For the next two weeks, Zelo couldn’t come to the park. He had to spend every waking moment preparing for the showcase. Even though we still texted everyday I couldn’t help but feel a little lonely. I kept myself busy by catching up on my schoolwork and hanging out with Nikki and a few of our other friends.

The day of the showcase finally came and I dragged Nikki along. It wasn’t that hard to convince her since she still hadn’t met Zelo yet and Zelo mentioned some of his friends were going to be in the show, too. We got there a little early and found some seats pretty close to the stage.

    “Will you stop that? You’ll wrinkle your dress.” Nikki said.  Took my hands away from the white lace of my dress. Instead my fingers played with the white choker at my neck. Nikki let out an exasperated sigh.

    “Sorry. I’m not even performing but I still feel nervous for some reason.” She stared at me for a minute.

    “What?”

    “Don’t you think you should tell him how you feel. I know you don’t want to ruin your friendship but I have a good feeling about this.” I didn’t know how to respond.

    “I- Well, let’s see how I feel after the show. If I tell him, I want it to be at the right time.” She nodded, accepting my answer.

The show started. The performances were really good. There was some hip hop, tap dancing and modern dance. I had always been envious of dancers and how gracefully they could move. Soon it was Zelo’s turn to perform. He came out wearing a cute sweater vest over a white button up shirt. I don’t know what I was expecting but I was not prepared. “Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd started playing. He moved along with the music. When it picked up, he started moving his hips a bit. It was enough to get some girls in the audience excited. He seemed like a different person from the giant dork I knew. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. His movements were so smooth and the way the light caught the silver watch on his wrist captivated my attention.

Then, the song “GDFR” by Flo Rida came on and his dance became more lively. He looked like he was having so much fun. I had never seen this side of him before. I could tell that he really loved dancing. The song faded out and the lights dimmed. Was it already over?

The start of Zayn’s “Pillow Talk” started playing and the stage was illuminated by a soft blue glow. Zelo took off the sweater vest and started..ing the first couple buttons on his shirt?! What is going on?! Is this really my giant dork?

He started dancing and it was so graceful and y at the same time. I still could not tear my eyes away. It felt like his performance lasted a long time but like it was also really short at the same time. Nikki turned to me when he left the stage.

“Close your mouth. I think you’re starting to drool.” I closed my mouth. I couldn’t even form a witty response like I would usually.

“Was that- Did that- What-?” What were sentences? Obviously my brain didn’t know.

“Me too. I am shook.” I couldn’t help but agree and turn back to watch the rest of the performances. Near the end Zelo came out again in a light blue button up. He’s not dancing again is he? He cleared his throat.

“Is everyone enjoying the show?” The audience screamed and hollered in response.

“Good. This is my first time performing my own dances on stage I’ve been trying for years to be good enough and I’ve finally made it. What makes it even more special is that there’s a special girl in the audience today and I wrote this song for her. Jenny this is for you” What does he mean? Nikki grabbed my arm and started shaking it excitedly. I hardly noticed. He started singing the song from the other day. That song was for me? Me? It sounded even more beautiful this time around.

    After the show, Nikki and I waited in the lobby for Zelo and his friends.

    “He’s definitely interested in you! You should go for it!”

    “What if he didn’t mean it that way? What if-?” Nikki grabbed my shoulders so I was forced to stop pacing.

    “Stop it. You are an amazing girl. Stop doubting yourself and start believing in yourself.” Her eyes flickered to something past my shoulder and she started smiling.

    “Anyway, here he comes. I gotta go to the bathroom. Be right back.” She dashed off before I could stop her.

    “Hey Jenny. I whipped around.

    “Oh hey! Great show! I didn’t know you could move like that.” Zelo’s face lit up at my compliment.

    “Really? You liked it?”

    “Of course!” There was a short awkward silence.

    “So-”

    So-”

    “You go first-”

    “You go first-”

    “I really like you.”

    “I really like you.” We both burst out laughing.

    “We are so bad at this. Okay I’ll go first.” I said. I took a deep breathe.

    “Ever since we first met, we just clicked. I have never felt more comfortable with a guy so fast. You became my best guy friend and I really didn’t want to do anything to ruin that. But I want to be more than friends.” I held my breath waiting for his response. He suddenly hugged me.

    “Me too. You’ve made me the happiest guy here.” I sunk into his arms savoring the feel of his strong arms around me.

    “So does this mean we’re dating?”

    “Baby, you’re mine.” I blushed at the new nickname.

    “Can you still call me shorty sometimes? At least until I get used to baby?” He laughed.

    “Sure.”

    “But just so you know I won’t call you oppa.”

    “That’s fine. As long as I can do this.” and he leaned in for a kiss. It was a sweet, lingering kiss. Way better than dark chocolate.

    “Well well.” a male voice said and we immediately broke apart. I looked up to see two guys I recognized from the show. Youngjae and Daehyun, I think?

    “Oh hi. You must be Zelo’s friends.” I managed to say despite how red I had gotten. The both gave me charming yet mischievous smiles.

“We’ve heard a lot about you.” I glanced at a cherry red Zelo with an amused smile.

“Hey Jenny!” Nikki was back from the bathroom. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Youngjae and Daehyun. Interesting.