Chapter Three – The Final

Lying in bed restless and all to awake; sleep is once again avoiding me. Thoughts of you invade my exhausted mind. I can't help but smile when the memories un-surface. I close my eyes and get lost in them, almost like sleep except I'm fully aware of my surrounding and reality.

"Kevin?" I heard from the door. I opened my eyes and set them on you standing there in the doorway. You looked nervous, not like you usually do.

"What's wrong Joe?" I asked quietly, you just looked down at your feet shuffling them. "Joe?" You looked back up at me with nervous eyes. "Come here." You slowly made your way over and sat next to me on the bed. "Come on Joey tell me what's wrong." You sighed and lay down next to me. Just like old times when we were younger and I wasn’t hopelessly in love.

"Kevy, why is it so hard to tell someone you love them?" You asked gazing up at me with your perfect innocent eyes.

"I don't know Joey, I wish I could tell you but I can." I was being honest for once. "Sometimes it's simple sometimes it’s the most difficult thing you've ever done."

"How can you tell which is which?" You asked looking even more nervous. I just wanted to kiss your fear away but that would be stupid.

"You can't, until after the fact." You sighed unsteadily and closed your eyes for a brief moment.

"Da.mn it." You mumbled staring down at the sheets. "Kevy could you ever hate me?" I was taken aback by your question. I couldn't form any words and sat there opened mouthed and wide eyed. You looked up at me looking even more nervous and worried. I just shook my head in disbelief. "Promise?" You asked looking into my eyes. I nodded again still not able to speak. A small smile crept across your face. You leaned against me, your head on my chest. I put my arms around you out of instinct.

"Why would I ever hate you Joe?" I mustered up out of curiosity. You pulled away a bit biting your lip softly.

"For this." You whispered pulling your bottom lip into your mouth. I co.cked my eyebrow in confusion. Then it happened; you kissed my lips softly. You went to pull away but I stopped you by placing my hand on the back of your neck. Your fingers tangled themselves in my hair as I deepened the kiss. "I don't understand." You whispered hoarsely as we finally pulled apart.

"What don't you get?" I asked leaning my forehead against yours. Your eyes were searching for a response.

"I love you Kevin." You whispered quietly after another minute. I smiled and kissed you tenderly.

"I love you too Joe."