OS : Love's not a competition
River Valley High School
First day of school, Amethys was eager to meet her friends that she hadn't seen all summer. She was sitting in her class when a new girl walked in, trying to familiarise herself with the surroundings. Amethys waited for her to settle down and approached her. "Hi! I'm Amethys."
"Cassie." She smiled and shook hands with Amethys.
"Is your name short for something?"
"Oh, no. It refers to a flowering tree, Cassia. My mom is a Professor of Botany and it's her favourite flower."
"That's really interesting and you have a beautiful name, just like your smile."
Cassie smiled and raised her brow, "Did you just flirt with me?"
"No, it was a compliment." Amethys bit her lip. "Friends?"
"Sure!"
~
A few years later.
"Amy! Ames!" Cassie came running, "I got my scholarship! I have to leave in 35 days. Oh God, there's so much to do, I don't have enough time."
Amethys picked the letter from her hand and began reading. "You got it, girl! I-" she took a deep breath, "I’m so happy for you! Go, make your dreams come true."
"I will! Oh, Ames! It is the best day of my life! Help me make a list of things."
"Sure!" Amethys picked a diary and pen.
~
A few days later.
"Well if we are meant to meet again, we will meet again." Cassie blew a kiss and winked.
"Shut up, drama queen! I'm so glad that you're finally leaving. You've wanted this all your life, and you're finally getting to do it. I'm so happy for you, a bit sad but happier. And I'm not feeling this because you're leaving, and not because it feels good to feel this way - by the way, it does. But it is what it is. See you soon, miss me, okay?" Amethys hugged her again.
"Miss? I'm not going to have the time to miss you! But we'll be fine. Our bond is stronger than steel, and the distance doesn't mean anything."
"Make new friends, okay?"
Cassie snapped her fingers, "Duh! Take care of yourself and study well."
"You too!" They hugged one last time before Cassie walked into the airport.
~
Three years after Cassie left.
"Okay, Ames, what's going on?" Tasha asked her best friend Amethys, after she cancelled yet another group plan.
"I don't feel like going. Everything is fine."
"Don't lie to me bi-ch! I know why you're upset. Why don't you tell Cas that you love her?"
"I'm not sure if she loves me."
"Have you tried telling her about your feelings?"
"No."
Tasha sighed loudly, "Why not?"
"She's my best friend! I don't wanna lose her."
"You two say 'I love You’ to each other unironically all the time. What's the matter."
"I say that to you too. 'Cause I love you too!"
"But it's different, isn't it? The feeling? The emotion?"
"I don't wanna say it unless I'm sure about what she feels."
"I'll do you a favor and ask her."
"Tash! No!" Amethys snatched her phone off.
"You two are those idiots who are madly in love but won't admit it for God knows what reason. Do whatever you want with your life. I'm going to watch this movie, asking you for the last time if you wanna join?"
"Nope."
"Alright, here's a book, you will like." Tasha placed the book on the table and walked out.
~
Five years after Cassie left.
Amethys sat reading her favorite book on the couch, some beautiful music playing. Suddenly, her chain of thoughts broke by the doorbell. She opens the door and gets greeted by an unexpected intruder.
"Merry Christmas, my love!" Cassie chirped in happiness.
"OMG! Is it you?" Amethys wasn't sure if it was a dream, and she had imagined it way too many times to tell the difference.
"Nah, it’s my ghost." Cassie booed Amethys' nose.
"Right!"
Cassie engulfed Amethys in a hug, “I missed you so much!”
“Not as much as I did.”
“It’s not a competition, love!”
“How long are you going to hold me like this?”
“Forever, if I may.”
“Why?”
“’Cause I love you, my dumdum!” Cassie looked into Amethys’ eyes with utmost sincerity.
“I-I wasn't expecting this 'I Love You. Can you not look at me like that? I'm trying to find the right thing to say.” Amethys did not expect Cassie to confess her love like this.
“Wait, what? Do you not love me?”
“Sorry for this stupid question, but do you love me, like a friend or a lover?”
“Umm… I guess, both? But wait, why are you asking all this? I thought you also loved me.”
“Of course I do. I ...I am in love with you." Amethys was at a loss for words. "Then why did you ask that?"
"It's just that we haven't been in touch properly for a while, and both of us had been so busy with our lives and careers, we barely talked to each other. I just thought you didn't want me in your life anymore. I just felt so left out and unwanted." Amethys teared up.
"Babe? I… I'm so sorry for not being there. I swear my last job was terrible, and I knew quitting it was the right decision. I couldn't do anything other than work all day, and I'd be so exhausted to socialize. Also, I'm sorry, I was kinda planning to surprise you, so I was building up some back story of being unavailable so that I could be here for Christmas with you."
"You almost broke my heart just to surprise me?"
"Fight me as much as you want, but I just wanted to see you smile and in my arms."
"Eff you Bee! I effin' hate you." Amethys pushed her away.
"And I love you." Cassie hugged her again.
She took a deep breath as she felt the warm embrace of her lover, "I apologize for the blunt delivery, but as problematic as this fact maybe, I am in love with you. I can't figure out the logic behind this, and I know I love you. I can't believe how many times I'm saying it. I finally know what I want, and that in itself is a miracle. And what I want is you.”
"A miracle? But you've always wanted me in your life."
"I did, but I've been in a very dark place mentally, and I had almost given up on everything and everyone. My cousin came over two days ago and put up all these decorations. I didn't even feel like celebrating anything."
Cassie kissed her cheek, "I'm sorry love, I am. I feel like an arse for hurting you like this for a stupid surprise."
"It's alright. You wanted the best for me."
"You know, sometimes it's okay to be angry."
"I am angry. My characters were about to kiss under the mistletoe when you barged in. You better give me a good moment to make it up."
"I love my demanding lover!" Cassie pulled Amethys closer by putting her arms around her waist and gently kissing her. Amethys closed her eyes and felt the spicy-bitter taste of whiskey mix with Cassie's strawberry lip balm.
It was sweet, spicy, and bitter, the taste and the feel – she had always imagined it, this was happening for real. She couldn’t believe it, those eyes she had been in love with for all these years, that smile and those tender lips… were finally hers.
"Were you drinking alone, my love?" Cassie asked.
"Come have a drink with me."
"I'd love that! I also have so many things to tell you."
"Me too!"
They cuddled under the weighted blanket and chatted all night.
Next morning.
Cassie opened her eyes, pecked Amethys' forehead, "I always imagined waking up by your side, seeing you first thing in the morning."
"It's better in reality than in imagination." Amethys smiled.
"It is. Let's make a new beginning then. You ready for it?"
"I need some time."
"I'm here for you, by your side. Not leaving you anytime soon."
"I know."
"I love you."
"Not as much as I do."
"Love's not a competition, but you win."
"I always do."
~
Credits :
Dialogue from the movie ‘Holiday’ (2006), credits to the original dialogue writer, Nancy Meyers.
“I am in love with you. I apologize for the blunt delivery, but as problematic as this fact may be, I am in love. With you. And I'm not feeling this because you're leaving, and not because it feels good to feel this way - which by the way, it does. I can't figure out the mathematics of this, I just know I love you. Can't believe how many times I'm saying it. I finally know what I want, and that in itself is a miracle. And what I want is you.”
“I wasn't expecting 'I Love You'. Can you not look at me like that? I'm trying to find the right thing to say.”
Dialogue from the movie ‘Serendipity’ (2001) "Well if we're meant to meet again, we will meet again."
Your reaction
Nice
Awesome
Loved
LOL
OMG
Cry
14 Comments