To Capture a Heart

Dear Nathan, 

       Do you remember the first time we met? It was in primary school. We were seven at the time. It was recess and we were playing in the field. I still remember the smell of fresh daisies that grew nearby. The sound of your beautiful laughter as it filled the air. I had hurt my knee that day and it was bleeding. No one stopped to help though. No one but you. You saw me from across the field and ran towards me. Then you pulled out your freshly ironed handkerchief from your breast pocket and wrapping it around my knee you said,

"My mom always says to help those in need." 

Then you looked up to see me and it probably didn't mean much but the moment I looked into your eyes, I knew I was in love. And I have been in love ever since. I could write you a million songs trying to convey my love but they would never be enough. Your beautiful soul has given the strength to live all these years. I figured it was time you knew.

I love you Nathan and I don't care if you don't reciprocate that. The fact that I found a friend in you fills me with immense pleasure and joy.

Love,  Willow.

The words stare back at me from the screen as my finger hovers over the 'send' button. Come on Willow. You got this. I inhale a deep breath and press send. The reality of what I have done hits me a second later. Oh no. What did I do? I quickly open the message in hopes of deleting the text before he can see it. However luck doesn't seem to favor me today because when I view the message, he's already seen it.

************

The clock on the wall of my office shows that it's almost time for me to head home but the rain outside shows no signs of stopping. I don't know how long it'll be before it does but I can't stay here too long. The forecast had no mention of a rain, so I didn't even bother to bring an umbrella. I look around and notice some old newspapers on the rack beside the door. They can shield me long enough for me to get to the car. I grab a few and placing them above my head, I and head out.

"Willow!" I hear someone call my name. I turn around to see who it is but the rain makes in hard to focus on anything.

"Willow! Wait!" He screams again. I know it's a 'he' because I would recognise that voice anywhere. It's Nathan. But what is he doing out here? I narrow my eyes to get a clearer view. He's running towards me and he's soaking wet. Why didn't he bring an umbrella? Finally, he stops a few feet away from me.

"Nathan? What in the world are you doing here?" I ask. He's shaking and if I don't get him somewhere inside soon, he'll fall terribly sick. My newspapers have soaked through as well. I have to get us both inside and soon.

"I...uh...I need to talk to you." I barely hear what he says as my focus is currently on the state that he's in. I grab his arm and pull him inside the office building.

I grab a couple more papers from the rack and toss them to him. "Here." I say. "Use these to dry yourself  a bit. It's not much but better than nothing. Oh and take off your shirt."

He looks at me for a moment before I realize the error in my words. A blush creeps up my cheek as I stutter to answer.

"I-I mean if you continue to wear them, you'll catch a cold."

He smiles and pulls the shirt over his head. I have to stop myself from staring at him. He's blond hair is ruffled and it takes all my restraint to stop me from running my fingers through them. There are other things I should focus on at the moment. Like how to keep him warm. Then it hits me. I remove my own coat and slowly place it on his shoulders.

He grabs my hand and I freeze. "Willow, I can't let you do that. You'll get sick too." He says.

I shake my head." I didn't get too wet. Trust me, I'll be fine." He looks at me a second longer and agrees.

I take his wet shirt over to a table and place it to dry. "What are you doing here anyway?" I ask with my back to him.

"I saw your text." He says. I turn around slowly but keep my gaze on the floor. I don't know how to respond to that so I just wait for him to continue.

He starts walking towards me and I feel myself getting nervous. Slowly he lifts my chin and looks in my eyes. Before I can realize what's happening, he presses his lips to mine. I shudder slightly though it has little to do with the cold. 

Slowly he pulls away and places an arm around my waist to steady me. 

"You have no idea how long I've waited to do that." He whispers and cool air brushes my lips.

"You don't have to stop." I whisper back.

He grins at me and kisses me again. This time I don't hesitate. My arms wrap around his neck as I kiss him back. It's crazy how normal this feels. Like we've been doing this our whole lives. I imagined this moment, so many times. And each time I did, I imagined my heart beating wildly against my chest, my body shaking with anxiousness and my mind frantic as I try to process my thoughts. But now, standing here, looking deep into his eyes as water drips down our noses and the sound of the rain hitting the pavement outside as it blocks out all other noise, I feel strangely calm. And I realize that this is what it is to capture a heart.