#halfexisted

Concern marred Norman's dark eyes and Lou felt a throb of guilt in her chest, almost desperate to soothe his worry with a soft touch to his cheek. She had planned this conversation, her confession in her head, taking mental notes as though it could boost her courage but there, sitting within arm's length of him, her brain was filled with white noise. She called him from her desk, asking to see him because they needed to talk - why couldn't she just say it over the phone? Not being able to see him, read his features and the nervous crease that will form between his eyebrows would have been the easier option, after all.

Norman deserved far better than that.

Louise tore her gaze from his and rose out of her seat, taking a deep breath in the hope of steadying her heartbeat.

"We've, uh... been... We've been hanging out for a while, Norman. I've, I- I've enjoyed it so much - I hope you know that. I've really had a great time getting to know you." Clenching her hands together, she sighed when she noticed that she was already anxiously pacing her living room. She stopped and reluctantly looked back to him, naturally finding that crease. That fucking crease... Moving back to him, she slumped to sit on the coffee table. "I think... I, um, I think it's only fair that I admit that I'm starting to develop. Fuck... Okay, okay... I like you, Norman. I l-like you. It's unbearable if I don't see you or talk to you for a few days and then, when we're meant to be hanging out, I can't wait. You absolutely mean the world to me... And I'm sorry."