Need You Now (Watty Awards 2014)

Chapter 26

                    The next morning, i woke up in my own bed. Eric must have drove me home last night after, the talk. He needed help. He needed to go into a treatment center or something. Something to help him realize that if he died, other's would too. 

                I don't want him to end up as screwed up as i was. I know i still have some issues, but at least i know that i'm worth something in this world. 

"I'm so glad you're home!!!" Chelsea squealed as she hugs me the minute i get out of bed. I laugh at her excited attitude and hug her back. I know it's only been about two days since i've seen her, but i still missed her like crazy. 

"Oh, and um I have to tell you something," she said, very seriously. She brings me to my couch and sits me down. Oh, Lord. What's going on now? Knowing how dramatic Chelsea is, it might be as simple as she has split ends or her nail broke. You never really know what's gonna come out of this chick's mouth. 

She takes a deep breath and squeezes my hand before speaking. 

"Eddie came by yesterday while you were gone." 

               Why would he come by my house? I thought i told him to stay out of my life. I don't need my heart getting screwed by him again. 

"Why?" i asked. I crossed my arms and tried to take it in. 

"He said he needed to see you. I let him inside to talk about what was going on with him. He said he felt empty without you. He just needs to talk to you. Maybe to try to reconnect with you," she says, as if we are some sort of fairytale. Well we aren't. In fairytales, the prince doesn't run off and abandon his princess. The prince just doesn't give up when he feels as if he can't slay the dragon. This wasn't a fairytale. Nothing was. 

"Why should I talk to him?! He's never wanted to talk to me before!" I snap, running my hand fustratedly through my hair. Chelsea huffed, taking both of my shoulders and making me look at her. All i did was glare. 

"You are going to talk to him. I am going to invite him over and you two are going to work this out. And you aren't going to hate him anymore. Got it?!" She hisses, daring me to disobey her. I huff and nodd. God, i hate it when she does that. 

               The only thing that really confused me and fustrated me more than anything, was Eric. That kiss. He cares about me. He believes we might be more than friends. What would happen if i did make up with Eddie? That would only break Erics heart. That boy is too broken already. If i even touch him he could fall over the edge. I couldn't let that happen. I wouldn't let that happen. 

          Chelsea told me that Eddie was going to be here in 30 minutes. Perfect. That would give me just enough time to call Eric and ask him. What was i going to say? Was i going to straight foward and as him if he has feelings for me or take it nice and slow? I had no idea. But i would just have to figure it out when he answers his phone. 

"Helllo?" he replies, sounding like his normal, chirpy self. I would have never known that he was depressed. 

"Eric, it's Sarah." 

"Oh hey!! How are you? Are you better?" he asks nervously. Gosh, this boy is too sweet. I laugh. 

"Yes, I'm fine. But, i have to ask you something very important," i say softly, but serious. I start pacing around the living room nervously. 

"Yeah, sure," he asks. I can tell he is getting nervous from his shakey tone. 

"Okay....um....do you have feelings for me?" I spit out, letting out a huge breath. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. I loved Eddie, but i cared so much about Eric. God, my life is so screwed up. 

"Oh, well, yes. Yes i do. I always have, Sarah. Ever since we were kids. When we kissed the other night, that was telling you that," I didn't dare move. I didn't dare breathe. 

"I love you."  

            There was a long silence. What was i going to do. I wasn't even sure of my feelings for Eric. He was so much different than Eddie is. He's dependable, and vulnerable. He cares more about me than anyone. I feel safe around him. As for Eddie, my feelings have always been the same. I'm always going to be in love with him. But did he love me? Because here's the thing. If you really love someone, and really care about a person, would you leave them? When they told you that they needed you, would you just walk away because you were scared? Would you just ignore them because you had too many unknown feelings? Or because you didn't know what to do just yet? No. No you wouldn't. You would stick with them through anything. You would take care of them even if you didn't know how. You would try. You would try your hardest to keep yourself strong because you don't want to break what you have. You would do anything for them. Their happieness would be your happiness. When they are broken, you feel broken. Love is a promise. And you should never break your promises. 

"You do?" i replied after the longest awkward silence ever to be known on Earth. 

"I do, Sarah. I don't know what it is but, i love your smile. When i see your eyes light up it makes me feel so alive. But when you cry, i feel like i'm broken all over again. To know that i can make you feel better is my greatest joy. Everytime i see you i get these feelings in the pit of my stomach. I love you, Sarah. Always have. Just haven't said it until now," he said ever so sweetly. I didn't even realize i was smiling from ear to ear until i saw myself in my mirror. I've never looked this way before. And i liked it. 

          That's when it came clear to me what i needed. I needed Eric. 

"I love you too, Prince Eric." And i meant it. More than anything.