(A Date with Oliver)

*April 21st, 1943*

*1:10 pm*

*Central Park*

Judith sat at the bench in the beautiful park as she was waiting for Oliver, the boy she met at Jackson Private Academy.

"I wonder what's taking him so long. He's ten minutes late.." Judith spoke to herself with a mixture of worry and confusion in her voice while she continued to wait for her friend.

Soon after, Oliver arrived, running toward his friend with two bags of sandwiches in his hand.

"Sorry, I'm late. I-I thought I'd bring you something to eat on my way here but the lines ended up being a bit too long so I hope you don't mind.." Oliver apologized to Judith, smiling warmly while the young woman smiled back.

"It's okay, and I was getting worried but enough of that, we're on a date, right? So we should focus on that." Judith responded to her friend before walking alongside him.

"Of course, and thanks for accepting my apology," Oliver responded, chuckling to himself before he followed Judith.

After this, The couple walked around the beautiful park, enjoying the scenery in any way they could.

"Such a beautiful park. It's almost like a forest within a city. I wish I had brought my camera but, little old me left it at my dorm so sorry once again, I know you wanted photos.." Oliver complimented with a warm smile while Judith quickly shook her head, speaking once more.

"Don't apologize. It happens, and I swear your sweetness will be the end of me, but that's what I like about you, Oliver." Judith responded, reassuring him while she sat down on the ground.

Soon after, Oliver sat next to Judith while thinking about what he'd been just told. "Well, at least we can take photos with our minds or something so that's a plus," Oliver responded, chuckling to himself while Judith giggled back.

"You're so funny, Oliver. I'll give you that and perhaps next time we can take photos and my friend knows a photographer so we might ask her to take photos or something like that." Judith responded while quickly thinking back on what she said to her friend.

"Oh gosh, all of that sounds like a date. I can already tell Anne will have a field day with that.." Judith thought to herself, blushing madly while looking over to see Oliver staring at the beautiful trees.

"But I don't mind at all. I've already moved on from Calvin, and I know he won't be happy if we were to get together. I'm totally happy with staying single or perhaps growing a relationship with Oliver." Judith thought to herself while feeling the cold air breeze across her, making her turn in her direction to the birds chirping, making her smile.

"Over the past two years, I've been thinking about myself, and I don't care who I end up liking or loving. I just want to love someone because of who they are, not because of my family's expectations and all of that bullcrap, but despite that, I still loved Calvin, I'm just being honest here." Judith continued to think, feeling a sense of belonging in her true self.

During this, Oliver noticed Judith was stuck in her thoughts and he decided to check up on her.

"Anything okay, Judith? You seem to be thinking about some things." Oliver asked his friend with concern in his voice, curiously waiting for an answer.

"I'm doing okay and I'm just thinking about some things. Nothing too major or anything." Judith responded with a warm smile while Oliver nodded understandably.

"I'm glad to hear! I was worried that I was doing something but I'm glad that wasn't the case." Oliver responded, smiling brightly at Judith.

After seeing this, Judith smiled back, getting up while she reached her hand out to her friend.

"Well, if you think you're doing something wrong then please be a gentleman and walk with me." Judith advised her friend while waiting for a response from Oliver.

Soon after, Oliver smiled warmly, accepting Judith's hand as he gently laughed.

"Of course!" Oliver responded cheerfully before getting up to resume his walk with his friend.

Judith and Oliver continued to walk across the beautiful park, enjoying the trees along the way.

"Oliver, M-May I ask you something.." Judith asked her friend nervously, stopping in her tracks while Oliver stopped as well before responding to her question.

"Of course, you can ask anything, Judith." Oliver responded in a warm voice, waiting for Judith to ask whatever she needed to ask.

"Why do you like me? Like I'm not a good person and I've done horrible things to people in the past so I'm eager to know why you tolerate my existence.." Judith asked Oliver, gently twiddling her thumbs while waiting for a response from her friend.

After hearing this, Oliver had a moment to gather his thoughts regarding the question before finally coming up with an answer.

"Well, I believe people can change. I know you've told me those things such as burning Emma's diary, but, I believe that forgiveness and just striving to do better is good in my book, so in short, you're a wonderful person who is striving to do better." Oliver responded, smiling warmly at Judith while Judith was glad to hear this.

Soon after, Judith stood on her tippy toes and hugged her friend tightly.

"Thank you for giving me a chance. It means a lot to me. I'm not a good person at all, I've accepted that; however, that still doesn't change that I'm at least trying to be a good person.." Judith thanked Oliver, kissing him on the cheek.

After the kiss, Oliver blushed at this before chuckling lightly.

"Of course, and let's continue having fun together, okay? We can even eat our sandwiches here together." Oliver responded to his friend while Judith nodded.

"Got it!" Judith responded joyfully as she and Oliver resumed their walk together.

After the heartfelt moment, Judith and Oliver continued their walk while Judith smiled warmly.

"Anya, that's her name, right? She seems nice. I also love her Clara Bow hairstyle as well.." Oliver spoke to Judith, smiling warmly at his comment while his friend nodded in confirmation.

"She's the one! And she was the one who reached out to me and I'll always be grateful for that. It's crazy cause I used to hate her. I almost said some things that I would have regretted.." Judith responded in a bittersweet voice before quickly forming a smile, ready to speak once more.

"But now me and Anya are good friends and she's also helping me in bettering myself. I'm also good friends with Emma as well. I've even given back the page I took from her diary after I burned it two years ago." Judith continued to speak, all while Oliver listened, nodding his head to show his support.

"Sorry for that, I know I went off track but, yeah, that's the life of Judith, the terrible person who's making amends." Judith continued to speak to Oliver, smiling at him while Oliver nodded understandably.

"And continuing to do good deeds and showing that you're remorseful proves that you are indeed making amends and trying to better yourself." Oliver finally responded, gently touching Judith's hands, and making her blush.

"And I'll help you in every way, Judith. I know we've met not too long ago, but you're my friend and I intend to help you." Oliver reassured Judith, making her smile once more.

"Thank you, and I'll try my best, for you, Anya, Emma, Calvin, Charlotte, and to all of the people that I've hurt. I will continue and strive to become a good person!" Judith responded, her voice filled with motivation as she vowed to continue bettering herself as a person.

Of course, Oliver was glad to hear this as he nodded in full support, knowing that he had Judith's back.

"I'm glad to hear those words, my good friend." Oliver responded with a smile before he and Judith continued with their walk.

And for the remainder of their time together, Judith and Oliver continued to hang out, their friendship growing stronger with each passing minute.