My first Bessa. Not my usual fare, but *someone* has been after me to write a Bessa forever, so I finally caved. Enjoy...and review! :)


She hadn't meant to say it. Not at all

Nothing out of the ordinary had caused it to happen. No flashing light, no earth-shattering heartbeats, no soul-bending awakening to find out what this could possibly mean for her future. It was nothing like the passionate declarations that one would find in the dime novels that she secretly kept hidden, but rather a soft realization born from quiet time and careful study.

Quietly as it may have come, she could not stop the tender smile that crossed her lovely face as she took him in, seated across from her with his eyes intently fixed on his political science textbook. He was as nervous for the test as she was; that much was obvious, but her nerves at the moment were not borne out of apprehension for an exam, but for the three simple words she suddenly blurted into the silence.

"I love you."

He looked up, surprise etched on his adorable face. He blinked a few times as his mind tried to process what he had just heard. Finally, he managed just two words. "Excuse me?"

She felt the heat immediately rush to cheeks, suddenly realizing what she had just confessed aloud. "I…I don't know, I..I have to go. I'm very sorry." Snapping her own book shut, she hastily shoved it into her bag and quickly took her leave, leaving him to only stare incredulously after her.

Her minds ran wild as she hurried down the hall, nearly running over several students on her way . What had she been thinking? She barely knew the boy, for Oz's sakes. If Father had seen her, surely she would have been confined to her room. Ladies did not declare their love for a man. It was simply not done.

Why hide from the truth?

The thought caused her to stop dead. Perhaps there was some truth to that statement after all. She knew she might be mad and she knew he might reject her, but she had to take the chance.

Turning sharply, she made her way back to his room, took a short moment to compose herself, then rapped softly on the door. It opened not even a second later, revealing the object of her affection, still with the stupefied look on his face.

"Let me say this," she began when he opened his mouth to speak. "I don't know what came over me, but I can't apologize for the way I feel." Taking a breath, she gave him a hesitant smile. "I know it's sudden, but I can't help myself. I love you."

He said nothing, only blinked. Then, something akin to a sad smile came to his face and his pressed his lips briefly to her cheek. "Thank you, Nessa."

Forcing a smile, she nodded. So he hadn't said it back. No bother. Carefully, she went back into the room as he held the door for her. His smile had widened and he leaned to briefly hug her as he passed and her heart leaped a little in her chest.

There would come a time when he would love her too. She knew it.

He had too.