When the rain clouds disappear

Hibiscus bushes-round 2

Keira's POV

I was really starting to worry about Aaron, he had been acting weird around me for weeks now. His wrist was finally healed though so that was a positive.

I decided that I would definitely bring it up when I see him after school but for now I needed to focus on my chemistry work, before I accidentally blow something up.

After school I walked home with Val first, she was super excited today because her and Allie were going on a date together, cuties. I got into my house and was just changing into my pyjamas, the Star Wars ones (I was planing to go for a nap), when my doorbell rang.

I opened the door to see Aaron on my doorstep looking uncharacteristically nervous.

"Hi" I said to him immediately a smile already making its way onto my face.

"Do you wanna come a walk with me?" He asked.

He seemed hesitant and anxious so ofcourse I said yes maybe he needed to talk to me about something.

As we set off everything was fine but we weren't talking, a comfortable silence. I decided that the best course of action was to wait for him to say something so he didn't feel rushed by me.

As we rounded the corner Aaron stopped me and made me face him.

"Listen Keira I have to tell you something." He said still not looking at me.

I nodded at him signalling for him to go on, I was too nervous myself. All I could think was the worst things, maybe he didn't want to be my friend anymore or he had somehow realised I had a crush on him and felt uncomfortable. Oh god I never wanted him to feel uncomfortable around me. Or he has a crush on someone that isn't me.

Spiralling Aaron broke me from my thoughts by beginning to speak finally looking at me.

"This is the place we first met." He smiled softly.

I turned around looking at the all too familiar hibiscus bush. I hadn't even realised I was so worried about what Aaron was gonna tell me. By coincidence probably he even had the same outfit on from that day and I also funnily enough had the same pyjamas on.

"But when we first met I was kind of an idiot."

I go to interrupt him and dispute that but he continues before I can.

"And I didn't even speak to you, I couldnt even speak to you, but now I was wondering if you would humour me and we recreate that first time we met but this time I'll tell you what I'm thinking?" He says still looking at me a small smiled making its way onto his face when I nod in agreement.

What is happening.

We both start walking from our respective corners until we inevitably run into each-other. Of course this time I don't go flying into the hibiscus bush. I laugh softly as Aaron dramatically jumps back a step and steadies me with his hand on my waist.

"Wow" he gasps out quietly and I laugh again out of nerves.

"You are the most beautiful person I think I've ever seen and that laugh is the best sound I've ever heard, in the near future I will most definitely try anything to make that sound come from your throat again. And would you look at that I've just thrown you in a bush and you're still being all charming and kind while I'm just standing here mesmerised. And suddenly, far too quickly for my liking, you're walking away smiling and waving at me and all I can do is watch. And then I realise how I'll probably never see you again and it upsets me, which is insane because I have just met you and I think you'll know this by now but I don't particularly like anyone. But I liked you from the moment we met. And then when I get home and I'm trying to forget about you but suddenly you're on my doorstep. I think I'm dreaming or hallucinating but no I'm the luckiest person alive, you're my next door neighbour. And then over the next few months I realise just what an amazing person you are, you're kind to everyone, you're smart and quick witted, you're always giving everyone your everything and never expecting anything back. I want to give you something back Keira, if I could I'd give you everything. Anything you asked for, whenever you want it because I'm in love with you."

I realise that I've started crying at some point which is completely ridiculous, I wipe away the tears and take in a deep grounding breath, there's a huge grin on my face right now.

"Would you maybe like to go on a date sometime?" Aaron asks looking at me smiling before adding on.

"I almost forgot, here, your favourite flower." He says softly as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box. He opens it and sitting inside is a necklace with a hibiscus flower in the centre. I actually gasp, the only time I ever mentioned to him that hibiscus flowers were my favourite was when we first met here.

I look at him and smile before doing something I've wanted to do for months.

I jump on his and grab his face in my hands before beginning to kiss him. However Aaron looses his balance and we end up falling into the hibiscus bush. I'm laying on top of him in this bush and of course this has to happen but Aaron doesn't seem to care, he's looking at me with a huge smile on his own face. So I go for it. I lean in grabbing his face again and kiss him.

It's desperate and we're laughing and I can feel his breathing on my face and his heartbeat matching mine at a racing pace. It's perfect.

"Incase you're confused, I'm most definitely in love with you too." I laugh out between peppering kisses all over his face.

Aaron doesn't reply, I think I've made him speechless all over again.