Finding Your Person

Chapter 28

"Hey, pretty girl," Liam said walking over, smiling at me. He gave me one of his famous big bear hugs that ended with him lifting me up and me laughing when he put me down.
"Hi, Magnolia," Liam's parents said, walking over to us through our Church's pews.
"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix, how are you both?"
"Good. We heard about your game. Liam wouldn't stop talking about how well you played," Mr. Hendrix said, patting Liam on his back with a grin.
Liam looked at me and started to laugh. "I can't help it, you're just so amazing at everything you do." His sarcasm was obvious.
My parents and both Brady and Aiden walked over.
"Hey! What's up? You're coming over for Sunday dinner, right? " Brady said, slapping Liam on the back.
"Yes, please, we would love to have you all over for dinner," my mom said to Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix.
"That would be lovely," Mrs. Hendrix replied to my mom as Brady, Liam, Aiden, and I began to make our way out of the church.
"Ugh! Why do parents have to talk for forever?" Aiden let out finally after being annoyed the past few weeks with mom and dad making us be one of the last people here.
"That's what they do, little dude," Liam said, messing up Aiden's hair, "and one day your kids will be saying the same thing about you."
"I just want food," Aiden pleaded.
"You and me both." Liam laughed.
"Hey, buddy, I think I saw a football in the car. Do you want to go have a catch?" Brady asked Aiden, who I could tell would do just about anything to pass the time.
"Yes, beat you to the car?" Aiden looked up at Brady.
"You're on," Brady said, then looked at me and winked, right before chasing Aiden.
Liam and I slowly followed behind them to my parents' car.
"How are you?" Liam looked down at me as we continued at slow pace walking down the steps of our church.
"I'm well."
"You're well. That's good." He laughed and I could feel butterflies fluttering around in my stomach at the sound of his laugh.
"Liam, I need to talk to you," I blurted out.
"Already? You would think I would get to take you out on a real date before the whole we-need-to-talk."
"That's just it. I don't want to go on a real date with you."
"Ouch, okay."
"No, that's not what I meant. Just not yet, anyway. When we go out for the first time, I want it to be when I am ready, and not a week after I break up with someone. I'm still trying to figure things out. I have soccer, and college, and my future to worry about, not to mention I want to start living in the present, so maybe I really should stop worrying so much about my future." I quickly stopped talking when I felt my words flow out of my mouth with no spaces in between them. "I'm sorry I don't mean to be rambling. You just make me nervous. What I'm trying to say is I don't know what I'm doing, and I don't want to start a relationship with probably the most amazing human being I've ever known, when I'm not ready."
"It's okay, I understand," Liam said, grabbing my hand.
"Yeah, this whole holding my hand really makes me think you don't."
"I do know, because for starters, Brady already told me."
"Man, you two really can't keep secrets from each other."
"Yeah, we really can't. Anyway, I know you want to grow and learn about yourself and about life. That's amazing, but I can still love you in the process."
"You what?"
He looked down at me as we got to the car and stopped right in front of me. His grin was uncontainable and he took a breath.
"I love you, Mas. And I want what's best for you and if that means I have to wait, then I don't care."
"I don't want you to wait, though, I mean I would love that. However, that's not right. If I'm living my life and learning then you should be able to, too. If God wants us to be together, we will and it'll all work itself out when the time is right."
"Alright, so then let's just agree," he said with a smile.
"Agree on what?"
"Agree to know that we will both be out there for each other. Not to wait around for each other, but just to know that, no matter what, we will be there if the one needs the other. I might not be getting a girlfriend out of you anytime soon, but I'm not losing you as a friend either."
"Deal," I said while gazing up at him.
He then placed his hands resting around my neck and kissed me on the forehead. I looked up at him. The kindest, most gentle smile crossed his face.
"Well, before we grow and you become an even more amazing, kind-hearted, talented, intelligent, beautiful person," he chuckled, still smiling down at me, "what's one last kiss going to do?"
His smile started to gradually fade and he lightly nodded his head. Slowly he lowered his head down to me. His lips gently moved over mine. The kiss was soft and lingering, almost like there was no rush to end it, but also like we had done it a million times. I knew I didn't want it to end.
His lips slowly pulled away, but his forehead remained pressed to mine. I opened my eyes looking up at him. His eyes were still closed, but I began to see his lips begin to smile. He then opened his eyes. As he looked at me, a genuine, almost silent, breath of a laugh came. Then he wrapped one hand around my waist pulling me tighter in as the other arm gently pulled my head into his chest for a hug.
We stayed there for what seemed like minutes. Finally I looked up at him. He glanced down at me.
"Liam," I said softly.
"Yes?" he whispered back.
"I love you, too," I responded, looking up at him.
He grinned. "I know." Then he kissed me on my forehead and pulled me tighter into him.