Chapter 21: A Day Full of Love
The next morning, Precious woke up with a strange feeling in her heart.
For the first time in a long time, she wasn't thinking about David.
She wasn't thinking about Angel.
She wasn't even thinking about her visions.
She was thinking about Daniel.
Precious smiled as she remembered everything he had said to her.
"You won't have to face it alone."
"Promise-promise."
She touched the little star bracelet on her wrist.
"Daniel," she whispered with a smile.
Then her phone buzzed.
Daniel:
Good morning, Precious. I hope you're smiling.
Precious laughed.
She typed back:
Precious:
How did you know?
His reply came almost immediately.
Daniel:
Because I know you.
Precious stared at the message for a moment.
Her heart felt warm.
She typed:
Precious:
You're becoming too sweet.
Daniel:
Too late. You already like me.
Precious covered her face with her pillow, laughing.
"Seriously?"
She typed:
Precious:
Maybe I do.
Daniel replied:
Daniel:
Maybe? ðŸ˜
Precious laughed even harder.
When Precious arrived at school, Daniel was waiting near the gate.
The moment he saw her, his entire face lit up.
"There she is."
Precious smiled.
"You've been waiting?"
"Of course."
"For how long?"
"Long enough to miss you."
Precious laughed.
"But I saw you yesterday."
"I know."
"So how can you miss me?"
Daniel shrugged.
"I'm talented."
Precious shook her head.
"You're ridiculous."
"And you like me anyway."
She smiled.
"Maybe."
Daniel laughed.
"Again with the maybe?"
Precious smiled.
"Okay. Yes."
Daniel grinned.
"Yes?"
"Yes."
He looked genuinely happy.
"That's my favorite answer."
They walked toward their classroom together.
Daniel noticed that Precious was quieter than usual.
"You okay?"
"I'm happy."
He smiled.
"Good."
"Why are you smiling?"
"Because you're happy."
Precious looked at him.
"You really care about my happiness."
"Of course I do."
She smiled.
"That's one of the things I like about you."
Daniel looked at her.
"Only one?"
Precious laughed.
"No. There are lots."
"Tell me."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because your head will become too big."
Daniel laughed.
"Fair enough."
During break, they sat beneath their favorite tree.
For once, they didn't talk about mysteries.
They talked about themselves.
"What is your biggest dream?" Daniel asked.
Precious thought about it.
"I want to do something that makes people proud of me."
"You already do."
She looked at him.
"You think so?"
"I know so."
Precious smiled.
"What about you?"
Daniel looked toward the sky.
"I want to be someone people can depend on."
Precious smiled.
"You already are."
Daniel looked at her.
"Really?"
"Yes."
He smiled.
"Then I guess we're both doing pretty well."
Precious laughed.
They sat quietly for a while.
The wind moved through the trees.
Then Daniel said softly,
"Precious?"
"Yes?"
"I want you to remember something."
"What?"
"No matter how complicated your life gets, don't forget the people who love you."
Precious smiled.
"I won't."
"And don't forget yourself."
She nodded.
"I promise."
Daniel held out his little finger.
"Promise-promise?"
Precious laughed and linked her finger with his.
"Promise-promise."
After school, Daniel surprised Precious.
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"You'll see."
He led her to a small garden behind the school.
Precious's eyes widened.
"Daniel!"
There were flowers everywhere.
The garden was peaceful and beautiful.
"How did you find this place?"
"I came here yesterday."
"Why?"
"I wanted to find somewhere nice."
"For what?"
He smiled.
"For today."
Precious looked around.
"You planned this?"
Daniel nodded.
"I thought we could have a little break from all the mysteries."
Precious smiled.
"This is so sweet."
They sat on a bench.
Daniel handed her a small wrapped package.
"What is this?"
"Open it."
Precious carefully opened it.
Inside was a simple little bookmark with a star on it.
She smiled.
"Another star?"
"You like stars."
"I do."
"So now you have another one."
Precious looked at him.
"You remember everything."
"Not everything."
"What don't you remember?"
"I don't remember the first day I met you."
Precious laughed.
"How could you forget?"
"Because it feels like I've known you forever."
Precious became quiet.
That sentence touched her heart.
"Daniel…"
He smiled.
"What?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being you."
Daniel smiled.
"You're welcome."
The two spent the afternoon talking and laughing.
Precious told him embarrassing stories from when she was younger.
Daniel laughed so hard that he had to cover his face.
"You're never allowed to tell anyone that," Precious said.
"I promise."
"Especially my parents."
"I definitely won't."
She laughed.
Then Daniel told her one of his own embarrassing stories.
Precious laughed until her stomach hurt.
"This is the funniest thing you've ever told me!"
"I knew you'd laugh."
"I can't believe you actually did that!"
"Please stop!"
She laughed again.
For a while, everything felt perfect.
No secrets.
No mysterious messages.
No visions.
Just laughter.
Just friendship.
Just happiness.
As the sun began to set, Precious looked at Daniel.
"I wish every day could be like this."
Daniel smiled.
"It can."
"Really?"
"Maybe not every day."
Precious laughed.
"But whenever things get difficult, we'll make time for days like this."
She nodded.
"I'd like that."
Daniel looked at her bracelet.
"You're still wearing it."
"I'm never taking it off."
He smiled.
"Good."
Precious looked down at the bracelet.
Then she looked at him.
"You know what?"
"What?"
"I think my life changed when I met you."
Daniel became quiet.
"How?"
"Before you, I thought I had to figure everything out by myself."
"And now?"
"Now I know I have someone beside me."
Daniel smiled.
"You always will."
Precious smiled back.
Just as they were about to leave, Precious's phone vibrated.
She looked at the screen.
Her smile disappeared.
Unknown Number:
You are getting closer.
Another message appeared.
Mrs. Evelyn is not who you think she is.
Precious's heart began beating faster.
Then another message arrived.
And Daniel knows more than he has told you.
Precious stared at the screen.
She slowly looked at Daniel.
He noticed her expression.
"What happened?"
Precious didn't answer immediately.
The beautiful afternoon suddenly felt different.
The mystery had returned.
But Daniel looked genuinely confused.
"Precious?"
She showed him the message.
He read it.
His face became serious.
"I don't know what they're talking about."
Precious looked into his eyes.
"I believe you."
Daniel looked relieved.
"Thank you."
Precious smiled.
"Because I trust you."
Daniel nodded.
"And I'll never give you a reason not to."
They walked home together.
The mystery was waiting for them again.
But Precious had learned something important that day.
Sometimes love wasn't about having all the answers.
Sometimes it was simply about having someone who stayed beside you when the answers were frightening.
And as Precious held onto her star bracelet, she knew one thing for certain.
Whatever the future showed her next, she didn't have to face it alone.