Potential Lovers | ACNL STORY

18 - Grateful

Lily POV
I played the soft tune over and over again.
   The music box was a giant clam shell with colorful pearls on it.
   'I Love You' from K.K. Slider was playing. Its gentle notes ringed in my ears pleasantly as I listened to it for the thousandth time.
Tom gave the music box to me two days ago as a gift. I didn't expect it at all, but I really treasure it since it was very thoughtful of him to do that.
He was shy at first, but once I said I loved it, he got all bold again, which I thought was pretty cute.
With the happy feelings aside, I felt really sorry for Joe.
He probably wondered why I was acting strange yesterday.
I wanted to tell Joe about my crush on him back then, but I had a hard time deciding when to. It made me sound distant and off to him that I regret not saying anything.
I wanted to make it special, at the right time.
We were alone at the time, but I felt the need to address him about how I started to crush on him. I gave little hints, but it wasn't enough since Joe didn't get the idea.
I'll find the time to rehearse my feelings in my head and prepare for it later, I said to myself.

~

   I took a sip from the hot coffee cup.
   Once in a while I visit the Café to get a drink just to relax.
   This time, I asked Tom out if you wanted to join me and he agreed.
   "How's it?" Tom asked.
   "It's great, like always."
   Tom nodded and drank his cup. Brewster made our drinks since he saw that we're on a date.
   We sat at the table in the Café, far from the counter.
   I had an expression on that Tom was worried of since yesterday.
   "Hey, Lily, you alright?"
   I sipped my coffee again and just agreed with a nod.
   He didn't look convinced and continued to ask more.
   "C'mon, we're dating, you can trust me with anything."
   His assuring words helped me a bit, so I decided to tell him about my plan.
   "Well," I started, his eyes were staring straight at me with a careful expression, "I plan to tell my old feelings for Joe so I could move on, but.."
   I fiddled with my hands around my cup. "But," I continued, "I don't know when to, or how, since he seems very clueless.."
   I couldn't blame Joe though, he was born a dense child. That added innocence to him, which I adore.
   Tom listened to me as I spill my feelings.
   "Don't worry too much, I love you a lot, it's just—I'm trying to move on from Joe since he's with Anna."
   They're a perfect match. I cant't top Anna for what she did for Joe at all.
   I remember when Anna was confused when she told me her feelings before, but I knew she liked Joe too. It was only natural that they ended up together since they're love is requited.
   "Hmm," Tom tried to process, "I mean Joe's not that bad now that I think about it.."
   "It's not supposed to be funny, y'know?"
   "I mean, woah, he got the ladies' hearts~"
   He winked at the end of the sentence for effect.
"Maybe mine too~"
   I hide a smile, but got back to thinking again.
   "Any who, you wanna tell him about your feelings then kinda wish him good luck or something?"
   "Yes, but it's tricky since he never knew about my feelings for him before."
   I sighed, I never made a move when it was just Joe and I. If I did, I might have ended up with him, and Anna with Tom. I sacrificed my crush on him since I cared for both Anna and Joe's feelings for each other.
   "Do you regret anything?"
   I look up from my coffee to Tom's face. It told me he was serious about the question.
   I gave a little thought before I answered.
   "No, I don't, not about ending up with you, but just not showing my feelings to Joe enough before, yeah."
   Am I hurting? I couldn't tell, honestly. I was definitely not jealous, of course not. What's making me feel bad?
   Tom shook his head and said, "Lily, don't force yourself, I mean, do you still like Joe?"
   His question bothered me so much I couldn't say anything. I worried if I would hurt Tom if I agreed.
   "Does it seem that way?"
   He had a far away look as he thought to answer me.
   I never knew I could struggle with my own feelings before..What if Tom is right?
"I know I know nothing about what you feel towards him, but I think it's okay to still have feelings for him, y'know."
"You think?"
"You're trying to move on, but don't force yourself too much."
I didn't question how Tom was so patient with me or how he knew what to say. I listened to him anyway despite that.
"Just find the right time to tell him, wait til' he gathers all the pieces together, tell him about it, and viola~ You'll feel much better."
I tried to comprehend, I knew most of that already, I just needed to calm down. But being told from him helped me sure of it more now.
   "Thanks," I smiled. I never knew I needed help from him so much.
   "Anytime, Lily," he reached for my hand and kissed it.
"I do love you," I glare at him with sincerity.
I also didn't realize Tom could have a serious side. He always was attractive. Getting to know him more added up to his charms.
He's friendly, charming, funny, and cute. His boyfriend side shone a lot in this conversation too.
"Not as much as you love Joe though."
"Shush."
"Just joking, I love you too."
    I took a final sip from my cup and gesture to Tom to leave.
It was two days before the Bug Off, we didn't have plans so we hung out longer.
   "I'm glad to have you Tom."
   He gave my hand a squeeze when he reached to hold it, smiling at me with his precious face.
   It was interesting when I discovered he liked me, I saw why and was pretty amused in response.
   I eventually fell for him too, since I discovered many new facets of his personality every time we're together.
   It was probably the same thing with Anna and Joe.
   Once you spend time with someone alone more, you get to experience many sides of them.
   Each time you figure one of their new traits and quirks, you fall for them even more.
   They shine brighter and become apparent in your life, which is Tom to me.
   I got to know him and vice versa. We both added to our understanding and love for each other. I was grateful for that.
"I'm here to support you Lily," Tom turned to face me.
He must have sensed that I was thinking too hard.
"Thanks," I hug him for a minute before letting go to stare at him.
I gave him a kiss on the cheek and he chuckled as he did the same to me.
I wanted to thank him more. But I already said so much, so I gave him a genuine smile of appreciation.
He smiled the cheeky smile he always had, big and bright. That smile just expanded my life so many years.