GM: V+1

We both sat quietly across from each other, occasionally exchanging glimpses and a few words with one another. I was feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Dejectedly, I thought to myself, Maybe it didn't mean as much to her as I thought. I should probably just go. It had only been yesterday, on Valentine's Day, when I... and she...

She put aside what she was doing and slowly leaned over towards me. I simply looked at her, probably with a stupid, confused look on my face. What is she doing?

A bright smile lit up on her face as she began to speak to me. "Thank you for the Valentine's Day chocolate you gave me yesterday. I really liked it, it was good."

A smile unabashedly beamed across my face. Whatever else happened immediately after that is but a faded memory, lost somewhere beneath the joyous state that ensued.

After that, we played for a while, going from one thing to another, not doing anything specific. She stood upon something, claiming we're the same height, and gave me a hug.

Eventually, she had to go eat. Too bad... we hadn't gotten to play very long yet. She got up and started to head inside, but suddenly turned back around and came up to me. "I want you to stay outside so we can keep playing..." she frowned.

I looked down at her beautiful face and blurted something out without a thought. "I'll come back out when you're done eating, okay?"

To this she quickly nodded, but she wasn't about to let me off that easily. "You promise?" she questioned, looking up at me.

"I promise," I coolly said. Of course I'll be here! I was holding back so much excitement I don't know how I didn't break down and let it all out.

Seemingly unconvinced, she held up her hand. "Pinky promise?" and as she asked this I noticed she was holding up her little finger.

Haha! It's been a long time since I've heard that phrase. I raised my hand, extended my little finger, and locked it with hers. "Pinky promise," I said, with the most honest smile I've shown in a long time.

I came back out as promised and she took my hand. We held hands various times, something she had been somewhat unwilling to do before. We played and talked for a while, and she gave me a few hugs here and there. One in particular stands out in my mind...

Holding her small body in my arms, I whispered into her ear, "I love you," barely audible even to myself. Had I even really said it? Thoughts raced through my mind as I tried to understand what I was doing.

Why would you say that? You know you shouldn't.

I had to.

But you already know it will only be met with silence.

I know... but...

You shouldn't even be hugging her like this.

I...

"I love you too." Her words hit me like an ocean wave with the force to knock me over, yet, gentle instead. She had said it pretty loud.

Could someone have heard? Do I really care if someone did? No, better not to worry about it. Please, just let me enjoy this moment.

At the end of the day she ran towards me saying the words "Give me a hug!" as she leapt straight into my arms. I gave her the biggest hug I had ever given anyone in my entire life, only thinking about the wonderful feeling welling up within me. With that, our day together had ended.