You and Me

A Confession

When the bell rang to signal the end of the school day, I was the first one out the door. I didn't want to stay in that stupid building any longer than I had to. With it being my birthday, I felt it all the better that I got home as soon as possible.

I raced down the hallway and stopped in front of my locker, fiddling with its combination lock for a moment before swinging the door open. Halfway through the motion of throwing my textbook and binder into the locker, I paused, distracted by a single piece of folded notebook paper with my name on it floating peacefully to the floor. I finished putting away my books before bending down to pick up the mysterious note, my sense of urgency replaced by genuine curiosity.

I unfolded the paper to find a page full of words inside.

Darien,

I'm sorry. I go around day to day working so unbelievably hard to maintain my tough chick appearance, pretending that nothing gets to me. For the most part, nothing does; I couldn't care less if people talk bad about me or call me names.

However, when I'm without my friends... I'm a mess. I'm arrogant, antisocial, and self-conscious. But most of all I'm afraid. I feel everyone's eyes on me when no one is even looking my way. I feel caged in when walking through a crowd. I just know that whatever I do, I'll be rejected by everyone.

That's why I couldn't tell you this in person. Because I'm a coward. I couldn't bear to see the rejection in your eyes and hear it in your voice. This way, I don't have to. Even this letter is a way of delaying the inevitable; I keep stalling instead of just coming out and saying it.

I love you. There. Now you know. Do me a favour and forget you read this. I don't want you pitying the poor girl who confessed to someone who could never return her feelings.

- Willow

I couldn't believe it.

Willow, the girl with the dyed blue hair cut just below her shoulders and shaved on the left side, the girl who always had a comeback for everything, the girl with the dark clothes and combat boots, actually had a crush on me. She seemed so uninterested in a relationship with anyone, let alone the very person who held the title of most popular boy in the whole grade.

No matter what I tried, I couldn't keep the ecstatic grin off my face. Willow's words of fear and rejection were forgotten for a moment as I just let the realisation that someone like her loved someone like me sink in.

However, as I attempted to reread the letter, I found my mood dropping. Willow really didn't think someone could care about her. She felt like there was no possible way I could return her affection.

The grin fell from my face as I thought over her words. How could she possibly think so lowly of herself? She was one of the best people I have ever met!

Suddenly, I was overcome with the desire to go to her and make sure she knew that she wasn't worthless. I just had to tell her that not only had she not been rejected, but her feelings were returned.

I slammed my locker shut and ran down the hallway toward the student parking lot, leaping into my car as soon as I was close enough. I shot a quick text to one of my friends asking for Willow's address without explaining why I needed it. Thankfully, he provided it without question and soon, I was hurtling down the road.

<•><•><•>

I knocked on her door a little too loudly and waited patiently for her to answer, her letter held firmly in my hand.

"Coming!"

Not a minute later and the door swung open to reveal Willow in a pair of ripped jeans and a black tank top. Her neutral expression fell into a scowl as she realised what I was holding. "I thought I told you to forget you read that."

I shook my head. "How could I just forget about it when I feel the same as you?"

I didn't think it was possible, but her expression grew darker. "Go away. I don't need you to pretend you love me because you don't want me doing something stupid."

"I'm not pretending, Willow," I insisted.

Without thinking it through, I reached forward and pulled her into a kiss. If I couldn't convince through my words, maybe I could this way.

Almost instantly, her hand came up to deliver a sharp blow to my cheek. I stumbled back and rubbed the side of my face, wincing. "I guess I deserved that. Sorry."

I looked back up at her to find anger and sadness battling on her face, her eyes watery and threatening to let loose a torrent of tears. My heart broke to see her that way. "Stop teasing me. I know you don't love me. You can't love me. I've already accepted it, so stop it already," she said, her voice firm until she reached the end.

I reached forward to touch her cheek, but caught myself before I made another mistake. She closed her eyes, a single tear rolling down her face. I finished the motion I began, risking another punch in order to wipe away the teardrop.

Her eyes reopened, meeting mine searchingly, a vulnerability I had never seen on her face taking over her expression. "Are you serious?" she whispered, her voice soft and hopeful.

I gave her a small smile. "Of course I am."

Then, cautiously, I leaned forward, cupping her face with both of my hands. I stopped with enough space between us for her to come the rest of the way if she wanted.

Her eyes flicked from my eyes to my lips and settled on the floor. "Why? I'm no one special."

I moved one of my hands to hold her chin and tilt her head up to face me, but her eyes refused to meet mine. "Look at me, please." She dragged her eyes away from the tile to meet mine. "Don't ever say that you aren't special. You are the single most spectacular person I have ever met. I have loved you since the day I met you. The only reason I never told you how I felt was because I didn't want you to reject me."

Surprise filled her gorgeous green eyes. "You thought I would reject you?"

I nodded, a small grin pulling at my mouth. "I guess we were both in the same boat."

The distance between us suddenly shrank as her lips touched mine. The kiss only lasted for a couple seconds, but it felt like an eternity passed before we parted.

Willow's arms wrapped around me and she pressed her face against shoulder, holding me close as tears of joy fell from her eyes. In that moment, I knew that I would die a happy man if I died with her by my side. I brought my arms around her thin frame and pulled her closer, resting my chin atop her shoulder.

Though I hadn't yet received my birthday presents, I knew that none of them could compare to the gift of her embrace.

~•~•~•~•~

So, what do you think? I think it's a little cheesy and lovey dovey, but I kinda like it. Leave me a comment telling me how I can improve.

And if you want, leave a suggestion for a future one shot!