Between Us

☆ part forty six ☆

The final bell had rung hours ago, but it might as well have been the sound of the starting gun for my excitement. I'd spent the entire day in a buzz, practically bouncing from class to class. By the time Lark met me by my locker, I was practically vibrating with energy. "You ready for this?" Lark asked with a smirk, watching me grab my things.

"Ready? Are you kidding? I've been ready since you asked me!" I beamed at her, practically skipping as we headed out of the school together. I hadn't stopped rambling about the date all day, throwing guesses her way every chance I got. She'd stayed stubbornly quiet, of course, but that only made me more eager to figure out what she had planned. Now, as we walked out into the school parking lot, the late afternoon sun warming my skin, I couldn't help but glance over at her every few seconds. She looked calm—unbothered, even—while I felt like I was ready to burst. Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, catching the light, and her relaxed confidence made my heart skip. "You're not going to give me any last-minute hints, are you?" I asked, shooting her a playful pout as we reached her car.

"Not a chance, blondie," she replied, her lips twitching into a teasing grin.

"Fine," I said, throwing my hands up dramatically, though I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

When we reached her car, Lark walked ahead of me and opened the passenger door, her usual smirk softening into something gentler. "After you," she said, motioning for me to get in.

I felt my cheeks warm at the gesture. "Thank you," I mumbled, ducking into the car and settling into the seat. Before I could fasten my seatbelt, I saw Lark slip into the driver's seat beside me. Instead of starting the car, though, she turned to reach into the back seat, her arm stretching across the console. "What are you—" I started, but then I saw it.

In her hand was a bouquet of soft pink tulips, the delicate petals practically glowing in the sunlight filtering through the car windows. My breath caught in my throat, and my heart immediately melted into a puddle. "For you," Lark said, her voice a little quieter than usual, but just as sure. I stared at the flowers for a moment, completely stunned, before taking them carefully in my hands. They smelled faintly sweet, and the sight of them—so simple, yet so thoughtful—made my chest ache in the best way.

"Lark..." I breathed, looking at her with wide eyes. "They're my—"

"Your favorite," she finished for me, her lips curling into a soft smile. "Yeah, I know."

Before I could stop myself, I leaned across the console and kissed her, my lips pressing against hers with all the gratitude I couldn't put into words. She kissed me back, her hand brushing lightly against my cheek for a brief moment before she pulled away, just enough to speak. "Alright, sweet girl," she said, her voice warm and teasing. "Get your belt on. We've got a date to get to." I laughed softly, my heart still racing as I sat back and fumbled with my seatbelt. The flowers rested in my lap, and I couldn't stop staring at them as Lark started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

The drive was quiet for a moment, the hum of the engine filling the space between us. But I couldn't stop smiling. The bouquet, the way she'd remembered something so small but so important to me—it was all so perfect, so her. Glancing over at Lark as she drove, her hand resting casually on the wheel, I couldn't help but feel like the luckiest person in the world. Whatever she had planned for tonight, I knew it didn't matter. Just being here with her was more than enough. The drive was peaceful, the hum of the engine blending with the soft music playing in the background. I couldn't help but glance at Lark every few moments, the bouquet of tulips still sitting delicately in my lap. I'd been quiet for the last stretch of the drive, which was rare for me, but something about tonight already felt so perfect. Lark had this way of grounding me with her calm presence, even when my excitement was at an all-time high. As I looked out the window, I noticed familiar landmarks. My brows furrowed, and then it hit me like a wave. The aquarium.