My Other Half

Confession

Damiona

I'm reading my favorite book, The Wrong Bride by Catharina Maura, when I walk into the library to wait out the time between now and the first period. I'm in my happy place when the one person I didn't want to see this morning walks in, Dominic. God what is he doing here? He's normally with his little group of jerks.

When I look back at him, I see him walking towards me but he looks different. Like he's off his game. Could there be something wrong with Mirabella? I haven't seen her in a few days. God, I hope she's okay.

I watch as he comes up to my table and takes a seat. Setting his motorcycle helmet on the chair beside him.

"Is there something you need Dominic? I'm not feeling good today and don't have the energy to deal with your BS."

"I'm not here to bother you Damiona. I just have something important I need to talk to you about."

"Like what? Did something happen to Mirabella?"

I ask thinking the worst

"No, Mirabella's fine. She just didn't feel well these past few days so mom and dad are letting her stay home for a little. "

"Oh ok. Good. Then what is it that you would possibly need to talk to me about?"

"It's about us."

I look at him warily

"Us? What do you mean? It's not like we're friends. We never have been. You've hated me since the day we met." 

"That's what I want to talk to you about. I don't actually hate you. I never have."

"So what? You want us to be friends now? After everything you and your friends have done to me?"

I ask him. The audacity this man has is unbelievable.

"I know what we did was wrong. I just didn't know how else to process the feelings I had. Have."

"Feelings? What, you have a crush on me or something? I didn't treat you like a king and flock to you like every other girl in our school you decide to treat me like sh*t?"

I ask angrily

"I guess, yeah."

"I've had feelings for you since the day we met for those very reasons. You didn't put me on a pedestal or treat me any differently. You were genuine. And my feelings for you are as well."

I stared at him in shock. Does he seriously think that i would believe that bullsh*t

"Are you serious? Do you really expect me to believe that you have romantic feelings for me after 12 years of you and your friends tormenting me?"

"Ha, you really think I'm that f-ing stupid? I know this is just another of your cruel jokes that you and your pose like to pull on me. "

"And besides you're dating Alexandra. It's not like you're going to break up with her. "

"I did. I never really cared about her; she just wanted me for my money and popularity."

He looks down at his hands in his lap

"And besides she cheated on me. "

When he looks back up I see tears welling in his eyes

I look back at him with no sympathy or sadness in my eyes

"What, you want me to feel bad for you? Please, cry me a river."

"If you didn't care about her then why are you crying about it?"

"I-I don't know?"

He stamers out

"I just want you to know that I really do care about you. And I hate myself for being the cause of so much pain and torment towards you. I regret everything me and my friends did to you over the years. So I want you to know that I am truly sorry. For all of it."

He says as he whips his tears.

He leans over the table and grabs both of my hands.

"Damiona, I want us to have a relationship. I want to be with you."

I pull my hands from his and lean away from him

"You know I used to have the biggest crush on you when we were kids. I thought I loved you, but after everything that happened I tried to force myself to stop caring about you, but I couldn't. I still loved you even though you treated me like garbage. After all these years, one would think that I would have a raging hatred for you but I don't. My heart has managed to keep a hold of that little girl's love to this day, but how do you expect me to believe you after everything you've done? "

He quickly came to my side of the table pulling out the chair next to me.

As he sits he grabs the underside of my chair and pulls me to him. I veer back in slight fear of what he might do. When he finally takes his seat he takes both of my hands into his once again. 

"I don't know Dami, but I'll do anything to make you believe that my feelings for you are genuine. "

"I love you Damiona."

"More than life itself"

"I've loved you since that day I saw you and I do whatever it takes to gain your trust, and your heart. And I swear, on all the people I love, that I will never hurt you again."

I sat there stunned at his words. They sound sincere. And he looks as if he'll break if I don't give him this chance.

"Ok."

I say looking down

"I'll give this, us, a chance. "

I says while gesturing between us

"But you only get one. You have one singular chance to prove to me that you love me as much as you say. Don't mess this up."

I say, then seconds later the bell rings.

I push my chair away from his, taking my hands from his own in the process.

"I have to go to my first period class. I am leaving early today so you can get my number from Mirabella."

"Have a good day Dominic."

I say as I walk away from him

What have I gotten myself into?