The first semester was just as hard as the first day. Jem was never at school, Jaela missed him. They hardly spent time together even outside of school because of homework and sports. Jaela missed everything about him so she decided to go to his place. She knocked on the door and when his father opened the door, she exchanged hellos and walked straight to his room. Where he was at his desk doing homework as she guessed. She shut the door and tip toed to him. She turned his chair around, his bewildered face looking at her. She smiled and straddled his lap. He kissed her. She missed this so bad. He stood up with her legs wrapped around his waist. And then laid down on his bed. She smiled and rolled onto her back as well. Both of them now staring at the ceiling. She didn't want to go too far when they haven't even had a full conversation in person in 5 months.
"I missed you" she said.
"I missed you too, Babe." He said it so sadly that Jaela turned so her right leg was wrapped up with his. Her arm across his chest. That's how they stayed for at least an hour talking about anything, laughing about so much and holding on to all they could, because both of them knew this could very well be the last day.
"I wish it wasn't this hard" Jem said slipping into sleep. "You and I, we thought we were invincible and yeah it's only been less than a year since we've been official but it's been real. All that we went through even before we knew what we were going through it for, before we knew we wanted each other, we still ended here together and I don't wanna end it." Jaela teared up.
"We won't end, Jem. We don't need to be together at school all the time, we don't need what other couples need, because you and I, we are invincible."
"You promise, Jaela?"
"You know I can't promise that. But I can try to hold on as long as I can, and you can do the same." That's when Jem fell asleep, his breathing softening. Jaela lied there and felt his heartbeat until she too fell asleep.
Never did either of them think this would take effort, just saying and planning everything was so much simpler than actually lasting and doing those things. They both wished it was easier and things would go how they wanted it to. They wanted to end together. They wanted it all. But by the end of Jaela's sophomore year, they both knew it wasn't going to be that. They didn't know what they were anymore. Conversation became hard, time was never shared, feelings became indescribable, they began to wonder if they were even there in the first place. No one cried, no one said anything because they didn't want to end it. They wanted to end together.
Lalita Blaine thought for the millionth time. The name matched her perfectness. She was a small, light brown girl with the most perfect curly hair. Her light brown eyes that almost matched her skin tone. She was so excitable and Blaine loved her. They shared multiple classes but the class they loved the most was Art History class. Lalita was a painter, she could paint almost anything but what Blaine loved were her landscapes of water. Previously living on the coast of India, she had a great view of the Indian Ocean growing up. She saw things in the water that no one else could capture into paintings the way she did. Blaine was looking into becoming a band or choir teacher based off of Mr. Peterson and Mr. Jaxon. But he still was passionate about the band he was apart of.
That was another reason he loved Lalita. She was so supportive of him and his future no matter what he decided. The thing was, they weren't dating yet. Lalita feared commitment it seemed. She didn't want to get hurt and Blaine didn't have any evidence that he wouldn't do that considering he only had 2 girlfriends both of which broke his heart so he understood why she felt that way.
It was Blaine's first performance of his first out of state tour, in his hometown where he was attending college. He invited Lalita so hopefully she'd come. He had a plan, he was gonna get it right no matter what it took. So he took the stage, away from his drum set to the front. A place where he hadn't been since he left high school, the spotlight. He shook his head and chuckled at the crowd. A small group in a small club but each and every one of them was looking up at him waiting for his next move. He sighed.
"I remember,
I remember what feels like just yesterday
But was really 5 months ago.
When the temperatures were going down,
And the leaves falling,
Maybe that's what set the scene.
I had a class,
A class that was important to me
And not because of the lesson" he chuckled.
"There was this girl,
Just like there always is,
She took me down with the first words she said
'Hey you're in my seat' " Lalita looked up at him, her eyes blurring with tears but pressed her lips into a smile. He saw her and smiled back. And looked at her and only her for the rest of the night.
"Her name meant beautiful in her country,
Which she proudly told me on what I considered our first date.
I just shook my head and laughed
But inside I was thinking 'god dammit you are beautiful, Lalita.'
Her smile,
it lifted my spirits from the day I saw her
Her eyes,
Showed me more kindness than I suspect any human can contain.
Her mind,
Holds the secret to life, I swear.
I guess what I'm trying to say is,
Lalita, I know it's only been 5 months
But darling,
I'm in love with you." He judged her expression from the stage. The second spotlight followed his eyes to her. Almost blinding her, she laughed the laugh Blaine loved the most.
"Will you come up here?" He asked, almost begging, not wanting this to be a waste and mistake. She nodded and got up. The crowd with teary eyes stared at her as she walked up the steps.
She stood on stage, completely comfortable in front of the approximately 200 people. She waved and smiled to them. She took Blaine's mic,
"In case you haven't guessed, I'm Lalita."
The crowd laughed at her attempt at humor. Then she looked back up at her best friend. The only guy she has truly ever loved.
"Lalita,
Will you marry me?" Blaine asked getting on one knee.
Lalita looked down at the man she knew she loved. She was waiting for a sign, something to show her he was the one and this... this was it. She smiled.
"Yes, yes I will marry you, Blaine."
