Warbler Infections

Chapter 15: "Down by the bank"

Sunday September 19th, 2010
Nick's POV:

"I know it may seem sudden, and you probably don't feel the same. But I love you Jeff. I alway have and I always will wether you you do or don't." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in. "Please say something, cause I feel like I'm going to die."

He didn't say anything back, just stood up, grabbed the poem I wrote him, and threw it into the river. His eyes grew cloudy and brows furrowed.

"You seriously thought I liked you, didn't you." He scoffed. "That's rich. I only asked to be your friend cause you were a depressed sap and I took pity on you. I never loved you. Neither will anybody else. Go home, move away, I don't care. You know what Nick, just do us all a favor and disappear."

I woke up in a cold sweat, tears streaming down and my entire body shivering. It was just a nightmare, it was just a nightmare. That's not true. It wasn't just a bad dream, it was a sign. That this date is going to be a disaster? That I'll be rejected, shunned?

My phone vibrated, startling me once again. Jeff's name flashed on the screen with a text coming in.

J: "Hey! Just wanted to make sure that we're still on for the river today. You didn't forget, right?"

N: "How could I? Yeah, let's meet down there at 11:00."

J: "Can't wait. "It's gonna be awesome, I can feel it."

If by awesome he meant a total train wreck than sure, totally awesome.
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"Man it's freezing out here, this is Ohio not Pluto." Jeff's breath was visible in the morning chill. He was being pretty dramatic. I mean the average temperature on Pluto is almost -380°F.

"Jeff it's only 42°, you'll be fine." He rolled his eyes and stuffed his gloved hands further into his jacket pockets. "Besides, the willow's only a couple minutes away."

We set up the picnic blanket under the shady tree, adding pillows to lay on. I took out our sandwiches from the basket. I always made a turkey and cheese for me, peanut butter and jelly for Jeff.

"So, I love hanging out with you, but is there some reason why you wanted to meet me today?" He asked, strawberry jelly stuck on his frost bitten nose.

Was I actually going to go through with this? What if he says no? What if he says yes!?

"I have to tell you something that'll take a lot of courage. I need you to just listen. Don't interrupt, don't leave, just hear me out." He seemed to realize that I was going to say something serious.

"Jeff, you'll never have any idea how much you mean to me. Before I met you I was a loner. I had no friends, and frankly I didn't want any. But something or someone sent you to me. You showed me all that I was missing out on. You taught me what friendship meant. Most importantly you proved what a soulmate is. As sure as I am that the sky is blue, I know that you're my soulmate Jeff. The second I first laid eyes on you I knew nothing would stop me from falling in love. We share this connection and I think you know that too. So if it's what you want, and I'm sure as hell that I do, would you be my boyfriend?"

A single tear shed from his glassy eyes. I reached out, wiping it away with the pad of my thumb. We locked glances, and before I knew it his gorgeous rosy lips were pressed against mine.

It felt like fireworks were going off in my core. He deepened the kiss, cradling the back of my neck wile I cupped his chin. It was both passionate and gentle at the same time. He made no move to push me too far, just leaning forward slightly. It was over much to quickly when we both broke apart, panting.

"So. Is that a yes?"

Jeff fell back on the blanket staring up at the sky. "Nick do you think I would make out with you and then say no?"

"Wait you, you're saying yes!?"

He pulled me back down, kissing me with more lust and desire than the first one. It still felt like floating in heaven. "Is that a good enough answer for you?"

"Perfect", I responded catching my breath.

We spent the rest of the afternoon soaking in the elation of the morning's events. "Ooh that one looks like a turtle, or maybe North Dakota!" Jeff pointed to a fluffy cumulus cloud above. I wasn't going to tell him that it looked more like a certain male appendage.

"What's wrong? You haven't said anything for a while." He rolled over to face me, a smudge of jam remaining on his nose.

"Nothing. I'm just really happy right now."

He nodded back. "It's been a pretty wonderful day."

I closed my eyes, brushing the bangs away from his stunning eyes. "And with you, a wonderful life."

Wow, I really am the sappiest writer aren't I? Yes we finally got Niff together! That's one down, three to go. I was considering posting a second chapter today but I'm not sure if I'll have time to write on Wednesday so I'll just post the other one then. Y'all we're almost at 500 reads! It feels crazy to check the story and see that it's number 2 in the niff tag. So keep reading, voting, and please comment! The next chapter will bring in some familiar faces 😏 Have a good morning, afternoon, or night. You are an icon.
Your fellow gleek,
- Lindsay 💕