Forever and Always.

Chapter 14

“When you’re fifteen and somebody tells you they love you, you’re gonna believe it.” I have this song stuck in my head! But this does lead me to the next chapter. (:

I think you can guess what it’s on. The day he first said those three special words… good thing I was SIXTEEN HAH! ;) Taylor Swift, you amaze me.

It was the dark night of Halloween and our church, Denver Hmong Alliance Church, was having Family Fun Night for which they held every year.

I messaged him the night before and we talked about our relationship.

I simply asked how Joshua felt about me… but he never said anything.

He told me that it was better in person so I patiently waited that night, ecstatic for the next day to come.

October 31st, 2012. I casually awoke that morning at 7:00am and glanced at the clock. Today was the day where I would get to see my lovely crush!

I quickly jumped into the shower and being as forgetful as I was, as I got out, I forgot my towel!

-_- I ran to my room and threw on my robe and flipped my bangs to the opposite side. I turned on my laptop only to see no new messages. I quickly messaged him a good morning and logged off smiling.

I dressed in my DHAY t-shirt and a pair of jeans, with a scarf. I did not have enough time to actually do my hair because I had to get to school, so I grabbed my backpack and an apple and quickly ran out through the door.

Walking to school on this brisk morning, the sun peeked from behind the hills. With the sun rising, this was my favorite part of the day.

When I had the time to in the mornings, I would walk to the little bookstore and rent a book while I headed out to the track field.

Sitting on the 3rd row of the bleachers with my book and the sun rise, nothing could ever compare.

If I was have a really good morning, I would even go for a run but that happens rarely now.

Chewing my apple, the bell signaled for 10 minutes before class started and I leisurely got up and headed towards AP World Lit.

School was just a normal day, listened to lectures, and we did homework and labs, and of course more homework.

After, I went straight to the school library and sat at my normal table in the back. Xale was already seated there and we began the tutoring as usual and he was getting the hang of it! After an hour or so of tutoring, we parted and I went to my locker to grab my books.

Quickly heading home, I messaged Joshua and we had a lovely chat from there. (:

Getting ready for Family Fun Night, I was just ready to worship and lift my hands up in the air, singing praise to our wonderful and all-powerful Father!

Before I quickly curled my hair and Joshua picked me up, and when we got there we immediately entered. I loved our church, simply beautiful even though it contained simplicity, it was all for our Heavenly Father.

Joshua and I went into the parking lot and that’s when our conversation began. It was usual and casual but then we got to the openness.

This was it Catalina, this is when he is finally going to say that he likes you!

I gazed into his eye, my lovely man’s eyes and smiled. He looked me straight in the eyes and said three words I wasn’t prepared for.

“I love you.”

I immediately looked down. Breathe in, breath out…. WAIT WHAT?!?! I glanced back up at him and he too looked a little confused.

I opened my mouth but I was still trying to capture this moment… DID HE JUST SAY HE LOVES ME? I stayed silent and me being me, I made it super awkward.

“I know you think it’s a big word but… but really there is no other way to say how I feel about you.”

I couldn’t wrap my mind around those words so all I said was his name as I continually kept repeating it. Saying his name actually helped me, it brought my down from my thoughts and I smiled, processing those words.

Next thing I know he starts walking away down the hill and to a window. His friends were watching up haha. Funny site but we headed back in and I regretted being silent so long. I must have worried him.

The night was a calm and beautiful one, just gaining more knowledge was always a blessing. I unfortunately had to leave a bit early but during that time in the car I got to tell Joshua my real feelings.

As we held hands, we were at a stop light and I looked at him. I saw him.All of him and as he turned his head and glanced at me, that’s when it came out.

“Joshua… I love you too.” He took a deep sigh and smiled.

“Finally!” He laughed. “HEY, okay! I was not prepared for that, gosh.” I stuck my tongue out at him and we shared a laugh.

All too soon, we arrived at my house and as he got out, I got out also.

We hugged and shared that one special moment right there and then. Those words lingered around the air and I looked into his eyes.

Never will I forget this moment, “I love you,” he whispered. “I love you too Joshua.”

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AHHH. Happy happy chapter. (: Hello my amazing readers, sorry it’s been awhile. SO MANY crazy things have happened and this was certainly on my mind today.

I definitely have a certain night I would love to share with you all but that shall await in the next chapter. Thank you all for continually reading my story and I hope you guys enjoyed it.

THROUGH IT ALL, PRAISE GOD!

love, catalinasmiles