The Truth About Love

Grasp

Small, warm puffs of cloud-like air danced between the space between them, quickly disintegrating into the wintery landscape. The snow covering the stony path, usually glittering and undisturbed, was coated in boot prints of all sizes and had already morphed from a fresh white into a murky sludge of grey. 

Even with her many layers, the slightest winter wind seemed biting cold, almost knocking her off her feet in it it's intensity. She idly tightened her scarf around her neck, taking care to button a few lose buttons on her coat, unconsciously righting herself. The distinct yet familiar call of a cardinal mingled with the lively chirps of children from a nearby playground, soothing her fraying nerves. 

Today was the day, she has decided late last night as she laid in bed. Her own cowardice was beginning to wear thin, and a need for change, for a sense of courage beckoned to life within her chest. Fostering that bit of bravery, she flew to life this morning, picking out clothes that reinforced her confidence, and making a decision to do the one thing that she had been holding back on. 

Just a few paces ahead of her, trudging along the same muddy path, was the subject of her troubles. With such a tall and lanky stature, his steps were rather awkward and widely placed, she was always struggling to match his pace. His silky auburn hair stuck out almost ridiculously from underneath his fuzzy red hat, and she longed to reach out and tuck the pieces in. She could hear his rich, baritone voice, expressively re-telling a story to the two friends around, and oblivious to the world around him. And as with anytime that she had been around him, she felt utterly invisible. 

Watching someone from afar was not nearly as romantic as novels made it out to be, and came with multitudes of problems. For one, there was a careful, almost transparent line between admiring and stalking, one had to be vigilant to stay on the correct side. Not to mention that the romance novels never seemed to discuss the rather unromantic side of longing, the pain. 

As she looked at him now, she realized all she had come to feel was pain. The pain of trying piece together their interactions to make something of value, the pain of wanting someone to see how much you have to offer, and the pain of not being to cross those few meters to bridge their distance. 

The excitement had long since faded and had left behind the determination of a last stand. She deserved to be heard, to have her chance, she repeated in her head, as she catapulted forward to catch up with him. Her coat and scarf flapped against the wind, the chilly air hitting her face distractingly, but her focus was on him.

"Jude!" She called out, out of breath but still a tone of determination that seemed to catch his attention. He swung his head around, his warm hazel eyes wildly searching the path until they softly came to halt on her. The tip of his lips seemed quirk slightly as he stopped to wait for her. 

She signalled for him to wait, as she bent down to catch her breath. Before she could make a move to stand up, she heard the familiar slap of his boots on the pavement and with a gust of splattering grey sludge, he was before her in all his 6"2 glory. He bent down, cradling her hand gently in his grasp to hoist her up to her full height, all while his gentle yet inquisitive gaze perused her form.

"I've something to tell you," she could feel the furious red painting her cheeks as she forced the words out. Once she was fully standing, he backed away allowing her some distance. 

"I'm all ears" he whispered, a small yet warm smile playing on his face. 

She crossed the few stones between them, desperate to get closer, close enough to see the golden flecks of his hazel eyes. 

And when she finally got close enough, she peered up at him to meet his gaze. His eyes were already there, hopelessly lost in hers. A mutual understanding dawned, absent of any words.

In that instant, amidst the bustle of hurrying students and the hauntingly bare oak trees, the unbridgeable gap between them vanished into thin air.  

She had reached him.