Love In Slow Motion

Love. Sick, twisted love. Why? Because of a thing called cheating. Sure, I was mad, but somehow I always knew that it was going to happen. She never loved me. Claire Harrison. The one I loved with all my heart. Loved.

Two weeks ago I was sitting in the stand, watching her cheer for the school football team. She's the head cheerleader at our school and had won the regional cheer leading competition ten times. She was the perfect girlfriend and I was the perfect boyfriend, or so I thought. At first I thought that it was just me being over-protective when I caught her looking at another guy in the audience, but my friend, Lily Armstrong, saw it as well, and not just at the football games. Everywhere we went she was checking out other guys, but one in particular. My best friend, Vic Jackson, always seemed to be the one she wanted more then me. "They're only friends," I said.

"Well then why does she always seem to enjoy hugs from him more then you?" Lily replied.

"Well, I don't know, maybe he's good at hugging people?"

"Am I good at giving hugs?" She said as she hugged me.

"Yea, I like your hugs"

"That's good. I like giving people good hugs."

"You smell nice today, actually, you always do. I've never noticed that before." I don't know why, but I was starting to notice Lily more now, and not just as a friend, we seemed closer. She looked more beautiful everyday, and she smelled nicer. How come I was only noticing this now? Was it because I was spending more time with her? All I knew was that we were becoming closer. 

The few days after that were strange. It felt like Claire and I were drifting apart and Lily and I were becoming closer. It was at a party when I first caught her cheating on me with Vic. We were all drinking and when i turned around I caught a glimpse of them making out, all though it could of been my imagination, but it was enough. Ever since then I've been keeping a closer eye on them. After that they seemed to just ignore each other. I had forgotten all about them, at least, I did, until tonight. I invited Claire, Lily and Vic over for an all-nighter at my house. We camped out in the lounge and I drifted off to sleep. I woke up to the sounds of Claire giggling. I opened my eyes and saw that she was under a blanket with Vic. Her top was off and i could see what looked like Vic's belt lying on the floor to the left. I was furious. "Get out," I said. "Go". They didn't hear me wake up and jumped at hearing my voice. Vic reached over to his belt and hurriedly put it on before getting up, reaching for his top that was on the floor near him and left. Claire moved slowly, reaching for her top and putting it on before speaking.

"I'm leaving you." I should have been furious. She cheated on me and she was the one that ended it? And after all she did I still believed that one, stupid promise she made me. We'd would always be together. My anger suddenly vanished as it was replaced by the cruel reality of everything that had happen. Everything shattered around me as the door closed behind her. I was filled with depression and pain. The one I had loved just left me. I got up, grabbed my jacket and ran outside into the pouring rain. I could see her walking away. I ran after her and grabbed her arm. She pulled it out or my grasp and just stood there with her back turned. I stood beside her, waiting for her to pick up the pieces of the promises she never kept, or the pieces of my heart she broke. 

"I need to know," I said, "did you ever love me? You don't need to speak, just do something. Hold my hand, say my name. Please. I need to know that you loved me." I stood there, waiting for her to hold my hand, dying for her to say my name. But she didn't. It seemed as though time moved in slow motion as she turned and walked away. Leaving me alone in the rain. I just stood there, waiting for her to turn around. I looked down at the ground as the rain continued to fall around me. I felt a hand slip into mine, and I held it. 

"Hamish," she said, as she turned my chin and I felt her lips press against mine. I felt my spirits soar as I kissed her. I was so blind. I spent my whole life chasing after a girl that didn't love me while the one that did was there all along.

It's been twenty years since that night long ago. After we graduated and found jobs I proposed to her. Ever since that night I've been faithful to her ever since. Lily, my true love. Sweet, beautiful, everlasting love.