As our lips brushed slowly together, I knew that – if not now, then eventually—everything was going to be okay. I reluctantly pulled away and opened my eyes just in time to watch hers flutter open. It was then I realized how truly beautiful she was. She smiled, cheeks flushing the most adorable shade of pink I had ever seen. But then her smile went weak, just to fade soon after. Then she had an extreme look of fright in her eyes, and I had to question if what I had done was terrible wrong.
I sat there silently gazing in her eyes, knowing she was waiting for me to say something. I wanted to, but the words just weren't coming out. I mean, what was I supposed to say? Finally, I found my voice and began having the hardest conversation I knew I'd ever have to have. Not because it was hard to admit my feelings, but because she may not feel the same way.
"Gabi, I know you aren't ready for any kind of relationship, and I fully respect that. I probably just stepped way over the line, and I apologize for that. But I'm in love with you. I always have been. You have no idea what you do to me. You're so beautiful, and I can never tell you how much it hurt to have you out of my life for so long. I hated it. I am really sorry." My words flew out of my mouth before I could think about how I should space them out, and when I should pause to let her speak too. I was just so terrified that I would lose her again, and that would be the most difficult thing I would have to endure- I was painfully sure of that.
I waited for her response, but she gave none. Silent tears were forming in her eyes, as she smiled slightly. I started to panic, fearing the worst. "Brie, if you don't feel the same way I will understand. Like I said, I just want you in my life. Friend or more than that… it doesn't matter as long as you're here. I do love you, and it will be hard getting over it, but I'd do it if that's what you want from me. I'd do anything for you. I can't help that I fell in love, I'm so sorry."
She giggled slightly, and squeezed her eyes shut letting a few tears fall as she did so. "I'm not saying that I don't. That isn't the case at all. I've been in love with you since we met freshman year. Deep down, I always knew you and I were meant to be. Every time I see you all these feeling rush inside me and make my heart start racing. I've always thought it was too good to be true though. And after Jay I always wondered… why would anyone fall in love with me anyways?"
I smiled at her, knowing she loved me too was just too much to bear. But I composed myself and started explaining things to her. "I'll tell you why someone would fall in love with you… It's because you're the most wonderful person in the world. You care more for others than you do for yourself, you're incredibly beautiful, you're so smart, and your laugh is absolutely contagious. You're perfect, Brie. What more could anyone want?"
"I know that I'm not perfect, but thank you so much. Troy, if you hadn't been there yesterday, I honestly don't know what I'd have done. The longer things went, the worse they got. But because of you, I know that I'm going to be okay. Thank you."
"No Gabi, thank you. I was always there, but it was you that had to finally open up."
"Well you made it a lot easier." She said quietly as she ran her hand along the kitchen floor and slid it into mine squeezing gently. I had never noticed how well her hands fit into mine until that moment. I looked up from our hands and smiled at her. And I knew, she was thinking the same thing.
"Okay sweetheart, we're going to take this nice and slow. I know you need some stability in your life, and that's perfectly fine, I will take it at your speed. And anytime I overstep the limits you tell me. All the calls are yours here. Okay?"
She didn't respond, but then again she didn't need to. She instead just took her hand from mine and slowly slid her arms around my waist burying her head in my chest for what seemed like the hundredth time. "Thank you." She mumbled, but I knew exactly what she had said.
"You're very welcome darling." I said kissing the top of her head.
She withdrew her head and looked up; meeting my gaze, and smiled the biggest smile I'd seen cross her lips since before she had ever met Jay. I smiled back, without thinking about it, I mean who could resist.
"So, does this mean we're more than friends?"
"For as long as you want it to… absolutely."
"Have I told you lately how amazing you are?" I grinned playfully.
"Nope, I don't think so…"
"Well… you most certainly are amazing."
"Well… then I feel that I'm about to become a bit more amazing."
"Why is that?"
"Your mom already went to work right?"
"Yes…" her eyes grew more curious by the second. I knew she was trying to hide it, but she wasn't doing so very well.
"Okay then," I hopped up off the floor and then swept her up, carrying her bridal style as she giggled relentlessly, "you are coming with me."
"Where to, may I ask?" she questioned, confused.
"To your house, then the next stop is a surprise."
She didn't argue too much after that. I carried her upstairs and plopped her down on my bed, instructing her to relax until I was ready. With that I grabbed a pair of jeans and a red wildcat t-shirt, along with a pair of boxers and went into my bathroom. I took a cold, quick shower to wake myself up. Then I got dressed quickly, and dashed back into my room.
When I got there I found my beautiful girlfriend (that was the first time I thought of the actual label) fast asleep on my bed. She was smiling through her dreaming state, and cuddling my pillow. She was mumbling something, but it was too quiet for me to hear what exactly.
I couldn't bring myself to disturb her, so I picked her up again and let her resettle herself in my arms. She slept until I reached the car and as I sat her in her seat her chocolate eyes fluttered open. She smiled.
"Sorry I fell asleep on you. Now where are you taking me?"
"I told you, I'm taking you home to get ready, and then you get a surprise."
Her eyes slid closed again, though she was trying not to let them. "Mmm kay," she yawned sleepily. I stifled a laugh and got in on the driver's side.
Within the half mile it was to Gabi's house, she had fallen asleep again. Once I had parked in her driveway and shut off the ignition, she still hadn't budged… so again being the gentleman I am, I carried her into the house. Once I got inside—using the key I knew was stored in the mailbox—I gently placed Brie on the couch and went upstairs to set my plan into action.
The first thing I went for was the closet, in which I found all the sundresses-- she used to love, but never wore anymore—hanging neatly in order of lengths and color. Right in the center there was a turquoise blue one hanging that I recognized right away as the one she wore the night of my family's barbeque.
It was about a month before she and Jay had started having problems. He was out of town for two weeks so Brie and I had been hanging out a lot. She didn't seem very happy with him at the time, but she was still okay being around me… so I was content. After we had eaten, I took her up to the tree house and we started talking. I had considered seriously confessing my crush on her, but chickened out. Looking back I wished that I had. But that didn't matter now.
I smiled at the thought of the way things were now, us being together just like I had always wanted. I took the dress off of its hanger and layed it out on her bed. Then I went to her desk and took a sticky note off her pad and grabbed a pen. After I was satisfied with my message to Brie I suck it on top of her dress and re-read it quickly.
Brie,
I picked out a dress for you to wear for your surprise. You look
beautiful in anything, but this was always my favorite. ;-)
Xx
Troy
Suddenly inspired by my spur-of-the-moment note, I decided to go ahead and leave a few more in the bathroom. First I found her hair dryer and curling iron and layed them on the counter next to the sink and put a note on them.
Your curls are so sexy. I don't know why you own a curling iron.
Then I went to the sink and put a note on her toothbrush holder.
Your smile is my favorite in the entire world.
Next I found her makeup bag and left one more note.
Don't even think about it… You're so beautiful naturally. You won't be needing this.
I went back downstairs to see if she was finished napping.
I had no such luck. She was curled up on the couch just as I had left her. With the exact smile playing on her lips. I was reluctant to wake her, but decided I couldn't wait anymore. I knelt next to her head and whispered in her ear, "Sweetie? Time to wake up."
She stretched and yawned loudly. "Okay," she said lazily making her way to her feet, "What now?"
"Well, why don't you go upstairs and shower. I layed some clothes out on your bed. After you're ready, we will move on with the surprise."
"Okay," she eyed me suspiciously.
I watched her disappear up the stairs and finally let myself relax. I slid down onto the couch and layed down. It was still warm from where Gabby had been. I figured I had a good hour at least, so I let my eyes drift shut and sleep overtake me.
Sometime later I awoke to the smell of vanilla close to my face. When I forced my eyes open I found Gabriella wrapping her tiny arms around my neck. She buried her head in the hollow of my throat and mumbled a small thank you.
"You're welcome sweetheart. I really didn't do anything." I said smiling and sitting up, careful not to disturb her place in my arms. But then she withdrew herself anyway.
"I know… but thank you for being so sweet to me. I really couldn't ask for anyone better."
"Awe. Well I do try." She smiled at this and got to her feet.
Taking my hand she replied, "Okay, surprise time. You have me excited. Let's go!"
This was the first chance I'd had to actually look at her since she'd came downstairs. Her dress was a strapless and ended just above her knees. The color showed off her naturally tanned skin. She had on a pair of white flip-flops. Her hair fell in its soft curls halfway down her back. And she had very little makeup on. She looked absolutely beautiful. I smiled knowing she was mine. Any guy would be jealous of me just based on her looks. But her personality was even better if that was possible. "Okay. Let's go," I said getting to my feet as well.
She intertwined our fingers our hands as we walked toward the door. As we exited the house we emerged into the bright sunlight. We got into my car and Brie immediately started playing with her sun visor, trying to protect her eyes. I unclipped my sunglasses from my sun visor and handed them to her. "Here Brie. You can wear these."
"Are you sure? Don't you need them?"
"Nah. It doesn't bother me too much."
"Okay thanks, babe." And that simple sentence was all it took, coming from her, to make me smile.
I started the car and backed out of her driveway and we started toward her surprise. I was very pleased with my idea, and hoped that she'd like it as much as I thought she would. Halfway through our trip she started getting suspicious as to where we were going. By the time we were within five minutes of our destination, she had it figured out. I make a left and she blurted out all at once "We're going to the mall aren't we?"
"Now did I-," I was cut off by her squeals.
"YAY! I knew I liked you for a reason!"
"Okay, so you caught me," I smiled, "we're going shopping." After we parked and got in the front doors she had already mapped out where we needed to go.
"Alright, so first we'll hit up American eagle and Hollister, and then we can go to Journey's for shoes." I agreed with that plan. After all I had the same taste in clothing stores as her, so it was all good.
After three hours we were ready to go home. I had three bags (one from each store) and Gabi had six. She said since she hadn't been dressing up for so long she'd let her wardrobe get outdated so she was in dire need of new clothing. I think she'd have looked good in a trash bag though. I could care less if her clothes were from last year. But I wasn't complaining I had fun watching her try things on. Especially because she had so much fun doing it. I could tell she wasn't thinking about anything but what was going on right then. The past was the past. And that was a huge relief for me. On the way home we stopped at McDonald's and we both got a Big Mac. To my surprise she ate more of her meal than I did. She seemed proud of that too.
When we reached her house I could tell she was getting worried. Her singing stopped within two miles of the house. Her talking stopped when we were a mile away. When we pulled into the driveway she looked like she could throw up.
"I know that you're scared baby. But you do have to talk to her sometime. I will be there every minute of it. So don't worry. You can do this I know you can."
She nodded and grabbed her bags out of the back seat. We got out of the car simultaneously and I took half of her bags and slipped my hand around hers. Then we walked slowly to the door. When we reached she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. Then she shocked me yet again.
"Troy, I know I can do this. But I think I should do it alone. I don't want her to know about us quite yet. She's mad enough that you were the first person I talked to; I don't think she needs to know everything quite yet. I need to do this alone. Is that okay with you?" I stood wide eyed for a moment and then answered in the best way that I could.
"Sure thing Brie. Do what you need to… like I said everything right now is about what you think is best for you. But just know if you need me at all I am just a text or call away."
"Thank you, Troy. For everything. I will call you later no matter what happens."
"Okay baby, I will see you tomorrow." I leaned down and pressed my lips onto her forehead. She looked up and smiled, then got on her tiptoes and pecked me on the lips.
"Goodnight honey," she replied taking her bags from my hand and opening the door. She glanced back quickly, and then proceeded in calling out, "Mami?"
I smiled to myself, still a bit worried. But she had made the first step to talk to someone other than me, which made me happy. So I got in my truck and went the mile down the road to my house. But somehow I still couldn't shake the feeling that I'd be getting a call from Gabriella sooner than I should, and it wouldn't be bearing good news. I just sincerely hoped that I was wrong.
