It had been a long day for both Maureen and I. We didn't have a chance to breathe between school, play practice, cleaning the A/V room, homework, and chores. When I went to visit Maureen at her house, all I wanted to do was sit and be with her. We were in her bedroom, Maureen was doing her math homework on her bed and I was fiddling around with my camera on a cushiony arm chair she had.
"Mark?" Maureen looked up from her work and put her pencil down, "Can I ask you something? Something personal?"
I flushed. There were a lot of personal things she could ask me. But nevertheless, I put down my camera and answered, "Of course. What's up?"
She walked towards me and I pulled her into my lap. She sat on me like I was Santa, "Do you ever… regret being with me? Like you ever wish you could go back to being quiet, shy, Mark. The Mark that you were before we started dating."
"I'm still shy and quiet." I pointed out
"I know, but you've changed so much. You're so much more… louder."
I chuckled, "You make me loud."
Maureen laughed with me, "I know… but do you ever wish you could just go back to being like that? Just for a while?"
I pursed my lips and thought for a second. I pulled her towards me and gently kissed her, "Never in a million years."
"Really?" She grinned
"I told you, Maureen. I'd marry you if I could." And I would've, "I am in blissfully in love with you." And I was, "I wouldn't change anything for the world." And I wouldn't
"I love you." She said softly, caressing my cheek
"I love you too." I kissed her gently
"I don't deserve you. At all." Maureen shook her head
I took her hand in mine tightly, "Don't ever say that. You deserve the world. I'm just sorry that all I can give you is plain, old, Mark."
"Plain old Mark is enough for me. He happens to be my favorite person." She ran her hand through my hair.
"Well, you just happen to be a favorite, too." I smiled as I played with her hair, something she had always loved
Maureen laughed, but it quickly turned into a yawn, "Sorry." She said sheepishly
"It's okay." I smiled softly, "It's been a long day. Do you want to rest your head on me?"
"I don't want to fall asleep on you."
"Don't worry." I laid her head on my shoulder
Maureen closed her eyes and hung onto my shoulder. I continued raking my fingers through her hair, "I'm so proud of you. You make me proud to be your boyfriend."
Maureen smiled widely, her eyes still closed, "Thank you." She replied drowsily
I rocked her slowly, "You are unlike any girl I've ever met. You're so smart. You are much wiser than most people. You have this fire inside you. You're independent and you put everyone else before yourself. And you're so beautiful. I've never seen a prettier girl. I never want to let you go. And you're—" I looked down. Maureen was snoring softly into my shoulder," And you're the person I want to spend the rest of my life with." I finished softly, kissing the top of her head. I picked her up gently, bridal style, and placed her on her bed. I slipped off my shoes, figuring that a little rest wouldn't hurt. I climbed in next to her, draping an arm around her waist, pulling her close. I buried my nose deep in her hair, inhaling her sweet vanilla and strawberry shampoo. I watched her face intently, as a warm smile appeared on it. I laughed softly and pulled her even closer.
"I wouldn't mind falling asleep like this every night." I said almost inaudibly to myself. I kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear, "Good night, my Maureen." Before drifting off to a dream that was much like my reality.