First step
This is a Birthday gift for the lovely Haitus80, because I adore her.
Happy Birthday Haitus80.
He watched her make the rounds, visiting with their now former classmates, saying her goodbyes.
Their car was packed, plans made, the start of their new life beginning in less than an hour.
It was her smile, soft, sweet, and shy that first drew him to her.
Her mop of curly red hair, falling from the ponytail she had used to try and tame it with.
Those big blue eyes that saw through his bull shit, piercing his soul.
If you had told him at the start of high school his best friend would be this fiery pixie he's have laughed.
All it had taken was one glance from her, just one, and that smile to win him over.
He took the time to shake hands with the Mr. Malcom the one teacher that didn't write him off, nodding along with his congratulations and wishes for a bright future for them.
Tossed a hand up at Rick and Shane, briefly wondered if they would ever admit they were together.
Cringed slightly when he caught sight of Margret "don't call me Maggie", the stuff of nightmares for many of the girls, until she ran up against his Carol.
Margret and the guys he used to hang out with had lots to say about Carol, usually nothing good.
Wanting to know when she would "put out" or if she was "any good".
Talked down to her, at least at first.
Only took her putting them in their place once to end that shit.
Still chuckling at the memory of all 5'2" of her standing up to the lot of them, leaving them ashamed and obviously terrified.
She made her way to him through the crowds, eyes only for him.
It was always easy to talk to her, share things he never would have shared with anyone else.
Late nights of sitting on her back porch, they learned about each other.
Her family had insisted he move in to their spare bedroom when they discovered his living situation.
Showed him a lot of trust he never broke, even if it was a challenge at times.
He wasn't sure how they would react to the news, worried they would feel…
Betrayed? Angry? Like he wasn't good enough for their little girl.
Should have known better.
Keys to a brand new suv, map to the school they would both be attending in Washington and an envelope full of cash and travelers checks.
All they asked was to be updated every couple days were they were.
He could feel the goofy grin spread across his face as she drew nearer.
The sparkle off the little diamond ring drawing his attention.
He'd been so nervous, his hands shaking and his words stumbling as he asked.
Her stunned silence, brief but long enough to make him panic.
Her family in the background holding their breath for her answer, parent's hands clasped together as they waited in anticipation.
Her quiet "yes" echoed in his mind as the cheers rose.
Her arms around his neck and their first kiss, soft and sweet like her.
She reached for him, sliding under his arm to the space that only she had ever been.
He pulled her closer, lips brushing the top of her head.
"You ready?" he asked.
"I've been ready since the day we met, Dixon."
One final look around at the place that had started it all for them, they turned and took the first step into their new future.