Wirt nervously looked at his reflection in the mirror. He had donned his red cone hat and cape, the same outfit he had worn the previous Halloween. This outfit made him feel comfortable during near every nerve-wracking situation. Besides, he couldn't think of anything else to dress up as.
Taking in a deep breath, he began talking to himself slowly. "Okay, Sara, we've been friends for a year now and I still haven't shown you your special tape. I think tonight is the night I profess my lo- wait, dammit." Wirt sighed angrily and pressed his forehead to the mirror's cold surface. "Alas, words escape me when I need them most, like a fledgling who has failed to fly before the chill of winter's winds..."
"Hey, Wirt!"
"Gah!" The teenager spun around to see Greg standing in the doorway. "Greg, what... are you wearing my shirt?"
The younger boy was wearing one of Wirt's green sweaters, the sleeves rolled up to show his hands. On his head was a knitted green cap, which their mother made for him the previous winter. "I'm a frog! See- I'm green just like Jason Funderberker!"
Wirt sighed again. "Just keep my sweater at least somewhat clean, please. Was there anything you wanted?"
"Just wanted to let you know that Sara's here, and..."
"Sara's here?! Dammit!" Wirt ran out of his room and into his kitchen where Sara sat. The first thing he noticed was the bright orange-and-black hoodie with ears, and the black stripes painted on her face.
Sara smiled when she saw him. "Hey, Wirt. Dressing up as a gnome again?"
"I, uh, yea." Wirt fidgeted with the end of his cape. "Didn't really have anything else in mind. I'm guessing you're...?"
"A tiger." She stood from her seat, picking up her hat. "So, was there something you wanted to tell me?"
Wirt nodded. "You know that mixtape I gave you last year and promised I'd let you listen to it sometime soon but never got around to it?" Sara nodded. "Well, um... I think tonight's the night. Come on, I've got it all set up..." He walked towards his room, Sara following close behind.
"You know, I don't see what's got you so worried." She commented, noting his nervousness. "I mean, it's just a mixtape."
"Mm." Wirt walked into his room and grabbed the mixtape already in its player. "Okay, I-"
"Wirt!" Greg ran into the doorway again. "Mom says you have to take out the trash an' put them in the street so the garbage man can pick 'em up tomorrow!"
"Ugh, tell her I'll be right there!" He responded. As Greg ran off, Wirt turned to Sara, "You can listen without me if you want. But that's just if you want to, I mean, you don't have to..."
"Okay." Sara gave him a reassuring smile as he begrudgingly exited the room, his half-brother tottering close behind. She put the earbuds in her ears and pressed play on the tape.
Wirt's voice began speaking a bit shakily, "Hey, Sara, um, I-I made you this so I could, uh, tell you something important. But, um, before I get to that, I... I wrote you something. Two things, actually: A poem and a song. I know it sounds stupid, but humor me for a bit, okay?"
There was the sound of papers rustling and a heavy sigh. "Okay, um, here's the poem I wrote. I hope you like it..." Silence. "Crap, hang on this isn't it..." More papers, someone shouting "Greg!", and child-like laughter. "Okay! Found it! Sorry about that... Ah-hem!
The wind doth carry thy name,
Drifting through the late Autumn trees.
Yet my lips can barely form it
As I see you passing by.
My heart beats out of my chest
As I hear your sweet voice.
'Tis a strange thought,
The one I have quite often,
As I feel your hand brush against mine
In the crowded hallways of life.
Perhaps, I think, to keep my mind calm,
Does this happen to you, too?"
Silence followed after the poem's end. "...Did you like it? It's really not my regular writing style, but, uh, I tried my hardest." Paper rustling, something knocking against wood. "Okay, now, um, the song. I thought of a, uh, ocean while I was writing this, and I hope you like this, too."
A brief silence, then the sound of a clarinet filled the air. Even if he had not mentioned the ocean, the song would still bring it to mind. The notes rose up and down, peacefully at first, then crashing like a wave upon the shore.
When the song ended, Wirt cleared his throat and began talking. "Look, I, uh... I made you this to tell you something: In case you didn't get it from the poem... I like you. A lot. And I kinda want to know what you think of me." A deep, breathy sigh. "Just... when you listen to this, please tell me how you feel. And if you don't like me like that, let me down easy, okay? I'd still really like to be your friend if I can't be your boyfriend. So... yea."
Sara stopped the tape, her face red under the black paint. Wirt decided at that moment to re-enter the room. "Sorry it took so long. Greg kept bugging me and... you listened to the tape, didn't you?"
She nodded, pulling the earbuds out of her ears and placing them on the tape player. "It... certainly was interesting."
Wirt sat heavily down on the bed next to her. "So, uh... did you listen to the end?"
"I think so." Sara responded. "And... I know my answer."
It was Wirt's turn to blush as Sara answered with a short, soft kiss. When she pulled away, he managed to stammer out, "S-so you'd actually, y'know, wanna be my... my girlfriend?"
"Of course I do." Sara smiled. "I was nervous of asking you, too. I didn't think you'd wanna go out with me."
Wirt smiled back, his hand on her waist. "Then... here's my answer." He closed the space between them again, hand trailing to the small of her back. Her arms wrapped around his neck, holding him close.
They heard a small giggle coming from the doorway. Wirt broke away immediately, shouting, "Greg! How long have you been there?!"
"Don't worry, brother-o-mine, your secret is safe with me." Greg winked, mimed zipping his mouth shut, and sauntered away.
Sara and Wirt sat there for a moment as an awkward silence hung over them. "So..." She began, trying to lighten the mood. "When do you want the first date to be?"