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“I’m sorry, Lex. I—”
“Don’t feel bad for me. I can take care of myself.” There’s my fighter. “I’ve been doing it for years. And you’re right, I have friends. What I don’t need, though, is someone who looks at me as less than them. I didn’t want you to know because I don’t want to see the pity in your eyes.”
“Pity? I don’t pity you, Lex. Look what you’ve already overcome. You’re one of the strongest people I know. You fought to be here. You fight every day to stay. You have worked for everything you have. I’m a lucky bastard when it comes to family, and I know it. My parents are amazing, they care about us and made sure we didn’t have to struggle in college. I wish you’d had the same experience but knowing everything you have is because of your hard work only makes me respect you more than I already do.”
Tears are freely streaming down her face now, her eyes closed as I gaze at the most amazing girl I’ve ever met.
“Open your eyes, Lex. Look at me. Look in my eyes. You won’t find an ounce of pity in them. All you’ll find is admiration.”
Cupping her cheeks, I watch while Lex opens her eyes, blinking as fresh tears fall from her beautiful icy blues.
“You are amazing, you know that?”
She shakes her head in disbelief.
“Yes, you are,” I reassure her. “And beautiful, and kind, and smart. You’re perfect.”
“I’m far from perfect, Micah.”
“You’re perfect for me.”
“We’re complete opposites. Your parents would never approve of me.”
I can’t hold back the laugh that explodes from my chest. She couldn’t be further from the truth on that one. I can already see my mother threatening to disown me if I screw this up after she meets her. Because Lex is what they always dreamt I’d find in a woman. Someone who pushes me, challenges me.
My father once told me that anything worth having, anyone worth spending my time with, would be a challenge. When I asked him why, he just smiled at my mother and told me I would understand what he meant one day.
Today is that day.
Because this thing between me and Lex... it’ll never be easy. She’s going to fight me every step of the way. And I can’t wait to fight back. To fight for us.
“My parents would love you,” I state, attempting to compose myself.
“I’m not exactly the kind of girl they had in mind for you, I’m sure.”
“You’re the picture of that girl. Want to know why?”
“This should make for a good laugh at least,” she says, forcing a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
She may have been worried she’d find pity in mine, but she’s the one with pity in her eyes. She feels bad for herself. She’s ashamed of her background. What she doesn’t realize is that it’s made her who she is today. Strong and resilient. Someone who values hard work and perseverance.
“You are beautiful—”
“Lame.”
“Smart.”
“Even lamer.”
“Funny.”
“Not exactly.”
“But most importantly,” I start, pausing for dramatic effect. Oh, who am I kidding. I’m pausing because the next words to leave my mouth are going to shock the hell out of her more than her shitty upbringing shocked me. “You make me happy.”
As expected, her mouth opens but no words come out. No snarky remark. No counterattack.
“At the end of the day, as long as you make me happy, that’s all they care about. Because it’s the one thing money will never be able to buy you. And a life without happiness isn’t a life worth living.”
There. I laid my heart out there for her. Like an idiot. Nine days after sleeping with her.
I’m royally screwed.
