Michael had been acting strange all week, and Emily couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with her. They had been spending more time together lately, studying for their classes and hanging out after school. Emily had tried to ignore the fluttering feeling in her stomach whenever she was around him, but she couldn't deny that there was something there.
On Friday afternoon, Michael approached Emily as she was packing up her books.
"Hey, Em," he said, his eyes flickering nervously. "Do you want to go out with me tonight?"
Emily's heart leapt into her throat. She had been hoping that Michael would ask her out, but she couldn't believe it was actually happening.
"Sure," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Where do you want to go?"
Michael grinned, looking more relaxed than he had all week. "I was thinking we could go to that new Italian place that opened up downtown. I hear it's really good."
Emily smiled, feeling a sense of excitement building within her. She couldn't wait to spend the evening with Michael.
As she got ready for the date, Emily tried to ignore the nagging feeling of guilt in the pit of her stomach. She knew that Grace was still struggling with her feelings for Michael, and she didn't want to hurt her friend.
But as she looked at herself in the mirror, Emily couldn't deny that she was excited for the night ahead. She had always dreamed of going on a romantic date with Michael, and she wasn't going to pass up the opportunity.
When Michael arrived to pick her up, Emily was practically bouncing with excitement. She couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked in his suit jacket and dress pants, and she felt a flutter in her stomach as he took her hand.
As they drove to the restaurant, Emily and Michael talked easily, their conversation flowing effortlessly. Emily found herself laughing at Michael's jokes and feeling more at ease than she had in weeks.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Emily was surprised to see that it was even nicer than she had expected. The ambiance was romantic and cozy, with soft lighting and the scent of freshly baked bread filling the air.
Over the course of the meal, Emily and Michael talked about everything from their families to their favorite movies. Emily found herself feeling more and more comfortable with Michael, and she couldn't help but notice how he was looking at her. His gaze was intense and focused, as if he couldn't take his eyes off her.
After dinner, Michael suggested they take a walk through the park. Emily agreed eagerly, feeling a sense of anticipation building within her.
As they walked through the park, Michael took Emily's hand in his. Emily felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her at the contact, and she knew that something was about to happen.
"Emily," Michael said, stopping in front of her. "I know we've been friends for a long time, but I can't ignore how I feel about you anymore. I've wanted to tell you for a long time now, but I didn't want to ruin our friendship. But tonight, I just had to take the chance."
Emily's heart was racing as she looked up at Michael. She knew what was coming next, and she couldn't wait to hear it.
"Emily, I love you," Michael said, his voice thick with emotion. "I've loved you for as long as I can remember, and I can't imagine my life without you. Will you be my girlfriend?"
Emily felt tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at Michael. She had been waiting for this moment for so long, and now that it was here, she felt overwhelmed with emotion.
"Yes, Michael," she