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Epic, Heart-stopping, Breathtaking
Aaron
Ithoughtaboutnotcoming. It might’ve been the safer option for my heart. But this has always been our thing. No matter what, I always want it to be.
She blinks at me a couple of times, looking like she might poke me to make sure I’m really here.
I should probably say something.
Like the last month never happened, I look at her tenderly and say, “Hey, Beautiful.”
She stares at me for a beat longer, then launches herself into my arms.
Getting over the shock of it, I wrap my arms tightly around her as emotion swells in my chest.
“Rae, I—”
“Don’t. Don’t say anything. Just be here. Be here with me.”
I nod, holding her closer.God, I’ve needed this.Being in her arms fills me with the peace I’ve been aching for. I know we haven’t even talked yet, but by this hug alone, I know we’re going to be okay. Somehow, we’re going to be okay.
She sniffs on tears, and my eyes well up, too.
We hold each other for a long time, sniffing and crying like idiots, but I don’t care. As long as she’s in my arms, I don’t give a shit about anything else.
When she finally steps back, she looks up at me, eyes clearer and softer than they’ve been in a while. “Hi,” she breathes.
“Hi. Happy birthday.”
Her face falters, and she looks down. “I thought you weren’t coming. I pushed you away so hard…”
Cupping her cheek in my hand, I lift her gaze to meet mine. “It’s your birthday. Ihadto come. We have stars to look at and wishes to make. Plus, I see you haven’t opened your present yet.”
She shakes her head. “It felt wrong to open it without you. Everything has felt wrong.”
Taking her hand, I say, “Then let’s start making it right again. What do you say? Want to look at the stars?”
She nods softly and walks into her closet as I let out a huge sigh. I grab her sleeping bag and a comforter. She comes out of her closet wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt.Mysweatshirt. The one she stole from me back in ninth grade. She looks cozy and adorable.
Are we finally moving forward?
I help her through the window, then set up the sleeping bag and comforter. She hesitates for a moment before joining me. She doesn’t snuggle against me, but she lets me take her hand.
Progress.
“Before we get into anything else, let’s make our wishes.”
“You go first,” she whispers.
Looking up, I find the brightest star and point at it. Then I close my eyes and inhale deeply. I exhale as I open them and make my wish.
I wish Rae and I would figure this out and finally be together.
With a quick squeeze of her hand, I let her know it’s her turn. But rather than hear her inhale, I hear her sniff.
“What’s wrong?”
“I—I don’t even know what to wish for anymore. Nothing I want has come true lately.”
