Your Hand in Mine

Gabe came down the stairs with a sad expression. I bit the side of my mouth, painfully, in hopes that I wouldn't just break in to a smile right then. The way his lip pouted with sadness, and his eyes were downcast- he looked adorable. Enough to make you go all fan-girl like and rape him. He walked over to the stereo and turned it on and began to 'booty' dance. I couldn't help but break a smile and eventually start laughing. He smiled and walked over to me, not saying anything and grabbed my hands, pulling me up. He turned up the music more, and we began to dance crazily with each other. I couldn't help but smile the whole time and a smile never left his eyes. I jumped on his back, and he began to spin me faster and faster until we both fell down on the ground laughing.

"Gabe." I said, crawling to him more.

"Yeah?"

"Can we talk?"

"Of course." He answered with concern in his voice.

"Well, I just wanted to say that I haven't had sex, and William and I-"

"I know, and I didn't mean what I said. I was just...well, it's complicated. I don't like knowing people can touch you. I don't like knowing people can get close to you and have more than I can with you- they can take away me. I don't want you getting hurt or getting pregnant or anything."

"So pretty much, you're just jealous and insecure?"

He laughed, "Something like that."

"Why is William such an ass?"

"I mean...He didn't mean the things he said. He was just trying to get under Alex's skin and everything. He doesn't think of you as a whore, or an accident, a mistake. He thinks of that night to be one of the best nights. He had only hoped it could bring you guys closer."

"It would have if he didn't have to go whore around and then act like I was a whore and..." I trailed off.

"You have to talk to him about that. You guys have had too many years of friendship to just waste it away like this."

"Gabe?"

"Yeah?"

"Is it okay if Nick comes over tonight for dinner?"

Gabe sighed, "Why do you want to get involved with him?"

"I like him, Gabe."

He nodded.

"Gabe."

"Yeah?"

"I love you. No one will be able to replace you. I was dating Alex, and he couldn't. When everything was going on, and I 'hated' you." I said putting air quotations around hate, "I still wanted you. Let me rephrase that, I needed you."

He smiled that heart winning smile. It made my body tingle in delight.

"You have no idea how many times I cried over you. I've never cried so much." He told me becoming serious once more.

I latched my arms around his waist, and he relaxed in my embrace. Our bodies found their shape, and I was once more listening to the beating in his chest. We sat in silence, as we lay there. I drew circles on his belly, getting shivers every now and then. His hand was rubbing over mine, lacing his fingers with mine, and just toying with my fingers.

"Gracie baby, nomatter who the guy is- nomatter how good of a guy he is, if it's not me that you're talking about, seeing, whatever- I'll never like it." He broke the silence with ease.

My heart fluttered a little when he said that last bit. I latched my arms around his waist, my chest tightening..but in a good way.

"Our 5th year of friendship is tomorrow." I said, trying to get off the subject that was making my body react in ways that it shouldn't.

"I know. You are mine tomorrow. All mine. It's just going to be you and me." He said, wrapping his arms tightly around me.

My heart sped up.

Gabe and me- the way it should be.