AllFreeNovel
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I suppose since we get along on paper, then maybe we’ll get along in person. Maybe we should hold off on the serious stuff until we are certain that we can be in the same room without arguing…?
I hate that we couldn’t see each other this Christmas, but I understand, too. Have I mentioned long-distance relationships aren’t fun?
Ruby
P.S. – When you come visit, maybe we should take things slowly, because I’m scared. I’m sorry to chicken-out, but this is a lot and I don’t want either to feel pressured by something that might not be there.
* * *
Ruby sighed heavilyand clicked send.
Today was literally one year to the day that Michael had sent her those star barrettes and things had taken a turn for them. They both had agreed that crossing the line had happened when she’d called him, making it feel almost like a real moment, and setting a starting point for their weird relationship.
… And what a year it had been!
She hadn’t walked across the stage, but rather enrolled into a master’s program online… and had moved back home. Silently, without sharing her plans, she was pushing herself hard to finish her degree for a good reason, and hadn’t applied at the school district because she wasn’t sure where she wanted to work.
That tiny voice in her head kept saying to wait – and she was listening to it.
Michael called every few weeks, talking for a little bit at a time… and most of it they spent laughing or chatting about the little things. Last time they had discussed the merits of suitcases with wheels and ‘van life’ – resulting in talks about traveling the world, dreams, and ideas.
It was like they thought the same sometimes and when they had differing opinions, they enjoyed sparring together. It wasn’t two kids picking on each other anymore, but rather there was a dose of healthy respect there now.
Ben and Rose’s wedding was in five months – and they already had plans to dance, go to dinner, and spend every moment together. In fact, the entire town was slowly ramping up into a fervor.
Rose was the Tyler police chief’s daughter, and Ben was beloved by the entire town of Yonder. Her goody-two-shoes brother was marrying his little princess… which sometimes made Ruby feel like the old crone in the fairytales.
Maybe she was kidding herself with thinking there was something legitimate between her and Michael?
“Ruby?” her mother’s voice called up the stairs. “Ruby, honey? You have a delivery…”
Sitting up, Ruby got to her feet and padded in socked-feet into the hallway, staring in shock at the massive bouquet of roses that her mother was holding in her hands.
“Jeezzzz…”
“I think someone mugged the entire rose festival for this bouquet alone.”
“That’s for…me?”
“I don’t know of any otherRuby Merrickin this world…” her mother smiled knowingly and set the vase on the dining room table as Ruby flew down the stairs to see them. Her mother was pulling a card from a plastic pick – and Ruby grabbed it, before muttering ‘sorry’ sheepishly.
Breathing in the scent, she stared in shock at the varying shades of pink roses that seemed to fill the space. There were twenty-four massive buds along with several already opened flowers. The entire thing was almost two feet across, filled with greenery, with a few sparkling bursts of silver twigs tucked into the bouquet.
“I’ve never seen an arrangement this large…” her mother smiled knowingly. “Is this a special occasion? I’m assuming it’s from Michael?”
“Of course, it is,” Ruby sputtered and felt her cheeks warm as she looked at her mom. “It’s been a year since we started talking.”
“Ahhhh, I see.”
“Mommm…”
“What does the card say?”
Opening it, she hesitated and felt tears sting her eyes as she read the sweet words.
It’s been a magical year, my beloved unicorn.
Thank you for being amazing.
