Even Without Words

Kellin

I had no idea what she meant about Vic’s story, so I decided to find out myself. While Vic was still confused over what just happened I grabbed his story and he finally protested.

“Come on Kells, it isn’t even good!” He said. “Don’t read it.”

Despite his protests, I jumped to the only spot I really wanted to read, which was the part that our teacher wrote. It just said: Good luck with that boy you like. Oh, Vic likes somebody… I should’ve guessed. I handed it back to him and flipped open my school notebook to work on my own story. I didn’t really feel up to writing a love story right now so I threw in a twist. The girl in my story dies because she committed suicide and overdosed on pills. Then the boy realizes what he lost and that’s how the story ends. I stared at the final page and felt tears prick at my eyes. I pressed my fists into my eyes to try and stop myself from crying and for once it worked. I handed in my story and the teacher told me I could leave to go work on other projects if I wanted. The tears just started to fall as I made it to the door and from there I ran. I dumped my things quickly in my room and ran outside to the cave. I don’t know why I ran there but I did. I found it easier this time and crawled inside. Pulling my knees up to my chest, I sat there and cried for a while.

I heard something outside and started having an anxiety attack. What if it’s a rabid dog? Or a murderer? Or worse… Vic. Sure enough, Vic crawled into the space with me and I didn’t want to look at him. I don’t even deserve someone that amazing.

“Hey, hey,” Vic said softly. “What’s wrong Kells?”

I felt his arms wrap around me and I pushed them away. Vic must’ve been even more confused because he didn’t move again.

“Come on Kellin,” He pleaded. “Please tell me what’s wrong.” He placed my notebook and a pen in my lap. I wrote messily and shoved the book back towards him.

Everything’s wrong Vic. Nobody wants me. It’s why I’m here in the first place.

“Oh Kellin,” Vic said and put a hand on my shoulder which I shrugged off. “That’s not true. Look at all the friends you’ve made in the last few days!”

That isn’t what I meant. I showed him.

It took Vic a while to get what I meant and probably to suspect what I thought.

“Kellin,” He sighed. “Please tell me you aren’t upset because you read what she wrote on my story.” I didn’t answer him. “Because I do like someone.”

I only cried a little more and turned away from him.

“Hey, let me finish,” He moved and sat in front of me. “I like you.”

I looked up at him with tears rolling down my cheeks and he just wiped them away with gentle fingers. It was almost too good, I had to be dreaming. But I knew that Vic’s hands around mine were real and that I wasn’t dreaming for once. I wrapped my arms around his neck and Vic pulled me into his lap and just held me while I cried from happiness. I just hung onto him for dear life.

“Come on,” I heard Vic whisper. “Let’s go get some dinner before it’s too late and then we can talk all you want, okay?”

I nodded and Vic pulled me out onto the sand. It was already starting to cool off so I wrapped my arms around myself. Vic pulled off his sweater and draped it over my shoulders. I put it on properly and it was a little too big, but that only made it better. I ended up wrapping my arms around Vic’s waist as we walked and his went around my shoulders. We went straight to dinner and sat with all our friends. Tony and Mike were smirking.

“Yeah buddy,” Tony said with a chuckle.

“Good one bro,” Mike added and patted his older brother on his back. I realized I was still wearing Vic’s sweater and blushed.

“Guys, stop embarrassing Kellin,” Vic laughed a little and stole some of my salad. I looked up at him with a playful glare and saw him smirk back at me. We ate and soon enough, all nine of us were walking back to the dorms. Vic and I were behind everyone, walking slowly. I felt Vic’s hand brush against mine so I twined our fingers together. I peeked at Vic through my hair to see him smiling widely. The rest of our friends decided to watch another scary movie so I made the excuse that I couldn’t handle another one to creep up the stairs and to my room. Vic followed me.

“So do you want to talk now?” Vic asked me. I nodded and sat cross legged on my bed, leaning against the wall. Vic sat beside me. “Ask away.”

Why me? I didn’t look at him, just at my hands. One of Vic’s arms wrapped around my shoulders.

“Because you’re sweet and adorable and very, very mysterious,” He told me. “I was worried you wouldn’t like me back.”

Now THAT’S just stupid. Who wouldn’t like you Vic? You’re the single nicest person I’ve ever met, and you’re willing to put up with all my crap.

“It’s not really putting up with you,” Vic said. “Because that would imply that I don’t want to. I will always be happy to comfort you Kells.” I wrapped my arms around him tightly and leaned into him.

“Hey Kells?” Vic asked and made me look up. “Can I kiss you?” He stuttered out. I just smiled and nodded and before I knew it, Vic’s lips were attached to mine and I had no intentions of letting him go. Too bad my need for air beat out my need to kiss Vic. When we pulled away I just leaned my head on his shoulder and we held onto each other.

“So will you go out with me next weekend?” Vic asked. I just smiled wider and nodded eagerly.