"I hate to cut this short but, Ben promised to let me try a new cake today and I can't wait any longer", her words broke the heated silence and my muscles relaxed. She was looking up at me with a dreamy smile. I brushed off my anger with Alister and nodded in agreement with her. "It was lovely meeting all of you, but we'll be going into the kitchen now", she said guiding me to turn away and breathed a sigh of relief. Once my back was turned Alister spoke again.
"Bye Sunny, I hope to see you again soon I never forget a pretty face", he said brazenly knowing it would make my blood boil. All my friends knew only I call her Sunny and he was just trying to get a rise out of me by saying it. The name Sunny on his tongue sounded putrid like chewing on rusty nails. I ignored him but even after getting into the kitchen I was angry with him. I stood by the sink scowling in anger, Alisters words raging in my head.
"Can you believe the nerve of that guy!", I snarled revealing my feverish anger. "I mean seriously, flirting with you right in front of me!", I ranted as I gestured towards the door. "Oh and the way he called you Sunny! He isn't allowed to call you that", I panted, breathless in my tycoon of anger. Sunny stood watching me in shock, seeing this side of me for the first time. She was silent waiting until I had exhausted myself.
"I know you're angry but it's not up to you what anyone can call me, why are you even friends with him?", she huffed, her face twisted into a disappointed frown. I recoiled at her rejection of my outrage.
"Because he was there for me when my mum died so I felt like I couldn't drop him, after everything he does I always believed our friendship meant something to him, clearly it doesn't", I felt wounded my own friend was hurting me and now Sunny showed no sign of disgust from it.
"Maybe you should talk to him and tell him how this has upset you", she was trying to keep a calm tone but her frustration was leaking through.
"So you don't care if he flirts with you and calls you Sunny!", I flung my arms down in frustration losing control of my sense.
"Of course I care! But you can't decide that for me!", she raised her voice and clenched her fists in reply. The argument was become more heated but I couldn't bring myself to calm down.
"Alister is a jerk, but I at least thought you'd be on my side", I wanted to ease my rage and speak more calmly but failed. She folded her arms as her eyes started to well up with tears.
"Well he might be I don't know him, but right now you're treating me like a child and I never thought could act like this", she whimpered as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"How I am suppose to act when you didn't shut him down yourself, he clearly wants you", I blurted out with no way of holding it in. A war against myself raged inside me, one side eager to sooth her and wipe away her tears. The other was still burning hot with anger which I couldn't let go of.
"I'm not interested in Alister, do you think that I'll dump you because another guy says something nice to me?", she cried in protest to my attitude.
"I don't know okay! I don't know what I think", I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth but it was too late to stuff them back in.
"I need some air", she sniffled weakly as she darted out of the back door. I tried to rush to her but she was gone before I could realise what I had done.
I waited till Alister and my friends had left then cleaned up the table. Sunny had been outside almost half an hour and I didn't know what to do. I was so wrapped up in anger and jealousy I had made her cry. My rage had completed melted away and all that was left was regret and shame. I felt so stupid my fear of losing her was pushing her away and every time I opened my mouth I pushed her further from me.
I washed the dishes and decided to go out and see her. I was scared that she wouldn't want to see me but I had to try. Drying my hands I headed outside, holding my breath I walked painfully slowly. Looking around the garden I couldn't see her, an ache in my heart set in that maybe she had gone home. I called out to her, but I got no reply until I looked around the half fixed porch swing and there I found her. She looked so fragile sitting on the floor, resting her head against the side of the swing. Her eyes still teary but now very red.
"Can I sit?", I said wearily not to spook her. She responded in a somber shrug, I took that as a defeated yes and sat beside her.
"I was being a jerk before", I admitted looking down at my feet. She didn't respond keeping her head turned away from me.
"I was out of line and there's no excuse for it, I was mad at Alister because he's suppose to be one of my closest friemds, but I took it out on you and that wasn't okay", I felt my heart drop as I spoke, the weight of making her cry was coming down on me quickly. My eyes started to well up, holding myself back from tears I swollowed my fear and reached down to take her hand. She flinched at my touch but let me take her hand in mine.
"I'm so sorry for what I said, I know you wouldn't drop me for no reason", I stammered as a few tears escaped my eyes.
"To tell you the truth I'm so scared I'll lose you, I've never loved anyone like I love you and the thought of anyone stealing you terrifies me", i admitted my deepest thoughts progressively feeling more exposed by the moment. She lifted her head and turned it towards me slowly, I fought my urge to warp my arms around her. I didn't want to push her when she seemed so uneasy and upset.
"You can't steal someone, it's always a choice if you leave or stay", her voice was shakey as she wiped tears from her eyes with the back of her hand.
"I know that, I just ..", I tried to reply but she cut me off and I relented letting her speak, expecting she was about to tell me off.
"How many times can I tell you I love you and don't want anyone else before you believe me", she could barely speak, sobbing between words. Her heartbroken tears made my eyes flood and I couldn't hold back anymore.
"I swear I believe you, it breaks my heart to see you cry like this, you're what makes my days brighter, please forgive me and I'll do whatever I can to prove I'm worth the effort", I wimpered holder her hand up to my heart. She threw herself into me curling her arms around me, she pressed into me as deeply as she could. I held her close and stroked her head, still seeing her crying in my mind.
"You have a lot of making up to do", she murmured from my chest, breathing more softly.
"Oh I know I do and I'll start right now", I said pulling out a piece of card from my jeans pocket. I handed her the card and she took it looking at it for any markings.
"What's this?", she questioned as she rested her head on my shoulder gently, still sniffling slightly.
"It's so you can write a note saying you forgive me but I want you too keep it until I've earned it", i instructed her as she slumped back down, resting on my chest again.
"Can we stay like this for a while", she whispered, I could feel her heart thumping rapidly as she spoke.
"Yeah we can stay like this for as long as you want", I kissed her head feeling thankful she still wanted me close to her.
I held her from what felt like hours her shallow breathing in tandem with mine.