Ariel's cheeks flushed crimson after Daniel's gentle peck. She wasn't used to physical touch from an opposite gender who isn't her father.
"Only a peck and you already look like a tomato." Daniel teased.
"What ever." Ariel glared at him while taking his hands.
"Were are we going?" Daniel asked suspiciously as he had something else planned out.
"No where exactly. Just a moonlight walk."
"Then let me take the lead."
Holding each other's hands in the cold night, Daniel and Ariel walked quietly through the streets.
Ariel had her mind crowded with thoughts. She wondered if she was doing the right thing by falling for someone she barely knew.
He was already in college, probably with his life planned out, while she on the other hand hasn't even gotten a college acceptance letter.
She really should be studying than going on these dates with a hot, awesome, caring and funny guy.
'Fuck Ariel, you're still praising him in your mind!' Her subconscious yelled at her.
How was she suppose to get over him if all she could think of is his awesome personality?
She really does need help. Her inner mind told her.
"Earth unto Ariel." Daniel giggled as he gently flicked his fingers on Ariel's forehead.
"Ouch!"
"C'mon Ariel, that wasn't painful."
"How would you know when you ain't me?" Ariel glared angrily at him.
She was about to argue more when she sighted a small mat and a picnic basket. It was a simple setting but it was beautiful.
She was so busy with her thoughts she didn't even notice that Daniel had taken her for a picnic.
"Daniel." She called softly while looking into his ever captivating eyes.
"You like it baby?" He asked, smiling sweetly as he also looked into her hazel eyes.
He had to admit, she was beautiful, thoughtful, stubborn, easy to flow with, and most importantly, easy to please.
Why was that?
Simple. It was because he knew she loved romance fiction books.. So he had someone read them and gave him romantic ideas from the books.
He felt reading novels where a stupid thing to do.
He had tried reading 'his Nemesis' but just like Jessica, he had fallen at sleep reading the first page.
He had got someone to read the book and tell him all about it.
It sounded interesting though, but maybe if it was in a movie form, he would have watched it.
He didn't want to let go of Ariel. That was pretty much obvious.
So, he was going to do his best to get her to fall harder for him before he leave's for school.
He could use some entertainment when he gets back.
"I do. But we just had dinner and am not sure there's space for this." Ariel pout sweetly.
"We have been walking for quite sometime and I figured you won't be that filled again so I had set up a late night snack before hand."
"Why do I feel like you're trying to make me gain weight?" Ariel asked suspiciously.
"You ain't totally wrong. I figure you could use some help to add weight before I leave for school. And I also think your boobs are too small. I have it all planned out to stuff you with a lot of food so as to help your boobs grow." Daniel shamelessly explained not minding the fact that Ariel was flushing.
"Daniel! What the fuck!" Ariel looked angrily at him as she tried her best not to glance at her boobs.
"Am just kidding, okay? Why do you feel attacked? Don't worry, I'd love you even if there was nothing there." Daniel continued to tease her as he was loving this.
"What the hell do you mean by 'I would love you even if there was nothing there'? Mind you Daniel you ain't even my boyfriend." Ariel said angrily.
She had asked herself over and over again what there were and found no answer.
Even though Jessica had started treating her to a meal as she wanted to get it over with soon, deep down Ariel wasn't sure if she really got herself a boyfriend.
Maybe she wasn't mad at what Daniel had said.
perhaps she had been looking for a way to bring this up.
"Looks like I got to your sensitive spot" Daniel laughed not knowing what Ariel's thought.
Then, he looked into her eyes without breaking eye contact and said
"Ariel, it doesn't matter if we are in a relationship or not, for me, you are my forever."
Like a spell, Ariel continued staring into his eyes.
"Then, if any one ask what we are, what shall I say?" Ariel asked with shakily breath as the proximity was killing her.
"Tell them you're mine till eternity." Daniel declared pecking her rosy cheeks.
"Then why not just make me your girlfriend?" Ariel asked in frustration.
"Am tried of staying up all night talking to you and I can't even put a label on our relationship. So what if I go down the street one day and a guy tries to court me. What do I say? I have a guy who says am his till eternity?" Ariel half yelled with complicated emotions flicking in her eyes.
"Ariel, look me in the eyes." Daniel said as he used his middle finger to bring up her face so she could look at him
"You don't need to put a label on everything to make it important. Some commodities has labels but are of no importance. Let's just enjoy this okay? Stop letting your brain over think and just enjoy everything we are, let's just go with the flow." Daniel said letting go of her chin and pulling her to seat on the picnic mat.
If Ariel felt anything after Daniel's speech it was definitely going to be regret. Why did she let her emotions get the better of her?
One thing was sure after this night.
And that is she isn't going to fall deeper into Daniel's pit.
She may be desperate for a female lead treatment but that doesn't mean she was stupid.
When she had told pearl, her long distance friend about her and Daniel's relationship, pearl had asked her if she knew the word 'bread crumbling'.
Pearl had told her that Daniel would keep showing her affection but have no interest in having a relationship with her.
She told her that soon, he'd get bored but before he does he'd make her fall deep and after that comes the small display of inconsistent interest just to keep her emotions in check for him.
That was evil!
Although she wasn't sure and didn't want to believe it, Daniel just proved that now by not making her his girlfriend for no good reasons at all.
But she was down for this game. She would keep acting like the easily please girl he wanted her to be...
Although that was what Ariel was thinking, back in the conner of her mind her subconscious told her she only wanted to stay because she was afraid of letting go.
She had already lost her appetite for the picnic, but looking into Daniel's eyes, she couldn't help but start setting up the snacks.
She was mad at him but not the food! Her conscience defended her.
The picnic basket was a charming wicker container with a blue linen cloth unfolded partially to review an assortment of different sweet snacks.
Who was Ariel?
A lover of sweets!
Although, she had already had sweet desserts at the restaurant, this particular snacks seemed to have captivated her sweet heart.
Just when she thought she had seen it all, she saw her favorite brand of chocolate!
How did he manage to know exactly what she loves?
Thinking of it, she looked up at him to meet his smile as he mouthed the name 'Jessica' to her.
She should have known!
Of course Jessica had helped out.
There was also freshly baked cookies, finger sandwich and chilled fruit juice.
He had also put in two delicate wine glass to accompany the feast.
What a perfect moonlight picnic!
Daniel on the other hand watched in silence as he saw how excited Ariel was.
He knew this was enough to get her mind off their little argument.
Or so he thought.
He looked at Ariel's side profile and couldn't help but see a little bit of resemblance of Samantha in her.
Maybe that was why he was willing to keep her for sometime.
He had used Jessica as an excuse but he knew he was selfish and wanted Ariel for himself because she had a little similarities with Samantha..
She had same captivating hazel eyes like that of Samantha's.
After they had finished eating, they tidied up before laying down to gaze at the stars.
This was also in Ariel's to-do-list.
Although she had fulfill it, she felt empty inside.
"Hey, Daniel! A shooting star." Ariel yelled as she tapped Daniel.
Then she closed her eyes as she made a wish.
She wished to find her perfect male lead.
Someone who is like her favourite fiction male lead was all she wanted. Her very own Alexander.
"What did you wish for?" Daniel asked as she opened her eyes.
"I won't tell." She smiled mysteriously
"Your gonna miss me when you leave for school right?" She asked as her heart found a way to betray her by teaming up with her lips.
"I will." he replied smiling.
The rest of the night went smoothly as they talked, play, and ran under the moonlight.
All Ariel wished for was happiness.