Gabriel paced back and forth in front of the Charlie building, checking his phone every few seconds. He felt like he was about to jump out of his skin with anticipation.
Gabriel's eyes light up as he sees Lia approaching with her ID in hand. He can't help but let out an exclamation of relief.
GABRIEL: (exclaiming) Finally! Lia, you have no idea how anxious I was waiting for you.
Lia chuckles, a playful smile on her face, as she closes the distance between them.
LIA: (teasingly) Oh, Gabriel, always so impatient! But don't worry, we have plenty of time. Let's start by heading over to the café, grab a cup of coffee, and take a moment to gather your thoughts. Then, when you're ready, you can confess your feelings to your crush.
Gabriel's curiosity gets the better of him, his gaze shifting to the person accompanying Lia. He notices their classmate, Allyssa, standing a few steps away.
GABRIEL: (curious) Lia, who's with you?
Lia smiles, introducing Gabriel to their classmate.
LIA: (kindly) This is Allyssa, our classmate. She's been a good friend of mine for a while now. Allyssa, meet Gabriel my partner in crime and the bearer of a secret crush.
Allyssa extends a friendly hand towards Gabriel, greeting him warmly.
ALLYSSA: (smiling) Nice to meet you, Gabriel. I've heard a lot about you from Lia. She's been talking about this secret crush of yours. Exciting stuff!
Gabriel shakes Allyssa's hand, feeling a sense of camaraderie already.
GABRIEL: (grinning) Nice to meet you too, Allyssa. Lia has a way of spreading secrets, huh?
As Gabriel and Lia strolled along the path leading to the cafe, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of nearby trees. Gabriel hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts before finally mustering the courage to speak.
Gabriel: Lia, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about for a while now. It's been on my mind, and I think it's important that we have this conversation.
Lia: (Curiously) What's on your mind, Gabriel? You seem a little nervous.
Gabriel: (Smiling nervously) Well, you know how much I like this lagoon. I thought it would be a nice spot for us to have a heart-to-heart conversation.
Lia: (Surprised) A heart-to-heart conversation? Alright, Gabriel. What's going on? You've piqued my curiosity.
Gabriel took a deep breath, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out the envelope and handed it to Lia, his expression a mix of nervousness and determination.
Gabriel: Lia, I... I want you to have this.
Lia: (Surprised and confused) Why did you give it to me? Ah, I know you're ashamed of her, Where is she?
Gabriel gently grabbed Lia's arm, his eyes filled with sincerity. He didn't want any misunderstanding between them.
Gabriel: No, Lia, it's not like that at all. Please, just hear me out.
Lia looked at Gabriel, her expression softening slightly as she realized the seriousness in his gaze. Curiosity mingled with caution as she reluctantly agreed to listen.
Lia: Fine, Gabriel. Explain yourself.
Gabriel took a moment to collect his thoughts, his voice steady but filled with emotion.
Gabriel: Lia, I understand why you might have thought that way, but it couldn't be further from the truth. The letter is indeed for you, and there's something important I need to tell you.
Lia's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and disbelief washing over her. She searched Gabriel's gaze, trying to discern the truth in his words.
Lia: (Whispering) Gabriel, I don't understand.
Gabriel: (With sincerity) Yes, Lia. For the longest time, I've cherished our friendship, but my feelings have evolved into something more. I wanted to tell you through that letter, but I couldn't find the courage until now.
Later Gabriel invited Lia to come with him to the museum to think and enjoy
Gabriel: Come on, Andrei and Bianca are waiting for us. We're going to the museum.
Lia: (Grateful) Thank you for the letter, Gabriel. I appreciate your honesty. I promise I'll read it later when I have some quiet time.
They went to the cafe shop and saw Andrei and Bianca
Andrei: (Excitedly) Finally, you two are here! We've been waiting forever.
Bianca: (Teasingly) Yeah, we thought you guys got lost in each other's gazes or something.
Gabriel: (Playfully) Don't worry, we managed to find our way here.
As Gabriel and Lia were leaving the cafe, a familiar face caught Lia's attention. It was Paulo, a guy she had been talking to recently,
Paulo: (Approaching lia,) Lia, hey!
Lia, will ignore paulo
Gabriel walk with Lia, their classmates Andrei and Jane towards the museum. Lia was excited to explore the exhibits with her friends, and she felt grateful to have Gabriel by her side. As they entered the museum, Lia's eyes widened in amazement at the sight of the stunning artworks and artifacts that surrounded her. She was fascinated by the history and culture that the museum represented,
Gabriel smiled as he watched Lia's enthusiasm for the museum, and he felt happy to be sharing this experience with her and their friends. Andrei and Jane also seemed to be enjoying the museum, as they shared their thoughts and observations on the different exhibits. They were a lively group, and Gabriel felt grateful to have such wonderful friends. As they moved from exhibit to exhibit, Lia's excitement continued to grow. She was particularly interested in the ancient artifacts on display,
Andrei led the way, navigating through the streets until they stumbled upon a cozy little restaurant with a charming outdoor seating area. They settled themselves at a table, grateful for the chance to rest their weary feet.
Gabriel: (Letting out a relieved sigh) Finally, a chance to sit down and recharge. Museums can be quite tiring, but it was definitely worth it.
Lia: (Nodding in agreement) I couldn't agree more. The museum was incredible, but I didn't realize how much walking we'd be doing. A good meal sounds perfect right now.
Andrei: (Smiling) I'm glad you both enjoyed the museum. Now, let's take a look at the menu and satisfy our hungry stomachs.
Jane: (Flipping through the menu) Oh, this place has so many delicious options. I'm torn between the pasta and the grilled salmon.
Lia: (Playfully) Well, if Gabriel's having pasta, I might have to go for the salmon to try something different. We can share a bit if you want.
Gabriel: (Grinning) Deal. I'm always up for a little taste exchange.
As they deliberated over their choices, the waiter approached their table with a friendly smile.
Waiter: Good evening! Are you ready to order?
Andrei: Yes, we'll have the spaghetti carbonara, the grilled salmon, and a Caesar salad to share, please.
Lia: (Nodding) And could we also get a pitcher of iced tea?
Waiter: Certainly! I'll bring that right over for you. Enjoy your meal!
As they waited for their food, the conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter and stories from their museum adventure. They shared moments of awe, funny anecdotes, and their favorite pieces of art.
Andrei: (Excitedly) Do you remember that statue we saw? The one with the intricate details and the captivating expression?
Jane: (Smiling) Yes, that was truly a masterpiece. It made me appreciate the artistry and skill of the sculptor.
Gabriel: (Reflectively) And that painting with the vibrant colors and the emotions it evoked—simply breathtaking.
Lia: (Dreamily) The museum was a treasure trove of inspiration. It's amazing how art can touch our souls and make us see the world in new ways.
Their food arrived, and they dug in with enthusiasm, savoring each bite and sharing their thoughts on the flavors and textures. The warmth of friendship filled the air, creating a comfortable ambiance in which they could simply enjoy each other's company.
After finishing their meals and paying the bill, they all got up from the table, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. They said their goodbyes and hugged each other, promising to plan another adventure soon.
Lia turned to Gabriel and smiled. "Thanks for bringing us all together, Gabriel. This was a really great day."
Gabriel grinned back at her. "Anytime, Lia. I'm glad we could spend this time together. And who knows? Maybe we'll find another great adventure soon."
Lia rummaged through her purse, her fingers brushing past her wallet until she finally pulled it out. "Gabriel, I've been meaning to give you something,"
Gabriel glanced over at her, a curious expression on his face. "Oh? What is it?"
Lia's hand shook slightly as she opened her wallet and pulled out a small, folded photo. "It's just a picture of me," she said, holding it out towards him. "But I thought you might like it." Gabriel's eyes widened in surprise as he took the photo from her. "Wow, Lia, this is amazing," he said, studying the image of her smiling face. "Are you really giving this to me?"
Lia nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Yes, I am. I know it's not much, but it's something to remember me by."
Gabriel's smile grew wider as he gazed at the photo. "Lia, this means more to me than you can imagine. It's like getting a photo of the artist I admire most," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Lia felt a warm feeling spread through her chest as she watched Gabriel's reaction. It was clear.