"So," Louis started, as he and Tawny sat down at the lunch table. "I hear the sign-ups for this year's talent show are open."
Tawny smiled as she recalled the memories from last year's talent show, how Louis had completely missed the sign-up deadline, how he later tried to get her to do a comedy gig together. Just for a moment, she could feel a pang in her heart as she recalled how she walked away from Louis that day. "There's always next year, Louis," she had said…
Louis smiled, knowing all too well what Tawny was smiling about. "You know, I remember how you said back then, 'There's always next year, Louis.' Some things in life are like they're straight out of some movie script, aren't they?"
Tawny's smile widened as she looked down at her tray, trying to avoid Louis's playful eyes. She finally asked, her eyes now meeting his: "You remember every word we've ever said to each other, don't you?"
"Pretty much," Louis answered nonchalantly. He could practically read the words off the expression on her face. "You do too, don't you," he half-asked, already knowing the answer. Tawny nodded, her smile refusing to go away. How could the two of them be so different, yet their feelings for each other be so alike?
There were a few moments of silence. "So Louis," Tawny finally started. "Do you want to do something together for the talent show?"
"I would love to, Tawny," Louis began. "But I would love even more watching you shine on stage, just being yourself, without me getting in the way. You know how bad my poetry is." He paused, placing his hand gently over hers. "I… I love you so much just the way you are, Tawny. And nothing makes me happier than seeing you just the way you are."
Tawny looked deeply into his eyes. Ever since he had been changing, there were times when she didn't quite know what to say to him. She was now the center of his life, the source of his greatest possible happiness. It was a new feeling for her, being loved so passionately by someone. She knew she loved him just as much, of course, and she knew that he knew. But now, more than ever, she felt the need to assert it just as forcefully, to let him know just as clearly as he was doing.
"Louis," Tawny started. "It's so sweet of you. But I need you to know one thing. I love you so much, just as much, just the way you are. I loved you while you were still the class clown, and I will love you even if you keep it that way." She paused. "I know you're doing all this out of love, and I cherish it so much, but I also want you to be…free. Don't feel the compulsion to be a certain way just because of me. I don't want to get in the way of you being you, either." She smiled fondly.
Louis smiled back. "Thanks, Tawny," he just said. "I'll keep that in mind. But as for the talent show, I really insist… Nothing would make me happier than seeing you up there."
"Well then, I'll have to try especially hard to make it good," Tawny responded affectionately.