Free Bird

"You ready to go?" Ashley asks me as he takes my hand.
I was being released from the hospital, I had been there for a week, even though I was only conscious for about three days. I didn't want to go back, didn't want to see my room, all my things broken, torn apart, my poor bear. The only thing I had left of my happy childhood ruined.
"Not really, but I don't have a choice." I answer and I squeeze his hand in my own.
He opens his passenger door for me and I climb in. He starts driving towards campus, and I feel depression was over me the closer we get. I don't want to go back, I can't. But before I know it he is pulling into a parking spot and telling me "let's go", what?
"You're going with me?" I wonder
"Of course, I'm not making the same mistake twice." he says with guilt laced in his voice as if what happened to me was his fault.
"Hey," I begin, stopping us in our tracks to make him look at me, "It is not your fault. Don't think like that. I did this, I am the one who put you through hell for a week, please don't blame yourself."
"How am I not supposed to blame myself? I dropped you off, I could've walked with you to your room, I could've prevented this! I could've been there! I..." His voice gets louder with every word
"Ashley Abrocket Purdy! You look at me and you listen to what I'm telling you! This IS NOT you're fault! How were you supposed to know? How was I supposed to know that my stuff was destroyed, that I would panic, that I would grab that... that stupid razor! It's not your fault, please don't beat yourself up babe." I stop as that last word leaves my mouth.
"Did you just call me babe?" He asks with a smile
I don't answer, so he walks closer to me, and cups my cheek in his hand. I can't help but look into those gorgeous brown eyes. He look right back into mine, even though I can only see with one eye. But my sight is good enough to see him tilting his head towards mine. I close my eyes as his lips crash against mine softly. Moving in harmony with mine as his hands wrap around my waist and mine his neck. I feel safe here, in this moment, in his embrace. All my worries, all my fears disappear. My heart pounds as time moves around us. How long as it been? seconds? minutes? Time does not exist right now. When he pulls away, I blush and look at the ground. My heart won't relax, it still keeps pounding. Is this what love is? I never felt this way when Chris kissed me, all I felt then was obligation. As these thoughts swirl around my head, Ashley pulls me to him, wrapping me in a hug...
"I love you Neveah."

Notes

:o