A night to remember

Its been awhile so let's jump right back in shall we.

Well time really flew by now that I had Khalil around, it felt like yesterday that I fought him in front of the school now we are graduating with my grades having me to become salutatorian and Khalil validation. We worked together on our speeches for three weeks and during graduation we were each others biggest supporters. As for my dad he couldn't make it to my graduation but said that he had a surprise for me when I returned home so I guess I was looking forward to that since this would be the first time in years he went out of his way to surprise me. Graduation was amazing and despite everyone having avoided me most of the school year with Khalil's help we all got along and ended up celebrating together which I have to admit was really fun. I lost my tassel during the ceremony but so did most kids since we were throwing our caps in the air like crazy, some even lost their cap all together. After the ceremony our teachers treated the entire grade to an after party that we didn't have to change for since ofcourse under our gowns we wore our best formal wear and mind you I didn't really want to take my gown off since this would be the first time anyone saw me in a dress including Khalil.

"Hey Hope why aren't you taking off your gown?" I turned to see Khalil behind me in a light blue suit and this was probably the fist time I realized how well put together Khalil was with his suit matching his ocean blue eyes, his broad shoulders, his fit figure, and height that passed almost everyone in school. Along with these thoughts my face turned slightly red and I turned away I couldn't believe that I had just listed some of his features like that. It should have been normal since he was basically my best friend but thinking that way made me flustered. "I-It's just that I haven't worn a dress in a long time and I'm worried I'll look wierd" and to that Khalil let out a soft chuckle and responded "I'm sure you'll look fine and I know you can't dance as well with that oversized gown on".

I was still reluctant to take off my gown but he was right and I didn't buy this dress to just cover it up all day so I went on to take off my gown. I had bought a rose red dress with jewels along the top and a embroidered poofy bottom which made Khalil turn away and I'm not totally sure since he used a hand to cover a majority of his face but I swear I saw him blush or maybe he was turning red from holding in his laughter yeah that was probably it. "I told you it looks weird I'll just wear the gown" but before I could grab my gown off the chair I had placed it on Khalil grabbed my hand making my eyes shoot in his direction "No no its looks beautiful...you look beautiful".

Those words leaving Khalil's mouth made my heart skip a beat and I know that like his face mine was beaming red " T-Thanks, Let's dance?" and to that question Khalil nodded his hands in approval so we went on the dance floor.

This was definitely the most magical night of my life Khalil and I danced the night away taking breaks to eat and do group dances with friends. We played games, joked around, and even ended the night with a food fight which actually got us kicked out of the hall. My outfit was covered in food and so was everyone else's but we didn't care we graduated and made sure to make this an after party to remember. At around midnight everyone was calling cabs to ride home and Khalil and I were the last ones at the venue since he insisted on everyone going first despite my protests. As we sat there Khalil suddenly got up pulling me behind him "Hey! Where are you going?", "On the way to catch the cab I told the driver to pick us up at the park next door" at that moment I wanted kill him because why would he tell the cab to pull up at another place! My feet were already in pain from dancing all night and now I had to walk to catch a cab. Khalil could tell I was about to go off but before I could say anything he went on to tell me that "Don't worry I know your feet hurt but this is gonna be worth it" yeah right I thought but it wasn't like I had much of a choice.

When we got to the park I saw that at the park's entrance was a bunch of balloons and flowers with a sign tapped to the gate saying "For Hope, The best thing that's happened to me <3" I almost gagged from how cheesy this was but my heart was pounding so hard that my urge to gag was overpowered. Turns out Khalil had been planning this for weeks and knowing that I don't like crowds he waited for everyone to leave before bringing me here "You like it" well like would be an understatement but I just nodded my head since I was still in shock. Khalil grabbed my hands in his and looked me dead in the eyes before speaking "Hope I know we didn't really start on the right foot, you literally attacked me the first chance that you got but if I'm honest I've liked you for a very long time". I couldn't help but blush uncontrollably at the fact that Khalil basically just confessed to me but what was there to like about me I mean there were so many girls that liked him throughout the year so why me. Then as if he could read my mind Khalil went on to say that "You may not see what's so special about you but I do and I want to show you what I see because I don't just like you I love you Hope Hansson and I was wondering if you'd be my girlfriend?" and with that Khalil closed his eyes and crunched his face as if waiting for me to reject him but that so wasn't happening.

"Heh you have questionable taste but I wouldn't want anything else then to be your girlfriend because I know you can show me what love is" then having said that tears began to roll down Khalil's face as he turned blushing red and we laughed with one another in disbelief of what just happened. After processing everything Khalil pulled me close and kissed me and I ofcourse kissed him back. For the first time in years I felt love again and my eyes brightened with joy and compassion no longer haunted by the dullness that had inhabited them before. A few minutes after this the cab pulled up to the park and we entered hand in hand which the driver saw from the rear view mirror "You two graduates dating?". For a second Khalil and I shared a glanced before he answered "Yes we are" I smiled and added on "Yeah what he said" and so we went on our way home with our hands intertwined with one another and my head on Khalil's shoulder.

In this moment I felt more happy and comfortable then I had in too long, Khalil was the first to get off but before he left I grabbed his sleeve which made him turn my way "I love you". I could tell that Khalil was taken aback and was extremely surprised as his faced flustered red but he soon gathered his thoughts and gave me a kiss on the forehead "I love you too". Yup there was no doubt in my mind that this was the best night of my life. For the rest of the cab ride I couldn't help but smile and look through the window as I visualized how life dating Khalil will be like, for the first time since my mom's death I felt that my life was turning out for the better but little did I know that the moment I got home my happiness would be shattered.