I used to think love was something that happened slowly. Something that took time. Something you had to search for.
But as I stood in front of my mirror the next morning, fixing my hair with shaky hands, I realized love didn't always announce itself gently. Sometimes it came like a sudden storm that is unavoidable and terrifyingly beautiful.
Suddenly, my phone rang, disrupting my thoughts. I had avoided dating as a teenager and not because I wasn't beautiful or guys didn't approach me, but I kept my principles tight when it came to matters that concerns my heart. Who would have thought I'd get it wrong on my first try?
My feelings for Leon were strong and undeniably healthy. It felt like being a teenager again, and I found it cute and irresistible.
I found my phone under my pillow, guess I'd left it there last night. The bright screen kissed my eyes, and I immediately noticed it was Leon calling.
We mostly stuck to chatting. He never called without telling me beforehand ,maybe once or twice. I should get used to it because calls wouldn't be the last step. Meeting in person was inevitable, and soon, probably too frequent. I sounded so calculating and I hadn't even picked up his call yet. I quickly answered before it ended.
"I almost thought you weren't going to pick," Leon said in his sweet, gentle voice.
"Why would I do that?" I asked, and I could swear he felt me blush through the phone.
"I don't know, but you might start thinking I'm coming on too strong. I know you said I should give you time to think," he replied.
"That didn't cross my mind. I was just surprised you called. All the time we've known each other, we've only spoken on the phone twice,the first to confirm my number, the second to wish me a happy birthday." I don't know why I was rambling.
"I get your point," he said. "I just called to hear your voice this morning. I just got back from my shift and I'm exhausted. I might grab some sleep, so I might not be online until noon. And I know I can't go that long without hearing from you."
He was right. We had gotten so comfortable that being offline for a few hours felt strange. It almost felt like we'd been in an unofficial relationship all along, probably neither of us wanting to admit it.
"Aren't you just sweet?" I said. Not everyone thought like my Leon.
"My Leon," I said it in my mind and my heart skipped a bit from calling him mine.
"I'm sweet if my lady says so," he added with a laugh.
"I could just say yes to dating you right now if you keep flattering me like this," I teased, even though I wasn't planning to say no.
"You'd make my day right now," he replied, excited. I could feel him expecting an answer, but my mind reminded me it was only 24 hours since he asked me to be his girl. I didn't want to sound desperate, even if I already was.
"I'm almost done thinking. You might get your reply soon," I said, letting him feel the tease in my voice. If we were going to date, why not make it fun?
At least we weren't awkward around each other. Everything flowed beautifully.
"If it's for you, I don't mind waiting," he said.
"Well, I have to run. I have a group project presentation today, and I need to be on time since I'm the group leader. You need to rest too," I said, checking the time and its past eight already and with my presentation starting at nine.
"It's alright then. Take care, my pumpkin, and good luck," Leon said. I caught a hint of disappointment in his tone. I felt it too, but school came first.
"Thank you Leon" I whispered. I didn't know if I should have said something other than his name or just let the name be. Ending the call felt rude, but he'd understand. I wasn't upset,I was still processing everything about us.
My phone buzzed again. It was Kelly probably waiting outside. We were supposed to have breakfast together before heading to school.
Kelly and Becca stayed off-campus.Kelly with her boyfriend, Becca with hers, though he traveled a lot for work outside the state. The boys all rented an apartment nearby. I was the only one in the dorm. My roommate barely spoke more than a "hi" or "hello." I'd tried a few times to start a conversation, but it never clicked. At least we both agreed to keep our spaces neat.
I ran out and found Kelly. She didn't look like herself and there was no cheerful smile, no spark.
"Girl, you don't look okay," I said quickly.
"Let's grab a coffee. We need to talk," she said casually, though it didn't feel casual at all.
The walk to Café Allegro was so quiet you could hear a fly. I had a bad feeling. Kelly would normally tease me about Leon and ask questions about my soon to be"relationship," but today, she seemed different.
I ordered her favorite vanilla latte and grabbed an iced caramel macchiato for myself because it seems like my usual Caffe Americano didn't feel strong enough for what I was about to hear.
We sat in silence for a while but the silence was loud.
Kelly avoided eyes contact with mine, like she was scared that I was going to see how much she was hurting, her shoulders tense, her eyes were clued to her coffee. She sipped slowly before finally speaking.
"I was on Shane's phone earlier this morning and I saw a video of him kissing Tana."
I had never seen Kelly like this, she had known Shane all her life. Her story with Shane was similar to mine but Kelly and Shane were childhood besties and they turned lovers when Shane asked her out when he was about leaving for college, Kelly was in her senior year in high school. They both had the perfect love story outlined. She knew Shane's ex and how she dumped him and gradually their life story began.
I froze, the words hit like cold water.I didn't know what to say but I knew my friend was hurting, I could see tears welling up on her cheeks. Shane and Kelly had always seemed like the perfect couple together.
Now all I could think was...
Do all men cheat?