.

We sat by a window overlooking the city lights. The ambiance was perfect: quiet, romantic, and full of small details that reflected how much thought Sack had put into this. As we reviewed the menu, our hands accidentally brushed against each other on the table, and we briefly glanced at one another, sharing a knowing smile.

"This place is beautiful," I said, admiring the hanging chandeliers and tables adorned with fresh flowers. "I can't believe you organized all of this."

Sack smiled slightly, as if uncomfortable with compliments.

"I just wanted it to be special. You know… something that reflects how important you are to me."

I felt an unexpected warmth in my chest at his words. It was incredible how much Sack had changed since I first met him. Before, he would never have said something like that so directly. Now, however, he seemed more confident, more open.

As we enjoyed the carefully selected dishes, we began talking about how our perspectives on Valentine's Day had shifted throughout the day.

"You know, I never thought I'd say this, but today really made me reflect," I commented, looking out at the city lights through the window. "It's not about gifts or grand gestures. It's about being with the people who truly matter."

Sack smiled, his eyes glowing with warmth.

"I'm glad to hear that. Because… well, there's something I want to tell you."

I looked at him, intrigued by the serious tone in his voice. A small knot formed in my stomach as he took a deep breath.

"Lindsay… this day has been perfect because you're here with me. But I want you to know something: I don't need a special day to tell you how much you mean to me. I want to spend every day by your side, sharing everything that comes, the good and the bad. Will you be my girlfriend?"

My heart skipped a beat. I felt my cheeks flush as I tried to process his words. It was exactly what I had been hoping for, but hearing it from his lips made it feel even more real.

"Yes, Sack. Of course, yes," I replied, my voice barely an excited whisper.

In that moment, Sack stood up from his seat, walked around the table, and leaned toward me. His lips found mine in a slow, tender kiss, full of meaning. I closed my eyes, feeling as if everything around us disappeared. It was such an intimate moment that I could almost feel our hearts beating in sync.

When we pulled apart, Sack looked at me with a shy but sincere smile.

"Thank you for saying yes. This means a lot to me."

"You don't have to thank me," I responded, stroking his hand. "It's what I've wanted most."

After dinner, we decided to head back to campus to finish the night watching a movie in my room. On the way, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by everything that had happened. Sack and I were officially a couple now, and the thought made me feel light, as if I were floating.

When we arrived at my room, we opened the door and were greeted by an unexpected surprise: Olivia was sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket and surrounded by snacks, watching a dramatic romantic movie.

"Olivia? What are you doing here?" I asked, confused.

Olivia looked up, her face exaggeratedly sad.

"Oh, it's you two. I figured you'd be busy all night. My date was… let's just say memorable. But not in a good way."

I looked at Sack, who had already caught the hint. We exchanged a knowing glance, understanding that the date with Ethan probably hadn't gone as Olivia had hoped.

"What movie are you watching?" Sack asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Something called Impossible Love . It's basically a romantic tragedy with a terrible ending," Olivia replied, popping a fry into her mouth. "Perfect for my current mood."

I chuckled softly as I sat next to her.

"Well, if you want to talk about your date, we're here. But if you'd rather keep watching this depressing movie, we can join you too."

Olivia smiled weakly.

"Thanks, guys. You always know how to make me feel better."

Sack sat on the other side of the couch, wrapping his arm around me. Though the night hadn't ended exactly as we had planned, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having both of them in my life.

"So, what happened with Ethan?" I finally asked, unable to contain my curiosity.

Olivia let out a dramatic sigh before responding.

"Oh, where do I begin… Let's just say the guy is interesting, but way too methodical for my taste. He asked me if I had a specific schedule for eating, as if I were a programmed robot. And when I tried to liven things up, he just stared at me like I was crazy."

Sack and I laughed, though we tried to hide it so as not to offend her.

"Maybe he just wasn't your type," Sack suggested, trying to be kind.

"That's obvious," Olivia replied, throwing a pillow at him. "But don't worry, I'll survive. Plus, I have enough snacks to get over it."

The conversation continued as we kept watching the movie. Between laughs and sarcastic comments about the predictable plot of Impossible Love , I felt that this shared moment perfectly encapsulated what our friendship meant: mutual support, humor, and unconditional love.

As the movie reached its inevitable tragic ending, I realized how much my perspective on love had changed. It wasn't just about grand gestures or perfect moments anymore. It was about being with the people who truly mattered, both on the good days and the bad ones.

I looked at Sack, who returned a warm smile. Then I glanced at Olivia, who was still munching on fries while pretending to cry over the movie.

"You know, I think this has been the best Valentine's Day I've ever had," I said softly, more to myself than to them.

"I agree," Sack responded, gently squeezing my hand.

Olivia looked at us with a mischievous smile.

"Ugh, you two are way too sweet. I'm going to need more chocolate to handle this."

We all laughed together, closing the day with a mix of love, laughter, and camaraderie.