A knocking sound resounded from the door.
"Just a moment!"
Celeste called out.
She made one last motion to dry her hair before she put the towel aside and walked to the door.
Twisting the handle, Celeste's eyes fell on her best friend, her confidant, and her first love.
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach.
Inhaling to calm her nerves, Celeste invited Alden in with a big smile.
She sensed his eyes pause over her figure, no doubt flustered after seeing her come out of the bath.
She grinned to herself.
Celeste quickly sat down on her bed, feeling a twinge of restlessness.
She watched Alden examine the baroque decorations in her room, seemingly in a daze.
She couldn't blame him.
After all, it had been quite some time since he had last entered her room.
The walls were painted a shade of light green mixed with scatterings of brown.
Celeste had originally dyed them a rosy colour. After awakening her powers as a healer, however, she gained a greater appreciation for Mother Nature and wanted her private quarters to reflect that.
Coughing lightly, she observed Alden jolt. Celeste suppressed a smile.
"May I sit?"
He nodded toward her bed.
"Of course! Make yourself at home."
She scooted back to make some room, folding her bare legs.
Alden gingerly sat, looking anywhere but at her.
Celeste pouted slightly.
Although he could be averting his gaze because of her outfit - consisting of a simple cotton t-shirt and shorts - she felt it ran deeper than that.
Maybe he was just nervous.
Or, maybe he really thought it wasn't gentlemanly to stare.
Either way, Celeste found herself irked because of it.
Although, if it truly was the latter, her admiration and love for him only increased.
'It's strange.'
Why did she want Alden to view her as a woman, not the little girl he grew up with?
Why did she want him to find her beautiful?
Suddenly, Celeste was very self-conscious.
'Do I look bad?'
She couldn't help but fret.
Quickly adjusting her damp hair, she watched Alden take a deep breath and turn to face her.
Her heart skipped a beat as her gaze met his.
Those captivating orbs…
Celeste lost herself in their depth.
A moment later, Alden's voice broke through her haze.
"Cece…"
His voice was tender, too tender.
She felt her chest become heavy as a sense of anticipation rapidly surged to life in her heart.
She knew she shouldn't get her hopes up.
That it was better not to expect anything.
…Better not to be disappointed in the end.
However, that was the funny thing about love.
Wherever it was present, all reason seemed to vanish. Forever lost in its intoxicating abyss.
Celeste found herself unable to resist its allure.
Staring at her childhood friend, she fell.
Hard.
"It's been an honour sharing my childhood with you. The most precious moments of my life that I will never forget, and will always look back upon with fondness…"
The young lady fiddled with her thumbs, the sense of anticipation in her chest growing stronger.
"If you allow me, I would like to make another special memory. One that will dwarf all others."
Alden's face slowly turned solemn.
"If you will let me, I vow to be your protector, your friend, your supporter and your confidant. Through the good, the bad, and the ugly. I will be beside you to help you get through them all."
He slowly got up, his eyes still trained on hers as he fell onto one knee.
Celeste's breath hitched.
Her vision grew blurry.
"Celeste… I love you. From the bottom of my heart. I always have. Ever since the day we met. You were like a beacon of light to my never-ending darkness. If you accept me, I hope I can light up your world too. What do you say?"
She barely registered Alden's hopeful voice in the back of her mind.
She had dreamed of countless confessions… ever since she first realised she loved Al.
This…
This topped all of them.
Celeste sobbed, pinching her skin to make sure this wasn't some fantastical dream her mind had conjured to play tricks on her.
"Cece?"
His worried voice pierced through her fog, and she belatedly realised she hadn't answered yet!
Scrambling to wipe away her tears - even as more and more fell - Celeste replied with a heartfelt smile.
"Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!"
She launched herself into Alden's arms, hugging him like never before.
Celeste was on top of the world.
It was not an exaggeration to say that this was the happiest she had ever been.
Kissing her childhood friend on the cheek before he could react, she leaned her head on his chest and basked in his warmth.
She sighed contentedly.
'I love him.'
That feeling was further reinforced as she lay in his arms.
No one could tell her otherwise.
After an interminable amount of time, Celeste heard Alden's voice rumble in his chest as he spoke.
"Let's sit back on the bed."
She reluctantly complied, her hands still wrapped around her love's waist.
He chuckled warmly at her antics, and her cheeks flushed.
Yet, Celeste didn't care about embarrassing herself at the moment.
Her heart was soaring with joy.
Who was she to stop its incline?
Collapsing back on the bed, she listened to Alden's strong heartbeat with a sense of wonder.
The young lady still couldn't quite believe what happened.
She and Alden… were now lovers.
A new sense of joy enveloped Celeste's heart.
Recalling his confession, she suddenly flinched.
"Al… was that a marriage proposal?"
She moved back to stare at him with wide eyes.
"No. Although, you can view it as a small teaser."
He winked and her whole face flushed.
She saw him snigger, then throw his head back as he let out a deep belly laugh.
"Dummy!"
Celeste lightly hit his arm, her cheeks a furious shade of red.
Once Alden calmed down, she posed the question that was lingering on her mind.
"I wonder when we should tell Mom and Dad about our new… relationship?"
She said the last part shyly.
He fidgeted uncomfortably and her eyes unconsciously narrowed.
"About that… they already know."
"WHAT?!"
Celeste blinked, her voice rising despite herself.
Her mouth turned agape, staring at the sheepish smile Alden currently wore.