Still Falling (A Hunter Hayes FanFic)

Chapter 7

Hunter's POV

She sits up when I stutter. Oh god, now I have to tell her that I love her. Of course I was going to tell her, but I didn't want it to be like this, and I didn't want it to be now.

I swallow hard and manage to speak. "Okay, well we've known each other for a long time, since high school, my junior year." "My sophomore year", she adds. "Yeah. And well, ever since the first day I saw you, I thought you were amazing. I always tried to encourage myself to just wave to you or say hi, but I could never muster up the courage." Wow, this is a lot easier than I thought it would be. It is just so easy to talk to her. She has this aura about her that makes everything okay.

She clicks her tongue sympathetically. "Hunter", is all she can say. "I'm sorry. Trust me, I wanted to talk to you. I regret not going up to you and just introducing myself. I guess I was shy or intimidated to talk to you or something." She looks down embarrassed as she tucks loose strands of hair behind her ear. Gosh, she's so cute. I grab her cheeks and kiss her. I love kissing her. It constantly sends chills down my spine. She makes my heart race and my palms sweat. We hold onto the kiss for a little while longer, then return to our movie.

I feel my eyes become droopy, but before I'm completely out, Nettie's angelic voice fills my ears.

"Hunter... Hey, Hunt. Hello, anyone there?" She whispers. I'm too tired to tell her I'm awake, so I just make it seem like I'm asleep. "Phew." I listen intently now, as it seems like she's going to say something important, but I'm not supposed to hear any of it. "Okay, here goes nothing."

Toni's POV

"Hunter... Hey, Hunt. Hello, anyone there?" I say. I need to make sure he's completely asleep before I lay my heart out on the line. I wave my hand in front of his face, but he doesn't even flinch. "Okay, here goes nothing."

"Hunter," I begin, "I know that we've only been together for about two months now, but you should know something. These past two months have been the best two months of my entire life. Being able to wake up and know that you're in my life means more to me than I could ever express in words. You have saved my life in so many ways, Hunt. You've kept me from slipping away into a life I never wanted to live. You've kept me smiling, laughing, breathing. You're the reason I'm even here. Just being in your arms right now, taking in your intoxicating smell, lying on your couch, listening to your relaxed heartbeat, makes me so unbelievably happy." I try not to stop talking, because if I do, I will never get another opportunity to say this.

"Whenever I look into your eyes, I become lost. I never want to pull myself from your gaze. When you kiss me, I feel like I'm a gitty little high school girl again. My heart starts to race and butterflies fill up my stomach. When you hold me, I never want to leave your side. I just want to be right next to you through anything and everything. And, for as long as you'll have me, I'll do that. I promise to never leave your side and to be right next to you through absolutely everything. You need to know, Hunter, that..." I take a deep breath. "I love you. I love you, Hunter Easton Hayes. I've loved you for as long as I can remember, and nothing is ever going to change that. I am always going to love you, no matter what. And I know this is all so much since we just started dating but I couldn't keep this from you any longer. I love you more and more every single day that I'm with you. Even when we're apart, I wait for what seems like a forever without you, and I love you more." I take another deep breath. I smile at the fact that I finally let that off my chest. "I love you", I keep saying into Hunter's shirt. It feels so right. I look up at Hunter, looking so peaceful. He has this huge smile on his face. I wonder what he is dreaming about.

I prop myself up to grab the remote and turn off the T.V.. I stare at him for a moment then kiss his cheek. All of a sudden, I feel kind hands on my waist and someone's lips crash into mine.