Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt #1

"You don't have to love me."

I was left dumbfounded. I couldn't even believe I thought of saying it, let alone actually follow through with saying it out loud. Out. Loud. I can't believe it. 

"John..."

I hated when she did that. I looked up and her vibrant green eyes glossed over, similar to an old porcelain doll. Her hands cusped together, near her torso, as her chestnut brown hair fell delicately on her narrow shoulders. We both sat there, in silence, in my old beat up Trans Am in the middle of nowhere. I shifted my shoulders against the torn interior and fiddled with the shift knob next to me. 

"John, you have to talk to me. We have to talk-" I abruptly cut Scarlett off. "I said what I needed to say, Scarlett." She scrunched her nose at this, "You need to communicate to me about what's going on with you. I'm not a mind reader and I need answers John." I crossed my arms across my chest and looked out the window. Out of gas, in the middle of Oregon, who would have thought this is how my attempt of independence would be? "What you're feeling is bound to be more important Scarlett." I stammered out. 

"And why do you always say that? It gets annoying when you always pull this John. I can never get an answer out of you about how you feel and when I do, it's too ambiguous for me to understand!" 

"I don't want to argue anymore Scarlett. It isn't going to fix our situation right now. We need to-" "We need to talk about what we are John. After this trip with you I have no idea what we are to each other!", she shook her head and slumped into the passenger seat. I sighed and turned toward her. I loved her, and I still do. She's the only good decision I ever made, and I know it's my fault she doesn't feel that way. 

"I know you're reserved, always have been, but at least tell me this all wasn't a joke to you. You chose to have me go on this runaway adventure with you for a reason...did you?" 

I looked into her eyes. "Of course not... Just, I don't know how to tell you how much you mean to me...I feel hurt and scared by you still. You're the only one I trusted and you left me like I was nothing to you. Now all of a sudden you just expect me to fall into your arms again because you told me you loved me just a few minutes ago? I love you, just I don't know how to process any of this...I thought you just wanted to be friends and now I have you saying that you want to be more... I can't be given these games anymore!" Her eyes glossed over again and I felt my stomach turn. I never wanted her to cry because of me. 

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been so har-" I was silenced by a tight, comforting hug. "I love you. Never hide your feelings again." I smiled and wrapped my arms around her. "I love you too."

"What are we going to do now?"

"Haven't got a plan for that yet."