The girl next door

(3)

I stood there, waiting for her to say something. "What did you want to talk about?" I asked her. She held up the note that she read yesterday. "What...What's this?" she asked. "Some kind of joke?"

A joke? Is that what she thinks it is? A joke?

"It's...It's...Not a joke." I told her. Her face softened a little as she heard this. "It's...It's not?" she asked. I shook my head. A light blush appeared on her face. "Oh..." she said. "I... I have to go." I told her. I ran off before she could get another word out. I ran to my class. I didn't care that I was early. I didn't want to deal with rejection.

***

Time was slow that day. Just as I hoped. When the bell rang for lunch, I ran off to find Sebastian. I found him at our usual table. No sign of Arabella. Just like I hoped. "Sebastian!" I called to him. He looked up at me and waved me over. I sat down across from him. "What did Arabella want to talk to you about?" he asked me. "She...She thought it was a joke at first." I told him. "When I told her it wasn't a joke, she looked like...I don't know. I'm worried about what she's going to say next time I see her."

"Hey guys."

I froze at that voice. I turned around to see Arabella sitting down next to me. "Hey Paige." she said. I gave a slight wave to her, then turned back to my food. Arabella leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear.

"I feel the same way."

I almost choked on my food. Sebastian tilted his head in confusion. I turned to her. She gave me a shy smile.

***

Later that day, I walked home with Arabella. Once we entered my house, we went to my room. "How long have you felt this way?" she asked me. I stayed silent. I didn't feel comfortable talking about things like this. I just shrugged my shoulders. "M-My parents don't allow it." I told her. She gave me a look that I couldn't read. "They don't?" she asked. I shook my head. "They don't." I said. We only got close again because I broke up with my last girlfriend."

"That's horrible!"

She took my hand in her's. "Are your parents like that?" I asked her. "No. They're fine with it." she said. I sighed and sat down on my bed. "Are my parents the only ones?"

"Not really. Some people have parents like that. It's not just yours."

I sighed again. "I swear to god if my parents ruin this for me...I don't know what I'll do." I said. "It took me so long to just write the first word on that note. I didn't think I would ever give it to you!"

"Technically, you didn't give it to me."

"I know. But still. It took a lot of courage to just write it. When you asked if it was a joke, I thought I was going to get crushed...again."

"Again?"

"I'd rather not talk about that." I told her. "But, to answer your question from earlier, I've loved you since I first saw you. When you first walked into my house. But, if my parents find out, I won't be able to see you again."

"Are your parents home now?"

"No. They're at work."

We were silent for a moment before I spoke up.

"Want to play Mario Kart?"

"I bet I'll win!"

"You're on!"

***

"I won!" Arabella shouted. "You cheated!" I told her. "How can I cheat?" she asked. "Cheat sheets!"

"Where would I get cheat sheets for Mario Kart?"

"You...I don't know."

Arabella giggled. "You're cute when you're confused."

I felt heat rise to my face. "Hey!" I said. "It's true!" she said with a smile. "...Paige?"

I looked up at her. "Yeah?" I said. "I...want to ask you something."

"What is it?"

She was silent for a moment. "Um..." she said. "I...Uh..."

She took her hand in mine. "Will you...Be my girlfriend?"

I froze. My heart was beating out of my chest. "I...I..."

I squeezed her hand. "I would love to." I smiled at her. She smiled back.

I now have a girlfriend.