Think Again

"We're going to be okay, alright?"

Chapter 17 : “We’re going to be okay, alright?”

‘I will catch you if you fall. But if you spread your wings, you can fly away with me. But you can’t fly unless you let yourself fall.’

Prom Night

7:13 pm

The doorbell rings and Renee tells me to sit exactly where I am.

And so I do.

I hear murmurs and voices from her bedroom. Then, footsteps, jogging up the stairs. Renee’s head pops in and she says,

“It’s time, girls. It’s finally time. I’ve been waiting for this moment since the day you both started going out.” She squeals.

Her excitement rubs off on me and my heart starts beating rapidly. I’m so nervous. I’m curious of what Chris might think. I’m hoping he likes it because this is me. All of me. But if he doesn’t, it’s fine. I mean, yeah, it would suck, but at least I’m staying true to myself.

I carefully descend the stairs, praying to God that I don’t fall because of the elasticity limits of this dress. Thankfully, I’m wearing flats. It helps with the walking and it’s good for the spine too! I manage to descend the stairs, somewhat gracefully but most importantly; safely. 

At the end of the stairs, where my man is waiting for me, much to my dismay, I miss a step. And I’m waiting for the impact of the fall but it doesn’t hit me. My man caught me. He caught me when I fell. He catches me when I fall. Not only then, but in love and in everything.

I let out a breath before laughing.

“I’m sorry. God, so embarrassing.”

He smiles at me. And I’m soaring.

He takes my breath away. He’s wearing a grey suit with a black tie. He is shaved clean, his teeth is flossed. His hair isn’t overdone. It isn’t gelled up hard and stiff. Instead, it’s left alone, it all directions. Messy but hot in a way only Chris can pull off. He probably just washed it and blow-dried it. He looks - 

“Flats, huh? I’ve always had you pinned as a heels chick.” His arm hooks around my waist, drawing me closer.

“Yeah, but I sweep you off your feet - ,” I tap his nose for each syllable, “ – at every turn.”

He kisses my cheek and lets his lips linger there for a moment. I close my eyes, loving his fondness of me.

“Oh, Ana, that you do.” He whispers.

Then he motions for us to leave, with his palm on my back, he gently pushes me forward.

We walk in silence but then he stops.

He turns to me and reaches for my hand. He laces his fingers with mine.

“Don’t ever walk away without your hand in mine. That would mean you’re through with me.” 

I smile.

Never.

*

“Dance with me.” 

“Yes.”

I absolutely love dancing. My mother was a ballroom dancer. I had dancing in my blood. I spent my childhood dancing. With my mom, Ken, my aunt, whoever. I danced day and night nearly every day. It didn’t matter where I was, who I was with. When there was music, there was definitely me dancing like no one was watching. But somehow, dancing never grew old for me. Some things just don’t have expiry dates.

The song is a slow one, I’ve never heard it before but it’s beautiful. Lovely and sweet with a touch of melancholy to it.

In the spur of the moment, I blurt out,

“Please don’t get bored of me.” 

He pulls me to his chest, kisses me softly. So softly as if with sudden movements, I could shatter right before him.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get bored with someone so different. Like you said, you sweep me off my feet at every turn. I might think I have you figured out but you switch it up when I least expect it. And it’s new, it’s refreshing. It’s you. And I love it. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“We’re going to be okay, alright?”

I nod. 

I know.

“Yes, we are.”

*

Chris had passed his finals that year with flying colours. He graduated a while after that. He was offered a scholarship to one of the best colleges there is; LakeView College.

He’s majoring in architecture and minoring in Theatre and Psychology. He is a bright student in that college. 

1 year later

It’s Chris second year in college and it’s my senior year here in Hamilton’s International. School-life has been pretty boring after the seniors left. My grades are up and rolling. I am doing well. My brother got his job back as a CEO and is now in Las Vegas, living the dream, being successful. He doesn’t forget to come home to visit us whenever he has the time. He got mom a job offer to. Now mom’s working at some huge business company. Which means, even less time to spend with me. 

You know they say life is like an arrow. In order for it to launch, it needs to be pulled back. The further it’s pulled back, the further it’ll go. Well, in life, when something pulls you back, holds you down, just know that it’s a stepping stone for you to launch far and move forward.

*