Chapter 8
Sportacus had arrived a few minutes earlier. He was unsure of what Stephanie would say to him after he told her he never wanted to see her again. Surprisingly, she practically leapt off her seat and almost jumped into in his arms.
"Sportacus, I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking." Stephanie told him.
"Stephanie, I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have said what I did. You're not a lying manipulative person and I don't want to be apart." Sportacus replied. The two looked into each other's eyes and just sat there.
The awkward silence between them became oppressive. Neither one knew where to go from here. Finally, Sportacus said,
"Um, I have a question. Why did you go to see him?" He couldn't bring himself to say Robbie's name.
"I was so upset and as I was crying what he said popped into my head. But no matter how upset I was, it doesn't excuse the fact that I kissed somebody I don't even like. As soon as I kissed him, my mind screamed 'He's not the man you love, STOP!' I did but Robbie kissed me after that. There has never been anyone who loved me except you and that's all I want. I just don't know why I would do something so stupid." Stephanie explained. Sportacus took her hand in his. She smiled and he asked,
"Promise me something?"
"Of course anything." Stephanie replied.
"Promise me that from now on we'll always tell each other the truth, now matter how bad it is. I don't want to react like I did anymore. I scared myself and I'm sure I scared you." Sportacus said.
"You did scare me but I understand you were incredibly upset. I promise to tell the truth right away. No holding back. Now will you promise me something?" She asked. He nodded.
"Promise me that you'll help me keep my emotions in check. I never want to do something so stupid again. My emotions have a tendency to run away with me. I want that to stop." Stephanie explained.
"Only if you help me to open up more. I can't keep bottling things up inside. One of these days I'm just going to explode and I don't want that to happen. I couldn't live with myself if I hurt you or someone else." He said.
"It's a deal then. But where do we go from here? I understand if you don't trust me anymore but I can't live like this. I want, no, I need to be with you. You are the only thing that helps keep me firmly planted on this earth." Stephanie spilled out.
"Stephanie, I honestly don't know where we go from here but you're right. I can't live like this either. I would love to start all over and take it slow but you start college soon and we don't have that kind of time. I need you too and for the past few days its felt like someone ripped my heart out. I want that feeling to go away." Sportacus told her.
"So that's what that pain in my chest was." Stephanie smiled. Sportacus smiled back and she made a face.
"What?" he asked confused.
"I haven't seen you smile in a while. I've missed it." She grinned back.
"You know I've missed your smile too but not as much as I've missed this." He said as leaned in and gave her a kiss. She pulled him close and deepened the kiss. The two clung to each other, neither one wanting to let go.
To Be Continued…