“I love you,” you tell Jackie. It’s not the first time you have said that, but this, this is the perfect time for those words.

It’s the anniversary of your first date together and she made it special. She set up a picnic for the two of you with all your favorite foods. She’s been planning this for weeks, but until now all she’s told you is that you needed to keep your schedule clear.

You made her an apron for your anniversary because she loves to bake. She always shows up at your house with cakes or cookies. She started doing it to get on your parents' good side, but since she’s still doing it, you think she must enjoy it.

Even if she doesn’t like baking, you know that she loves your present. When you gave it to her, the way her face lit up told you that much. You sewed on the word “Taken”. You made the mistake of hand-sewing it so it took forever and is awful, but a gift that was a lot of money would be nothing in comparison to everything she has whereas a homemade present full of effort and time? She can’t buy that.

After exchanging anniversary gifts, you sat in the passenger's seat of her car while she drove here. Then she opened your door and led you along a candle-lit path. The candles were fake and sparse, but she put them there herself so it was really sweet. At the end of the path was a picnic. That brings you to now. You're staring at the checkered blanket and the wicker basket in the center of this beautiful clearing.

She smiles at you and says, “I love you too.”

“I know you’ve been planning this for weeks, but…” You trail off.

“That doesn’t matter.” She takes your hand and leads you into the clearing. “Just take a seat and let me feed you.”

You laugh. “You sound like my mom.”

She snorts, opens her mouth, and then closes it..

“What’s so funny?”

“It’s nothing.” She’s avoiding eye contact.

“Come on.” You pout at her. “I want to hear the joke.”

“There’s no joke, just a fact.”

“Oh really?” I’m curious now.

Jackie nods, but doesn’t explain further.

“You have to tell me!” I grab you arm.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

She blushes slightly. “I laughed because you’re adorable.”

You giggle. “Oh my god!”

She rubs the back of her head sheepishly as she takes a seat on the picnic blanket. “I know.”

“So smart yet so cheesy.”

“I can’t deny being cheesy.” She shrugs. “But I’m not really smart.”

“Oh really?”

She’s avoiding eye contact again.

Looks like she needs a confidence boost! “If you’re not smart then how are you already working as a scientist and supervisor at one of the best businesses around!”

“It’s because my mom runs it. She created the company, of course she gave me a job.”

“I’ve met your mom; she would never put someone in a position they didn’t deserve, not even her own daughter.” Ms. Smalls is scary.

“Even if she thinks I deserve it, she is a little biased.”

“Stop underestimating yourself. Everyone who knows you, knows you deserve everything you have.”

She changes the topic. “Are you hungry?”

“Depends on what’s in the basket?” It doesn’t really matter what she brought. She’s an amazing cook.

She smiles. “You’ll like it.” She opens the basket and you are hit with the smell of freshly baked bread and perfectly seasoned chicken.

“That smells amazing,” you say.

“Thank you,” she says, “but it’s just sandwiches.”

“You made the bread yourself!” She always does, but it’s still impressive.

“I guess so,” she admits before changing the subject. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted to drink, so I brought a little surprise.”

The way she said that was very suspicious. “What?”

She pulls a bottle of wine from the basket.

Your mouth drops.

She looks away sheepishly. “Back when I was in school I overheard people talking about the parties they went to. They all seemed to enjoy it and when I heard about you going to one, I felt kind of left out.”

She goes into more detail, but she’s not looking at you anymore. “I never went to those things; they were too crowded and Mom said that I couldn’t because it’d make her look bad.” She looks back at you with a smile. “I thought we could maybe have our own party here, today, but if you aren’t comfortable, I completely understand! I’ll just put it away and we’ll pretend this never happened!”

A little over a week ago your friends dragged you to a party. You would have invited Jackie, but you didn’t realize you were going until your mom insisted you have some teenage normality and forced you to go.

You didn’t drink anything at the party, but Jackie seems so excited about it now, so, “Why not?”

She smiles and takes out two plastic cups from the seemingly endless picnic basket.

You laugh. “Did you get those because they’re the classic party cups?” The Smalls don’t own plastic cups; Ms. Amilia thinks they’re too wasteful.

“... Maybe.”

You chuckle some more, Jackie joining you eventually. Once she’s recovered, she pours the wine and hands you a cup.

“We’re supposed to cheer, right?” she asks as she holds up her cup.

You giggle. “Sure.” You bump your cup into hers before bringing it up to your lips.