Let Me Love You Julie. She went straight into him and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face on his chest like she always would. But this time, there were tears involved. Lots and lots of them. He broke up with me, she sobbed, her voice shaking, her shoulders trembling under his touch. That son of a—- He stopped himself from saying every evil thing that his mind was thinking and held her tightly, instead. They stood by her door, arms around each other, both of them in pain— her because of her recent heartbreak, him because he couldn’t bear to witness it. I’m.. She sniffed. I’m sorry. Another sniff. I’m ruining your shirt. Come on, sweetheart, he cooed, stroking her back and planting little kisses at the top of her head. You don’t need to cry over that loser. It only made her cry harder. With a muttered curse, he pushed her just a little farther away and brushed his fingers through her wet cheeks. “Stop crying,” he whispered. “Please. Shhh,” he soothed. “He’s not worth it.” I know, she said with forced laughter. I should have listened to you. How could I have been so stupid? She asked, fresh tears streaming down her face, making him want to kill the jerk in question. You should have picked me over him in the first place, he muttered, making her laugh again. He could tell that she wasn’t taking his words seriously but what the hell. Anything to make her feel better, he told himself. Hmm. Yeah. Maybe I should have picked you over him in the first place, she chuckled, wiping at the remaining tears that have let loose on her beautiful face. But seriously. Thanks for being here, Moe. Did you really think that I’d just let you go through this alone? He asked, noticing for the first time that not only was it getting darker and cooler outside but that his feet were still planted firmly outside the door. And we might as well deal with all the drama inside where it’s warm, he teased. I just thought that.. well, it’s Saturday and you might have plans with Little Miss Barbie. She let him in and closed the door as she spoke. Little Miss Barbie is history. She found another Ken, he casually shrugged. Besides, my best friend has got snot all over her face and if I wasn’t going to be there, what fun would it be? He jested, casually walking through to the kitchen and grabbing a mug. So, knowing you as well as I do, I dressed comfortably and picked up what I now see is a second gallon of chocolate milk. I figured you had the movies already. Unless you want to heart break alone. He looked at her for permission, obviously not having taken that into consideration. Bestest friend in the world, she replied quietly as she crossed the room and sat next to him. And the only company that I want right now. He laughed and sat down, pouring his mug of milk and opening his arms, inviting her to lay on him like she usually did during movie marathons. She grabbed her mug and accepted his invitation, laying her head on his chest while he pressed play. This movie usually scares me, she whispered after sometime. Yeah? But you don’t seem scared at all, he said, not wanting the movie to ever end. I could hear your heartbeat, Moe. Steady and reliable just like you. There is nothing to be scared of. I know I am safe here, she answered. Glad to know, he whispered back. I just feel so lucky that I have you, she said, tearing up again. Hey, no crying. We’re done with crying. No. Let me talk, she insisted. Remember when we first met? He smiled at the memory. Of course he remembered. It was the first time he saw her. It was also the first time that he fell. That friend of mine was just running late, you know, she continued, her voice wistful, her eyes lovely and wide. It wasn’t until you were taking the empty seat next to mine that I noticed. You, biting your lower lip as you lowered yourself into the chair, slowly and deliberately. I started to think of ways I could gently ask you to switch seats, but then I noticed you were reading. Tolkien, he chuckled. Haha. Yes, Tolkien. You were more than halfway through the novel, your forearm muscles bulging slightly because you were gripping the book tightly, as though someone may try and deprive you of the pages. You actually noticed that? he asked, playfully tapping the bridge of her nose. She grinned. The friend whose seat you stole shot me a text as class began- Who’s the guy? and I texted her back that I didn’t know. I didn’t know about how you bring a new book every day, or how your glasses slide down your nose, but you can’t be bothered to push them back up. I didn’t know yet that you would quietly chuckle at my jokes, or make me feel like the only girl in the world whenever you say my name. But you know what, Moe? What? He asked, thinking that he had never loved her as much as he did now. I know all of those now. You’re the only girl in the world, Julie. Haha. Right. I already love you. You don’t need to suck up, she said, pinching both of his cheeks. Julie, I… He hesitated. Yes? This is probably a bad time to tell you, but I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you for a few years now. He stopped to take a deep breath, telling himself to not chicken out again. I-I-I love you. I know. I love you, too, she rushed in. No, I love you. Like, love you. In that way. In the greatest of ways. I know the timing’s terrible, and you’ll probably want to wait if you even want to try anything at all, but I needed to tell you because I always chicken out when you’re single, and I just couldn’t do that if you were in a relationship. That would be terrible. Just- Elmo, she cut him off. You’re right, your timing sucks. It’s terrible, really, she said, shaking her head. Why don’t we just finish this marathon and the last drops of chocolate milk? I’m… uh… okay, he answered, feeling triumphant and defeated at the same time. Well, at least you got to say it, he consoled himself. Okay. The Shining next? Goodness, yes. Let’s do this, he said, resuming their position and continuing the marathon. Thanks for letting me know, though, she whispered right before the credits rolled. Now I have something to hold on to again. Is that… is that a… This is me thinking. This is me considering, she giggled. He smiled, holding her tightly and whispering those three words unabashedly, knowing that this time, she knew exactly what his I love you meant. She did not respond, only clung harder to his embrace, and he held her with all the promises of a man in love. One week after that, he kissed her for the first time. Exactly three years later, he proposed. She said yes.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:17:39 +0000