I LOVE YOU

PETER

I let out a sigh as I swing through the Big Apple's skyscrapers. I think of Gwen, my beautiful girlfriend. I think if what she may be doing right now, on her laptop or doing homework. Maybe she's thinking of me. As I'm thinking these thoughts a sense of guilt washes over me. I should be with her. Heck, it's two days until Valentines Day. She seems to be ignoring me lately. I'll ask her to come have dinner with me and she'll say she's busy. I don't know anymore. I don't want there to be any rifts between us, I love her so much. I got her a giant plush teddy bear for Valentines Day and a giant box of chocolates. Along with that I got her a card which I signed and slipped a $50 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble into. As I'm having these guilty thoughts, I decide to go to her house and spend time with her. I stopped my share of crimes for today, the police can take over for now. My Gwen needs my attention. •knock knock• I knock on her window. "Coming!" She calls up the stairs. She opens her door and crosses her room to the window. She opens it for me and turns away, facing the walk and not once looking at me. "Are you okay Gwen?" I ask her. "Ye..yeah why do yo..you ask?" She says, her voice breaking. "Gwen? You're not alright, I can tell. I know you too well. Come here." I say beginning to walk over to her. "Really I'm fine." She says in a tone that totally means she's not fine. I walk over and hug her waist from behind. She just stands there and doesn't move. I slowly turn her to face me and I'm shocked by what I see. She looks at me and I see that her face is red and tear streaked. Her eyes are bloodshot and her nose is runny. "Gwen?" I whisper, thoroughly concerned about her. She glances at the floor. "Peter....my father died. I know it wasn't your fault. I don't blame you even the slightest bit. Valentines Day was his favorite holiday. He would make pancakes and give me gifts..." She says, beginning to cry all over again. I pull her to me hugging her tightly against my chest. "Shhh. It's gonna be alright. We'll get through this." I assure her. "That's another thing. You're never here Peter. Sometimes you are, and I'm thankful for that. But when I'm super sad, or I just really need you, you're not. I...I don't know what to do. I love you, I really do, but maybe this isn't working out." I feel a giant lump in my heart at these words. She doesn't think we can do it? I'm not there for her? What? "Gwen. You know I have a duty to these people. I can't always be there. But I know I've done a shitty job lately and I'm sorry about that. I can do better, I know I can. I don't want to give up on us, I love you, I NEED you. Don't you see?" I whisper in her ear, hugging her even tighter. "Peter...." She says, though less confident. "Please Gwen? These past few weeks have been...hectic but I can make up for it. Okay? And part of why I'm gone all the time is because I've been preparing a surprise for you." I say. "Really? For me?" She asks looking up at me. I stare deep into her emerald green eyes and say, "yes. Just for you. After all, it's almost Valentines day."