Written as part of the "Two Characters and Prompt" challenge from The Forest of Irrelevant Road Signs Forum. The prompt was "That Moment". Enjoy, and let me know what you think!
It was the simplest thing when it happened. Not at all like I expected. I thought there would have been something more cliché involved.
Standing in the rain, having had my life saved seconds before, being comforted after a bad break up. There are hundreds of possible ways that it could have happened. But I'm glad it didn't happen any of those ways. It would have made it less special.
For two friends who had been special since they were infants, who had shared a countless number of extraordinary moments, having an ordinary story was the most special thing that could happen.
Sitting in the cafeteria with our friends, talking about whatever things teenagers talk about, it was just a normal day. Looking forward to finishing high school in a few months, then going off to university. Who was dating who. What everyone would be doing on the weekend. And of course, crude jokes that only seventeen year olds would find funny.
And then it happened. That one moment that changed everything.
I turned to look at you, and my heart stopped. The way you were laughing, head thrown back, eyes sparkling, and teeth gleaming, it captivated me. The sound made me feel warm. The sight of you being so joyous made me happy as well. I remember thinking and feeling a hundred different things at once. And they all made me realise the same thing.
That I was in love with you.
In truth, I had probably always been in love with you, but that was the moment when I found out.
And as you shifted your gaze and looked into my eyes, looked into my soul, I knew that you knew. You knew what I was thinking. Knew what I was feeling for you.
Because how could you not? You knew everything about me, just like I knew everything about you. You knew me so well, that you probably knew about my feelings before I did. If it had been anyone else, I may have been scared. But it was you. So I was happy that you knew. Happy that we didn't have to say anything.
I often wonder how different our lives would have been if I hadn't turned to face you right then. Would we have taken that second trip to America? Would we have had that big fight when we were in our second year of university? Would Tai have given you a different 'induction to the family'? Would we be standing here today, at such a young age?
But I don't wonder if we would have never gotten to this where we are now. Because there's no one else in the world I could love, the way I love you.
I'm so thankful for that moment. It gave me hundreds of more moments, just as precious and special. And it helped set up this moment, the most important one of all.
My light will always shine because of you. My light will always shine for you.
I love you TK, for this moment and for every other moment, for now and forever.