Paris Jackson steps out with her boyfriend Chester Castellaw

Paris Jackson, middle child of the late Michael Jackson, stepped out Thursday night in Los Angeles with boyfriend Chester Castellaw in tow.

The years following her father's death have been difficult for Jackson, though it seems the 17-year-old is happier and healthier than ever, judging by these photos taken nearly two years since her attempted suicide, as well as recent pics posted to Castellaw's private Instagram account. Castellaw, 18, plays forward for the Real So Cal youth soccer club, and the two reportedly met after Jackson returned to California from the boarding school in Utah she attended.

Jackson and Castellaw were at the opening night for the Deaf West Theatre's production of Spring Awakening. Deaf West aims to provide entertainment for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in the Los Angeles area.

Jackson kept her left arm behind her boyfriend as they walked the red carpet, after she was recently seen out sporting some hardware on that finger. However, the Jackson family has denied that Paris is engaged, saying the bauble was only a promise ring.

Approached by TMZ, Paris's uncle Jermaine Jackson said that while he doesn't know whether or not the engagement was real, he would support it.

"Listen, you never know about love," Jackson noted. When asked if he'd be OK with the two getting married, he said, "Yes."

So while the two might not be engaged, their commitment is real: Castellaw's Instagram bio reads, "Pari is my babe."