Just for Tonight

10.

Ville stood at the corner of the street to the venue. The gig was over and he wanted some loneliness. He was overthinking about his feelings for Chloe and their last conversation. He felt overwhelmed. Too much questions and any clue to her feelings about him. He sighed and lit another cigarette. The acrid taste of tobacco hit his lungs. He knew he had to stop this smoking-chain.

Migé found him and approached him.

" Everything okay ? ", he asked.

" I don't know, bro. Remember when I told you that my heart was dry ? Seems I was wrong" Ville groaned.

"Oh boy. I knew it. I knew it ! I was sure there was something between you both." Migé laughed and jumped around Ville. "And what about her ex ? How do you cop with this handsome man ?"

" She calls me 'beautiful'. Oh Migé, hide your happy face from mine, it's not funny " Ville chuckled. "I don't know if she... Wants me. We are trapped in our friendship and what am I supposed to do next ? ".

"Kiss her and you will know" Migé said. " If she slaps you or if she kisses you back, you will know".

" I can't kiss Chloe like that, Dude !" Ville smiled.

They laughed and didn't see Chloe coming. She heard her name and hid under a porch. They were talking about her and she had to know what they were saying.

" Sometimes I don't understand... Chloe and you ? " Migé asked."She is not exactly your type of woman. She is far from the models you are used to."

" I know. Jonna is more... My type yes. She is as tall as me, really thin, beautiful eyes and all" Ville sighed. " I loved her.. But she hit me. There is no redemption for that."

" And Chloe is small. She is no model at all."

They giggled before noticing Chloe standing next to them. There were sadness and anger in her eyes. She stared at them and ran away. Ville ran after her.

" Chloe please stop ! Stop ! I need to talk to you ! If if if you don't stop we won't fix things ! Please please stop !"

He finally grabbed her arm.

" You are hurting me ! " she cried and tried to free herself from his grip. He immediatly stopped. "Don't touch me again. Never." she screamed.

" Please Chloe, listen to me". He tried.

" I won't. I don't want to. You hurt me. I can't take it. Just leave me alone." she cried out. She got on the bus and started packing her bags.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm sorry. Please honey listen to me" he said, his eyes watering.

She didn't look at him and put randomly things in her bag with anger. Ville tried to breath properly.

"Chloe, I have something to tell you", he murmured.

" I'm not interested", she coldly replied.

Ville fell on his knees, crying harder and trying to breath. She looked at him, worried.

" Just breath and take it easy", she said.

" I... I... I...", Ville tried.

" Shhh, calm down and breath. I'll go get Migé, he knows what to do. And then I'll take my things."

" No !" Ville shouted. " Listen to me Chloe."

She knelt at his side. "Do you feel better ?"

"I'm fine. My asthma...", he weakly replied. " Chloe, look at me"
She looked at him sternly.

"Chloe, I never mean to hurt you.. Neither physically nor in words. I was talking about you and..."

" And you compared me to your ex, Jonna", she said with anger.

" You didn't hear the whole thing", he whispered. " I told Migé that...".

" No need to explain, Ville. I'm not your type of woman and I knew it before you told Migé", she said ironically. " But I don't get why it seems to be so important. We are - were - friends and no one ever took a picture of us. Your fucking dignity is safe", she said, raising her voice.

" Chloe don't make it harder please ! I don't care about my fucking dignity ! I'm fucking in love with you !"

" How dare you ?" she shouted. " I'm not as beautiful as Jonna, I'm not a model, I have nothing to do in your world. And please, be carefull when you use the L-Word. Don't waste its meaning", she cried.

He took her in his arms and held her against his chest.

" I mean it, honey. I love you. I'm deeply in love with you."

She stared at him. His green eyes were shining.

" I don't get it. If I'm not as pretty as you are used to, and you don't feel attracted to me, why do you say that you love me". She hid her face behind her hands. He gently pulled her hands to look into her eyes.

" I never said I'm not attracted to you nor that you aren't pretty. I said that you are small and... Well I'm rather tall. You are my little honey. My beautiful and attractive honey."

"Do you mean it ?", she weakly asked.

"Well, to be honest, some nights with you, in your bed, are quite... Difficult.. . But I behave ! ", he chuckled.

"But love, Ville... Love ?", she said.

"I tried to hide it, I tried to deny it. But I can't. I fell for you. I was asking Migé for advice because... I don't know if you can... Love me in return", he whispered in her ear.

"I... I can. I think... But I need time. Love... That's a huge thing. But yes, I love you too, Ville", she cried, locking eyes with him.