MILES
Amidst the hustle and bustle of a sunny morning, the central park buzzed with an influx of visitors from near and far. Tourists, with their eagerness and excitement, filled the air with anticipation. As the park came alive, various scenes unfolded, each one offering a glimpse into the soul of human connection.
 
In one corner of the park, groups of friends and families gathered under the towering trees. Their laughter blended harmoniously with the birdsong, echoing through the air like a sweet melody. Blankets were spread, laden with colorful food and drinks. Children chased butterflies and flew kites, their innocent joy illuminating the surroundings like little bursts of sunlight. Here, the essence of togetherness flourished, setting the ambiance for unforgettable memories.
 
Nearby, couples sought solace amidst the vibrant ambiance. Embracing one another, they leaned against the plush green grass, gazing into each other's eyes. Their fingers intertwined, a testament to their connection and love.
 
As the day progressed, a plethora of dogs trotted through the park, their owners dutifully following their lead. Leashes stretched as tails wagged, painting a picture of joy and companionship. The dogs' infectious energy was contagious, spreading smiles and laughter to those who encountered them.
 
"The weather is perfect for a bike ride!" I exclaimed, taking a lick of my vanilla ice cream. The warm sunrays bounced off the surface of the lake, creating a picturesque scene with the Manhattan skyline in the background.
 
Tyler grinned, his strawberry ice cream cone making his smile seem even brighter. "I was just about to suggest the same thing. Let's rent some bikes and explore Central Park," he replied, his excitement matching mine.
 
"But is there a rental bike here?" I asked, taking another lick of my vanilla ice cream.
 
"Yeah, I think so; wait, let me ask someone," Tyler replied, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. Intrigued, I watched as he walked closer to a lady in her forties who was sitting on one of the benches in the park. With her were two corgis and a golden retriever, creating a delightful canine trio. She seemed like a total stranger, which made me wonder what Tyler was up to.
 
As Tyler approached, his ice cream cone in hand, I couldn't help but chuckle at his audacity. He struck up a conversation with the woman, waving the ice cream playfully towards her dogs. Their wagging tails were a clear indication of their readiness to pounce on the tempting treat.
 
The lady appeared friendly and engaged, happily answering Tyler's relentless inquiries. They exchanged words for a couple of seconds, the conversation growing livelier by the moment. The lady's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Tyler, with his usual charm, captivated her attention with his genuine curiosity.
 
Impressed by their easy rapport, I couldn't help but admire Tyler's ability to connect with people so effortlessly. It didn't matter who they were or where they came from; he found a way to create a bond.
 
Thanking the lady for her time and valuable information, Tyler made his way back to me. His excitement was palpable.
 
"I know where the rental bikes are; do you want to go there?" Tyler said. My eyes lit up with anticipation. The idea thrilled me, and without hesitation, I nodded in agreement.
 
"That lady's dogs are so adorable; it makes me want to give them a belly rub," I exclaimed, my voice filled with unexpected excitement.
Tyler, taken aback by my sudden fascination with dogs, raised an eyebrow and gave me a quizzical look. "Oh? I never thought you liked dogs, Miles," he remarked, his tone tinged with intrigue. I shrugged, my gaze fixed on the playful dogs.
"Well, our family used to have one, but it died because of a disease," I said to Tyler, wearing a forced smile. Deep inside, I was grappling with the sadness of losing our beloved family dog.
 
Tyler must've sensed my wistful expression. "What's its name?" he asked with a concerned expression drawn on his face.
 
"Millie," I replied with a smile, my heart brimming with love and nostalgia. "She was the sweetest dog I know."
 
A profound silence settled between us, punctuated only by the distant sound of birds chirping and the soft rustling of leaves. Memories of Millie flooded my mind—the countless games of fetch, the stolen treats from the kitchen counter, and the nights when she would curl up beside me, her soft breath lulling me into a peaceful slumber. If only Millie was still alive, I thought, I could've brought her up with me today.
 
"Dogs are amazing; I know because I have one," Tyler said, beaming with pride. His words piqued my curiosity, and I looked at him with a suspenseful gaze.
"Then how come I never met your dog when I went into your place?" I asked, my voice laced with curiosity and suspicion.
 
Tyler looked away, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of his lips, before letting out a soft chuckle. "Well," he began, "my dog Jack had been taken to the vet by that time. He had been feeling under the weather, so I thought it was best to get him checked out. You should come over to my place sometime and meet him."
 
"I would love to," I replied, continuing to listen to what Tyler had been saying. He told me a lot of things about his Golden retriever dog named Jack. I was occupied watching Tyler's dimple as he smiled while talking when suddenly I almost tripped, but Tyler was too quick and caught me just in time.
 
"Careful there," Tyler chuckled, his warm gray eyes sparkling with amusement. "I don't want you falling for me too soon," he murmured with a hint of mischief as soon as he caught me in his arms. I glanced at him, and our eyes met again, a burst of electricity passing between us.
 
We stared into each other's eyes for a couple of seconds, but before I could even react, I felt his lips press against mine. I was taken aback, my hands instinctively dropping the ice cream cone I had been holding. The frozen treat fell to the ground, forgotten, as the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us.
 
Surprised by the spontaneous kiss, my mind raced with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. We were in a public park, surrounded by people who might be staring and passing judgment on our unexpected display of affection. But in that moment, none of that mattered.
 
Not wanting the world to intrude upon our passionate connection, I closed my eyes and responded to his kiss. It was everything I had longed for—his lips were soft and warm, tasting like the sweetest candy. The embrace felt so natural as if we had been destined to find each other at this very moment.
 
Reluctantly, Tyler let go of the kiss. "We're here," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and possibility. With our gazes still locked, we turned our heads to look ahead at a bike rental shop. The store was filled with bicycles of all colors and sizes, eagerly waiting to carry us on an adventure together.
 
A playful smile danced on Tyler's lips as he released me from his arms, taking my hand in his. "Shall we?" he asked, leading me towards the bike rental shop. There was a palpable excitement in the air as we browsed the selection, finally settling on a pair of vibrant red bicycles.
...
As Tyler and I pedaled through the winding paths of Central Park, a sense of freedom and adventure enveloped us. The sun hung high in the golden sky, casting a warm glow on everything it touched. It was early afternoon, and the park had transformed, bustling with activity and an air of excitement.
 
We weaved through the chaotic mix of tourists, joggers, and fellow cyclists, but my gaze kept drifting upward toward the ethereal sight above us. The golden sky seemed to beckon, pulling my attention away from the busy world below. The way the sunlight dappled through the sprawling branches of the trees created a kaleidoscope of colors, filling the atmosphere with a magical aura.
 
Lost in my thoughts, I smiled as I let go of the bike's handle and closed my eyes, my arms up in the air, embracing the chilly air. The wind rushed through my hair, carrying away any lingering doubts I had. This was the happiest day of my life, especially since I was spending it with Tyler. It felt like a dream come true, but as the wind whistled past my ears, a nagging question arose in my mind: What are we?
 
My fingers inch towards the brake levers, my grip tightening as I gradually squeeze the brakes. The tires screech against the pavement, causing the bike to skid slightly, but I maintain control, guiding it to a gradual halt. Tyler notices my sudden deceleration and swiftly stops pedaling. With a smile on his face, he turns his gaze toward me.
 
"Are you tired?" he jokingly asked, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. I couldn't help but chuckle in response.
"Not quite, but can I talk to you for a second, Ty?" He gave me a worried look on his face before saying, "Yeah, sure," as we both parked our bikes before approaching the nearest bench to take a seat.
 
"Is there a problem?" he asked, his voice slightly more insistent this time. As we sat on the worn-out bench in the park, I could feel the weight of his concern growing with each passing second.
 
I mustered up a forceful smile and shook my head, hoping to reassure him. But deep down, I knew my nonchalant response wasn't going to fool him. He knew me too well—the way my eyes darted away, the slight tremble in my voice. He saw the unease hidden beneath my feeble attempt at composure.
 
Avoiding his worried gaze, I focused my attention on the lake in front of us. Minutes ticked by, each second stretching into an eternity. My mind turned to questions, tangled in a web of uncertainty. How do I even begin? What if he doesn't understand? Suddenly, my fears welled up, drowning out my ability to articulate the words I so desperately needed to say.
 
Finally, gathering my resolve, I turned back to face him. His eyes, full of love and concern, searched for answers within my own. I took a deep breath, steadying my trembling hands.
 
Suddenly, an imaginary scene flashed into my mind. I found myself standing on Central Park's pavement on a perfect day. The gentle breeze rustled the wildflowers, and the warm sun illuminated everything in a golden glow. In front of me stood Tyler, whose mesmerizing eyes locked onto mine, pulling me in like a magnet.
 
Curiosity welled up inside me, and I couldn't ignore it any longer. I needed answers about our relationship—about who we truly were to each other. With determination in my voice, I finally spoke, breaking the enchanting silence that surrounded us.
 
"Tyler," I said, my words hanging heavily in the air. "What are we? What exactly is our relationship?"
 
Tyler's smile flickered for a moment, as though caught off guard by my question. He looked away, avoiding my gaze, and stared blankly at the shimmering lake in front of us. The once vibrant scene around us seemed to dim, mirroring my inner turmoil.
 
"You sound desperate, Miles; of course, we were just nothing but friends," Tyler replied, his voice strangely distant.
 
His words pierced through me like a dagger. My heart sank, and I couldn't fathom why he would respond in such a way.
"Hey," Tyler mumbled, my cheeks flushing as I felt his gentle squeeze. My mind raced to catch up with reality, replaying the daydream that had momentarily consumed me. It was embarrassing how I spaced out, but I couldn't help it. With Tyler, everything felt different—more vibrant, more alive.
 
"I'm sorry I spaced out," I said to him, my voice tinged with embarrassment. I desperately tried to stop myself from looking at him, but no matter how hard I tried to avoid his gaze, I could still sense his concerned and worried expression.
 
"Something is bothering you," he said, his voice laden with genuine concern. His words hung in the air, captivating my attention. Unable to resist, I found myself looking into his deep, gray eyes.
 
"You can tell me anything, Miles," he said, his voice filled with unwavering trust. "I'm here for you." His words offered a glimmer of hope, but the lingering fear of rejection gnawed at me. What if he turns me down?
 
"What are we?" I accidentally blurted out, my voice almost a whisper. The words hung in the air, surprising both of us. It was a question that had been swirling in my mind, but I had never mustered up the courage to ask it. An awkward silence fell between us, thickening the atmosphere as we both tried to come to terms with what had just been said.
 
I scrambled to my feet, embarrassment coursing through my veins, and made my way towards the bike parked a few meters away. The sound of my hurried footsteps seemed to echo in the stillness, amplifying the weight of my question.
"Miles, wait!" I heard him call my name, but I just ignored him. The exhilaration of freedom coursed through my veins as I stood by the bicycle. Before I could mount the bike, I suddenly felt a firm grip on my arm, causing me to turn and look at him. His face was flushed, his eyes bright with excitement, and a mischievous grin played on his lips. I couldn't help but be swayed by his infectious enthusiasm.
 
"Are you just going to ditch me like that without hearing me out?" he joked, a playful smile curling on his lips. I gave him a puzzled look, unsure of what he meant by his quirky comment. Before I could respond, I couldn't help but chuckle along with him. "What do you mean?" I asked, genuinely curious.
 
"Well, the reason why I asked you to spend this day with me is because I wanted to ask you properly, in the most romantic way possible, to date me," he explained, a charming smile forming on his lips. "But it seems like you got me first."
 
His words lingered in the air, mingling with the laughter that erupted from my lips. It was a mixture of surprise and delight, meshed with the realization of my impulsive actions. How could I have possibly known that he had planned something so thoughtful for today? So this is why he postponed my piano session with Caleb so that he could pull this off, huh? Very romantic.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry about the way I acted! I didn't know!" I blurted out, feeling a mix of embarrassment and regret wash over me. Tyler just chuckled and held both of my trembling hands in his own.
 
"So, Miles O'Malley," he said, newfound confidence filling in his voice, "would you be my boyfriend?"
 
I was stunned and almost couldn't speak. The words hung in the air as if time itself had slowed down. But now, as I stood there, butterflies fluttering in my stomach, my mind raced to comprehend the enormity of this moment.
 
As I gazed into Ty's eyes, searching for answers, I saw a vulnerability I had never witnessed before. His usually confident demeanor had been replaced by nervous hopefulness.
 
"Yes, Ty, I would love to be your boyfriend," I finally managed to reply. The words felt foreign on my tongue, but at that moment, they held a profound truth. In the depths of my being, I knew that this was what my heart had desired all along.
 
As Tyler leaned in closer, the warmth radiating from his body made me feel safe and cherished. His gentle hold on my cheeks sent a rush of excitement through my veins, and my heart beat faster in anticipation. I closed my eyes, relishing the sweet moment that hung in the air.
 
As our lips touched, a symphony of emotions washed over me. It was a perfect harmony of tenderness, passion, and longing. The softness of his lips against mine conveyed a world of unspoken promises, enveloping me in a bubble of unadulterated bliss.
 
When we finally drew apart, Tyler wore a bashful smile, his eyes shining with affection. I couldn't help but mirror his smile, the corners of my lips lingering with the taste of that enchanting moment.
 
"Best day ever," Tyler confessed, his voice filled with vulnerability.