Chapter 20

Feeling the tears start to well up in my eyes, making my vision slightly blurry, as I try to wipe them away I heard the footsteps walking to the door.

I became stiff, as if expecting him to start yelling or banging on the door but I only heard him shuffling as if he was sitting down and then nothing. I wasn't sure what to do, I wanted to let him in, talk to him about it but the other part- the bigger part- wanted to be the coward I am now and stay hidden in the kitchen till he either leaves or I eventually grow a pair and open the door.

I open my mouth to say something, anything, but nothing comes out and I just don't know how to express myself. That's always been a challenge for me... expressing my emotions ever since I was a young girl, yeah I have gotten better and still am but it still gets hard.

It doesn't help with my anxiety and shyness which makes me feel even more weak than when just talking about my emotions in general.

We just sit there, on either side of the door for a while not saying anything until I was sure I was able to breathe and talk.

"I'm... I'm so sorry I didn't mean to run out on you or hurt you, especially in front of your brother, and I...I just freaked out like, you have no idea when I heard you say that you love me. I got scared but what scared me the most was that I felt the same way... I love you too and I just don't want to...to fall so far in that I might get hurt again." I blurted out, afraid to hear what he has to say and I know he was upset, heck hurting.

I felt my shirt get a bit damped a little from the tears going down my face. I know he was crying too form the sniffling coming on the other side of the mahogany door.

I feel him shift a bit on the other side, looking up at the ceiling I knew I had to let him in so we can talk face-to-face about this so I get up slowly. I reached over slowly and grabbed the lock, I still for a moment till I flip it over knowing he heard the soft 'click' as I heard him get back to his feet.

I keep my head down, messing with my nails as I stood back from the door for when he opened it. I feel his hand gently grab mine firmly and squeezed it a bit as to comfort both of us, eventually he pulled away but then gently caressed my face, now locking eyes with me.

He takes a breath before talking, "I'm not mad at you sweetheart..."

"you're not?" I ask quietly.

"no...no I'm not baby doll" he reassures me softly, bringing his head down to lay it against mine.

"I know that came out of nowhere and we've only known each other for two months but as I said, I have never felt this way with anyone in a long time, and trust me I'm terrified myself, but I think....know that this will work out. I know we will have to face problems with others, whether it's my own family or people out in the social media world, but I know we can get through this together." We just stand there for a while in silence but peace. I let out a sigh and rested my head on his chest, scooting closer into his comfort.

I decided to say something but I'm guessing by him going 'huh?' That he didn't hear the first time so I spoke a bit louder,

"Age is just a number, maturity is a choice," I repeat, like a robot as I had that quote memorized like the back of my hand.

I look up at him to see him staring down at me with a small smile, his eyes a bit puffy and red from crying and I can guess I look the same way.

"Exactly and if people can't see how much we care for each other and can't respect our choice then it's their loss, alright?" He tells me, brushing a few strands of hair out of my face. I just nod, to let him know that I understood what he was trying to say.

"Good...I love you Andrea."

"I love you too Chris," look up at him with a small smile.

He started to lean in until we were interrupted by his phone going off.

"Sorry, let just get this really quick." He tells me, pulling out his phone and answering the call. "Hey Scott," he pauses and looks at me with a smile, "ya don't worry bout it and yes we're still going over, everythin's good now... alright will do, talk to you later, alright bye." He ended the call, placing his phone back into the pocket of his sweater.

"Scott wanted to see if everything was okay, and he said that he still can't wait to see yuh doll." He grabs my hand, pulling me up along with him, I was wondering what he was doing when he started taking me back to the livingroom to continue relaxing.

******

Ring...Ring...

I look up from where I was doodling on the piece of paper I took out halfway through class and start packing up to leave the class, with the realization that it's finally Spring break I just shove everything in my bag and head straight for the door.

"Bye guys see you later, have a great spring break!!" I yell over to my friends as I'm already out the door, as I start heading down the hallway I couldn't help but get antsy and start looking for a way to get passed all the people crowding around, trying to leave too.

When I finally get out I start walking even faster to the parking lot where my precious car should be waiting, unlocking the door, I shove my backpack into the passenger seat as I sit down in the driver's side and close the door behind me and take off down the parking structure.

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