The One That Got Away.

Chapter 12: Happiness isn't Always Forever.

Happiness, is such a wonderful thing. Looking back at my childhood, I always thought that I was happy just being by myself. But it turns out, I didn't even know the meaning of happiness until Eric entered my life. It was just us and the world. He was my best friend, my happiness, my world. 

After our little kissing session, things became really awkward for Eric and I. We went back to just nodding at each other in the hallways rather then what I thought would happen. It was about a whole week before we finally spoke again. It was on a Thursday, at lunch time.

I found a lunch table and sat by myself.

"Hey," I heard Eric's voice behind me.

"Wow you're actually talking to me now." I said.

"Look, I can explain..."

"What's there to explain? You kissed me, told me you loved me, then you don't talk to me for almost an entire week, and you still haven't broken up with Chelsea. Well would you look at that, I just explained it for you. Goodbye now!" I said standing up

"Avery wait, sit back down please." Begged Eric.

I hesitated, but I finally sat back down.

"What." I said.

"I do love you. More than anything in the whole wide world. And I didn't talk to you because I mean, what was I supposed to say? 'Hi, we kissed yesterday because we love each other and it was amazing but I still have a girlfriend so it's really awkward now, but how was your day?'"

I death glared at him.

"I also haven't broken up with Chelsea because she's been out of town and I want to break up with her in person."

"Okay." I said.

"Okay? What, that's all I get?" Said Eric

"Well what do you want me to say? I mean, what can I say without sounding like a jerk?"

"Just promise me that you'll give me a few more days." 

"Okay Eric, whatever." I said getting up and walking away, not looking back.

A couple of days passed.

It was Tuesday morning, school hadn't started yet. I was at my locker when I saw Eric talking to Chelsea. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but I wanted to know if he was going to actually break up with her. Okay let's be honest, of course I was trying to eavesdrop.

"Hey Chelsea," Said Eric.

"Hey babe!" Said Chelsea leaning in for a kiss, but Eric rejected it. Chelsea gave him a weird look but then left it alone.

"I um, I wanted to talk to you about something..." Said Eric.

"Sounds serious... Is everything okay?"

"Look, I think we need to break up..."

"What??? Why??? Is it because I was gone for so long? Am I not a good kisser???" Said Chelsea now panicking. 

"No, no, no... You are a very good kisser... But  I need to be honest with you. I'm in love with someone else... And while you were away, I kissed her... It took me this long to tell you because I wanted to do it in person."

Chelsea looked at me, and then back at Eric.

"It's Avery, isn't it? I knew it since before you asked me out. Everyone can see it. They always look at me funny because they know that you love her and not me. Thank you for being honest with me and respecting me enough to do it in person. Not a lot of people would do that. And I'm not mad, I get it. You can't control your feelings. And Avery is a really amazing person. So it doesn't surprise me that you do love her. Just a word of advice, don't let her slip away." Said Chelsea. She then walked away from Eric.

Eric glanced at me and I quickly looked away, grabbed my books and speed walked all the way to my first class. 

Later that day, I walked over to my locker, only to see a bunch of heart stickers everywhere on my locker. I smiled and then opened it. Inside was a bouquet of roses, a mini box of pizza, and A blue letter with my name written in a fancy font on it.

I opened the letter.

"Dear Avery, 

I have loved you ever since the day I saw you. But I did't realize it until you moved back here at the beginning of the year. I was always too scared to tell you because I thought that you might love somebody else. So I had to live with just being friends with you. Those months of not talking to you were the most miserable months of my life. I thought that you hated me and I didn't know why. But it turns out that you actually loved me too. The day you told me you loved me is a day that I'll never forget. You are my world, my happiness, my everything. And I don't know what I would ever do without you. You are my other half. You are what makes me, me. Come over to my house today after school. I won't be there to walk with you, but I promise the walk alone will be worth it.

Love Eric. 

P.S. April 22nd, 2005."

That was the day Eric told me he loved me. I almost broke down into tears reading that letter. I couldn't wait to go to Eric's house that day. 

When the school day ended, I ran. But I had to make a quick stop at our special place. When I got there, I opened up the treasure chest, only to find yet another blue letter with my name written in fancy font. I opened it. Inside I found a photograph that Eric and I took when we were little. On the back of it was writing. 

"I knew you would come here first. Never lose this picture. 

November 14th, 1998."

That was the day the picture was taken. We were only 10. 

I put the picture back in the blue envelope and put it in my backpack. 

I ran all the way to Eric's house. When I got there, I approached the door and knocked.