The Grey in Between

Braden

I pulled up to Julie's house and turned off my engine before stepping out of the truck and walking up the path to her front door. With it being August, and even though it was late, the summer sun was still up. The moon still an hour or two away. I was ready to knock on the door when all of a sudden Julie opened the door, nearly causing me to rap my knuckles on her forehead.

Even after all this time seeing her took my breathe away. Her curly red hair was down for once, falling past her shoulders nearly to her hips. Soft brown eyes heavily lashed. A soft smile playing on her rosy lips. Me being 6' 3" towered over her petite 5' 2" frame. She was beautiful. She wore a little black lacy dress. It fit her perfectly.

"You look stunning," I breathe, still in shock and awe of her beauty. She blushes and looks to the ground, mumbling a thank you. It still hurts knowing that after the years of pain she's gone through she still can't accept an honest compliment.

I offer her my arm, and she takes it. The contact on my arm hurts, and for a moment I am blinded with pain. I close my eyes and suck in the air with clenched teeth. Julie immediately lets go and jumps back.

"Andrew! Are you okay?" Julie asks, concern flooding her eyes. I have brought her worry and pain and it makes me hate myself even more.

"Yeah! I just, I bruised my arm in football the other day and it still hurts," I lie to her. She nods her head. She believes me.

I want to instantly pull up my sleeve and show her. I want to get on my knees and beg for her forgiveness and have her hug me. I want her to make every thing better like she did when I was 15. Back when she understood.

"Oh babe, I am so sorry!" She apologizes, I feel so guilty I can't even look her in the eye as we walk to my truck.