"To Be Near You"

“Aw, come on!” Richard whined, dancing around her on the grass.

“No, there’s too much risk.” Cassandra stated.

“Cassie…” he moaned, “Please?”

“Nope.”

“Fine, but I don’t love you any more.” Richard pouted.

Cassandra’s heart started racing. She knew he was kidding, about loving her and about not loving her. It was complicated.

They had been friends for five years. Cassandra had walked in on a prank-planning meeting. She had been so taken by Richard, and his brother, that she joined them for the prank. She had been decoy. It was a time she would never forget.

After months of friendship, Cassandra had grown very fond of the brothers – one more than the other. Richard seemed to be the only person she could ever think of. The only person to make her happy, no matter what.

“But you know you love me…” she teased, tapping Richard's arm as she continued to tidy her sketching things away.

“Yeah,” he blushed.

She giggled. This had been a little routine for them for quite a while now.

“But why won’t you?”

“I’ve told you, Rich. It’s too much risk.”

“But-”

“No buts! You know what happened last time.” Cassandra lifted her hands, as though being put into handcuffs.

“I know, Cass,” Richard spoke softly, taking her hand in both of his, “And I’m sorry, but don’t you want to get back at the old hag for grassing on you?”

Cassandra chuckled, “Yeah…”

“So help me?”

Cassandra really considered it. She sat on her picnic blanket and stared into space, taking into account all the possibilities.

“I’ll love you forever,” Richard grinned. Only then did she notice that her hand was still in his and he was on his knees at her feet, “Promise.”

She couldn’t help but grin, “Not saying that I’ll do it…” she smirked, “what would I have to do?”

Richard smiled more and explained some plan that involved fireworks, loud bangs, singeing…

Cassandra laughed as Richard did an impression of the evil old lady at the end of the street, that was always the butt of their jokes because she'd been caught by them hitting her dog.

“So what do you say?” he concluded.

“Still sounds risky.”

“Aw,” Richard moaned again. “Pretty please?”

“Why do you want me so much?” she asked, in all innocence.

Richard turned a deep red as he stood up and paced the grassy knoll. She watched, confused.

“Rich?”

“Come with me,” he stated simply, taking her hand and pulling her gently across the field.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

He didn’t answer, but she knew soon enough. He had pulled her to a hidden spot near the play park. It was the place in which she had stumbled upon their plans, hidden under some over grown trees. It was also the place that they had hidden together from the old lady when they gave her a “delivery” she hadn't ordered.

“This place is special,” Richard assured.

“Yes, it is,” Cassie smiled, though it faded when Richard's serious face remained. He was never serious. “What is it, Rich?”

“You were playing hide and seek… The first time I met you. I thought you were pretty… I was wrong.”

She tried to speak, but didn’t know what to say.

“And that time my brother and I argued… I thought I wanted you with me… I didn’t.”

She was so confused. Tears formed in her eyes, but couldn’t fall.

“The time we were hiding from bitch-face… when she almost caught us and I held you against me… I wished I could do it again… that was wrong of me.”

“R-Rich?” she forced out, “What are you talking about?” She didn’t want to allow herself to be upset or angry with this, but there was no stopping it.

Finally Richard seemed to wake from his manic rant. He looked into her eyes and saw what she was feeling. It ripped him apart and he sped to her. He closed the gap between them in under a second. His protective arms embraced her wholly. He felt so awful for allowing her to misunderstand.

He hurried to correct himself, “I’m sorry.” He started, “Listen to me,” he lifted her chin so he could see into her eyes. His other hand was still holding her close to him. The tears in her eyes made him want to cry too, “You’re not pretty – you’re beautiful, stunning, gorgeous, perfect. When my bro and I fought, I didn’t want you, I needed you. I couldn’t have made it through without you. I shouldn’t have wanted to hold you again – I should never have let you go. Cassie, I love you. I always have and always will. If I can hold you like this for the rest of my life, then I will be happy. Cassie, that’s why I want you around so much… why I crave your attention… why I ask you to do stupid, reckless things with me… just to be near you, Cass, that’s all I ask.”

Cassandra was speechless. Her mind was buzzing with all those words, all those meaningful, beautiful words.

He concluded, “I love you, Cassie. I want you to be mine. Forever.”

She looked into his eyes and it seemed to clear her mind. Her answer, simple, yet perfect, was barely audible, “Yes, Richard. Forever.”

His lips cascaded to hers and he kissed her with so much love that she could hardly breathe. She kissed back as soon as she felt able.

He grinned into her lips, wanting her, needing her, loving her, always. Five years he had waited for the moment. He chuckled to himself – he’d almost messed it up completely, but he couldn’t have lived with that. He couldn’t live without her.

When they parted, he repeated the truest words, “I love you. To be near you, that’s all I ask.”

“Forever,” she replied, before crashing their lips together to seal the deal…