Page 89 of The Story Of Us

I’ve tried writing this probably a hundred times, trying to find the right way to tell you just how much you mean to me, but I’ve never been good with words like you are.

You’ve changed my life, Violet.

That’s the simplest way I can put it.

Jaanu, my life, my soul.

When you first told me what that word meant, I couldn’t believe there was a single word that could describe how I felt about you. The fact that you could teach me what that word was just feels like another reason that we’re fated. And I know you think it’s funny every time I say it, but how else could I be so lucky to know you, to have you, to love you?

I love you, Violet.

I love you, I love you, I love you.

I wish I could pinpoint the exact moment I realised so I could look back on it, but there’s no need for that because I’m hit with it every time I see you.

Any time I think of my best friend, it’s you.

Any time I think of who I want beside me for the rest of my life, it’s you.

Any time I think of home, it’s you.

And it’s okay if you don’t feel the same way yet. I just couldn’t wait any longer to tell you.

I don’t know what the next year holds for us, but university applications and exams will probably push us to our limits. I’ll probably annoy the hell out of you, but I believe in us.

I believe we can get through anything together.

I can’t wait for our future.

I love you.

Your Isaac

Her hands are shaking as she holds onto the card, and then I hear her take in a sharp breath. I lift her head off my shoulder, twisting my body uncomfortably so that I can see her face clearly as I take it in my hands. Tears are streaming from her eyes, and I wipe them away before bringing her head to my neck, holding her close to me, and wrapping my arms around her until she’s practically sitting in my lap.

“Hey, hey, hey. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“Stop apologising,” she hiccups out, her voice muffled from how close I’m holding her to me. “Do you really mean it?”

“Of course I do.” I stroke her hair, trying to calm her down so she’ll stop crying because even though I know it’s happy tears, it still breaks my heart. “I-“

She tries to lift her head, and I let her, glistening beautiful brown eyes staring into mine, and it’s like I can see my entire future in them.

“You can’t say it when I’m not looking at you.” She sniffles, swiping at her eyes and nose, and she’s still the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.

I let out a small laugh and then cradle her face in my hands, running my thumbs across her cheeks as I tilt her head up to look at me clearly.

“I love you, Violet,” I say, my voice steady because I’ve never been more sure of anything else in my life.

“I love you, too.”

I never expected to hear those words from her, and it’s like a dam has broken inside of me. All the worries and insecurities I’ve had about her feelings for me flood out and leave my mind completely clear. I bring her face closer to mine and kiss her like it’s the most important thing I’ll ever do.

34

VIOLET

Isaac loves me.

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