About you

Chapter 14

Theo Elliot Garrison II

I started to feel...weird. Feelings springing upon me that I haven't really felt for a while now. I felt like her actual boyfriend. I wanted to protect her, console her, kiss her. I met the family, grandparents and all. I haven't dated since, shit I don't even remember.

You know like in those movies where everything becomes a blur and the focus is just set on one person. That's how it is. At this moment, this time and place, my eyes were solely on her. I couldn't recite to you the last word of her fathers vow if you paid me. I heard nothing and no one. I watched her smile pretty, I watched her wipe her fallen tears and believe me when I say it took all my might not to go up to her and wipe them away for her. As I stated before she is very pretty, very beautiful, very...breathtaking.

I come out of my focused zone as her grandfather snaps his fingers in my face to get my attention.

"Hellooo?"

"Uh yea, I'm sorry." I look at him.

"So when do you plan on proposing?"

I give off a chuckle not knowing how to respond.

"I'm serious. I don't have twenty more years just waiting on me. Get the butterflies out your ass and wife her up!"

"Joe!" I hear Denise yell whisper.

"I'm only joking with him." He nudges me.

I give him a smile.

"Well? Did you enjoy it?" Melody walks over to me after she hugs everyone goodbye.

I nod as we make our way back to my truck. "It was beautiful."

Just like you. Just like your heart. Just like your soul.

"Do you want to get married?" She asks then her cheeks instantly redden. "Not to me of course. Because that would be silly right? To anyone. In the future." She rambles on.

"Maybe, it's just a difficult thing. I've seen the downfall many times, I don't know if I want to even go through that." I run a hand though my hair as I imagine my parent's unhealthy relationship.

"Not all marriages divorce, I still believe more are successful than not."

"The world isn't as good as you hope it to be, love." I open the door for her.

"Maybe it's not as bad as you believe it to be." She gives me a soft smile.

For a second, I just stare at her. Acknowledge her innocence and hopefulness. Ive just witnessed too much in this world already. I've seen more bad than good. One day I would love to see the world though her eyes and hope she never has to see it through mine.

I refrain from kissing her and close the door. This was going to be a long ride home.We stop back at her parent's house to change back into some comfier clothes.

"You can take my bedroom, I'll change in the downstairs bathroom." She says as she begins to take off her heels.

Her ankle rolls to the side and I catch her from falling. I steady her and watch the embarrassment fill her cheeks.

"Thanks." She mumbles and rushes off to the bathroom.

After changing, I find myself back in her old bedroom. There was an old yearbook sitting on her dresser. I skip through a few pages until I find her class. She looked adorable and innocent. She wore a dark blue sweater, with her hair perfectly curled, a small pair of golden earrings and a beautiful smile on her face. I skip through and see the class favorites list. Most likely to succeed and most likely to save the planet.

So you've always been this ball of light love.

"OH MY GOD ELLIOT!" She tries to snatch it from me but I easily hold it back.

I lean back along the bed as she crawls onto it attempting to grab it still. She pays no attention to our positioning as she continues to crawl on top of me. I feel temptation to push it further to see how far she'd go. The yearbook slips out of my hand and falls on the floor on the other side of the bed.

Her eyes drop down to mine and I can feel her heartbeat begin to race. It's nice to know the effect I have on her, yet I'm sure she can feel mine going head to head with hers.

"I- um we should probably get going." She whispers with her breath inches from mine.

She doesn't leave my body though. I am unable to prevent myself as I leaned closer and closer to her lips. I watch waiting to see if she would reject me and move, yet she waited until the moment our lips would meet.

"MELODY ARE YOU STILL HERE?" Her little sister yells from downstairs.

Melody quickly scrambles off of me adjusting her clothing as if we just went the full nine yards. "Yeah Goldie, just heading out!"

Marigolds come in the room and eyes the situation. I remained in my position on the bed while Melody stands awkwardly trying to slow her breathing.

"You guys were not about to do what I think you were." She puts her hands over her eyes and walks towards her room. "I just forgot my favorite shoes!"

Melody looks back at me annoyed. "Why didn't you get up like I did?"

"Just taking the moment in." I smirk and get up to pick up the yearbook.

She glares at me and reaches for it. I pull it away once, then let her have it the second time.

"You're cute when you put up a fight."

"Let's go." She places the yearbook on her dresser before heading out.

I grab it on the way out. I didn't get the chance to look at her dedication page.