A/N: Don't you just love these two? This is Victoire's perspective on the events of "So Simple", and also for the same challenges.
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It's Over Now
It's amazing how one encounter with a person can totally change what you think of them. This morning, I thought that Teddy was insensitive and heartless; tonight, I really do believe that I love that boy. If I've ever had a day that's changed my outlook on life more than today did, I can't remember it and I don't think I want to. The feeling of being loved and wanted and cared about and protected and all of those other things, all wrapped up in one little package, is the best thing I've ever tasted. Hopefully I'll taste much more of it in the future.
Today was the monthly family get-together. I used to love them, but these days, I see no point in going. My parents were hosting, which meant that I was required to make an appearance whether I liked it or not - and I was pretty damn sure that I didn't like it. Teddy was there, of course, like he always is, but he didn't seem half as keen on avoiding me as I was on avoiding him. I expected that, given what happened last Christmas, but I have a feeling I'm developing a habit of expecting the wrong things.
Everyone drifted off into their groups in various parts of the house or the yard, and somehow Teddy and I ended up in the foyer alone. I took a deep breath after assessing the situation, finally ready to say something I'd spent seven months planning how to say. "I ruined everything," I said - okay, it was barely louder than a whisper, but I knew he could hear me. I began to glide across the foyer, heading directly towards him. "Don't hate me for any of it. I... I just wanted you to know I like you." As I finished, I stopped moving. I stood about two feet from him, my eyes fixated on his face, wondering what in the world he'd make of what I'd just done.
His reaction was far different than any I had considered possible. "You didn't," he said, and I was pretty sure he was more nervous than I was. "All you did was try to give me a few hints. I'm the one who took them the wrong way." Oh, God, I wanted to just melt into his arms and... well, I hadn't quite worked that out yet. I should've expected he would do that - when we were kids, even when I was responsible for what we'd done, he always took the lion's share of the blame for things. I suppose old habits die hard, because that's exactly what he was doing - taking the blame for a situation, an awkwardness, that I'd started. Admittedly, he hadn't helped the situation, but I had started it, and therefore it was my fault.
The subtle beauty of the situation took control of me, and I started sobbing quietly. If there is one strange and unexplainable thing I've done in my seventeen years of life, that's definitely it. There was no real emotion behind my tears - they were simply happening, and that was that. Somehow, my eyes stayed focused on him, and then things truly happened. He moved towards me, bridging the small gap between us, and embraced me. Nothing has ever felt more right than that did - his arms around me, holding me close to him, making me feel safe and protected and loved and wanted and so many other things. He gently moved one of his hands away from my back, using it to push away a few stray strands of hair in front of my ear, and then he moved it back. "You're beautiful when you cry," he whispered.
"Really?" I gasped, knowing he meant it. He didn't reply, and for a brief second, I wondered if I had done something wrong, Then slowly, but with a passion and an intensity and a longing that I can't possibly describe, his lips found mine and he kissed me like I thought no one ever would. I didn't want it to end, but like all good things, it had to.
I knew things couldn't stay bad or awkward forever between us, but I never thought they'd end up like they have. Even in my most wonderful daydreams, I never expected any of this to happen, never expected to see that he'd fallen for me just as hard as I'd fallen for him. I suppose that's the way that love's supposed to be - you're not supposed to expect what actually ends up happening. If that's the way things work, then anything in the world could happen to us, because I have no idea what's next and I don't think I want to know until it happens.
So this is where I am - madly in love with my best friend and truly hoping this lasts.
