Page 7 of Happy Ending

mine and I’m hers, and those are the only labels we need. For the next few weeks following our passionate evening at her house, we’ve spent almost every minute together.

Even Glibby has gotten used to having her around, running straight to greet her at the door whenever she comes over.

Things finally feel like they’re back to normal, hanging out every day and constantly texting and calling, but this feels lighter, like the weight of our feelings has been lifted now that we’ve actually done something about it, and keep doing it.

It’s crazy to think that a few months ago I was worried about whether Laine and I would stay close following her move to Holy Trinity, but here we are, doing the damn thing.

“Hey, cutie,” I say through the phone as soon as the ringing stops.

“When can I see the painting?” “It’s not finished yet,” Laine responds, sounding exhausted.

“When are you going to finish it, Laine? It looked like it was almost done the last time I saw it.” “The process takes time! You don’t understand.

” I’m trying to, I want to say. Her words sting just a little, but we’ve finally got to what feels like the stability we had at the beginning of our friendship, so instead I pick my voice up and change the subject.

“So when can I meet your new friends from Holy Trinity?” “I don’t know.

They’re really busy.” “Okay, when can I see you?” I hear her sigh through the phone.

“I’m also really busy, Drew. Between the project and this new leadership role in Youth Group I’ve taken on with Holy Trinity, I’m going to be really swamped for the next few weeks.

” I try to shut down the disappointment brewing in my chest because I know she means well, and I know how important this project is for her.

It would be unfair of me to get in the way of it.

But still, part of me wants to be let into her new life.

To meet her new friends. To really mean something to her outside of our comfortable little bubble.

I will admit, as much as I’ve enjoyed this bliss with her, I can’t help but want more.

Maybe that’s selfish of me, and don’t get me wrong, I am beyond grateful to even be able to see her soul in ways I never thought I would, but I want to be something beyond the playground or the walls of her house.

******

Rain pours and thunder roars as Friday rolls around. As I make a quick run through the rain to get to my car and go to Jared’s, I imagine what it would be like to bring Laine around my friends.

They don’t know what we are, but they know that she and I are close, and I know that if they knew how important she was to me, then they would love her just as much as I do.

Love her.