The morning sun streamed into the room as Michael stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his collar for the fifth time. He sighed, running a hand through his hair before turning to grab his watch.
Michael:
"Alright. Looking good, as usual."
A knock on the door interrupted his self-admiration. Ethan and Alex stepped in, smirking.
Ethan:
"Damn, you're really going all out, huh?"
Alex:
"Yeah, look at him. Hair styled, outfit on point—Michael's actually nervous."
Michael (rolling his eyes):
"Nervous? Please. I'm just making sure I'm not too handsome. Don't want Emily fainting at the sight of me."
Ethan (laughing):
"Right, right. Totally not nervous."
Alex:
"You know, I remember someone teasing me about my date. What was it you said? 'Just be cool, Alex, don't make a fool of yourself.'"
Michael (smirking):
"And look what happened—you turned into a stuttering mess. I'm different. Watch and learn, boys."
Ethan:
"Oh, we're watching, alright. Let's see if you actually keep that confidence up in front of Emily."
Michael rolled his eyes and grabbed his jacket.
Michael:
"Tch. You two just wait. When this is all over, I'll be the one teasing you."
Across town, Emily's room was a battlefield of discarded outfits. She stood in front of her mirror, holding up a dress before groaning and throwing it onto her bed.
Emily:
"Ugh! Why is this so hard?!"
Lisa and Marie sat on the bed, watching with pure amusement.
Lisa:
"Because you want to look perfect for Michael."
Marie (grinning):
"Yep. Just admit it, Emily, you're in love with him."
Emily froze for a moment before scoffing, her face turning red.
Emily:
"Shut up! I just—want to look nice, that's all!"
Lisa (smirking):
"Uh-huh. And I just casually buy roses for no reason."
Marie:
"Face it, you like him, and you want him to see you as girlfriend material."
Emily:
"I—! That's not—!"
But she couldn't argue. Her blush deepened as she finally settled on a simple yet cute outfit—an off-shoulder sweater, a short skirt, and her favorite boots.
Lisa (teasing):
"Ooooh, going for the effortlessly cute look. Michael's gonna lose his mind."
Emily (grumbling):
"You guys are the worst."
Marie:
"Oh, we know."
Michael leaned against a street lamp, waiting for Emily. When she finally arrived, he smirked.
Michael:
"Damn. You actually managed to make yourself look even cuter. Impressive."
Emily, caught off guard, turned red.
Emily:
"W-what?! Don't just say things like that!"
Michael (grinning):
"What? I'm just being honest."
Emily pouted but quickly changed the subject.
Emily:
"Let's just start the date!"
Michael:
"Sure, sure. Lead the way, princess."
Their first stop was a small café. Michael, instead of teasing her like usual, actually pulled out Emily's chair for her.
Emily:
"Uh… what's up with you?"
Michael:
"What do you mean?"
Emily:
"You're… actually acting like a gentleman. It's weird."
Michael (smirking):
"What, you think I can't be romantic?"
Emily narrowed her eyes, suspicious, but said nothing. As the date went on, Michael kept up his unexpected charm—paying for everything, complimenting her genuinely, even holding her hand as they walked. It was so different from his usual teasing self.
As they sat on a quiet park bench under the golden hues of the sunset, Emily finally built up the courage to ask:
Emily:
"Michael… do you lo—"
But before she could finish, Michael suddenly cut her off.
Michael:
"Emily, do you love me?"
Emily blinked, completely caught off guard.
Emily:
"Huh?! What?!"
Michael smirked, leaning closer.
Michael:
"Did you really think I didn't know?"
Emily's face turned bright red.
Emily:
"K-know what?"
Michael:
"Oh, don't play dumb. I spied on Ethan and Lisa. And Alex and Marie. They both said the same thing, and now they're couples."
Emily's heart raced as she stared at him in shock.
Michael:
"I know you three girls planned this whole thing—to turn all of us into couples. And most importantly, to make us your boyfriend's."
Emily covered her face in embarrassment.
Emily:
"I—! It's not like that! Well, maybe it is like that, but—!"
Michael leaned in, tilting her chin up so she had to look at him.
Michael:
"So tell me, Emily. Do you love me?"
Her breath hitched as she stared into his eyes. There was no teasing now. Just pure, serious Michael.
Finally, she swallowed hard and nodded.
Emily (whispering):
"Yes… Yes, I do."
Michael smiled, brushing his fingers against her cheek.
Michael:
"Well, then. Are you willing to be my girlfriend?"
Emily, completely red, nodded again.
Emily:
"Yes."
Just as she was about to lean in for a kiss, Michael suddenly pulled her in first, surprising her completely. But she didn't pull away.
She melted into the kiss, her hands gripping his shirt as they stayed locked together for a moment. When they finally pulled away, Emily was breathless.
Emily:
"H-huh… Michael… that was so… unexpected."
Michael grinned, resting his forehead against hers.
Michael:
"Well, of course. I am full of surprises."
Emily:
"Yeah… but I love that about you."
And with that, she kissed him again.
Back at the dungeon, the group watched the whole thing unfold. Ava, however, suddenly turned bright red.
Ava:
"W-wait, why am I blushing?!"
Mia and Marie turned to her, smirking.
Mia:
"Ava… are you getting jealous?"
Ava (grumbling):
"It's just—! I can't believe Dakota got kissed by a girl before me!"
Suddenly, Dakota burst out laughing. Hard.
Ava:
"Hey! Dakota! Why are you laughing?!"
Dakota (wiping tears from his eyes):
"Oh, it's nothing. Nothing at all."
The rest of the group joined in on the laughter, while Ava crossed her arms, pouting.
Ava:
"I swear, one of these days, Dakota… one of these days."
Dakota thinking: oh this is the second time that ava got jealous of her past self, man this is too funny, imagine getting jealous over you're past self, two times! Man that's too funny. But with the dates over it's still not time for the serious stuff for happen, but it is closer. Closer than ever.