The summer flew by faster than any other summer Kiara had ever experienced before. One minute she was excited about her acceptance letter to Harvard and the next she was packing her belongings up to move. She couldn't believe that in two days she would be on the other side of the country and starting her classes to become a doctor. It all seemed so surreal to her.
She spent her summer days the way she always had, with James. They went swimming, bowling, went to the movies, and just hung out. But this summer had been different and she knew it was because of the feelings she had for him. Every little thing she noticed now. His contagious smile, his infectious laugh, the way he would push her hair out of her face; she saw it all. She couldn't believe she had been so blind to all of it until now. She had already decided that she would tell James how she felt about him. If he rejected her, maybe they could still be friends, but if he felt the same way, they could be so much more than that.
Her parents helped her pack up her car with all of the essentials; clothes, books, supplies, bedding sets, etc. Kiara called James to see if he was free for the day and of course he was. She felt the butterflies in her stomach building up more and more as each second passed. She was nervous but excited. This was it. She was going to tell him she was in love with him!
As Kiara walked through the door of their favorite little cafe, she saw him. James was sitting at their favorite table in the corner next to the window. She never realized how handsome he actually was until now. Sandy-blonde hair, beautiful bright green eyes, muscular arms, broad shoulders, and the perfect height for her. He was wearing his usual plaid button-up shirt with khaki pants and his silly boat shoes. James always dressed so nicely.
As James noticed her, his face lit up like a kid's on Christmas Day. He met her halfway and embraced her in a tight but comfortable embrace. He looked down, smiled and said. "Hey, you! I'm so happy to see you! I was worried I wouldn't get to see you before you left for Harvard tomorrow". He squeezed her a little tighter.
"Haha, you're crazy! Of course, I would make time to see you before I left silly!", Kiara exclaimed.
Kiara looked into his eyes and felt this warm, foreign feeling. As she felt this, she immediately started to blush and looked away.
"What are you blushing for? Do you have some deep dark secret or something? Haha", James stated as he laughed.
Kiara hesitated. Then said," Actually there is something I'd like to talk to you about before I leave tomorrow. Can we sit, please?".
"Of course, but why do you sound so serious? You didn't kill someone and are fleeing the country now, right? Haha", James jokingly said.
"No, silly. It's just something I need to tell you. I've been thinking about it all summer long and I wasn't even sure I was going to tell you about it before I left. I debated for a while about telling you at all, to be honest", Kiara answered, looking down towards the table.
"Well thank goodness you didn't kill anyone", James said with a wink. "So what is it you have to tell me?"
Oh God, this is it. The moment of truth. She hoped it would go well.
"Well, we've been best friends for a really long time. Since we were still in diapers. You've been there for me through everything. My grandmother passing away, college, my ups, and downs. You've always been there for me. I didn't realize how important you are to me until I received the acceptance letter to Harvard. The truth is, I believe my feelings for you have turned into something more than that of just a friend." Kiara paused before she said, " I'm in love with you James. I'm not sure if I always have been or if this is something that just recently happened. But it's true, I'm madly in love with you James. I didn't want to tell you because I was worried this would ruin our friendship. That's the absolute last thing I wanted to do, but I couldn't keep this in. So that's my secret."
Kiara finally looked up at James. She had kept her head down when she said it. Now she was looking to see if she could see how he felt in his face or not. But, for the first time, James' face had no emotion at all. It was completely empty. He was just staring at her, not saying anything.
"Crap, I knew he didn't feel the same way.", Kiara thought as her stomach and heart dropped to the floor. Her biggest fear had come true. She ruined their friendship because of her stupid feelings. She wished she could just run away and never face him again.
James could see it written on her face she was distraught and regretting telling him. He slowly reached across the table and grasped her hand. With his other hand, he gently touched her face and turned it towards him.
"I'm in love with you, too. I always have been. I was so sure you didn't feel the same way, so I never told you. But I do and I am. You're the most beautiful, perfect, and amazing woman I've ever known. You have a pure and beautiful soul, always putting the needs of others ahead of your own.", James informed her as he looked straight into her soul.
Kiara was floored! She couldn't believe it! He was in love with her and she, with him. They were in love! This kind of thing only happens in the movies, not in real life. But it was happening in real life, and to her. Her eyes lit up with so much happiness and love. She couldn't contain her emotions anymore and burst into tears. "I'm so happy right now! I can't believe you feel the same! I was terrified you would reject me and our friendship would be over.", Kiara said.
"Even if I didn't feel the same way, something like that would never ruin our friendship, Kiara", James reassured her.
They spent the rest of the day doing the things they were already planning on doing except it was different. It was more. They admitted their love for each other. But as the day grew long, Kiara had a very uneasy feeling in her gut. She was leaving tomorrow for Harvard. She was going to be across the country, miles, and miles away from him. She wouldn't see him again for a few months. Could their love stand the time and distance?
James noticed the pained expression on Kiara's face. "What are you thinking about right now?", asked James.
Kiara answered, "I'm leaving tomorrow. I'll be at Harvard and gone for months at a time. Will what we have, be strong enough for that?".
"Of course it will be. Nothing can stand in the way of how we feel about each other. Not time, distance, or anyone.", James reassured her. "Plus, what's that saying? Absence makes the heart grow fonder? Seeing each other will always be a gift we can look forward to, love".
Hearing him say that put her feelings at ease. She knew what he said was right and true. Now she couldn't wait to see what their future would hold. This was the start of something special.
As James walked her to her car that night, she was suddenly nervous again and couldn't help thinking, "Are we a thing now? Is he my boyfriend now?".
"Only if you want me to be your boyfriend. If you're not ready to make us a couple, I'm fine with that. I can wait for you as I've waited all these years for you to feel the same".
Crap. How did he know what I was thinking?
"Relax. I'm pretty sure you just thought out loud. I can't read your thoughts. Or can I? Haha", James jokingly stated.
Kiara laughed and said, "I'm ready for that if you are. I know it's you that I want. If you'll have me."
"How about if you'll have me? Kiara, will you be my girlfriend?", asked James.
"Yes!", exclaimed Kiara.
They both exchanged smiles and James slowly leaned down. She could see he was going to kiss her and eagerly met her lips with his. They were so soft and warm and full of love. She had never experienced a kiss quite like this before. It's possible it was because of the feelings they have for each other or maybe because it was their first kiss. Either way, it was a remarkable and memorable first kiss.
James wished her a good night and he would see her off in the morning. As Kiara brushed her teeth and headed to bed, all she could think about was James, his soft lips, and their future.