The Trouble With Love Is...
By: Christina K.
(A/N: This is a one-shot songfic that I wrote after watching "I'm With Cupid". The song is "The Trouble with Love is" by Kelly Clarkson. I'm the world's biggest Trily fan, so I'll give you three guesses to who the pair is here. Watch out, this one is angsty, though. Hope you guys like! R&R!!!)
I felt relief wash over me as I heard the heavy steel door slam behind me and I stepped into my personal retreat, or at least it would be for another hour, until the show started and my privacy would be invaded by my three best friends.
I sat in the chair in the control booth, plugged in my guitar, and popped in one of the many mixed CDs I had made featuring sappy, romantic love songs, so I could prepare myself for my confession to Travis; the moment, that now, would never come.
I flipped through the songs until one caught my attention. I didn't recognize it, so I leaned back in Travis' chair and closed my eyes, listening to the lyrics.
Love can be a many splendid thing
Can't deny the joy it brings
A dozen roses, diamond rings
Dreams for sale and fairy tales
Being hypnotized by the lyrics, my mind transfixed on the image of hundreds of colorful postcards falling from above, swirling in the air around Travis and his new love, Bridget.
It'll make you hear a symphony
And you just want the world to see
But like a drug that makes you blind,
It'll fool ya every time
Oh, that name, Bridget. I wanted to hate her, but I couldn't. How could I? She brought out the real Travis, made him open up and I saw him for the first time. Mr. T, The Alchemist, all of these sides of Travis came out and all of us realized that Roscoe wasn't his home, she was.
The trouble with love is
It can tear you up inside
Make your heart believe a lie
It's stronger than your pride
The trouble with love is
It doesn't care how fast you fall
And you can't refuse the call
See, you've got no say at all
I was ripped from my thoughts by the warehouse door slamming shut and Ray walking in, throwing his bag onto the red, vinyl couch. I hastily wiped the tears that had fought my stubborn will and had fallen down my cheeks.
"I am such a genius. I should change my on-air name to Cupid, or Dr. Love. What do you think?"
"I think Stupid suits you better," I replied, trying to sound playful.
"Ouch, Lil, that hurts!" He clasped his hands on his chest, mock-pain showing on his face.
Now I was once a fool, it's true
I played the game by all the rules
But now my world's a deeper blue
I'm sadder, but I'm wiser too
He looked at me through the glass of the control booth and the grin on his face faded slowly and disappeared.
"What's wrong, Lily?" He made his way over to my chair, where I was standing, trying as hard as I could to smile and play off my sadness, but I knew it was useless. No matter how hard I smiled, my eyes always gave away my true feelings.
"Nothing, I'm fine."
"Please don't lie to me. Tell me what's wrong," he paused and took a deep breath. "Is this about Swami?"
I couldn't bring myself to look at him, afraid that my eyes would give away my answer.
"No."
I swore I'd never love again
I swore my heart would never mend
"I know that you were going to pick him." I started to protest, my eyes snapping up to his face in surprise. "I saw it in your face when he kissed her. I passed it off as jealousy at first, but now I see the truth. You're in love with him." I couldn't read his expression.
"Ray..." He cut me off, determined to finish.
"No, Lily, listen. I'm okay with it now. Well, not really, but I will be. I just want to see you happy, and I know that I can't be the one to make you happy. He is."
We looked at each other, truly understanding each other's emotions for the first time, watching the confusion finally end, until our gazes were both torn away to the door slamming one more time.
My eyes met Travis' and my heart fell.
"Tell him, Lily, before it's too late." He whispered, walking out of the booth and to the door.
"It already is," was all I could bring myself to say.
Said love wasn't worth the pain
But then I hear it call my name
I pulled my bandanna off, letting my hair fall into my face and shield my eyes from his gaze.
Every time I turn around
I think I've got it all figured out
My heart keeps callin' and I keep on fallin'
Over and over again
He looked into my eyes and his smile, not unlike Ray's, faded into a thoughtful and sad frown.
"Lily." Damn it, I wish it was acceptable to wear sunglasses indoors.
The sad story always ends the same
Me standin' in the pourin' rain
He walked over to me and cupped my face in his hand
It seems no matter what I do
It tears my heart in two
I looked into his eyes and for the first time since I met him, I could read his emotions. His grey eyes were speaking to my soul and just the sight made fresh tears gather in the corner of my eyes. I saw love and pain, and some sort of inner battle of mind and soul.
(The trouble with love is)
It's in your heart
It's in your soul (doesn't care how fast you fall)
The sight of it created a battle inside myself. I felt my heart breaking, but the felt a small hope that he would heal my broken heart.
He took in a sharp breath, closed his eyes, and leaned his forehead on mine. The closeness of his lips and feeling his breath on my face was making me want to cry, but I fought them back, retaining control of my emotions.
"I promise, Lily, someday I'll stop hurting you. Someday, I'll make you as happy as you deserve." He planted a chaste kiss on my lips and stepped back, walking out of the station, leaving me alone to mope in my sadness. Yet, I didn't feel as sad as before. I was filled with something more; hope.
You won't get no control
(And you can't refuse the call)
See, you've got no say at all
The song, which I had forgotten all about, faded out and the sadness it caused was replaced with a sort of peace of mind. A smile spread across my face. I was happy and I had something to look forward to. I clicked off the radio and walked to my seat, waiting for 4:00 to arrive, so we could get on with the show.
(A/N: So what did you all think? I might change my mind and make this a chapter story, but I won't be able to until I finish my other story, As Good As Dreams. I suggest you guys read it, I think it's pretty good and no one has told me otherwise, I just don't have a big fanbase for it yet. Anyway, if you liked it and want me to continue, give me a shout out and let me know. Thanks for reading! -Christina)