#dove00

It wasn't as rough as the night his parents left him. It wasn't as sad as the day he knew that they weren't ever coming back. It wasn't as infuriating as the night that he found out how they truly died or as depressing as the night that he had to destroy his hourglass because he thought he was a monster...

But it was tough and he didn't want to relieve any of his emotions of today. Today was the day that Beth professed her love for him and he had to let her down gently. In his mind, he did her an act of kindness.

She had many college prospects and well laid goals. She knew what fields of learning she was interested in, when she wanted to take her breaks and what she intended to do each break. She had a life planned out before she fell in love and even though he loved her more than anything else, he was scared that her fitting him into her world would make it messy.

Unfortunately, he was raised in such a way that despite knowing how terrible and wrong his uncle was in his upbringing, he couldn't easily undo the feelings and beliefs instilled within him. Feelings of taking up undeserved space, of being unwanted and messing up people's plans. Ruining lives... Maybe ruining her life.

That fear was enough for him to decline, even as her tears broke his heart. She said that the plans she made were actually already adjusted for him and that it would be more difficult to work him out of them. He believed her, but still didn't believe in himself. "I'm sorry. But, I promise we'll always be friends..."

.

Presently, Beth knocked on the door. Rick opened it and immediately felt uplifted by the sight of her face. Everything inside of him warmed just seeing her again. "Happy Curved Day!" She cheered and threw a handful of biodegradable confetti into the air and hugged him.

"Beth...?"

She began picking up bags that she had placed outside of his door as she explained, "Listen. I know that today isn't as huge for you as it is for me, but as you said a year ago, you're still my best friend! So, who else would I bother to let me sulk in my feelings about the time that the love of my life curved me?" She let herself in as he helped with the bags. He still looked confused. "I've got all of our favorites. Frozen yogurt, fruit snacks and ingredients for homemade nachos! PLUS movies, music and articles!"

Rick sighed and looked at everything. He had just been mourning what he didn't let himself have with her when she wanted it, thinking she was over it and him, and now, here she was... Still... As in it as he was. "Beth?" She smiled at him as she unpacked bags. "I know that you said it already, but what is this about?"

She wrinkled her eyebrows, "Craving. Coping. Closure." She shrugged. "It's been a rough year. Hoping to have a better one. Rebrand today, I guess." She leaned on the kitchen counter, "I mean, you were at my mom's divorce party. You saw how clarifying it was for her to commemorate this terrible thing that "had to" happen..." She bit her lip. "I've been having a harder time with this than with their divorce. So, can we just... Can you just be my friend and help me get over a boy that I've been in love with for maybe too long?"

Rick felt his eyes dampening. "Course. That's, uh... That's part of the job." He came closer, wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her on the forehead. "Happy..."

"Curved Day."

"Happy Curved Day," he chuckled, lips still pressed against her skin. "I hate it," he laughed, accidentally starting to cry. "That guy was an idiot, by the way. You deserved better."

She leaned into the hug. "He's a good guy. I still love him, honestly. If he were to change his mind, I'd still have room for him." She looked up to see his reaction. He shut his eyes, but didn't say anything. She sighed and pulled away. "Could've been an anniversary," she chuckled.

"Maybe next year?" He said, in a low, hopeful voice. Beth's entire face lit up. He finally made eye contact with her.. he wanted to. He really did. If she still wanted him, maybe he could.. get over the issues. If he could, for just long enough to make it official? "Only if you really still..." Beth hopped up onto him and he caught her body and her kisses.

"Anniversary scheduled for next year," she confirmed. He could hardly catch his breath as he rested her on his kitchen counter. "Rick?"

"Yes," he whispered, nodding his head, against her forehead.

"Today had a much better turn out than I expected. I didn't think I'd get over you, but I at least thought we'd get through a movie or something."

"We can still watch a movie."

She sucked her teeth, "I don't wanna watch a movie, now. I just got my man. I wanna make out." He blushed. "Is that too forward? Is it too soon?"

"No. I've wanted this for a while. I just didn't know how to..." She looked worried. "I want to, now. I want to know how to be with you."

"Well... There's no rulebook. But, let's maybe put this stuff away and then we can... Figure it out together."