(Titles are, obviously, not my forte.)

Shouldn't take too long to read. Constructive criticism and feedback is important, so please don't hesitate to say what you didn't like about it or what I could improve on.

We were in high school, and when I first saw you, I didn't know what to think.

I knew you were cocky, arrogant, everything I didn't like.

You were a flirt, with girls and guys alike, and that alone should've deterred me from you.

The problem was...

It didn't.

I wasn't sure of what was going on.

I was confused by your presence.

Part of me wanted to bolt away from you or to scoff at your remarks, but another part of me wanted to hear your ridiculous laugh, to see your goofy smile.

I hated you for it.

So much that I avoided you.

But then... you noticed me.

Well, according to you, you always had.

I don't believe it. Not for a second.

But you started to talk, to flirt, with me.

I was oblivious at first. I brushed you off, ignored you as much as I could. Maybe because I didn't think it was possible. Or maybe because I was simply blind.

Either way, it was Pidge that woke me up to the reality.

They were kind of mean about it, too.

Ha.

Seriously, though. My shoulder hurts thinking about it.

Then you started to act different. Less full of yourself, more caring. The softer side of you was surprising; I didn't mind it at all.

You began to help me with my problems, and I helped you with yours. Mostly the small things. Giving each other a bit of cash, maybe a car ride, or just with studying.

We slowly became friends. We insulted each other from time to time, but mostly, we started to work as a team.

I never saw you at a loss for words. I envied that you always knew what to say.

Sure, you were a goof and babbled when you were nervous, but whenever someone needed you, you said the right things, you knew how to comfort them.

I never had that luxury.

You saw me at my worst.

Everything had been too much.

I was having a mental breakdown. I didn't want anyone else to know, to be hurt by me... Or me to be hurt by them.

And yet...

You stayed by my side. Unlike so many others, you helped me. Supported me. Lifted me up. I can't even begin to express what I began feeling.

My heart was doing weird things whenever I was around you. I quickly realized that I couldn't control it.

I genuinely was beginning to like who you were as a person. It wasn't just the initial attraction.

Damn it, I was falling for you. For your cheesy jokes, your obnoxious stories, your blue eyes that always managed to capture me with their warmth.

Months, and I mean months later, I finally accepted what I was feeling.

By then, I was sure you didn't feel the same way.

You proved me wrong.

Our first kiss was...

Something.

We were at the park, during summer break.

You were hanging on tree branch, upside down, flashing me.

You were talking about how sexy your body was, or something. All I know is that you were being a dork.

I laughed, and threw a grape from the food we'd brought. It bounced off your nose.

That stupid, wide grin was on your face, and you told me to come closer.

I did.

Which, I think, made me the stupid one.

You took my face in between your hands, and just... kissed me.

Needless to say, I was shocked.

You called yourself Spiderman weeks after that.

I just called you my boyfriend.

When your mother first saw me, I swear she gazed into my soul, or maybe she read my mind. Both possibilities, I tell you, were equally terrifying.

She was nice, but I didn't miss the glances she shot at you. It wasn't anger, disgust, or anything like that.

Just . . .

There was almost a sadness within her.

Disappointment.

You hadn't told her about your sexuality until I came around, had you?

I wonder how hard it was on you.

How did you do it?

Did you beat around the bush, tell her directly with no hesitation?

You didn't look her in the eye, and at no one else.

Not even me.

Still, you were all smiles and terrible jokes that night.

I saw you cry one day, you know. Tears were streaming down your face, but they weren't of despondency. You seemed so happy, with a bright smile, and I didn't know why.

You were playing the guitar, singing.

You have the voice of an angel, I hope you know that.

I couldn't understand you, since the words were in Spanish. Later, however, I found out what song you were singing.

'Solo Para Ti'

I would be lying if I told you I didn't start to cry.

College came around.

Both of us were busy with school and work.

We didn't see each other as much, and when we did, fights between us became common. It was over the tiniest thing, and it would escalate to the point where we were shouting at each other, until one of us would leave.

I was afraid that I would lose it. That the thing we had was too fragile, that it would wither and disappear all together.

It almost did.

I realized then that I was scared to lose you. You meant more to me that I thought. I couldn't-wouldn't-let you go.

More years passed. More time flew by in a blink of an eye. More memories were born and the doubts began to die.

I remember the nights we used to stay up, pressed together without a single care in the world. We would talk about crazy fantasies that we thought were too far off.

We would fall asleep, and just before we did, you would kiss me, whispering "I love you."

I have a box besides me now.

It's simple, and small, it could fit into the palm of my hand.

What's inside of it is more than simple.

I never had a chance to give it to you.

And the more I think of it now, I wish you were by my side. Holding me, telling me that everything's okay, trying to give me hope when I've lost it.

I don't know why I'm writing this.

You won't read it.

It's just painful to see that the only thing that represents you now is a cold, gray slab of stone.

There are no words to express how much I loved you.

Or how much I miss you now.

This was a modern AU.

This is also what I consider for myself simplistic writing, and it's not my usual style, but hey, I wanted to do something new. But it did feel a little weird, so it might have felt awkward in some places.

Thank you, and again, feedback is welcomed :)