Gio sat in Physics. He wasn't with Betty in this class and he hated the fact he couldn't be as close to her as he wanted. "This is crap. I don't want to be here," he thought as he stared blankly at the bored. His mind started to think of Betty, sat in Biology bored out of her skull. How had he managed to fall for her so quickly? He knew from the night of the prom he had fallen for her.
Gio's mum dropped him off at Betty's house and he went inside to meet her. "Hello, Mr Suarez," Gio exclaimed as Betty's father opened the door for him. "Gio, I told you already, you are like family. Call me Ignacio," he had replied. Gio smiled and sat in the living room waiting for Betty. When she had finally emerged she had looked so beautiful. He had seen the dress already but with her hair and makeup done to perfection to she was perfect. He walked over to her and took her hand, helping her down the last step. "Betty, you look $1million tonight," he said smiling proudly. He could tell that she was a little self-conscious, as she had gotten braces put on a few days earlier.
Gio could tell Betty was not happy with the braces. "Betty, I want you to do me a favour?" he said. She nodded her head. "You look beautiful to me no matter what and I love your braces. They really suit you. Lei non ha mai guardato più bell'a me." Betty looked at him confused. "What did you say? I don't speak Italian remember? You haven't started teaching me yet," she said smacking his arm playfully. He smiled at her lovingly and replied, "It doesn't matter. Oh and that reminds me I have this for you." He took a box out of the inside of his tux pocket and revealed a beautiful lily corsage. He tied it around her wrist. "Bye Papi," Betty shouted as they left.
Betty and Gio sat and spoke for hours at the prom. They ate and spoke and then Betty started to sing the song that had just come on. Gio stood up and held out his hand, "Would you like to dance?" he asked. She grabbed his hand and he felt a spark shoot up his arm again. There was a connection between them and he knew it as much as she did. They started dancing. The song was upbeat and they happily danced, Gio even showed Betty some salsa moves. When the song ended Gio didn't want to stop dancing and held onto Betty. The next song was a slower beat. Gio move uncertainly. "Betty, we don't have to if you don't want to," he said his hearting pounding very fast. She put a finger to his lips and smiled at him, flashing her braces to him. He loved that smile. Loved?!? He smiled back and put his hand on her waist as she put hers around his neck. They swayed backwards and forwards. Gio could feel Betty's breathe on his neck and it sent shivers down her spine. She moved closer towards him and he felt his heart pounding in his chest even harder. He dipped her backwards and felt the urge to kiss her. "No, I shouldn't," he thought hovering inches above her lips. She smiled at him as he helped her back up and they continued to dance.
They continued dancing and eating and speaking all night. When it was time to go home, Gio walked Betty home. When they got to her door, Betty turned to Gio and gave him a huge hug. "Thank you very much for tonight," she said smiling. He felt very special and having her pressed against him like that made him feel very important. "It's my pleasure. You are very special to me," he said sincerely. They parted from their embrace and said goodnight. Betty walked inside and Gio sat down on her doorstep. His heart was pounding and his head was throbbing. "I nearly kissed her tonight," he thought. He also though about how nice it would have been. He wondered if his sweaty palms and excitement at seeing her meant he loved her. He didn't need to think about it. He did love her.
The bell rang and Gio gathered his stuff together and headed off towards Betty's locker. He couldn't wait to see her. "Hey babes," Gio said as he saw her. As she approached him he took her into and embrace that said all he needed to hear. He looked lovingly down at her as she cuddled into his shoulder. "Hey, how are you?" she said moving away from his arms. He caught her waist and kept her close. "I feel amazing with you here like this," he whispered in her ear. She blushed and looked up at him. "Come on you, we better get going or we will be late for class and we kind of owe a lot to the geography department now," he said winking at her and taking her hand as they head up to class.
Once they were in Geography, they sat down and looked at each other with a loving look in their eyes. Betty had missed and assessment as she had been off and so had to go and do that leaving Gio to sit and daydream about her. "Good luck," he whispered as she headed off into another room. He started thinking about more times he had shared with Betty.
Betty was walking home one day about two weeks after the dance with Gio at the side of her. All of a sudden she burst into tears. Gio put an arm around her and rubbed her back gently. "Are you okay, B?" he asked sounding concerned. She nodded, tears pouring down her face. "I'm fine. It's just… I don't know. Will you come with me somewhere please?" she asked still crying. He pulled her into a hug and smelt her hair. The vanilla smell made his knees go wobbly.
Betty walked and grabbed hold of Gio's hand. He felt a spark, but knew as she was upset to leave it. She headed towards the graveyard, tears staining her cheeks. "Betty, why are we here?" Gio asked confused. She dragged him to one of the graves and sat down in front of it. "Betty…" Gio started. He looked down at her and saw the tears flow down her cheeks again. He looked at the grave and saw it was her mother's grave. He sat down beside her and put his arms around her giving her a hug. She rested her head on his chest. His heart was pounding in his chest. "Gio," she sobbed, "It's the anniversary of her death today. I can't cope. Thank you for coming with me." He held her closer and replied, "I would do anything for you Betty." He held her close and kissed the top of her head.
Gio and Betty sat at her mother's grave for hours talking and he let Betty speak about all memories she had. He was so glad that she trusted him enough to share this information. He trusted her with his life and he hoped she felt the same way. He felt so much for her. It wasn't just like a normal crush or fancying someone: he truly felt something for her. He wanted to be with her forever and it wasn't over rated like everyone else their age thought. He did actually love her. He had been there for her when she needed him and comforting her felt so right.
Gio's thoughts were interrupted as Betty came and sat down beside him. "How did you get on?" he asked hugging her gently. She smiled. "Ok," she replied smirking, "I remembered my misfit streams this time." He laughed at her and got back to work. He was finally happy with his life and the people in it too.