Love You So: PART TWENTY SIX

The next few days flew by: Nate escorting me to and from exams and lessons, spending all my free time with him and Mollie. Life was how it used to be, we could joke together, and share our secrets like we used to when we were little. There was an extra benefit though, as I could openly kiss my boyfriend, I could openly tell him I loved him, and at night I could receive a good night text from him. These little things were brightening up my world, and it was showing. My exams were all going well, and not only was my complexion glowing, but I was much more easy going and happy. I still had days were I sorely missed my aunt, but Nate would sit with me and make sure I was content.
One evening, just as the sun was floating low in the sky, he sat me down by the window in Mollie and I's room, on our couch, and he sat next to me. He put his arm round my shoulders and I snuggled down, burying my head into his chest. The day had been great, but thoughts about my aunt kept flooding my mind, on and off, like a tide. I wanted to cry - I missed her. More than I thought was ever imaginable. I wanted to call her up and tell her all about my amazing new boyfriend. I knew she'd be ecstatic, as she knew all about my long-term infatuation with him. But I knew I couldn't. I suppose I was coming to terms with that now, but that doesn't mean that it still kills me inside.
He kissed the top of head, as he felt the tears starting to flow. I remember the day I went to see her in the hospital: her treatment wasn't working, and she'd been given very little time left to live. She was connected to millions of tubes, that were connected to millions of machines, that were connected to millions of holes in the wall. I couldn't help but see how vulnerable she was - her whole vibrant, strong and independent life was being brought down to this: relying on machines to keep her alive. She was my idol, no doubt about it. She had lived on her own her whole life, and she was perfectly content. She was strong enough to launch herself into the world of fashion from a young age, and she was successful. I dreamt of following in her footsteps, and I knew it was achievable. I just had to keep reaching through my emotional barriers.
I tried to erase the thoughts and memories from my head. I didn't want to have to cling to memories in order to keep her alive. Instead, I started to cling to Nate, holding his torso tight against me. He squeezed my shoulder, and started to rub it gently.
He knew by now that he didn't have to ask what was wrong. It was obvious. So instead, we sat in silence, him acting as a pillar to support me at my weakest times.
"So," he began, tilting my chin up towards his face, and wiping a tear from my cheek, "I realised I never really asked you two things officially." What was the second thing? I knew that I wasn't asked to be his girlfriend, but it wasn't like I was going to say no. But what was the second thing?
"First of all, you're okay being my girlfriend right? Because if you'd rather just be really really good friends then I'm cool with that, just don't leave me alone? I've had such a great time with you, and I-"
"Baby," I said, kissing him on the lips so he'd stop speaking "I can't think of anyone I'd rather be with right now, or ever" I said, kissing him again. "But what's the second thing?" I asked.
"Well, on that night," that was how it was being referred to now: simply 'that' night. "Something was kind of supposed, and I'm not sure if you entirely remember it, but there was a vital moment when I was asked who I wanted to go to prom with... And I said you."
"Okay." I said, sounding vaguely positive but not wanting to ruin this moment by assuming.
"Well, would you... Hang on," he said, as he stood up and kneeled on the floor on one knee. I immediately started laughing and so did he. He took my hand and said:
"T, will you give me the honour of being your prom husband?"
I couldn't stop giggling. And neither could he. He kissed my hand, and stood up, joining me on the couch again. "Will you?" he asked again "Because you've paused for quite a long time.." I hugged him, tighter than I ever have. It was amazing how I'd begun to rely on him so much, and how much I'd begun to love him.
"Of course I will" I whispered in his ear, kissing his ear lobes and along his prominent jaw bone until I made it to his lips. He pulled me so I was sat on his lap, as he had when we visited the bench on one of our secret rendez-vous. He kissed me harder, cradling me, then carrying me to my bed. He lay me down and sat on the bed beside me. He kissed me once more, before getting his phone out of his pocket and texting Mollie to tell her that it was safe for her to come in. He then sent a message to his best friend to tell him he was coming back to the dorm in a minute.
"So we're not doing anything?" I asked, sounding a little upset.
"No, I want this night to be special" he said, leaning down to kiss me again, he looked into my eyes, and before planting a parting kiss on my forehead, he stood up and walked towards the door. He looked back, and I smiled at him. Just as he opened the door, Mollie appeared from down the corridor. He hugged her and said goodnight, and he continued down the corridor, looking back every so often to check I was okay.
As soon as I'd lost sight of him, my phone lit up. I opened the message to read:
"I forgot to say I love you. I really do xxxxxxxxxx"