I had my legs crossed, my chin resting on the palm of my hands and eyed the red spray paint smudge on Dani's face. She had not said anything yet, and I was starting to get nervous.

"Do you remember coming here in this very playground as a kid?" She asked, and started to rub her legs as if to warm herself up.

"Yeah, all of us did." I nodded, and named Natasha, Thomas, and Dennis. I touched the ceiling of the dome and reminisced my childhood days when I would huddle in here for a game of hide and go seek. "This was actually my favourite hiding spot." I added.

She stared at me for a moment, and asked,

"Do you remember when we would jump on puddles and play with snails?"

"Uh... Pardon?"

"Never mind- I thought..." Dani looked away and was embarrassed all of a sudden.

A memory came into mind when she said jumping on puddles and playing with snails. A memory of a little girl's hand holding mine while we both cry because we thought we would never see each other again.

"You're her." I said in realization, and pulling my knees to my chest.

"So you remember?" Dani asked, looking surprised.

"How could I forget? You stole my first kiss." When I said that, Dani turned beet red.

"Does that really count? We were so little. No way, that counts." Dani said, shaking her head in amusement.

"I can't believe you're Ella." I chuckled, peeking at her from my knees. "Why go with Dani? Ella is a beautiful name."

"Ella's my middle name, and my parents preferred calling me Ella rather than Danielle. I don't- I just don't want to be associated with my parents anymore, and the old Ella. I wanted to start fresh when I moved here so... I go by Dani. I like Dani way better than Ella."

"I like Dani too." I said and smiled at her.

"Maverick?"

"Hm?"

"I don't care if you're not ready to go out in public with me. I know what you're thinking that maybe this isn't fair for me- but please trust when I say that I want to be with you. I will wait until you are ready."

It was my turn to be speechless while I cannot help but feel the fluttering in my stomach. She had read me like an open book. Here I thought I was hiding my thoughts to myself but Dani knew all of what I have been hiding from everyone.

"So please, I am saying this from the bottom of my heart. There is so much more to look forward to rather than focusing on hating what is truly us." Dani crawled beside me and placed her arm around my shoulders. I realized then that I was starting to get cold, and she was so warm that I can't help but bury my face in her chest.

"How do you that?" I asked.

"Do what?"

"Be naturally amazing." I said, now looking up and grinning at her. "Please don't stop being you."

"You're so lame." Dani replied, rolling her eyes and playfully pushing me away. I didn't budge, and was still holding on to her.

We stayed in the dome for a while, talking. She talked about why she was doing graffiti and that it was for her art portfolio. I talked about how talented she is and that I would pay money for her art. She talked about saying she would make something for free if I agreed to be her muse. I asked dramatically, "Do I have to lay in front of you naked while you paint me like one of your French girls?"

"It would be an honor to see you naked." She replied. My tongue was somehow tied and I couldn't give a comeback. Then she smirked like she won or something.

"I honestly don't mind you seeing me naked. But, I will only show you mine, if you show me yours." I finally said, trying my hardest not to break Dani's gaze. Hers darkened and I can't help but look away.

"I will hold you to that." She said.

I cleared my throat and changed the subject. I talked about how my parents would probably enjoy the fact that I ran away from the cops because I never do anything exciting. She talked about needing to cut myself some slack and that I needed to enjoy life as is without worrying about people's idea of me. I talked about wanting to have met her sooner and it probably would have made things easier. She talked about saying that we were both different people back then and that we wouldn't have liked each other.

I opened up about hating her at first when we met because she was so much better than I was at everything. Then Dani confessed that she felt the same way.

"It's getting really cold." I finally said, my teeth chattering. "And I'm really exhausted from running, and all the crying earlier."

My phone buzzed, and I was getting a phone call from my mom. I hesitated and looked at Dani.

"Probably a good idea to ask for a ride, and let her know where you went." She said. I answered and greeted her with the usual,

"Hi mom."

"Mave, honey. Why is there a blanket in the middle of the kitchen?" My mom's voice was sounding more amused than upset. "And why aren't you home?"

"I was getting upset because I was bored so I kind of raged and threw my blanket there." I replied, making my mom laugh from my blunt honesty. It's something I'm working on. "I went for a run with Dani, and we end up in the back of the church in the playground." I said, leaving the running away from the sheriff part. Dani grinned at me when I said that.

"Would you like me to pick you up?" She asked, reading my mind.

"Yes please." I replied, smiling. "Can Dani hitch a ride too?"

"Of course. I'll be there soon." My mom said before hanging up.

"Welp, there goes our adventure for the night." I said, and stretching out my sore calves. "I'm beat."

"Yeah. Me too." Dani said. "Hey, so I was meaning to ask you."

"Yes?"

"You know how you asked me out, but we never really had the chance to go on a proper date? I would like to pick you up one night for dinner, if that's okay?" Dani asked, her voice turning soft.

"I will never know what is going on in your head. You always surprise me." I said and I can't help but feel flustered again.

"I can say the same to you." She replied.

"Yes." I answered. "I would love to go on a proper date with you."

Dani and I smiled at each other. She was right. There's so much I want to explore and know more about my feelings and attraction towards her. I shouldn't focus on what others see me as when I'm with Dani. But my mind wandered towards people out there hating same sex couples even though they've done nothing wrong. My heart hurts just thinking about that.

This is right and not wrong. I told myself over and over again, while Dani let me lay my head on her shoulder while we wait for my mom. I know for a fact that Dani makes me happy, and I deserve to be happy. My mom picked us up soon after, and the ride home was filled with comfortable silence for a little bit.

I sat at the front listening to mom's 80's playlist while Dani and she talked about an Aunt Susan that my mom was close friends with. Apparently, Aunt Susan was coming home for Christmas and both Dani and my mom are excited to see her again. I looked back to watch Dani's face filled with pure joy as she talked, and then I remembered admitting that I was in love with her.

"Something on my face, Mave?" She asked, catching me staring.

"Yeah, some paint." I replied and leaned in to try to get the smudge out of her chin.

I could feel my mom staring at us back and forth and it was making me nervous. Dani's eyes narrowed at my actions and I too was surprised to be this bold. I'm trying not to care anymore.

My mom then asked what we were doing in the playground. I insisted that we went for a run, even though it sounded like it was obviously a lie now.

We arrived at the Dubois' house, and Dani unbuckled her seat belt. She thanked my mom, apologized for how late it was, and told me that she will see me at school in the morning. Dani then opened her door, grabbed her backpack, and waved me goodbye. I couldn't stop staring at her retreating figure, and I didn't want the night to end just like that. So when my mom was about to drive away, I stopped her.

I pulled down my window and called out,

"Dani wait, come back really quickly."

Dani turned around, her thumbs gripping her backpack and approached my door. My heart was beating so fast, and my mom was looking at me curiously.

"I just want to do one thing, before we leave." I said. I unbuckled my seatbelt, leaned out the window, and gently grabbed her by her jacket to pull her in for another kiss tonight. I felt her melt, and I did too.

"See you tomorrow." I whispered, and went back to my seat smiling like an idiot. My lips felt like they were burning. Sighing happily, I glanced at my mom who was looking at me in bewilderment just like when she witnessed me doing my first successful backflip when I was younger.

When my mom drove away, I watched Dani jump up and down from the rear view mirror. I giggled and bit my lip nervously. Surprisingly, my mom laughed and said,

"Tell me everything."

_______

Author's note:

This was short, but I really liked this one. In addition, three updates in a row. Wow, I am on fire.