"Jean?"

He snapped back to reality to find Rebecca looking at him strangely, her fork frozen and poised halfway to her mouth. Watching him with a hint of worry and apprehension in her eyes.

He'd spaced out again.

It was only because she was so stunning tonight.

When Jean had shown up at her door and she'd beamed at him, his breath had caught in his throat. Jean barely even managed to choke out a greeting, she looked so pretty.

Rebecca was also wearing navy, like him. Her dress was only a few shades lighter than his shirt, and it make Jean incredibly happy to be matching. An utter coincidence, but it made them look co-ordinated.

The first sight of Rebecca outwith school and looking like this was like a sucker punch to his gut. He'd been caught completely off guard.

Rebecca's hair was down. Jean didn't think he'd ever seen it out of its ponytail but now it curled down her back, the locks glossy and so inviting. He longed to run his hands through her hair to see if it was as soft as it looked. She'd captured him completely. As soon as she opened that door, Jean was a goner. He already had been, but, if it were possible, he fell even more in love with her. Especially when she latched eagerly onto his arm in greeting and lifted onto her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

It took him a good a few moments to recover from the shock and the sensation of that simple greeting. His brain had stuttered and struggled to comprehend anything after feeling her lips against his cheek. It was like he was left buffering, staring at her like an idiot, at her front door.

"Sorry." Jean straightened in his chair in the restaurant and cleared his throat.

He needed to get a hold of himself. But with Rebecca so near and smelling so sweet, he was losing his focus constantly. Jean couldn't help it. This was literally a dream come true for him. It was a night he never, ever thought would come to pass.

But now it was here. It was happening.

And he was ruining it by gaping at Rebecca instead of listening to her.

"I'm sorry. Really, I am. What were you saying?" He smiled sheepishly at her, feeling like the worst person in the world.

Rebecca lowered her fork and looked at him with concern. "Are you okay?"

Jean nodded. "Perfect," he smiled, feeling it soften as he looked into her eyes. Then, he bucked himself up and took a deep breath. He owed her the truth. Jean knew that much. No matter how embarrassing it was for him.

And Jean found himself not really minding at all revealing it to her anyway.

"I didn't drift off because I was bored. I promise. Quite far from it." His cheeks started to burn, and he glanced away from her for a moment, but when Jean spoke next he ensured he made eye contact again with Rebecca. "You're so beautiful tonight, you've been distracting me. That's all."

His heart thumped inside his chest so loudly it almost drowned out the background noise of the restaurant.

Rebecca's lips parted and she froze. A pretty blush crept up her throat and her face, though, and she smiled shyly at him.

Rebecca – shy! Jean never thought he'd see the day where she was shy about anything.

"Thank you, Jean. You're too kind."

He grinned at her, pleased, then shrugged. "It's just the truth."

They each shared a secret smile as the rest of the world fell away from them.

"What were you saying?" He reached for her hand resting on the table and slipped his fingers between hers. Jean watched as she looked down at their joined hands and swallowed. So he ran his thumb over her knuckles gently in encouragement.

"I –"

Jean grinned, secretly pleased he seemed to be having as much of an effect on her as she was on him.

She was perfect.

She everything.

He knew these were big feelings. Perhaps, they were too big for someone so young. But it felt right. Not to be presumptuous, but Jean could genuinely see both of their future laid out ahead of him, running parallel with one another. Together. Never parting for a second.

But perhaps that was his long-term crush talking, rather than sense.

In favour of living in the moment and enjoying himself, Jean dismissed that train of thought. Still, he was thrilled at the prospect of doing everything with Becca. Living life to the fullest with her. Having her by his side through both the highs and the lows. Both of them enjoying or navigating everything life had to throw at them.

Nothing would have made him happier.

He'd make the most of whatever she'd offer him.

"Mini golf?"

Jean grinned at Rebecca in the passenger seat beside him. "Yep."

"You expect me to play mini golf? In these heels?"

"I have trainers in the back if you want to borrow them?"

Rebecca smirked at him. "No need. I could still kick your butt."

Jean laughed, feeling his entire being fill with joy. "Bring it on, Becca."

"Game on," she quipped, hopping out of his jeep and striding over to the entrance without him.

Rebecca Catalina really could kick his butt at mini golf – and Jean would expect nothing less, if he was being perfectly honest – but Jean was still determined. He tried his best to keep up with her, but she had the skills. A natural knack for the crazy courses and trick shots. And sniper-like aim and precision.

It was frightening.

But when she toppled and almost twisted her ankle while walking across a slope on the course, Jean was by her side to catch her easily and effortlessly.

"That was close," she laughed nervously as Jean steadied her with his hands on her hips. They ended up chest to chest in his haste to secure her safely against him to save her from an accident.

Realising where his hands were positioned, Jean's face flushed and he let her go, but not before ensuring she was steady on her feet first. "Are you okay?"

Rebecca nodded. "Does the offer of a spare pair of trainers still stand," she asked sheepishly.

Jean toed off his own shoes and bent to place them by her feet.

Which Rebecca just blinked at. "You said you had a spare."

Jean shrugged. "We're almost at the end and the other two people who have been trying to race and keep up with us have almost done just that." He glanced over his shoulder and spotted their incredibly serious looks as they concentrated. With Rebecca being so good, they'd overtaken them on the course easily, and it looked as though they were eager to make up time to catch them.

Rebecca glanced over at them too and snickered. "Well, we can't have that. But are you sure you don't mind? You'd be going barefoot."

Her eyes peered up at him earnestly and Jean found himself unable to resist the urge to brush a strand of hair off her cheek, which had caught in the wind. He was thrilled to notice her breath hitched when his fingers caressed her skin, but he kept that little moment to himself. He'd cherish close to him and cling onto it tightly. Happily.

"Of course, I don't mind."

"But –"

"I'd rather go barefoot than risk you breaking your neck playing mini golf. Or rolling an ankle."

"If I'd known mini golf was involved I would have prepared better," Rebecca replied glumly.

"Don't worry about it. Honestly. You're worth it, Becca."

The look she shot him arrested Jean in every way. His beating heart, his ability to think and form a thought, and his ability to draw breath.

"Really?"

Everything kicked back in, and Jean smiled fondly down at her. "Of course you are."

The answer was the easiest thing in the world.

Then, her smile lit up his entire world.

Riza noticed a couple of people huddled behind the bar, whispering to one another, and looking their way. She felt herself cringe and her shoulders rolled inwards in an attempt to be less noticeable. Admittedly she didn't know if they were whispering about her, but it sure looked like it. As soon as they saw Riza had noticed them they dispersed in a rush and went back to whatever it was they were doing.

"Is something wrong?"

Riza shook her head. "Nothing," she replied casually to Roy, taking a bite of her food.

But she couldn't help but think of their stares and whispers. It left her self-conscious and wishing the floor might swallow her whole.

Roy frowned and looked over his shoulder towards the bar, looking for what had bothered her.

When Riza glanced up she noticed how his jaw clenched and he glared in the general direction of the bar. When one of them noticed his eyes were on them they went back to scrubbing the same spot of the bar vigorously, dropping their gaze.

"I'm sorry, Riza." Roy turned and apologised profusely to her.

Puzzled, Riza cocked her head at him. "What are you sorry about?"

"I'll…" Roy sighed. "I'll explain in a second. Excuse me."

He got up and left the table, marching over to the bar.

To Riza's surprise, he walked around the back of the bar as if he owned the place. Riza almost stood and joined him, wanting to tell him not to worry about it. She didn't want him to get into trouble or cause a scene –

Yet, they spoke as if they knew each other. Roy appeared to scold the older man and he looked thoroughly chastised. He glanced over at Riza and offered her a wave and a friendly smile, which she didn't really know what to make of, but still politely smiled back at him, even if it was slightly strained.

When Roy walked back over to their table he looked forlorn, confusing her even further about what was happening.

"Sorry about that."

"It's okay, Roy –"

"It's not," he replied firmly, shoving his napkin back over his lap.

"It's not your fault."

He sighed, but before he could say anymore the man who'd been behind the bar hurried up to them with a tray of drinks neither Riza nor Roy had ordered.

"Here you go, guys. Apologies for staring and making your uncomfortable, miss," he added earnestly. "It was not our intention. We were just happy for our Roy boy, here."

Thoroughly confused, Riza looked over at Roy and noticed how his face had flamed and turned bright red in embarrassment.

"What –"

"Any desert you wish is on the house," the waiter added with a grin. "It's on me."

"Oh, no, I couldn't possibly –"

"It's okay, I promise." He shot a look at Roy. "Right, Roy?"

Roy's jaw locked and he didn't look happy. But his face did soften, and it turned regretful when he looked over at Riza. "I'll explain everything later, if that's okay? After dinner?"

"Yeah, sure…" She didn't have a clue what was happening, but given the earnest expression on Roy's face, she agreed. Plus, she trusted him. Despite feeling bad about it – accepting a free desert – if he said it was all right, Riza believed him.

Despite that… odd interaction, dinner out with Roy was genuinely a delight. He was so easy to talk to, Riza was still pleased to discover. So funny. Even without the buffer of school between them. They hadn't even mentioned it once. Riza had worried beforehand she wouldn't have much else to discuss with him, but the conversation sparked between them and was nonstop. Riza had never laughed so much with someone who wasn't one of her best friends. Roy drew it out of her easily and she noted how his eyes sparkled with glee every time he made her giggle. When she'd snorted uncontrollably at something he'd said, his deep belly laugh was so loud it was turning heads in the restaurant. They'd both ducked their heads and giggled together instead, unable to stop despite causing something of a scene.

Everything was so easy when they were together.

It was like how she felt with Jean, but there was something else budding within her chest when she thought of Roy. Something more. Something brand new.

He made her happy. With his easy smile and his dark eyes which twinkled like stars in the night sky whenever he was pleased or happy.

He was perfect.

They declined desert, but the waiter from before handed Roy a cool bag with ice cream inside of it and had clapped him on the shoulder with a grin. "Enjoy the rest of your evening, guys! It was a pleasure to meet you, Riza."

Still baffled, but not wanting to show it, she smiled politely and thanked him, but noticed how Roy stiffened beside her.

"Are you okay?" They were finally alone inside his car.

Roy sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, causing concern to flare inside Riza.

"Roy?"

"I'm fine. Honestly. I was just hoping that would have gone better," he added miserably.

A pang of hurt stabbed her stomach. Had… Had he not had a good time…?

Roy glanced over at Riza and his face paled. What she was feeling – hurt and confusion – must have shown on her face, despite her best efforts.

"No!" Roy cried hastily. "No, the night was perfect. With you. You were perfect. Brilliant. I promise." He let out a strangled sound the hung his head in defeat.

"What's wrong?" Riza's question was cautious, still thoroughly confused about everything that had happened. They'd been having such a good time together…

A deep breath left Roy in a rush. "Okay. I wasn't lying when I said that place had the best food in town."

Riza would agree. The food and service had been excellent, better than she'd ever had before, despite the odd interaction and the staring.

"But I may be biased. My aunt owns and runs that restaurant," he admitted with defeat. "The people who served us are my cousins. So they weren't staring at you – I promise. They were staring at me." His shoulders drooped. "I just wanted to take you somewhere nice where the food was good. I didn't know they'd snoop and stare at us the whole time. And they'd ruin it."

He wilted before her and Riza felt a surge of sympathy fill her chest.

And understanding dawned on her.

It all made so much more sense now.

They were being nosy. That's all.

Well. That was understandable if someone in their family had brought a date to the restaurant. It made Riza feel a whole lot better now she knew.

"They didn't ruin it," Riza offered him gently.

Roy huffed as if he didn't believe her.

"Roy?"

It took him a moment, but he eventually looked up and met her gaze. His eyes were filled with regret.

"They didn't," Riza reaffirmed. "Now, I get it."

It all made sense now. His family were simply interested in the person he was dating. He must have told them about her, that's why they knew to look out. And then the thought made Riza's face heat up.

He'd told people about her.

Her.

It was absurd to Riza, in all honesty. But she didn't exactly have all of the experience in the world when it came to dating. In fact, she had absolutely none. But it wasn't a problem. Now Riza understood, she didn't mind it.

"Roy?"

His face was defeated as it met hers.

"Thank you for a lovely meal. The food was excellent."

An apprehensive, small spark of pride lit up within his eyes.

"I've had a great time. Now, how about that drive? I've been dying to hear this playlist you've created after you boasted about it so much," Riza grinned.

Roy perked up before her very eyes, and finally, honestly smiled. It was tentative, but it was there.

"Will you show it to me?"

His eyes fairly twinkled. "Anything you want, Riza."

They'd been driving for over an hour. It was almost ten o'clock. They were in the middle of nowhere, but Riza didn't care.

She was having too much fun to care.

Her father wouldn't even notice she was gone, so why should she mind what time it was she returned home? That's why she was more than happy to spur Roy on, to keep driving, so she could not only escape her home life, but spend that time with someone who she'd discovered and honestly made things that much more enjoyable.

Riza felt incredibly happy and privileged to feel such a way.

It made her happy.

Roy made her happy.

And the playlist he'd created…. Riza had half expected Roy to politely listen to her suggestions – that's why she hadn't sent very much – and add them to appease her. But, sure enough, he hummed along with evert tune Riza had suggested. As if he'd actually taken the time and listened to each of them, then taken note.

A thrill flew through Riza at the thought of him carefully considering her suggestions. It touched her, and she resisted the urge to turn in her seat, rest her head on the headrest, and simply watch him drive and hum along to the songs she'd chosen. Just to absorb the fact he'd listened. He'd taken on board her suggestions and gone out of his way to try and commit it to memory. Or at least, become familiar with it. All because she'd said she liked it.

Thought of him listening to her… It caused Riza's heart to beat quicker within her chest.

"Do you have anywhere in particular you want to go?"

Riza shook her head. "Wherever you want to go will be fine, I'm sure."

Roy glanced over at her while drive to shoot Riza a pleased smile. Not long after that, he pulled up at a picnic site. It was pitch black but through the car's headlights she could make out a picnic bench.

"Do you want to stay in here or get out?"

"Is there much to see around here?" Riza peered through the night but couldn't make out much else.

"It's… It's a great place to stargaze," Roy admitted, and it sounded somewhat sheepish. "That's why I cam here. It's a clear night. I thought it might be fun."

Riza's neck craned around slowly to look at him. Roy watched her expectantly and Riza couldn't stop the wide smile from overtaking her face.

"Let's stargaze."

Riza exited the car first, but was quickly followed by Roy. He rounded the car to meet her at her side and easily slipped his fingers between hers. He gave them a quick squeeze before carefully leading the way to the picnic bench.

And sure enough, craning her neck up, Riza could see hundreds of stars twinkling in the night sky.

"Wow…"

A throat cleared beside her. "Yeah."

He sounded slightly off, and when Riza glanced back down, she saw Roy was looking at her – not at the night sky.

He…

He'd been referring to her.

Riza blushed bright red, she was sure, but still grinned. She kept her fingers laced tightly between his and leaned her head on Roy's shoulder. A sigh of contentment left her.

She was so happy.

It was the perfect evening.

He was perfect.

"Thank you for bringing me here."

Riza felt his head turn. His lips pressed against the top of her head and Riza resisted the urge to burrow deep into the comfort and warmth of his body in the chilly evening.

"You're welcome, Riza. Thank you for coming."

"I wouldn't have missed this for the world." Then, she cringed. "Sorry I did the first time round, but know it wasn't intentional."

"That's okay. Do you…" He cleared his throat. "That is to say… If you ever want to talk about it, or something serious like that, I want you to know you can come to me. I want you to feel like you can come to me. With anything you need."

Riza's heart felt fit to burst. There was a tiny moment of fear it may actually beat out of her chest.

"But there is no pressure. We have time. We have all the time in the world to make plans together," Roy placated.

And Riza discovered she liked the idea of that very much. In fact, she loved it.

"There's no rush. And I have so many more ideas."

Riza chuckled. "Yeah?"

Roy nodded and let out a hum of agreement. "You have no idea what I have in store for us together, Riza."

This time, she did indulge herself. She burrowed deeper into him – her head ending up resting upon Roy's collarbone and his arm wrapping around her shoulders tightly. He tucked her beneath his chin, and she'd never felt more secure. Safer.

Cherished.

"I can't wait to see it all, Roy. I look forward to it."