{Lexi} Louis was my next door neighbour while we were growing up. We were always playing in the yard together or at each other's houses. People thought we were cute as little kids. We went to the same school, and we were best friends all through high school. Everyone asked us if were dating, but we'd always reply that we were only best friends. And it was the truth.

After he graduated high school, he decided to audition for the X-Factor. I, being his best friend, supported him all through his audition process, and it made me super happy when I found out he had made it on!

While he was on the show, I realized that the general fondness I'd felt while we were growing up had increased while he was gone. I tried to text him often, but he was often busy. Eventually, I just stopped trying. Honestly, I think he forgot about me.

Hey! I'm waiting for you when you get home!

I received a text from an unknown number as I was cleaning up, getting ready to end my shift at Starbucks.

Who is this?

I asked the stranger who had texted me.

Gurl, have you forgotten me? I am THE Louis William Tomlinson, the Sassmasta from Doncaster!

He texted me back, causing me to giggle at his reply. It also made me wonder: Had he remembered me?

I finished my shift, saying good bye to my co-worker before walking out the door and heading home.

I pull up into the parking lot of my apartment building, and I see the lights dimmed inside. I made sure to turn the lights off before I left this morning.

As I turned the key in the lock and opened the door, I stepped in cautiously, hoping there wasn't a killer.

"Hello?" I asked hesitantly.

Before I can put my purse down, two hands cover my eyes, and I hear the door kicked shut behind me.

"Hello, love," Louis' unmistakable voice is heard in my ears.

"Lou? You're back," I say, careful not to disturb my neighbours.

"Yeah. I want you to close your eyes. Can you do that for me, Lexi?" he asked.

"Mmhmm," I nodded, closing my eyes and gently setting my purse on the table next to me.

I felt his hands leave my face, and I wondered why he wanted me to have my eyes closed.

"Lou?" I asked hesitantly, hearing him shuffle some things around my apartment.

"One sec, Lex. Almost ready," he answered, sounding distracted.

I waited patiently, my eyes still shut tightly as I heard him moving around a bit more.

"Okay, open them," he instructed.

When I opened my eyes, my apartment had been transformed. The lighting was all dim and romantic, and there was a trail of rose petals leading into my bedroom. I followed the trail, and I saw Louis standing inside a circle of candles. I walked toward him, my hands over my mouth in shock.

"Louis, what is this?" I asked, surprised.

"Lexi, we've known each other since we were little kids. We played at each other's houses, we went to the same school, we grew up together. As I was growing up, I realized that I had fallen in love with you. When I went away to X-Factor, it was hard not being able to text you. It was hard not being able to see you every day. I love you so much, I want to make you my girlfriend. Lexi, will you be my girlfriend?" he got down on one knee and patiently awaited my answer.

Now, here's the part of the story where I say that I would be incredibly dumb to decline this wonderfully romantic proposal, even if only to date him.

"Yes, I, yes of course I will be your girlfriend," I stammered, carefully stepping inside the candle circle to hug him.

"I love you so much," he said into my hair as we hugged.

"I love you so much more," I said, muffled by his chest.