Carlos had walked around the mall for hours, waiting for his girlfriend's present to be done at the jewelers. He'd picked it out special and everything, he'd thought about it for weeks. And, truthfully, he was nervous. Tonight, he was going to tell her that he loved her for the first time.

"Carlos?" a voice asked from behind him. He turned, seeing her standing there, bags in her hands.

"Laila, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice a bit panicked.

She smiled "It's a mall, what do you think I'm doing?"

He nodded in understanding, calming himself down. She didn't know why he was here, and that's the way he wanted to keep it.

"So, why are you here?" she giggled, pulling a few bags up her arm slightly.

"Uh.. I-I'm here with Kendall. He saw a pretty girl and ran after her, and I stayed behind." he lied calmly. He hated lying to her, not that he did it often. He really didn't do it at all.

"Oh, okay." she smiled sweetly. "Well, I'll see you tonight, just like you asked."

He nodded again and gave her a kiss to the cheek, sighing after she walked off. After she was out of view, he walked quickly back to the jewelry store.

"It's done, Carlos." the man told him, handing over the box.

"Thanks, Tom. Really." he smiled, holding the box to his chest.

Tom smiled and nodded. "Go tell her, man."

Carlos smiled and jogged out of the mall, he had to get back home to get everything ready for tonight. Everything had to be perfect.

-That night-

Laila sat on the bench by the pool of Carlos' apartment, waiting for him to come back out. It was late and she could see the stars and moon shining down on her.

"Beautiful." she mumbled, smiling up at the sky.

"Yes, you are." he said, sitting down next to her, the necklace's box in his hands.

She blushed, the caramel skin of her face tinting pink. "You're too sweet to me."

"You deserve it." he told her happily. "And I have something for you." he handed her the box, biting his lip.

She smiled, taking the box. "You didn't have to get me anything."

"I needed to." he smiled. "Open it."

Nodding, she opened the box, gasping when she saw the shiny sliver locket shaped as a heart. She carefully touched her fingers to it, looking up at him. "Carlos... I-I don't know what to say."

"I do. Laila Carell, I love you. I love you so much." he smiled, taking her hand in his.

Her brown eyes went wide, her smile following. She set the necklace down on the seat next to her and jumped at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He hugged back quickly, one arm wrapping around her waist, the other holding her head.

"I love you, too." she whispered, kissing his cheek.

He smiled wide, stroking her long black hair. She kissed his cheek again, and he pulled her into his lap. Tilting her head, he brought their lips together in a soft kiss. She made a small noise, setting her hands on his chest. Holding her neck, he deepened the kiss. Her hands traveled up his shoulders and over his arms, egging his hands to go lower.

"Eager, are we?" he chuckled in between small kisses.

"Maybe just a little." she smiled, rubbing his arms.

"Well, first" he reached over, grabbing the necklace. "put it on."

She moved her hair, letting him take the chain and latch it around her neck.

"Good?" she asked, smiling at him.

"Beautiful." he said, bringing her back in for another kiss.

Sighing happily into the kiss, her hands returning back to his chest. He pulled her closer, one of his hands running up her leg. She grabbed his hand and got up, pulling him with her.

"Where are we going?" he asked, although he already knew the answer.

"Where do you think, lover boy?" she smiled, pulling him up the stairs.

He chuckled, picking her up once they were at the top of the stairs and carrying her into his bedroom.