I lead Dani out onto the deck, away from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Eve party taking place at her house.
“Look, Chase, it’s starting to snow!”
I look up at the sky, feeling thankful. And then I look at the girl in front of me, feeling incredibly lucky. She looks like an angel, snow glittering in her hair. But she’s got her tongue sticking out, trying to catch snowflakes on it, like we used to do when we were kids.
I place my hands on her hips, pull her toward me, then wrap my lips around her tongue, and kiss her. “I have something I want you to open now.”
“Now? Out here? In the snow?”
“Yeah.” I pull a small box out of my pocket and hand it to her.
She turns the box over in her hand a couple times, giving it a little shake to try to figure out what’s inside before she opens it.
“It’s not your gift, more of a surprise.”
“Hmm, now, you have me curious,” she says, ripping the paper off the box and then opening the lid. She holds up the contents. “A key? What is this? The key to your heart?” she teases.
“Actually, it’s the key to my dorm.”
“Your dorm?”
“At school. I didn’t tell you before because everything felt really complicated, but I had enough credits to graduate midterm. I’m starting college in January, so I can get more time with the team and participate in spring practice.”
“Are you really?!” she says, throwing her arms around my neck. “That’s amazing! We’ll be able to spend so much time together!”
“I know,” I say, “but don’t forget, I’m an underclassman.”
“Oh, please, Chase,” she scoffs with a smile. “You’re only five months younger than me; none of that matters in college.”
“And if anyone says something about it?”
“I’ll flip them off and walk away.”
I smile big and then start laughing. “I could totally see you doing that.”
“I finally can, too. Does that mean you’ll be my boyfriend, Chase? Like, for real this time?” she asks me.
“Only if by for real, you mean, forever,” I reply before I kiss her again.
