....I responded to Theodore with that previous line.
" Are you sure? That I can tell you?" he continued in a shaky form of speech.
"Certainly, the world won't explode if you do. You can tell me if you feel comfortable, Theo.", I told him.
Theo was his nickname, which he found annoying just as Betty seemed to me. I mostly called him that when he called me Bea. If he called me Betty, I would call him Teddy, which he found far much worse and more offensive than any other name given. He went by Ted, and I by Trix. It appeared to me that we were T n' T. TNT I wrote all over my journals. To prejudiced minds, it was more probable that I would be willing to blow up the school than become obsessed over a guy. That statement would qualify as a fact if only I had not met with him. This untidiness that I depose was caused by such a boy of a refined name. Theodore Brooks, to be precise, is an adequate example of a clever, agile, and handsome-looking gentleman. His manners were astonishing, and his speech impeccable. It was fascinating and adorable to hear him, for once, stumble verbally....
The breezy wind spied on us during this fairly sunny day. History remains hidden by the daily routine; even so, it is certain that some days are not completely ordinary. Beneth the twisted and dancing silhouettes of outstretched branches. Theodore locked eyes with me. His courage failed him as, in panic, he said, " But, perhaps the world could actually explode." His eyes passed me by; he looked away once more.
Confusion increased, but I persuaded him to speak. "By what urgent matters you request my divine and sacred attention if thee is incapable of articulating the idea. Pardon me, Sir, I shall not be disposed of thee claims."
Theodore suddenly laughed in that usual calm and wholesome tone of his.
His rapid yet smooth approach startled me completely. When I realized it, he was standing a few inches in front of me. Hazel eyes in search of mine. His hand relocated the hair that masked my face.
Theodore stood still in ease and anxiety. I could have sworn that his heart was pounding so loudly that I could hear it. In reality, it was the sound of my own.
Perplexed and bedazzled, I was.
In the middle of my reasonable confusion, Theodore proceeded by taking out a piece of paper from which he began to read as if he were giving a presidential inauguration speech. It was evident that my eyes dilated and my face flushed into an intense rosiness.
"Ever since I met you, I felt different. I felt amazing, content, capable of greatness. Every time I speak with you, I can't help but smile and really put effort into listening to what you are saying. I am delighted by the times when you tell me how you feel. I enjoy the times when we sit down on the cement just conversing. I relish the times when you suddenly just stare at me. I rejoice in the times when you laugh, when I get to admire your smile. There are times when I simply get lost staring at you and just zone out into outer space. It has become my duty to try to help you when you are feeling down and blue, because I do not like seeing you in a sad state, even though you may mostly appear to be discontent, displeased, and sad, sadly. Even so, I will always try to assist you on this journey I call treacherous. The point is...I...I...like you more than a best friend should; I simply just like you. I feel very sorry in the case you find this revelation weird or disturbing, but this is the truth. You can be described as just so nice, smart, cool, fun, funny, and just everything nice, in simple and dull terms. In reality, you deserve far more spectacular terms. A proper description of you includes the words generous, unique, witty, divine, amusing, hilarious, sophisticated, and every vocabulary word with a pleasant definition. If you are wondering how long I have felt this way for you, it was ever since I asked if you wanted us to become best friends. I have kept this a secret because I never want to lose you because of something as absurd as this. You honestly mean so much to me; you have become very significant to my life. I wish we would remain best friends and at least figure this out. I hope this won't interfere with our friendship. I would not want us to become awkward around each other because of my feelings toward you. All I wish for is your happiness rather than to make you miserable. But how can you possibly ever be happy knowing that your best friend likes you? I definitely don't seek for us to just go our separate ways. Please do not feel our friendship was fake, because it isn't, and it will never be. I solemely love you as my best friend, and as I am stating here, a little more. So what I've been trying to tell you all along is that I like you. I certainly do. Well, now you have heard my claims, which sparked your curiosity. I sincerely apologize, Beatrix."
He handed me the page, and I was far too shocked by him overall to be able to read. It impacted me too deeply to the point that it made my legs weak, to the point I slid down the trunk of the tree. I could not respond immediately. It was odd enough; it was not reality but a cruel, mocking dream. So I thought until I felt the warmth of his arms trying to raise me back to my feet. Fear and regret were markedly present in his facial expression.
What was I supposed to do? I pondered and panicked, I felt embarrassment, for the first time in my short lifetime, I was given a confidential delivery of feelings. He was overly tense. My guilt grew with my silence. What was I going to express toward him? By gracious miracle, I remember the journals in which he was the muse. I reached for my bag as if I were having an asthma attack, searching for my inhaler.
With a spark of confidence, I pulled out my journal. A journal that I solely used to create poems. The pages hide my hatred, delight, and passion overall. The wind flipped to page 23,
"Ode to Theodore
Oh, for it is thee Theodore.
My troublesome concern.
Thee whom I adore.
The Cure for heartburn.
Arrive to vanish the lonesome.
Brilliant like the stars above.
Living and longing for thine love.
Us? Wouldn't that be wholesome?"
"Theodore, I do adore you. It is tragic, troublesome, and true. It is unreasonably corny and cliché to be writing a very simple and shallow poem. Perhaps that is how I know I do like you, or else I would refrain from using the word love in my poetry. Oh.. my, all you wrote is beyond flattering, is it real? What I will ask will sound absolutely baffling, but I must be assured. You say you like me, but how, like a friend, a person, or how?"
He faced the tree, then me, and responded, "I simply just like you. Honestly"
We evaded the intense glares that would have occurred if we looked at each other. Theodore seemed to be trying to fuse with the trunk of the tree to disappear. I lost myself in the view of the suspended leaves.
We eventually spoke and decided not to be awkward about it and talk about it until we found a resolution to this teenage drama play.
It was not possible to hold a smile, and after that, he smiled at me, his pale nose was turning red. I asked him if he wanted to keep the paper on which I wrote the poem. He asked if I had memorized the poem. Of course I did.. And so we knew it was too risky to keep such a direct poem alive on paper.
Theo," I would much rather hear the poem being recited by its author's soothing voice."
I giggled and responded," In that case, I will only keep your letter if that is alright. It will be well hidden, or else the world will explode, hahah."
Without hesitation, I ripped page 23 out of my journal; to my fortune, no poem was written behind it. As it was a habit of mine, after crumbling up the piece of paper, I started chewing and digesting it. The evidence was non-existent, at least part of it. Theo was impressed by my cleverness but unstardled since I had eaten paper in front of him on multiple and constant occasions; he was used to my questionable actions.
Theodore and I shared a few moments of surprise and disbelief until it was time to rush back home.
That one memorable afternoon marked my life permanently. Caught in a fever dream of loviness. An indescribable illusion was formulated. A pessimistic soul was abducted and supplanted with one that cherishes each second of its existence. Storms vanished, revealing the glory of lifeous teal celestial sea.