She Was Like Magic ✓

Chapter 24: Meaning

Sierra

I had pulled up my seat to my window and I stared out of it in thought.

I looked at the birds hovering in the sky and the baby blue hue of the sky. I wondered if the sensation the birds felt in their wings when they hovered was the same as when the wind swept through our hair.

It was funny because I felt like that bird right now. Light, free and like the sky was the limit. It was as if the world had opened up all of its endless opportunities up to me and I could soar wherever I wanted. There was a gentle yet all-consuming peace and happiness in me.

What was absolutely crazy was that I never outright told Ari that, that was how I felt. Because of him. He was so good at putting into words and telling me exactly how he felt in so much detail. He always knew what to say and when to say it and I felt bad because I didn't know how to put into words all that I knew I felt for him so he never had that verbal reassurance from me that he always gave me so selflessly and so openly.

But last night when I saw his fears so clearly swim in his eyes, like they were clawing into him and not letting go, I couldn't help myself. Maybe it was because time and time again he had without fear and with absolute trust, placed his heart at my feet. He witnessed me run and that didn't deter him. He still didn't cower away. I think his strength gave me the strength to continue.

To finally tell him all that was in my heart. It was hard at first, I didn't know where to start. But once the first few words came out and as I peered into his deep blue eyes, everything just came out. Without thought or structure. All my feelings, every thing he has ever made me feel pouring out of my mouth for him with such depth that I was shocked at myself. But my heart knew how I felt about him. It all just came together.

The surprise on Ari's face was so funny, he couldn't believe his eyes. I don't blame him. I say nothing the whole time, never once expressing properly or in detail how I feel about him and then all of a sudden it all comes pouring out.

But he became so emotional because I was crying, I swear I don't cry in front of people. But with him, he just makes it so easy for me to be so brutally open and to showcase my scars like that. I wouldn't and couldn't ever do it for anyone else, I could not cry in front of others.

When he got so emotional, I knew right there and then from just the way he was looking at me that no one else could ease my pained soul like he did in that one moment, with his one expression. I could feel how much he cared.

It was like he-

Incoming call from Ari

My heart sped up as soon as I read his name and my stomach dipped so much. I fumbled as I tried to pick my phone up in a haste.

"Hello" I said breathlessly.

"Hi" his voice was low and he spoke slowly, making the hairs at the back of my neck stand up. It made me think he was lying down or relaxing.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Just sitting here thinking of you" I almost whispered out of embarrassment.

"Really? Because I've been dying to see you" I couldn't help but smile so much at his words as I picked at the wood on my chair.

"You have?" my voice went up an octave in surprise.

"Yeah, you're always on my mind but lately when you're not around it feels like a really important piece of me is missing" I inhaled a sharp breath and placed a hand on my chest.

I closed my eyes and let his words sink into my soul.

"You there?"

"Yeah" I breathed out "I just don't know what to say"