a little collection

44

I softly knock on the wall to see if he's okay. It's been hours now, and I haven't heard him move or even a sniffle from the other room.

"Nate? Are you okay?" I ask, my voice careful, so I don't provoke him in any way.

Of course he isn't okay, he just found his girlfriend of two years cheating on him.

I hear footsteps on the other side of the wall, and a door opens and shuts.

That's when I see him at my door, red-faced and tears still streaming down his face.

"I need someone right now." He whispers, and I usher him in, letting him sit on my bed with me.

"Was it me?" He asks, his voice trembling.

"Huh?"

"Was it my fault that Britney did this? Was I not fulfilling enough in the relationship?" He asks, anger laced through his voice.

"Hey, don't say that, it's her loss that she-" I start, but he shoots up and starts pacing.

"No! What if it isn't her loss? What if I'm doomed to be alone for the rest of my life, because I'm that repulsive to be with, to where she has to fuck someone else to feel satisfied?"

"Nate, don't say that...."

"What if I never fall in love again, Julie? Or no one else will fall in love with me? What if I never kiss anyone again, or have sex or even hold someone's hand again?"

I want to do that with you! I love you so much and you have no idea, because I don't have the guts to even tell you.

"I can't believe I even thought I was a good boyfriend. I just wanted to fall in love, get married and start my life." Nate pulls out something from his suit pocket, and tosses it to the bed.

My eyes almost jump out of my head when I see the small, black velvet box. I go to pick it up, and open it. A diamond the size of a dime sits on top of a gold band, and it sparkles, even in the dark.

He was gonna propose tonight.

"Oh my god." I say under my breath, and he nods.

"Yeah. Oh my god. I was going to propose to someone who didn't love me the way I did her. I was going to propose when she was seeing someone else."

Silence fills the room, and he takes off his jacket, tossing it to the side.

"I can't believe I actually thought I was going to be someone's fiancé, and a husband. Apparently I can't even be a good boyfriend."

That's when I can't hear any more. I stand up, go over to Nate, and I slap him across the face.

"Ow! What the hell, Julie?" He shouts, rubbing his cheek.

"Stop saying that you're a bad boyfriend! She was an awful slut who didn't treat you right and would've played you until you became her slave. I can't believe you're even saying these terrible things about yourself! You're not even seeing who else may be in love with you!" I yell, and he looks angry.

"Who? Who else would be in love with me, because I sure as hell wouldn't see it!"

"Maybe it's because you aren't looking!"

"Where would I have to look! Because clearly I'm clueless!"

"You would if you would open your eyes and look right in front of you!" A silence fills the room, and his eyes widen.

"You're...you're in love with me?" Nate asks, his voice much quieter.

I slowly nod, and I feel ashamed.

"How...why did you never tell me?"

"You were with Britney. It would've been wrong."

"But....it really wouldn't have. Because I do love you, Julie."

"I thought you loved Britney, you were going to propose."

"Maybe I did. But I never fell for her the way I did you. I just thought, because I was your roommate, that nothing could happen. So I tried moving on, and maybe I was going to make a huge mistake to propose to the wrong girl."

"I....I don't know what to say." I whisper.

"Let me help you." He steps forward, and takes my face in his hands and suddenly he's kissing me. It feels amazing, and I never want the feeling to end.

I run my fingers through his hair, letting him move his lips down my neck, letting out a soft moan. He meets his lips with mine again, and I'm on cloud nine.

But I can't help but remember that he's still heartbroken, and I can't let him continue. I push him away.

"Wh-what are you doing?" Nate asks.

"We can't. You're still heartbroken, even with your feelings for me, and I just can't let you do this."

"Julie...."

I can't help but shatter at how broken he looks. He looks worse then when he found out Britney cheated.

"Julie please don't pull away. I can handle losing Britney but if I lost you....."

"Who said you were going to lose me?" I whisper, and I take a step closer to him, to the point where our chests are pressed up together.

"Maybe I'm being stupid to try and break away from.....the best thing that's ever happened to me." I look up, and a smile is breaking out on his face.

"Maybe you are." Nate whispers, and I hit him on the chest playfully.

"Nate....I love you."

"I love you too, Julie." I kiss him, and he kisses me too.