Upside Down

Chapter 10

After two miserable days in the hospital, Cheryl was finally discharged and able to have the comfort of her own home. Simon had been right by her side for the past two days and was always there to comfort her.

Despite the bad news about her unborn child, Cheryl tried her best to act as happy as possible. Which is harder than it sounds, especially when all she wanted to do was curl up in a little ball and cry her heart out. But she knew she had to stay strong. For Simon, if not for herself.

"You good?" Simon asked Cheryl tentatively as he placed a gentle hand over Cheryl's. Cheryl smiled at him and nodded her head. He placed his head on her shoulder and Cheryl placed a soft kiss on his temple.

"What's on your mind?" Simon asked her curiously.

"How amazing you've been to me." Cheryl replied genuinely.

"What do you mean?"

"You wake up in the middle of the night for me because I'd broken up with my boyfriend, and you didn't moan once. Let me stay in you house without any complaints. Dealt with my failed pregnancy, and are now treating me like I'm Sleeping Beauty."

"What am I to you?"

"My best friend."

"Exactly. Best friends look out for each other. It's what anyone in my position would have done."

"No they wouldn't. Simon no best friend would let their very able friend live in their house for more time than necessary."

"If they don't they're not real friends."

"Why did you let me stay?"

"Because you needed a home."

"And I would have paid and bought my own."

"I didn't want you to."

"Why?"

"For selfish reasons I guess."

"Oh? So what are your selfish reasons."

"I like you."

"Of course you do. Your my best friend."

"Yeah but I probably like you more than a best friend should."

Cheryl paused for a moment before replying.

"How do u like me, exactly?"

"I wouldn't exactly say like is the right word."

"Oh... what is the right word then?"

"Love?"

"Love?"

They both looked at each other. Simon's expression seemed calm and controlled from the outside. Cheryl's facial expression was the perfect way to describe how Simon was feeling on the inside. Her perfectly arched eyebrows were furrowed in confusion and her smile was turned upside down. This only added to Simon's worry. Maybe he'd said the wrong thing. But strangely, he didn't regret what he said. In a way, he was relieved. Relieved that he finally told her what was imprisoned in his heart for years.

"You don't have to feel the same way." Simon whispered. His dark eyes were staring straight into Cheryl's.

"What do you mean?" Cheryl asked with such innocence to her voice, Simon couldn't help but stroke her cheek affectionately.

"I mean, if you don't feel the same way, I don't care. It won't make me feel any less."

"How exactly do you feel?"

Simon smiled softly at her. He looked at Cheryl with pure adoration.

Cupping her flawless face in his hands, he leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. The panic from before left. There was no need for it. He was simply being honest with how he felt for her, and already knew that she couldn't possibly feel the same way. But he wanted her to know of his love for her. No reason why. Just because.

"I'm in love with you, and I have been for a few years now." Simon said.

Cheryl's expression softened. She placed her small hand on top of Simon's, which was still stroking her cheek. The spark in her eyes came back and butterflies invited themselves to rudely settle into Cheryl's stomach.

"I love you too, Simon." Cheryl whispered.

Simon felt his heart skip several beats; a warm feeling gushed through his body as he heard the sentence escape Cheryl's mouth. Before he could control it, tears welled up in his eyes. He felt so stupid, yet so amazing.

Like magnets, they both leaned towards each other and their lips attached together. Their eyes both closed in bliss. It wasn't a long, over the top kiss. It was just a simple, yet sweet and loving kiss. One that they'll remember forever.