I Give Up

5

You wanna know how I knew? It was during the Holidays, no school. I was walking around my house one fine sunny afternoon, when I had this odd feeling, as if something was missing. I kept thinking about what it was, trying to figure it out. There was food in the fridge, my schoolwork was done, I did my chores perfectly too. Everything was in order, so what was wrong? What was missing?

And then that's when I realized—oh. It's you. You're missing.

This day is incomplete, because I never got to see you.

That was how I knew you were starting to become important to me. And it was in that moment that I also realized—it's time for me to keep my distance.

So this was the plan: The moment I see you in school again, I will tell you how I feel, and then when you reject me (because I was so sure I would be rejected) I will run ten miles away whenever I see you.

oOoOo

"Hi Kay."

Accelerated heartbeats.

"Oh! Um, hey."

A laugh. "You've been staring at that wall for ages. Something wrong?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing." Pulse quickening.

"Well if you're sure . . . see you later."

"No, wait." Arm grabbing. Sparks rushing through my fingertips. "Actually, can I, uh, talk to you? Just for a minute?"

"Um, sure. What's up?"

Deep breath. "Listen, I like you, okay? I really, really like you. I know it's stupid and I know you don't care. I just wanted to tell you, so I can finally let it all out."

"Wha—?"

"So now you can reject me. Just get it over with. Just reject me so I can start moving on and get back to living a normal life."

"Wait, I—"

"And I know you don't even like me that way—"

"Kay—"

"And I know I don't even stand a chance—"

"Kay—"

"But it's okay, I'll get over it. So just reject me already and make it quick."

"Stop it."

Heart sinking. Incoming rejection in three, two, one...

"Who ever said I was going to reject you?"

Blood turning cold. "You're . . . not?"

"And what made you think you don't stand a chance?"

Blood rushing to the head. "I . . ."

"And what makes you think I don't like you too?"

Surmounting confusion. "Wait, wait. What are you trying to say?"

"What do you think?" Intense gaze.

Speechlessness. "You . . . you like me too?"

A smile.

Warmth. Intense, incredible warmth.

oOoOo

Bliss \'blis\ noun

1: pure and complete happiness

2: heaven or paradise

3: The way it felt to care about someone, and know for a fact that they cared about you too.