The Chasm

"You're blushing."

"I'm not!" He overstated.

However I could tell he was because he pulled the scarf higher up his neck.

It was between the prominent jaw line and broad shoulders where all was given away. The face would stay emotionless and unchanging in darkness and rigidity. Only his neck would flush red, belying his tough exterior.

I'd only seen it a few times before.

"Admit it!"

"I'm not." He stated more weakly.

I paused. Should I say it again? Or just pretend he didn't hear and go on as things had always been….

"Aubrey Steven Jones! … I like you, OK?"

Whooooosh. OK breathe. Too late now!

The bulk of his torso was hunched forward and black eyes rolled towards the ground and at the feet shuffling dead leaves around. The jaw clenched and unclenched. A sign of his deep thought.

And I waited…..

And the silence yawned between us creating a chasm.

A dark and bottomless hole lined with jagged rocks. And we were on either side, on a rocky outcrop but seemingly forever apart.

I could hardly see him but dared to speak into the darkness.

"I've liked you from the moment I set eyes on you." Echoed around me into more silence.

Still I bravely went on, although my voice just a throaty whisper.

"I like that you sing loud and off key and that it's one of the true times you don't give a damn about who hears you and what they think about you."

I heard the wind blow and whistle high in pitch through the hollow. Things were grey and fuzzy. Was he even there at all?

"I like that you punch my arm as though I'm your best guy friend, but gently take my hand and squeeze it when I'm nervous about somethhhhh-"

I began to falter, feet following voice and scuffing almost right over the very edge of the abyss and sending stones tumbling far below. My hand was reaching in search of comfort but not finding it. I was sweating too, even though it felt very cold.

I steadied away from the edge and took a deep breath. I can do this.

"I like that you gave me a valentine every year since we met labelled 'From your secret admirer' but never admitted it was you"

And I could see him clearer now, he was closer and brighter. I felt stronger. My voice came louder.

"And I like that you're always there for me, to go shopping with me, or to just hang with me. You've comforted me through every break-up, even once missing that concert you always wanted to go to."

And now the gap didn't seem very big at all and I saw his face through the haze, so familiar, warm and lovable. I ached all over for wanting to be close again.

And then he leaped a magnificent great big leap and he was beside me again, this time holding me to him.

And the eyes had turned to the clearest lightest blue.

And the once deep-set cheeks were high upon the face in a smile.

"I like you too Emma." He breathed.

And our eternity was sealed with a kiss. A kiss that sent us to another magical place.