The Experience Buddy [Completed]

Chapter 42

Given how much support the rest of the gang had given to the both of us, Hero and I thought that it was only right to tell them the truth about his condition. As expected, the response we had gotten was near silence, though there were a couple of gasps from the ladies. The lot of them were probably at a loss for words, but who wouldn't?

Despite the lack of words, I could sense their immense support from their actions. It was way more than enough, as actions speak louder than words, right? I think I've said this countless times but I couldn't express enough how thankful I am for this bunch. And I believe Hero feels the same.

Now that Hero and I have gotten back together, we were inseparable like siamese twins. Even when I was working my shifts at the cafe, he would just sit alone at a table in a corner and research things that he could do to buff up his resume, given that he had missed the chance for an internship last summer.

Winter break came, and I didn't apply for extension for the use of my room at the dormitory to move back in with Hero again.

"Hey Hero, don't you dare break up with me anymore. Otherwise I have nowhere else to stay since I didn't apply for my previous room back at the dormitory." I snorted.

"I'm gonna hold you captive here and in my heart. Don't you dare try to run away." Hero wrapped his arms around me and squeezed me tightly. Perhaps, a bit too tight.

"I love you." I muttered softly into his chest.

"I love you more." He answered.

We decided to revisit most of the places we went during last year's winter break, before when we were a couple, and do the same things we did back then.

Hero and I went ice skating and he surprised me when he was skating much better than last year. Did this guy secretly practice or something?

"Hey love?" He called.

"Yeah?"

"Can you do those twirling whirling moves?" He asked.

"You mean like double axels and triple axels?" I raised an eyebrow. "Are you crazy? I'm not a pro."

"Yeah I am." He responded and leaned in closer to beside my ear then he whispered, "Crazy for you."

"Can you not!" My cheeks turned red although a smile spread across my face. Then I slapped his arm and skated off.

-----

This time we thought we'd visit a different winter market. Instead of getting separate gifts, we bought presents together for everyone. I was contemplating if it was okay to get one for Heath as well. Hero must have noticed something weighing on my mind as he passed me a penny. Seriously, does this guy carry british coins with him all the time even after how many years of being in America?

"Should we get a gift for your brother?" I asked hesitantly.

"Uh, yeah. Sure." He mumbled as he scratched the back of his head and kicked at nothing on the ground. "I still owe him for the hospital bills anyway."

I raised both my eyebrows significantly, surprised at his answer.

"Hey." Hero nudged the side of my arm while we were walking around.

"Yeah?" I turned to look at him.

"Have you heard of how the tradition of kissing under a mistletoe came about?" He asked. What, really? Is he really asking the same question to the person who told him the entire folklore one year ago? So I decided to play along.

"No." I shook my head.

"It goes like this." In the blink of an eye, he spun me around such that my back was pressed against a wall. Then he pressed his lips onto mine, kissing me fervently. We were right in plain view, and I could feel the stares from passersby. As much as I was embarrassed, it felt thrilling at the same time as adrenaline rushed through me. My body feels hot despite the cold temperature outdoors.

When he finally pulled away, both of us were panting slightly as if we just ran up a flight of stairs. Then he pulled something out from his jeans pocket. He unclenched his fist to reveal a ring on the palm of his hand.

"What is this? Are you proposing to me?" I asked, blinking my eyes multiple times, to make sure it was indeed a ring that I was looking at.

"This is proof of my promise to you for the rest of our lives." He answered while looking right into my eyes. I wondered if he ever knew that I was always drowning in his, like how I am right now.

"Proof of what?" I smiled widely.

"Don't, make me say out loud the corny stuff." He mumbled and turned around to walk away. My smile grew even wider, knowing very well how he really felt. After only taking a couple of steps, he stopped suddenly and turned around, then reached his hand out towards me. I took his hand and the warmth I felt upon the contact of our skin made me confident that we could brave through even the harshest winter.

I don't care if it's not forever anymore, I just want to wake up with you by my side, be able to touch you, hold you just one more time.