Page 18 of Forever Yours
I shake myself out of a daze. “Yep, I’m fine.” I chuckle dryly and then look down. “I never thought my story would be a whole trope, but I guess it kind of it is.” I push a strand of hair behind my ear. “Leave it to me to be in a love cliché.”
She puts her book down. “Okay, now I have to hear this story.” She holds out her hand. “I’m Ronnie, and I’m a freshman here. Now we have been properly introduced so we aren’t strangers anymore. I won’t push you, but I’m willing to listen.”
I take her hand and shake it. “I’m Sophie, and I appreciate that.” I take a deep breath. “I suppose it would be nice to talk to someone else and get their opinion.”
Her sympathetic face and the empathy she emanates make me feel like I can trust her. Oh, what the hell? Liam has me tied in knots.
So, I do tell her. We get some nasty looks, but in whispers and with many, many questions I tell her the tale of Sophie and Liam. Her eyes are wide by the time I finish.
“Oh, Sophie that is a classic romance conundrum, isn’t it? You want to tell him how you feel and know how he feels, but you’re scared of running him off? I totally get it.” She sits back and rubs her chin.
I groan. “I know, what should I do? Do I just shut up and enjoy this time with him or do I push for more?”
“Men are complete idiots, aren’t they?” She slams her hand down on the table which causes one of the irritated students around us to loudly shush her.
She looks over at one of them and rolls her eyes. “Oh, get over it. This is a love situation. Way more important than your human anatomy textbook.”
The skinny guy’s cheeks blush red and he looks back down at his book. This girl is my cup of tea. I believe I’ve made a new friend.
She reaches out her hand for mine and I give it to her. She squeezes tight. “Love is an amazing thing, sweetie, but sometimes it just outright sucks.” She looks down at the table for a moment and when she glances back up at me her eyes are shiny with tears. “I’ve learned from experience that you always need to be honest with those you love. It’s hard to overcome his fear of being loved because that’s what it is. Love means something different to him. For us, love is something to be savored and enjoyed. For him, it’s scary and it means the other person is there to use you. You have to be truthful with him, but at the same time show him how much he means to you.” She sighs. “You also can’t let yourself be crushed by someone who might not be ready to accept your love. You’ve got to be strong and accept that he may never be ready.”
I rub my forehead. “So, what you’re saying is I need to tell him how I feel even though I may be crushed?”
She nods her head. “Unfortunately, yes, but he needs to be reminded that love isn’t just words, it’s actions too. You’ve both shown through your actions that you do love each other. He’s just terrified of the words.”
“How did you come to know so much about this?” I can’t help but ask. For such a young girl, she seems so sure of herself.
She grins. “I’ve read a lot of romance novels, but it’s more than that. Love isn’t a happily ever after story. I’m completely head over heels for my boyfriend, but we’ve had our own bumps along the way. Even during those bumps, we know we love each other more than anything.” Ronnie grimaces. “That’s what your guy needs to learn. He had a rough childhood. He doesn’t understand that there’s an endurance in real love and that it’s so different than what he grew up with.”
Ronnie’s eyes widen and I feel a strong hand clasp my shoulder. I jump about a mile high from my chair.
“Sorry Soph, didn’t mean to freak you out. I got us a study room. Do you want to look at physics for a little while?” Liam’s deep voice sends a shiver through me. Thank God he arrived when he did. Hopefully, he didn’t overhear anything about himself.
“Sure, let me get my stuff up.” I quickly gather up by books in an unbalanced tower and Ronnie watches us with guarded interest.
I send her a little wave. “Thanks for all of your advice, Ronnie. I really appreciate it.”
She rips a sheet from her notebook and hands it to me. “Here’s my number, girlie. Call me anytime.” She raises an eyebrow. “And it was nice to meet you Liam.”
“Um, you too.” Liam waves awkwardly and takes my hand.
He leans down to me as we’re walking away. “How did she know my name?”
I shrug. “No idea. Maybe you’re in one of her classes or something.”
Chapter Twenty-two
Love should be all consuming. Love should be like a fire rampaging through the forest. Unfortunately, sometimes we must get burned. - Sophie
Sophie
The study room is quiet except for the sound of Liam chewing gum. I smile and shake my head. I hate that chewing noise, but I’m so far gone over him that I don’t even care about it at this point.
Numbers swirl in front of me and I try to ignore the fact that Liam’s foot is caressing my leg underneath the table.
I look up sternly. “Behave yourself.”
He puts his hand over his chest. “What? I’m not doing anything. Innocent as a lamb over here.” He shoots me a playful grin and I can’t help but giggle in response.
