It's You

Chapter 17

Chris

She finally came home. I was worried sick and when I heard those weak knocks on the door, I had never hoped to see more than I had in that moment. I opened the door and there stood the girl I swore I would take care of and protect. She had obviously been crying, and she had a black eye. 

"What happened?" I asked her and before I knew it, she was in a spiral of telling me everything that happened that night at the bar, and how she really felt for me. I didn't really realise she cared that much about me, but when she was relieved that I wasn't going to break up with her, it kind of hit me. Nothing that had happened was this girls fault. It's not her fault some asshole had been using her for eighteen plus years. It wasn't her fault I invited them to dinner tonight. It wasn't her fault me and Harrison made such a scene at the table tonight. She was just the poor girl that had been dragged into the middle of everything, and was just confused and a little lost. And I wanted to be the only one she wanted, always. 

That night, after she had fallen asleep, I snuck into her room and sat next to where she was laying. I brushed her hair out of her eyes and stroked her cheek. She let out a little groan and her eyes fluttered open.

"What's wrong?" She asked, her voice hoarse from sleep.

"Nothing," I whispered. "Go back to sleep." I told her and smiled softly, closing her eyes. I began to play with her hair. It was so golden, so soft, but it was always messy, like a little kids. I always thought that was cute, she never really cared how she looked. It's not like she needed to, she was beautiful regardless. Her eyes opened again and this time she sat up.

"Chris, is everything okay?" She asked me. Her eyebrows were furrowed together in worry. 

"Baby," I stroked her cheek again. They turned red. "I swear, everything is fine." I promised and she leaned into me, resting her head on my chest. 

"Baby," She smiled. "I like that." She looked up at me and I kissed the top of her head. She closed her eyes and smiled again. 

"I can't believe it." She whispered. 

"What?" I looked down at her. 

"You were here the entire time. Through everything, you never left my side. Everyone left my side." She let out a soft laugh. "Thank you." She said, her face serious suddenly. I shrugged.

"I love you. It's simple." I told her and she shrugged.

"How can you still say that after everything that's happened? I mean how do you not just hate me?" She asked and honestly, the thought of hating her hadn't even entered my mind.

"Ava," I stared at her in awe and shook my head. "You really dont get it, do you?" 

"What?" Ava whispered, never letting her eyes leave mine. 

"You really are the love of my life." I said softly. She looked confused. "I mean, the way I feel for you, those kinds of feelings don't happen to everyone, The fact that you're not only in my life, but you're... I mean like right now, the fact that you're in my arms. I don't need anything else. Just you. Everything else we can figuire out along the way, ya know?" I watched her and she nodded. "It's just, I've been in some pretty shitty relationships. Like Rachel, remember, when we first met? God, she was just awful. She was selfish and mean, and not that good of a kisser." I looked at her and she was watching me, smiling. "And the Becca, who clearly, has issues. But you, oh baby, you, you change the meaning of love. You change the meaning of everything, I met you and everything got twisted around. And then you told me you needed a place to live, and suddenly we were roommates. You have no idea how many times I just wanted to grab you and kiss you, or all the times you were sad and upset of Harrison, I just wanted to tell you how I felt, tell you that if you were with me, you'd never have to be that sad again. I would never hurt you A. Never. There are people who are put in your life for a reason, and I swear to God, there's a reason you're here with me, right here, right now. You are, the love. of. my. life. I promise." I stuck out my pinky and she tilted her and smiled slowly. "I love how you believe in pinky promises." I told her as she wrapped her pinky around mine. "I love how strong you are, jesus, Ava, you're the strongest person I know.  I mean the way you handle pain, that shit's amazing." She shook her head and laughed. 

"Yeah with about a bottle of vodka." She smiled at me and I shook my head. 

"I just love every last thing about you. I will never be able to get enough of you Ava Russo." I told her and her cheeks got red. 

"Shh, you're just loopy from lack of sleep." She shook her head.

"No." I shook mine and she laid down on her pillow. 

"Sleep with me." She whispered, and without even thinking, I tucked in next to her and wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close to me. 

"Goodnight Ava." I whispered, but she was already asleep.