"We are most alive when we're in love."

—John Updike, late novelist

~Alive~

It had been nighttime in the prestigious boarding school, W.D. Academy. It was nine-thirty, which was marked as being lights out in both the girls' and boys' dorms for all the students. Everyone should have been in their beds, sleeping.

However, that still doesn't mean that they did.

"…Stand here, Jasmine…"

Jasmine's dull dark eyes looked out in the night, eyeing the glittering stars and the luminous moon with a hint of envy.

"Why don't you find this one good enough, Jasmine?"

Her eyes narrowed, recalling her last meeting with her father. He had been trying to set her up with someone…again.

"What's wrong, Jasmine?"

She snorted bitterly, fingering her long dark hair harshly. What was wrong? Life was wrong, that was what was wrong. It just wasn't fair. Jasmine was born into a life of privilege—she was practically a princess. She should have been like the stereotypical rich girl, being out having fun, living her life as she wanted.

And yet, her father would always bring her down—with marriage, to top it off.

Don't get her wrong, Jasmine loved her father dearly. It's just…

"You'll like this one, Jasmine—I promise!"

It gets too much sometimes.

When would she be free from this emptiness? This bitter void that is nestled inside her heart shouldn't be real. In fact, it really isn't. Jasmine wasn't naïve, and she wasn't unknowledgeable in the study of biology. There was no such thing as a broken heart. If there was, the person with it wouldn't be walking and breathing.

It just felt like it, that's all.

She felt a stinging in the back of her eyes, and bit her lip to stifle a sob. She didn't want to wake up her roommate and best friend, Ariel.

"Jasmine, please tell me…"

Her father would try, try to understand. But Jasmine didn't think he understood at all. And she was much too worried about disappointing him to say what she wanted—no, needed to say.

"What is it that you want?"

I want…

She closed her eyes to block the tears, and mentally admonished herself. Stay strong, damn it…! You will get nothing from crying.

I want to feel alive...

Jasmine released a shaky breath.

None of my suitors ever have that little trait, and I doubt any ever will.

A tap on the window stirred Jasmine away from her thoughts. She lifted her face and saw that someone was crouching on a branch of the tree outside the window. When she saw who it was, she smiled and immediately opened the window.

"Aladdin, what are you doing here?" she asked, one of her dark brows quirked.

He smiled softly. "Something told me you needed company tonight."

Her eyes widened, and then they shrunk back to their original size. "We could get caught."

Al smirked and held out his hand. "Don't you trust me?"

Jasmine smiled at the hand. Of course, she trusted him. She trusted him more than she probably should. He wasn't wealthy, nor was he very academic, but Aladdin was more than any male who ever tried to woo her. He was certainly, by no means, a mere suitor. He was a friend, a confidante, and a lover.

Sure there were times when he frustrated her. He often kept some secrets to himself, mostly concerning his past. Sometimes they fought about it. Sometimes those fights ended with her in tears.

And yet, I will always find myself back to him.

Jasmine grasped the hand and allowed Aladdin to pull her out of her room…

Because he makes me feel more emotions than I have ever felt around other people, including my friends and family…

As she grasped his sweatshirt, Jasmine and Aladdin both climbed down the tree and walked away from the school, their hands interlaced with each other. She leaned on his shoulder, smiling softly to herself.

And, even though we have our problems, I realize that I've never felt more alive than I have with him…

This was mostly just a corny little drabble, but I feel that it's okay, because you know why? It's Aladdin and Jasmine, that's why!

Needless to say, I'm a little surprised people actually like this. I can't help but wonder if anyone actually read the summary. Whether they did, or didn't, I'm happy for the reviews, even from my Death Note fan.

Thank you whole bunches!