Forever and Always

Oscar

She forced the handle up as she pushed the key into the door to her flat. It was a complicated manoeuvre but she had mastered it during her years stay so far, 'at least no one can sneak in through that door' she thought as she walked in. She wheeled her case into the living room and dropped it by the sofa, then went straight to her kitchen to survey the damage that the builders could have caused. She was pleased to find the floor spotless and the smashed window gone, with a shiny new one in its place. 'I'm glad I left them a tip' she said giving herself a mental pat on the back. Her phone buzzed for the third time and she picked it up 'what is it mum?' she said flatly.

'Has your mum been calling a lot today?' asked her boyfriend Oscar. Her hand flew to her mouth and her face turned a shade pinker, 'oh Oscar I'm sorry' she said 'I've just got home and I've not quite relaxed yet'. She tapped her fingers on the walls as she walked around her flat, talking to Oscar about her new job. 'Yep, that's right. I can't believe it' 'that's fantastic! I'll see you soon and we can talk more about it then?'

She turned and sank into her comfy old sofa with a sigh, she switch on the TV and saw one of her favourite films was on. What seemed like moments later, she heard knocking at her door: 'Cecelia? Ces?' She screwed up her eyes and looked at the clock 'oh damn!' She jumped up, knocked her coffee table and grabbed at the door handle, pulling it with such a force that it knocked her over upon opening. Oscar shook his head and laughed at her as she sat on the floor looked dazed, he held out a hand and pulled her to her feet where he presented her with a big bright bunch of flowers. Her eyes lit up and she put her nose to a dainty flower 'wow Oscar these are so nice. Thank you' she said giving him a quick kiss and gesturing for him to come in.

Oscar met Cecelia a year or so prior to this day at a friend's party. He hadn't been keen but his friends convinced him by telling him about all the girls that were going. He saw Cecelia as he was about to leave: she had been clumsy back then too. She was coming through with a drink and he knocked into her, spilling some drink on the floor. She looked round to complain but her expression changed when she saw him. He thought he was going to pass out because his heart was beating so fast 'oh I'm sorry! Here let me clean it up' 'no no it's fine don't worry' she said as he wiped her dress with his hand, making it worse. 'Stop it's fine! Well it was fine' she laughed looking down at the pinky red stain on her dress. 'I feel so awful' he shouted over the music 'can I give you some money to get it cleaned or get a new dress or something?' She put her hand to her ear 'what?' She shouted 'I. Can't. Hear. You' he mouthed in an over the top fashion, he pointed his thumb at the door and she nodded with a shy smile. Outside was much quieter and so he tried to offer again 'I said do you want some money to get your dress cleaned?' She laughed at him 'are you serious?' She asked 'I needed an excuse to get rid of this thing!' He laughed, but to him the dress seemed brand new. He brushed his hand through his hair and blew air out of his mouth in an attempt to shift the awkward silence that had fallen between them. Eventually, they got talking properly and after a few months of awkward encounters he finally asked her out. It was the best thing he had ever done.