I never thought there'd be you

Part 30

"Aim for the center." Chris points to the center of the punching bag.

I make my aim true and I punch the center of the bag.

"GREAT!" Chris holds his hand up for me to high five.

I am sweating...sweating more than what I have in the past.

"Here." Chris hands me a bottle of water.

"That was..." I try to say, but I am breathless.

"Don't speak just yet." Chris puts his arm around me, but takes his arm off.

I try to laugh, but I am way too tired.

"Why don't you lie down for now." Chris holds out his hand and helps me to lie down on the floor.

"Hey...why did you...did you...decide to take me to boxing?" I ask, catching my breath.

"Just 'cause." he laughs.

"Chris..." I whine.

"Okay...okay...Ms. Cranky." Chris teases.

"I would get up and...and...Oh whatever! You know what I was going to say."

Chris laughs. "Well I wanted to take you boxing because it'll be fun and you will get fitter. That is what you wanted." Chris points out the last part.

I roll my eyes. "Well next time...can I please not work as much as I did now?" I say breathlessly.

"Yes we can. I just wanted to check your fitness level, but you will progress in time." Chris caresses my arm.

I close my eyes and I nearly fall asleep when Chris speaks.

"Well let's go back to my place. You will be able to sleep."

All I remember after that is being carried by Chris.

***

I awake in a fairly light room. I feel more refreshed, but my body hurts. It really hurts.

I try to sit up and just then, Chris walks.

"Don't get up just yet. Your body will be sore." Chris is at my side and gently pushes me back down on the bed.

Christopher's bed is so comfortable. I wish my bed was this comfortable.

My eyes expand as I realize I am in Christopher's bedroom! Like a light bulb just switched on above my head.

"Is it just us in the house?" I ask.

Chris nods.

My cheeks go red.

Chris cups my head. "We've been alone before." he kisses me forehead.

I don't say anything and I look out the window. It's getting dark.

"My mom!" I shriek, startling Chris.

"She knows you are here. I told her that you are staying over here tonight because my mother wants you to join us for dinner."

I sit up to try and reach for my phone, but my phone is nowhere in sight.

"Where is my phone?" I asked, panicked.

"It's on charge downstairs. Look Gaby...why are you stressing?" Christopher's voice is calm and collective.

"Maybe because I didn't wake up in my own house and I forgot where I was when I woke up. And I didn't know about the dinner tonight, and I have like nothing to wear other than what I am wearing now. I need to go home!" I say rather coldly.

This stuns Chris. His facial expression looks as if I have hurt him dearly.

"Oh No! No! I'm sorry! I really am. I'm just...I don't know. I didn't mean to sound rude." I bow my head.

I feel Christopher's hands on my cheeks. He slowly lifts my head up so that I am looking straight into his blue eyes.

"You need to learn to relax." he whispers.

I close my eyes and exhale, but then I realize...I just breathed on Christopher's face.

"Sorry." I quickly say.

Chris laughs. "Well you smell like...strawberries. Strangely, considering you were asleep for some time."

I cannot help but smile.

"Now..." Chris straightens up and sounds serious now, "While you were sleeping, I phoned and asked your mother if you can join my family for supper because my parents have been asking – well rather begging – me to ask you to join us for dinner. So, your mother told me that you will probably freak out because you want to see what you want to wear. The truth is, you don't need to wear any formal wear. A t-shirt and leggings are perfect."

I open my mouth to speak, but Chris speaks over me. " Your mom told me that she will drop off an overnight bag for you and in there will be clothes you can wear tonight."

Overnight bag? Does...Does that mean...?

"I am staying over here? With you? ALONE?" I jump off the bed. I need to calm down. I don't understand why I feel this is shocking for me.

"Gaby, what is wrong now?"

"I am...staying over here?" I say, but my voice is shaking.

"Yes...? I have a spare room. You can use that room, unless you want to stay with me."

Chris walks toward me and I take a step back, falling over in the process and making a table fall.

"GABY!" Chris shrieks, running to my side and picking me up. "Why are you freaking out? Do you want me to rather take you home?"

"No!" I say abruptly. I inhale and exhale slowly, trying to collect myself.

"The truth is...I have never stayed over by a boy's house. Not even if the boy had friends over for a sleep over, so this is all new to me." I confess.

"Oh." Chris opens his arms for me to embrace him, and I do.

"Just know that I won't do anything to you without your consent, and I will never use you for my own personal gain. I know we did not meet in the best way, but we have come a long way since then. Gaby..." Chris cups my face so that I can look into his eyes. "You are the best girlfriend I have ever had in my life. You don't use me, nor do you show off that you are dating me like it's a trophy to be won. You are so kind, and sweet, and caring, and overall beautiful."

I snort at the word "beautiful."

"I believe that you are beautiful. I love you Gaby." Chris leans down to kiss me softly on my lips.

My cheeks are burning and I am trying to get through my head that Chris just said that he loves me. He...loves me. ME? Of all girls, he loves me.

But admittedly, I love him too. He has a big heart on him and he is compassionate about what he does. He loves animals, like me, and he tries to see the best in people. Whenever I am with him, I feel perfect, but when I am not with Chris, I feel like I fall apart.

He is my night sky.

He is my other half that was missing.

He is all that I live for.

I used to cry myself to sleep, thinking how I would never end up with a boy. Now...that I have found my boyfriend – who loves me – I feel complete.

"I love you too." I say against his lips.

Chris and I both laugh and we return to hugging each other.

One thought crossed my mind...and I never thought that I would say this...but the thought I wanted Chris to know is: I never thought there'd be you.

THE END