Against All Odds

Chapter 43

Lucas

Today's going to be a new start. Eve, much to my delight, has cheered up greatly. No doubt the blueberry pancakes helped but there's a sort of glow around her. A glow that sparkles when she smiles. How cheesy does that sound? This girl has a real effect on me and I can see now how leaving at the moment I had was the stupidest thing I could have done.
Eve needed me. Harvey needed me. I had friends who cared for me and didn't blame me at all. Even though my self blame still exists in the corner of my mind, it's not so overwhelming now.
Especially since Eve's given me the brilliant news that her brother is recovering well. She'd also updated me on Harvey's situation and I couldn't help but feel bad for leaving my best mate in his time of greatest need.
She assured me that he wasn't pissed at me, he just wanted to know I was safe.

Right now we're walking down a small, forgotten path beside a quiet canal near my grans house.

"Lucas?" The girl next to me asks, halting in her tracks and I nod on reply. "I know I told you Benji is all good and that's true, he'll live. But there's something else you should know."

Eve bites her lip and I frown in concern, hoping to God what she's about to tell me isn't bad; that kid deserves a full recovery.

"He's been paralysed." Eve admits with a sigh and I feel my jaw slack in shock. "From the waist down. He'll be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life."

I don't say anything for a while, taking in this upsetting information. Benji is so young and thanks to my father he's life has been effected. His future has been limited.

"How has he taken it?" I ask, not really sure how to portray my sympathies.
"I don't think he really understands it yet, he's so young y'know?" Eve shrugs, eyes downcast. "But he's alive, that's all that matters right now."

"Yeah and he has the best siblings to help pull him through." I smile encouragingly at her and she raises her gaze to meet mine.

A few emotions flash across her face and her eyes flicker to my lips. With a seconds hesitation she wraps her arms around my neck and stands on tip toes so we're more or less the same height. Her actions are bold and I feel my heart racing in anticipation. Our lips are inches away.
For a few seconds we stay still, staring at each other. Taking in this moment.

And then she tells me to kiss her. Of course, I oblige more than willingly.

The kiss is in incredible. Never before had I felt so alive by a single kiss. Even when we part I can still feel my lips tingling, begging for more.
Eve smiles up at me, a chuckle escaping her mouth as her cheeks flush red.
"I'm sorry about that I just..." She loosens her arms from my neck and sighs. "I needed to show you how I feel about you."
I feel speechless, not sure what to say as this strong, loving girl admits her feelings towards me. She's more than I could have ever dreamed of, and she likes me?
"Lucas I'm in love with you." Eve admits, biting her lip with nerves. "I realised as soon as you'd gone just how much you meant to me. I need you. You make me feel like no one's ever done before and it's fucking scary because you probably don't feel the same but..."

I end her nervous blabbering by cupping her soft cheeks and pressing my lips against hers.
She gasps against my lips and kisses me back, this time with more desperate passion.
When we part we're both breathless and she meets my eyes, begging for clarification.
"I love you too." I smile, knowing what I said was the truth. "Eve Harper, will you be my girlfriend?"