I watched him walk away. I wanted to speak but no words came to my lips. I wanted to move but my muscles didn't respond. I wanted so badly to touch him, but he was too far away now. He looked like an ant on a sidewalk. How long had I been standing here? It was weird how I could still see his back hunched over, looking like he was about to fold in on himself any second. I could still smell him. Well, in my head anyway. A luscious, natural, floral scent that could reel any girl in. His eyes still burned a hole in me, even in my mind. Gorgeous, green eyes. And those lips...

Oh, god. What had I done?

Why now? I thought to myself. Why, after all this time, was this just surfacing? All this time I was prancing around suppressing the feelings that had obviously been growing. I pretended to myself that I didn't return his feelings, that I didn't love him. And now that he was gone, now that I had told him I didn't love him, I realised that I had been lying. Not only to him, but to myself.

Before I realised what I was doing, I started running. Sprinting. I didn't feel the burning in my thighs, or my calves screaming in protest. All I could think about was him. I didn't know what I was doing, or what I was going to do when I reached him.

He was closer now, close enough to hear my approach. He turned to see me just in time for me to run into his chest, his arms catching me. As soon as he steadied me, he pulled his arms back abruptly and his expression hardened.

"What now?" he snapped.

"I'm sorry," I breathed. "I don't know what I was saying back there. I thought I didn't -- I mean, I realise now that I love you. I really do. I was stupid before. I pushed away my feelings because -- well, I don't know why. But all I do know is that I love you. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone. Please, please, please forgive me. Please --"

Before I could finish, his lips silenced mine. They were soft, warm, inviting. One hand wrapped around my waist, pulled me closer. The other wound in my hair. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed myself to his chest. I didn't want to let him go, but he pulled away first.

"Am I forgiven?" I said between breaths, my forehead pressed against his.

He took a deep breath. "Absolutely."