It was already graduation day.

                Xander was planning to give the scrapbook to Dani after the ceremony.

                “Kev, did you see Dani?”

                “Haven’t noticed. Have you asked Eli?”

                “Can’t see him either.”

                Xander was searching in the sea of people for Dani or Eli to at least have a clue of Dani’s whereabouts but no, he could not see either of them.

                Suddenly, Xander felt dizzy. He stayed in the corner for a while, hoping that his dizziness will go away in a bit. He sat on the floor, until the volume of people diminishes.

                Moments later, there was Dani, who looks exhausted too from the sea of people around the school, then he saw Xander, sitting on the corner.

                “Hey, Xander!”

                “Oh, hey, Dani!”

                “Congratulations!”

                “Congratulations too!”

                “What are you doing here?”

                “I felt a bit dizzy a while ago, so I thought of letting the dizziness go away for a while, but I don’t think this is working.”

                “Want to go to the school garden for a while?”

                “Sure, but I’m not sure if I could walk straight.”

                “Here, let me help.”

                Dani assisted Xander while they walked to the school garden. They sat on one of the benches.

                “Feeling any better?”                    

                “I guess so. The sight is much more relaxing here.”

                “Let’s just stay here for a while.”

                Moments passed. No one is talking. Silence all around.

                “Hey, Uhm—“

                “Okay, you go first.” said Xander.

                “I’ve always wanted to get this out of my chest.”

                Xander leaned to hear more of what Dani is about to say.

                “Don’t get me wrong. I’m doing this for myself, and probably for you. I just want to tell you that I loved you. Yes, LOVED.”

                Xander was speechless.

              “This may mean nothing to you now, but by saying this to you now, I feel like a heavy burden was just dropped off.”

                Xander still said nothing.

                “Hey, Xander? Are you okay? I’m sorry if I burdened you with all my feels. You don’t have to say anything, really. I really just wanted to let it out.”

                “Actually, Dani. I want to give this to you.” Xander hands out the scrapbook to Dani.

                “What’s this?” asked Dani while opening the scrapbook. Xander suddenly stopped her.

                “No. Don’t. Open this when you’re alone. Read it at home probably. Right now I might not have all the words I want to say to you at hand, but I guess this scrapbook will tell you everything about my heart.”

                “Oh, why, okay then, Xander.”

                Xander stood up from the bench.

                “Well, I guess it’s safe to go back there now. Let’s go?”

                “You go first. I think I would want to stay a little bit longer here.”

                “Oh, okay then. See you around, Dani.”               

                “Okay, see you Alexander.”

                Xander was about to walk away.

                “Oh, by the way, Dani?”

                “Yes?”

                Xander took a deep breath.

                “I loved you too.”

                Xander continued to walk away while Dani was sitting on the bench, watching him go as he took each step away from her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR'S NOTE!!

Well, it's done! I'm not yet decided if I'll include the epilogue, but, I guess for now, I will mark this story complete.

Thank you for staying with me until the end.