The crisp Amsterdam air carried the faint smell of fresh waffles and coffee as Jade and Mia strolled along the cobblestone streets, their arms linked as they laughed at yet another one of Mia’s jokes. The city was alive, bustling with tourists and locals alike, bikes whizzing by and canal boats lazily drifting along the water.
“This place is so charming,” Jade said, snapping a picture of the flower-filled bridges that spanned the canals. She glanced at Mia with a smile. “I can’t believe we’re actually here.”
“Charming doesn’t even cover it,” Mia replied, her voice filled with excitement. “This is heaven! Now, come on, we’ve got a list to conquer.”
Their first stop was the Anne Frank House, where they moved through the solemn halls, taking in the gravity of the history preserved there. Jade found herself deeply moved by the experience, her thoughts quiet as she reflected on the resilience and courage of the people who had lived through such hardship.
Afterward, Mia insisted on lightening the mood with a canal cruise. They boarded a boat and settled into the seats, marveling at the beauty of the city from the water. The guide shared stories about the history of Amsterdam’s canals and architecture, but Mia spent half the time leaning over the side to take pictures.
“Smile!” Mia said, holding her phone up for a selfie. Jade leaned in, their heads touching as they grinned at the camera.
“You have to send me that,” Jade said, laughing as Mia scrolled through the photos.
“Better yet,” Mia said with a sly grin. “Send it to your three musketeers. Let them see what they’re missing.”
Jade rolled her eyes but did exactly that, attaching the selfie and a picture of the stunning canals to a group message with Milan, Enzo, and Thiago.
“Having an amazing time in Amsterdam! You guys should be jealous.”
Milan responded first: “Good to see you smiling, Jade. Enjoy yourself, but don’t forget to check in.”
Thiago’s reply came next: “Looks like fun! Bring us back some of those Dutch pancakes.”
Enzo, always the serious one, simply replied: “Stay safe.”
Jade smiled at their messages, warmth filling her chest. Even from afar, they made her feel protected and loved.
The day continued with more adventures. Jade and Mia rented bikes and rode through Vondelpark, laughing as they wobbled on the unfamiliar terrain. They stopped to feed the ducks by the pond and even posed for silly pictures in front of the large “I Amsterdam” sign.
By lunchtime, they were starving and decided to try a traditional Dutch meal at a local café. Jade ordered bitterballen and poffertjes, while Mia opted for a hearty Dutch pea soup. They snapped pictures of their food, which Mia promptly declared “Instagram-worthy.”
“Let me guess,” Jade said, smirking. “You’re sending this to everyone you know?”
“Obviously,” Mia replied, holding her phone up. “And you better send this to your guys, too. They’ll love it.”
As the evening approached, the two found themselves in one of Amsterdam’s famed brown cafés, sipping on local beers and soaking in the cozy atmosphere. By the time they moved on to a wine bar, the drinks were flowing freely, and Jade found herself loosening up more than she had in weeks.
“You know what?” Jade said, her voice slightly slurred as she leaned across the table toward Mia. “I love them.”
“Who?” Mia asked, laughing as she swirled her glass of red wine.
“Milan, Enzo, and Thiago,” Jade said, her eyes sparkling. “I mean, I really love them. Like… I want to marry them.”
Mia nearly spit out her wine. “Wait, what? Are you serious?”
Jade nodded vigorously, her cheeks flushed. “Completely serious. I don’t want to wait anymore. I want to be with them forever.”
Mia grinned, leaning forward with excitement. “Then tell them! Send them a message right now. I dare you.”
Jade hesitated, her phone already in her hand. “You think I should?”
“Absolutely,” Mia said, her voice firm. “Life’s too short to wait for something you already know you want.”
With Mia cheering her on, Jade typed out a message in the group chat: “You know what? I love you guys. I don’t want to wait anymore. Let’s get married. Like, as soon as possible. Just say the word.”
She hit send before she could second-guess herself, and Mia erupted into giggles. “Oh my god, you actually did it!”
Jade’s phone buzzed almost immediately. Thiago had replied first: “Are you drunk? 😂”
Milan’s message came next: “We’ll talk about this when you’re sober.”
Enzo’s reply, however, was the one that made her heart skip a beat: “If you’re serious, so are we.”
Jade stared at her phone, her heart pounding as a flood of emotions washed over her. “Mia,” she said, her voice shaking slightly. “They’re not laughing. They’re… serious.”
“Well, duh,” Mia said, grinning. “Of course they are. They’re head over heels for you.”
The night ended with more laughter and a slightly tipsy walk back to their hotel. As Jade collapsed onto the bed, her phone buzzed again. It was a message from Milan: “Good night, Jade. And just so you know—we love you, too.”