Tamara Ramirez

a few days before Valentine's day....

I walked down the hallway, craning my neck to look for the specific mop of blonde hair in the busy crowd. Students walk around me as I do so. It might be the face or just the fact that my department building is on the other side of the campus, far from here.

My face brightened as I saw Apollo in front of a classroom, surrounded by his friends. I immediately closed the distance between us and with a tug on his shirt's sleeve, he turns to me. Surprise covered his face before the rest of his friends suddenly got quiet.

"Hey, T. What are you doing here? Everything okay?" He asked, suddenly worry taking over his face. If I'm close with Artemis, Apollo and I are even closer. He knows what happened to me on a deeper level than Artemis does. I broke down when we were on a trip together with my family, and he was the one who found me.

Ignoring his super curious friends, I smiled at him. Hopefully that gives him a sign that I am actually perfectly fine. "yeah. I just wanted your help on something."

He nodded his head. "Let's head over to the coffee shop outside. I could use the coffee." He suggested and pulled me by my wrist. However, his friends still tailed us and this didn't go unnoticed by Apollo. "I'll see you guys later."

They tried protesting but Apollo was already pulling us to the direction of the coffee shop. "That was rude." I said, laughing as the image of his dumbstruck friends entered my head.

"They couldn't get the hint." He said, as he opened the door of the coffee shop for me. The warm air and the delicious smell of brewing coffee hit my nose as soon as I stepped food inside. I couldn't help but inhale the air again. Coffee just smells that delicious. "You get us a table, I'll order."

I stopped him before he could go to order. "I'll get it." I said. I brought him here, the least I could do is buy him food while we talk. Or while I talk and he listens and gives me advice.

He raised his eyebrow at me. "I got this. Go." He said in a voice that clearly said he would not let me buy him food under no circumstances.

Dejected, I made my way over to the table placed in front of the glass window. It doesn't have the privacy I usually prefer but, the sky looks beautiful so I wanted to at least enjoy my view.

Apollo looks deep in thought as I finish relaying my plans to him. I don't know what he's thinking of as his face is completely bare of emotions. But I hope my plan isn't as crazy as it sounded in my head. "Well?"

He sighs, falls back to his chair. "I don't know T. The amusement park might be too much for the two of you. Remember, you two are known. The next thing you know, all your embarrassing photos are circling on the internet."

I pursed my lips. The thought has crossed my mind but I didn't really care. So what? We're already being talked about, it won't matter. I want to spend that day with Dustyn in a place that I know he will enjoy. "Any suggestions?"

"T, your plan is amazing. I'm more worried about the safety." He said, still deep in thought. "Maybe we should get Alec to help out?"

My eyes widen. If Alec deploys his security detail to oversee this date, it'll be over before it even started for Dustyn and I. Alec would probably tailing us along with them. That's how crazy my brother is sometimes. "No way." I told Apollo, completely horrified at the thought.

He chuckles at my expression. "Yeah, I get it. Also, what do you plan to do for dinner?"

"I was hoping you'd help me that. Also, would it be bad if I set Alec up with Rory on a supposed blind date?" I asked, hoping to get his opinion on my thoughts that has been bothering me since I decided to do all of this.

___________________

finally found us a new place to live in a day after my date with Dustyn. Still, I couldn't believe I actually said the words that has been in my head for quite some time. I said it. Out loud and with confidence.

I guess hearing him say it to that time made me remember just how genuine and true his feelings for me are. I have no need to ponder over the thought of that but at the farthest region of my head, I couldn't help but think that he'll eventually have enough of all the problems that come with being with me.

I convinced myself that it wouldn't be the case. Dustyn has seen the worst side of me and he stayed. I don't think he'll just up and leave.

These past week Dustyn has been nothing but understanding. He never pushed me to make a decision over something, not even with regards to my therapist. He was just there, offering his support and thoughts whenever I ask for it.

I think deep down, I have fallen for him a long time ago. Maybe it was the fear and anxiety that stopped me from saying those words back to him. That and my childhood memories.

It scares me to gamble everything for love because it is something that is painful and destructive but beautiful at the same time. This could end badly for the both of us, destroying the friendship and the love we have built over the years. Or, it could have a happily ever after.

It was a gamble. And I took it.

I wanted so badly to tell Dustyn how much I love him. That just like him, I couldn't hide the attraction and the pull. That without being forced to, I fell for the amazing man that he is. That was when the whole plan went in motion.

Apollo was the first that came to my mind when I thought about surprising Dustyn and in some way, Alec too. Apollo helped me figure out the best way to surprise Dustyn with a date on Valentine's day. Although, Apollo had no idea that at some point during that said date, I wanted to tell Dustyn that I am in love with him.

So, when the day finally came, I couldn't held in my excitement. Meanwhile, the discomfort from being the recipient of a surprise is evident on Dustyn's face. It was, watching him get inside his car but on the passenger seat. The way he sighed and couldn't find a comfortable position as I drive us to where the date is happening.

I would never forget the expression on his face when I answered him back when he told me he loves me. His eyes widened, surprise covering his whole face as he starred at me like I just became a ghost. Then he pulled my face closer to him, capturing my lips in a kiss.

The kiss.. it was still unbelievably breathtaking as it was the first we kissed. Almost felt like I was on cloud nine as he slowly moved his lips against mine. It was sweet and slow. And it was just him pouring all of his feelings in that kiss that made me much more breathless.

Dustyn's happiness sky rocketed that day. He held my hand with a huge smile on his face as we headed for the Ferris wheel as the sun sets. He walked with this smile and a smug face as if he just won a prize that nobody could ever get.

That night, Dustyn insisted that he would take me out to dinner. So, without bothering to change our clothes to fit the restaurant he chose, we waltz in looking like we didn't know any better. The stares we got from everyone was hilarious. It was like they were seeing some socially inept people who doesn't know the meaning of the dress code. Of course, the manager would have kicked us out if the servers did point who we are.

The next day, we were all over the gossip sites. Telling a story on how we must've been high or drunk to waltz in in a five star restaurateur. What those paparazzi didn't know was that we were both just too happy to care.

Currently, Dustyn is trying to convince Alec that I should just stay with him until we are actually married. Alec laughs at his suggestion but continues to put some of my things in the extra luggage he bought from the house.

"Come on, Al." Dustyn said almost pleadingly. He steals a glance at me as he takes a step inside the room. Having the two of them in this room makes it much smaller than it actually is.

Al sighs, annoyed and throws a pair of pant in the luggage not caring if it tumbles back out from the impact. "No Dustyn. It is already inappropriate that she stayed here. You can come over to our new place and you can see her there if you can't help it."

Dustyn groaned. "Oh come on! How am I suppose to live without my shortcake now?" He asked Al like a little kid and stole yet another glance at me.

"Could you fucking stop sending heart glances at my sister?" Alec said, shoving Dustyn out of the room. Roughing each other up as they do.

I don't understand how these two are the best of friends. They are the total opposites of each other. Most of the time, they don't even get along that well.

"What are heart glances Al?" Dustyn asked Alec smugly as he gets Alec in a headlock.

Alec, who didn't seem that bothered by the position he's in, elbows Dustyn on his stomach making the latter loosen his hold. "I can see hearts popping out from your eyes, Dy. Something happened?"

Dy only smirks at him before lunging yet again. I feel like I'm watching two teenagers go at it. "None of your business, you stalker asshole."

Alec trips Dustyn using his left foot which makes Dy to lose his balance and falls in his butt. "You holding out on me Dy. I thought we were best friends." He said mockingly, breathing hard from all the physical thing they've done.

Dustyn, tired and out of breath, falls on his back on the floor. He rolls his eyes at Alec. "Like you don't already know."

Alec shrugged his shoulders innocently but smirks at Dustyn. "Well it was sweet and all. I mean, you did bring her to a fine dining restaurant dressed in jeans so."

Dustyn squinted his eyes at Alec. "Sure. Don't think you kissing Rory out in public didn't go unnoticed, huh?" He said almost smugly.

Alec is still pretty sore about what I did to him. He refuses to say anything about what happened on that date except for the photos of him and Rory kissing outside of the restaurant. To be honest, it looked like he got pissed and kissed Rory without her permission to me.

If Alec is sore about it, Rory was angry. Really angry. I wasn't able to say a word when she called and shouted at how I played her. I told her we would have dinner to discuss my wedding dress and have a girls night. Instead, I left her stuck and confused with my brother who she still doesn't want to be with at the moment.

Actually, Alec is only talking normally to Dustyn. He barely said a word directly to me except to tell me that I am moving back in with him until my wedding. It was weird, having Alec treat me so coldly. I guess it was something I should've expected.

The wound between the two of them runs deep. Really deep. I think it's still one of the reasons neither of them had moved on from each other but it could also be a reason to get them back together. Maybe I should worry about them after I've fixed Alec and I's relationship. Because right now, it really sucks to have him here but not care enough to even talk to me directly.

Guess this is the punishment I deserve for doing what I did.

Still, I think it was something that needed to be done. And if that picture of them kissing is anything to go by, I would say they'll probably end up together sooner or later.