Short Story: The Only Girl

The Only Girl

As I made my trek along the worn dirt path the sun blurred my vision of the colors ahead of me. Determined to arrive at the top of the hill before she disappeared I started taking more hasty steps, digging up a few odd pebbles, throwing them further down the trail.

When I came to a jog our special place came into view and there she was, the LIGHT shining over the mountain landing on her as she danced through the long grass, arms outstretched, like a soaring bird.

While she span around she slowed at the sight of me, taking cautious steps through the grass I approached her stopping a few feet away. A grin plastered across her face and she ran at me jumping in the air. I sent my arms out, using her momentum to spin her around the dress she wore flowing in the wind along with her hair.

Staring at her overjoyed face, her ocean blue eyes glistening as she giggled. Slowing down our spin I brought her closer to me. She wrapped her arms around my neck grabbing the elastic in my hair and pulling it out. "You look better with your hair down," she stated smirking at me. I shook my head at the statement, but a smile grew on my face nonetheless.

Opening my mouth I began to form something to say, eventually closing it again and giving in to her antics. Only causing her grin to grow bigger almost as if she were the Cheshire Cat. "Cheshire Cat," I whispered, sticking my tongue out at her.

Fanning innocence she gasped, "I don't know what you're talking about." This only caused me to grin, pulling her closer I leaned in brushing my lips by her ear. "Oh, you know what I'm talking about." At this she squirmed in my hold, pushing on my shoulders to let her go; and so I released my grip, but only enough to make her start falling backwards.

When she started falling her eyes went wide, and she squealed. I grabbed her right hip and her left elbow pulling her back up and into my chest. "How could you? What if I fell in the mud?" Pulling her balled up fist back slightly and then letting it fall on my shoulder, repetitively.

I brought my hand up grabbing her wrist to stop her from leaving a bruise, and looked at her dead in the eyes. "First of all there is no mud to fall in only dirt, and second do you really think I would let you fall?" Raising an eyebrow, while tilting my head to meet with hers.

Looking down guiltily she grabbed a bit of the hair that had fallen on my shoulder, playing with it as she started. "Well I, I just, wasn't sure if you would. I thought you would do it so you could laugh at me." Bringing her gaze to mine in a pout as she whispered the last part.

Scoffing I laced my fingers in hers, bringing them to my lips and kissing them. "Now, have I ever done that before?" She bit her plump pink lip, shaking her head. "See. You have nothing to worry about. I'm always here for you." I voiced to her in a calm tone.

Regretfully I removed my hand from her waist, but kept the other in hers as I turned and walked towards the giant spinning OAK tree. Once we were stood under the branches I gently dropped her hand so that I didn't cause any suspicion.

After stepping back from her by a few steps I looked at her glowing face, that stared out over the mountains, putting a smile on mine. Reaching into my pocket I gently pulled out a small box, kneeling down and clearing my throat.

Confused she turned to face me, only to find that I was no longer standing, but on one knee, with a small box holding a ring fit for her. Gasping her eyes went wide, starting to fill with water, glistening before the first one was released.

Taking in a deep breath I licked my lips and looked into her eyes, "Lira, you have been there for me our whole lives, never once have you pushed me aside or forgotten I was there, and I would like for us to be by each others sides for as long as we can, whether people see it as a mistake or the greatest thing, I promise to be there for you through thick and thin," pausing I watched as her smile grew and tears made their way down her face.

"Lira Leann Carver, will you take me as your wife, for the rest of our lives?" As I finished she shoved her left hand down in front of me as more and more tears streamed down her cheeks. Staying as calm as I could I took the ring out, of the silky black box, and carefully slipped it onto her ring finger.

Giving up on holding her emotions back any longer she practically collapsed into my arms, snickering I happily wrapped my arms around her frame. Pulling her head down into my shoulder she gripped at my flannel, tightening it every now and then. Taking her slowed sobs as a sign I began picking her up off her knees, moving so that I was sitting on my butt and placing her back down in my jean clad lap.

Stroking her hair I whispered into her ear. "I take it that you're as happy as I am?" Letting out a choked laugh she shook her head a few times, closing my eyes I savoured the moment. I felt her relax into me and pull back her upper body and so I opened my eyes and looked up at her.

Smirking at me she dove back in for another hug, sending me into a fit of laughter. Giggling along she gripped my shoulders and sat up. Smirking she sent her fingers down into my sides, wiggling underneath her I struggled to get free. After a while I rolled us over, continuing to laugh we stopped and stared up at the fading sky.