He handed me a small white envelope, "what is this?" I asked.
"Just open it," he instructed. I looked into his eyes for any kind of hint but he kept it hidden. My fingers carefully flipped open the top and gently pinched the object enough to grab it but not enough to damage it. When I pulled it out I felt my heart skip a beat.
Between my fingers was a small, dried up, yellow leaf.
"It's from the park. I've had it for twelve years now," he explained.
"Why would you keep it?"
"Because I knew it was special," he shrugged, "just like the girl with the pink raincoat."
"Why didn't either of us say anything?" I asked as I walked over to him again. I put my hand on his soft cheek, his hands coming to rest on my hips.
"Because we were stupid."
"So stupid," I whispered, shaking my head.
"Soph," he gently brushed a strand of my flyaway hair behind my ear. It was one of the most gentle movements he had ever done, "I'm done telling myself to wait for something. So I'm here now, beyond nervous, but telling you that I have loved you since you let me take this leaf from you," he placed his hand over mine that was still carefully holding the leaf.
"Me too," I said quietly, afraid of how badly my voice would shake if I spoke any louder.
Without any more words he carefully brought my face up to his and what seemed like a 'finally' moment, our lips met in a gentle caress. It was like something from a romance novel as his lips moved with precision against mine in the moonlight with Manhattan lights behind us.
In that moment, life was perfect.
YOU ARE READING
Autumn Leaves | p.p.
FanfictionSix year old Sophie moves to Queens after her parents split. On her first day she is entirely mesmerized by the fall colors in the park across the street. When she goes to pick one up, she meets a boy. Peter Parker. Little did she know this boy woul...
