My heart was ripping at the seams as this gorgeous girl stood in front of me, overcoming her fears, her insecurities. Being braver. Bolder. For me and for herself, too.
“You make me feel safe. And my heart, it’s safe with you too, I think.”
I came closer, my eyes on her, offering a promise with unfailing certainty.
I’m here.
I will always see you.
I will always be listening.
“Ask me, Hazel,” I said, feeling love pouring out from every inch of me. “Ask me to stay and I will. I have to know you want it, too.” I brushed her cheek with my thumb, and she leaned into it, closing her eyes for a second.
“Please stay with me. Be with me. I love you.” Her voice cracked, and I finally felt it. The love everyone always spoke about. The love I’ve hated for so long. The love that was supposed to be for my parents, but was just a made-up word for them.
A small seed of sadness crept into my mind for them. That they haven’t experienced how it truly felt, maybe at some point a long time ago. But feeling is not enough; it’s what you decide to do with it, it’s the choice you make. And it was theirs, not mine. Mine was standing in front of me, telling me how much she loved me.
I smiled, and a small laugh of relief escaped her. I cradled her soft cheeks, now wet with tears, and pressed my forehead to hers. We both closed our eyes as the rain pattered on the umbrella above us.
“So, you’re gonna go all rom-com and kiss me in the rain?” she asked, her eyes sparkling in the early morning light, grinning from ear to ear. The expression on my face matched hers.
Two idiots in the rain. Two idiots in love.
“Some of the best things happen in the rain,” I murmured, and my mouth landed on hers. Softly. Once.
“Mygirl,” I breathed out. This time, it was true. Or maybe it always had been, from the very start.
“Yourgirl,” she whispered back, and we sank into each other again, our tongues meeting, as I pulled her in for another kiss. Fierce. Urgent. Consuming.
She let go of the balloon and the umbrella, letting them fall to the ground. Hazel’s hand found its way around my neck, and mine wrapped around her warm, soft body.
In my wildest dreams, I didn’t think I would ever feel something like this. I’ve noticed traces of it over the years towards someone, but it hadn’t even been close to what I felt for Hazel. This kind-hearted girl who loved others and the world as much as she deserved to be loved in return. I didn’t think I could ever earn her, but I was willing to try.
My lips parted from hers, leaving just an inch between us, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I could finally draw in a full, steady breath. My mind was clear as a day.
“So...” I said, softly brushing my thumb over her lower lip. “It’s Sunday.”
“Yeah? What do you want to do today?” she asked, tilting her head into my palm, as rain was dripping down her face. A tiny moan slipped out, and I bit my lip at the sound, smiling.
“Do you want to go to the bookstore with me?” I asked, knowing it was probably her favorite place. Or maybe now it was being in my arms, sinking into my pillows. Safe and sound.
Her face lit up, giving me the sweetest smile I’ve ever seen.
“Ohh, my love language.”
Hazel closed the distance between us once more, and I knew, without a doubt.
Mine was Hazel.
Epilogue
Hazel
“She’s not going to change her mind, sweetie.”
Luke’s silky voice came from the bathroom. He was standing in front of a mirror, a towel around his waist, and a razor in his hands, slowly gliding down his cheek. I was standing in the living room, biting my finger as another voice was scolding me through the phone. I don’t know if I felt guilty because of Mady’s persistence or aroused by the things Luke’s towel was hiding. Probably both.
Even though I was sure Jackson wouldn’t bother me anymore, Luke still didn’t let me be alone. He either walked me home or spent the night at my apartment. Most nights I spent at his place, as it was bigger, so after a couple of weeks of this back and forth, we moved in together. I thought it was too soon. Not because I didn’t want to, but I still held on to the irrational fear that maybe we’re not completely compatible. Which was ridiculous because even though he was the one oozing confidence at every party, I was way cooler than he was.Yes, I said it.
