Suzanne didn't know what happiness felt like in a perfect form until that day.
Because today—everything aligned just right.
School ended early, and before she could even pack her books, Ryan appeared at the door of her classroom, slightly breathless.
"Come with me," he said.
"Where?" she laughed.
"You'll see."
He didn't wait for an answer.
He simply walked beside her, close enough that their shoulders brushed, close enough for her to feel the warmth radiating from him like a quiet promise.
Instead of heading home, Ryan took her to the small park behind the school—the one with crooked benches, a broken swing, and wildflowers growing where they weren't supposed to.
He stopped near the swings.
"You like happy memories," he said softly. "So… let's make one."
The swing creaked as she sat on it.
Ryan pushed her gently at first, then a bit higher, and higher still.
Her laughter filled the air like something pure.
"Don't let go!" she shouted jokingly.
"Never," he replied—and though he said it playfully, something about the word made her heart drop and soar at the same time.
When she got off, breathless and smiling, he pointed to the ice cream cart nearby.
"One chocolate chip, one strawberry," he declared. "Just how you like it."
"You remember my favorite?" she asked, surprised.
"I remember everything you say," he replied under his breath.
They sat on the low stone wall beside the park, their knees touching as they ate their ice creams.
Suzanne noticed the melt on the corner of Ryan's lips and laughed.
"Hold still," she said, wiping it gently with her thumb.
His breath caught.
And then—very slowly—he lifted his hand and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
Their eyes locked.
"Suzanne," he whispered, "sometimes I feel like… you're the brightest thing in my life."
She swallowed hard.
There were so many things she could never tell him.
So many truths she hid behind her smile.
But at that moment, the world felt too beautiful to ruin with reality.
She leaned her head against his shoulder.
He froze.
Then relaxed, letting his cheek rest softly on her hair.
For ten whole minutes, they didn't talk.
They just existed—two hearts learning the shape of each other.
As they walked home, Ryan suddenly stopped and said:
"Hey… Suzanne?"
"Hmm?"
"Will you go somewhere with me this Sunday? Just the two of us."
Her heart skipped.
"Where?"
"It's a surprise. But… it's important."
She stared at him, her breath caught between fear and excitement.
That word could mean anything.
A beginning.
A confession.
A dream.
"Okay," she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'll come."
He smiled—soft, hopeful, and full of something she wasn't ready to name.
But deep inside, she knew:
Sunday would change everything.