At the festival, our love shone bright,
And in your eyes, Joanne, I saw the light.
The university festival was in full swing. The vibrant lights draped across the campus shimmered like stars fallen from the sky. Laughter and music echoed through the air, blending with the scent of food and the buzz of excited chatter. Joanne stood amidst the crowd, the glow of the festival casting soft hues on her face. She tried to lose herself in the festivities, but the whirlwind of emotions inside her made it impossible. Paxton had been distant yet present, as if something monumental was brewing beneath the surface.
Joanne's heart pounded as she watched the makeshift stage being prepared for the next performance. She hadn't expected Paxton to perform, let alone take the stage in front of the entire university. Yet, there he was—standing tall, clutching the microphone with a determined gleam in his eyes. The murmurs in the crowd grew louder, curiosity spreading like wildfire.
Ethan stood beside Joanne, his arms crossed but his expression softer than usual. Emily was nearby, exchanging glances with Ethan, both sensing that something significant was about to unfold. Amy lingered at the edge of the crowd, her expression unreadable, watching her brother with narrowed eyes.
Paxton cleared his throat, drawing the attention of every soul present. The music faded, and an expectant silence settled over the crowd. His gaze swept over the sea of faces before locking onto Joanne's. In that moment, nothing else existed.
"I didn't come here tonight to perform a song or entertain," Paxton began, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart. "I came here because I need to say something. No, I need to show something—something I should have shown a long time ago. Joanne, this is for you."
He unfolded a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket—words he had poured his heart into—and began to read, his voice echoing through the crisp night air:
"From the moment you entered, our worlds collided,
In your quiet eyes, I saw love, undivided.
You hid behind silence, but your heart called to me,
In your quiet strength, I found a love that set me free.
Though you stepped away, the pull never ceased,
In my thoughts, you lingered, never released.
Amy's whispers grew loud, but you stood tall,
In your gaze, I found the courage to break down the wall.
I let your silence be the space we shared,
But in every word, your love was always there.
Joanne, I saw your fears, the walls you built inside,
Yet in every heartbeat, your love could not hide.
Ethan warned me, yet my heart remained,
For you, Joanne, through every storm, unchained.
Amy's hurtful words cut deep, but I couldn't see,
That love would find us, no matter how hard it seemed to be.
I defended you, though the world turned cold,
For your love was a treasure more precious than gold.
In our fight, I saw the cracks in our trust,
But love, like time, healed all that was just.
The silence grew loud, but still, I stayed,
Knowing that together, we could find a way.
Through every argument, through every doubt,
Our hearts stayed connected, even when words fell out.
Amy's lies broke my trust, but love healed the wound,
In your eyes, Joanne, my heart always bloomed.
Apologies whispered, but love shouted loud,
In your embrace, I felt forever proud.
Our wounds began to heal, the scars faded away,
In your love, Joanne, I found my way.
Together we fought, side by side,
And in each other's strength, we'd never hide.
With every choice, I chose you, Joanne, my light,
Through every storm, I knew you'd be my right.
The world around us tried to tear us apart,
But in your love, I found a place for my heart.
Amy's words fell away, and still, you stayed,
In the midst of the chaos, you never betrayed.
I chose you, Joanne, though the world tried to steer,
Through every doubt, I held you near.
We stood stronger, no longer afraid,
In your love, Joanne, I had it all made.
No test could break us, no challenge too tough,
For in your heart, Joanne, I found enough.
We started fresh, with our hearts as one,
In the light of your love, we'd never run.
Amy tried to pull us apart, but we stood firm,
In your love, Joanne, I found my term.
The future was ours, as we walked hand in hand,
In your love, Joanne, I found my land.
At the festival, our love shone bright,
And in your eyes, Joanne, I saw the light.
From the past, we learned, and from love, we grew,
In every chapter, my heart was true.
With a heart full of hope, we faced the unknown,
Together, Joanne, we've made it our own.
As I stand here, Joanne, with the crowd all around,
In your love, I've found my forever, profound."
The crowd fell into a hushed silence, processing the raw vulnerability Paxton had just unveiled. Joanne's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her heart pounding in her chest. It wasn't the grand gesture alone that moved her, but the sincerity in every word, the vulnerability Paxton embraced to reach her.
Paxton stepped down from the stage, weaving through the crowd with unwavering determination. He stopped a few feet from Joanne, his breath uneven. "I meant every word. Joanne, I—I love you. I choose you. Not because it's easy, but because it's real. And I'll fight for us, no matter what."
Joanne, overwhelmed yet grounded by the truth in his eyes, took a step closer. The walls she'd painstakingly built began to crumble. "Paxton, I was scared. Scared of what this meant, scared of being hurt again. But you—you stood here and told the whole world how you feel. How can I not trust that?"
The crowd erupted into cheers, but to Joanne and Paxton, it all faded into a distant hum. Ethan, watching with a soft smirk, nudged Emily. "Guess he finally got it right."
Emily grinned, relief washing over her. "About time."
Amy stood further back, arms folded, a conflicted look crossing her face. For once, she remained silent, realizing that her interference had only strengthened their bond.
Paxton extended his hand to Joanne, hope shining in his eyes. Joanne took it without hesitation, intertwining their fingers—a silent promise of the journey ahead. Together, they faced the bright lights of the festival and the uncertain road beyond, knowing that whatever challenges awaited, they would face them hand in hand, stronger than ever.