I was ecstatic, all of my emotions were on its highest peak and it felt like everything around me was brighter. The setting sun was much more colorful and the fairylights that had lit up overhead were so much more brighter.
"I'm so in love with you that one minute of being apart from you felt like an eternity and I don't ever want to do that again"
His words were the only sound I could hear. The only ones that made my heart pound in my chest so loud it was like something was trampling on it.
"Qian?"
I smiled nervously, what should be a happy smile obviously wavering as I asked him what I wanted to do for some time now.
"Can I kiss you?"
There was the obvious reaction, eyes widening and mouth rounding up like he had heard the most ridiculous thing he could imagine.
But then he made the most unexpected reaction. His hand leaving mine only to hold my cheeks as he pulled me closer by the waist. And in an instant his lips were on mine and it was the most magical thing I could have ever done in my whole 16 years of existence.
His lips were soft and his kiss so gentle that it felt like a feather was brushing along my own lips. My knees buckle up as his own desire to hold me closer to him devour my whole being.
He held my jaw softly as his lips left mine and his eyes bore right through me seemingly trying to read my reaction.
"I hope that was to your expectation"
He said, a grin gracing his features as that boyish attitude made its way again. I felt heat tinting my cheeks and possibly my whole body as he pulled me closer again before releasing the next words that had undoubtedly tied a knot in my throat.
"Because it was more than how I always imagined"
He muttered under his breath as his lips found mine again and I was forever undone.
***
"So are you two officially dating now?"
My nose scrunched up at Pierce's words. I threw a few pieces of popcorn on his face and he immediately made a face like he was shocked.
"Qian Harriett did you just play with your food?"
I rolled my eyes at him and focused on the movie that was playing at their television. It was school break and we had decided to spend it on movie marathons. That is when I'm not with Leonel of course.
"No we didn't, you know I don't do courtships and those stuffs"
"So, let me get this straight…"
Pierce trailed off after popping some food in his mouth and pausing the movie right where Chris Evans had popped out and forever graced the television screen.
"You two kissed a couple of times now, and you're sweet towards one another. He sometimes bring you food secretly in your house. You let him hold your hand and hug you. All of those stuff and you still don't have a label?"
Now, his eyebrows were seemingly trying to reach his hairline with how high they were and all I could do was retreat to my space in his couch.
I played the movie again and tried to ignore his stare but Pierce was obviously not having it. I let out a sigh and hugged the throw pillow that was on my lap.
"He asked if he could court me but I told him I don't believe in courtships. After that, we sort of got caught in the moment again and I don't know. It had only been a month and a half since then. We haven't really talked about that sort of part in our relationship"
"You haven't talked about it because you didn't want to talk about it"
I grimaced, Pierce's words were somehow hitting home but it's not like I could anything about it. I am scared especially since Leonel wasn't bringing it up eventhough he had never failed to tell me how much he loves me everyday.
The conversation about our label and what we really are were always fleeting from my mind whenever I talk to him.
"I know he always tell you how much he loves you but a label is so much different Harriett. You might not know it but it puts your heart in ease if you know what the two of you really are. Especially since the two of you already started exchanging I love yous"
I cleared my throat as I scratched on it. Suddenly it felt so itchy and I knew that Pierce's whole attention was on me again as he squint his eyes.
"What is it Harriett? Please tell me you told me everything I need to know about this stuff between you and Leonel."
I looked away as I felt Pierce tugging the hem of my shirt to garner my attention again.
"Harriett, I am warning you"
I scratched the back of my head as I let out a sigh.
"I haven't exactly told him those three words yet"
I said in a small voice and Pierce's gawking face welcomed me as he stared at me, eyes wide and mouth open.
"Are you insane? You said you already loved him."
"Yeah I mean that was my realization but I haven't exactly told him that"
"Oh my God"
He exclaimed as he stood up from his seat and pausing the movie once more. He stopped right in front of me, hands on his waist as if he was scolding his daughter.
"Qian Harriett, you are becoming a jerk do you know that?"
"I am not, I just haven't found the right time to tell him yet"
"You already kissed!! More than once if I am inclined to add"
I retreated in my seat once more. There was no way I could win against Pierce's argument because for once, he was right. It was just, well, whenever Leonel tells me those words I felt the knot on my throat.
It wasn't a bad feeling but it wasn't comfortable either. It felt like my words were getting stuck on my throat and I couldn't voice them out.
"That is not how relationships work I'm pretty sure you know that already"
I let out a sigh and looked at Pierce once again. He was disappointed at me and somehow that left a sour taste in my mouth.
I stared at my phone when I heard that soft ping of notification. I felt Pierce's gaze follow it too as I took it and saw a message from Leonel.
I have tickets for that horror movie you want to watch. Want to go? It's for next week
I sent one look towards Pierce before typing in my message.
Sure, let's go together.
And as I hit send, I knew I needed to clear things out.
"You better get yourself together Harriett or you'll only end up hurting both of you"
"I know"
Was the only thing I could mutter because for once, my male bestfriend was right.