A Show of Heart

*Some time later*

I was making my way to the drawing room for the second time today. I had already looked to check if that teacher was around, and gave a little cheer inside when I saw him preoccupied in a heated conversation with some other student. There wasn't enough room for them all, so I wasn't surprised to see a mini-brawl about who got the last hamburger currently raging on inside.

With that reassurance fresh in my head, I continued on my way to the room with less caution, but still aware that anything could happen though. I let out a sigh of relief as I reached the door undetected. Okay, halfway there… just have to get her outside of this place without getting caught. No big deal… that's some wishful thinking there.

I quietly slipped into the room, after taking another look down the hallway. Closing the door behind me, I looked up to see her fixing her flawless hair in the mirror. The thought of her wanting to look good for me made a warm feeling run through me.

"Getting all pretty for me?" I asked slyly, as I leaned against her door with a small smirk.

She whirled around, caught off guard, but gave me a playful glare before scolding, "you really have to stop sneaking up on me like that."

"Nah, it's too fun," I said with a smile, before walking over and gently taking her hand. "Come on, we have to go," I whispered with a small tug on her arm.

"Where are we going?" she asked curiously.

But was immediately quieted by a quick, "shh! We can't get caught, and yeah, do you really expect me to ruin your surprise?"

She smiled, and shook her head slowly. We then proceeded to exit the room backtracking along my previous path towards the entrance. We managed to reach the front of the school doors, but froze when I heard a voice. "Hey Grumpy, where are you going… why is she with you... oh," the familiar voice trailed off.

I protectively pushed her behind me, but relaxed a great deal when I saw who had spoken. It was none other than Crunch, standing by the staircase we had just sneaked down. It appeared he had, amazingly, won the fight for the hamburger, because there he stood, happily munching on it with a beauty of a bruise forming around his eye. I couldn't hold in a snicker as I said, "nice shiner dude, but for a hamburger… come on."

He threw me a goofy grin as he shoved the remainder of the burger into his mouth.

"What can I say? I love me some burgers… but I'm still wondering if it was worth getting socked by that guy," he said, as he gingerly touched the developing bruise with a wince. "What about you? What are you getting yourself into now… more trouble no doubt," he added with a raised eyebrow.

"Maybe… but just don't say anything, alright?" I asked with a desperate look.

"Yeah, you got it… but you so owe me," he said as he headed towards the cafeteria to appease his still rumbling stomach.

I turned to look at the girl still clutching my shirt, and placed my hand on her back to lead her out the entrance. I was pleased to feel her tension leave at my touch. We headed a little further away before I stopped and said, "close your eyes until I tell you to open them… I don't want your surprise ruined."

She let her lids fall, until her long eyelashes sweetly kissed her cheeks. I proceeded to wave a hand in front of her eyes; satisfied, I led her away toward the beach. We didn't exchange a word, but I knew she wouldn't peek. Upon arrival, I stared at the view proudly, before leading her forward.

"Okay, you can open your eyes."

I watched nervously as she slowly opened her eyes. They widened, in what I hoped was amazement, but I couldn't be sure. She took a few hesitant steps forward her feet sinking slightly, being gently caressed by the warm, white sand. She stopped at the edge of the water, letting a lazy wave tenderly wash over her small sand speckled feet. She looked toward the horizon letting out a quiet gasp of awe. She looked as if she could reach out and touch it, it was as though she had never seen something so real, so breathtaking.

A variety of colours created by nature itself, smeared effortlessly across the evening sky. Creamy, golden yellows engulfed by intense, and fierce ambers; a touch of pink tickling the edges of a deep, and powerful ruby red shade. She raised her hand, almost shyly; reaching out to slowly trace every ripple, every crease etched softly into the sky. The glistening reflection of the dying sunset entranced her with it's fractured light dancing happily over the water.

It was a glimpse of something she might have dreamed of seeing, something she had accepted would only pass her by. But now, she was touching something real, feeling the warmth, the chill. Seeing something full of colours that, for once, she hadn't drawn herself. Her head gave a small shake, as my soft steps came closer to her, until I was standing at her side at the water’s edge.

"Well, what do you think?" I asked hopefully with a sideways glance at her face, beautifully illuminated by the dying rays of the receding sun.

I saw a tear leave a glistening trail down her cheek, sparkling brightly from the reflected light. I almost started to regret my decision to take her here, but then I saw the smile that brightened her face with a happiness that outshone even the sun at it's highest peak.

"It's perfect… it's the picture I drew. How did you know I wanted to come here? I've only ever dreamed of a sight like this. I never imagined something this beautiful," she said breathily.

"I came here once on a dare, it didn't feel quite as special then, but I think it was missing something then," I explained thoughtfully.

I felt her slender arms wrap around my waist, and I pulled her warm body closer to mine. She pressed her face to my chest, her tears staining my shirt. But, it didn't bother me. I lifted her chin delicately watching her eyes close slowly, mine followed soon after.

Our lips touched softly and sweetly; a simple yet passionate moment that made me feel as close to alive as I could possibly hope. It was a pure moment of innocence, which shined in a second of brilliance that any light could only wish to strive toward. I pulled away slowly, our faces still lingering closely. A feeling of indescribable safety overwhelming our proximity.

I was the first to speak, as our cheeks tenderly brushed in a simple gesture that we knew meant more than anyone could ever comprehend. "I know what was missing before… someone to enjoy it with… and that someone… is you," I let out a soft laugh, "wow, that sounded so corny."

"I love it… just like I love you," she said as she leaned her head back against my chest.

She gazed happily out at the remains of the dwindling sunset, feeling my arms embrace her with a tenderness no one would have guessed I had.

"I'm glad you found what was missing… there's nothing worse than feeling incomplete," she whispered into my shirt, loud enough for only me to hear. "So you better never leave me," she finished in a gentle tone that would've melted my heart if it was possible.

I affectionately nuzzled her neck and murmured a promise I wouldn't break, "I promise I’ll never leave you Coco.”

In the end, I can't say I'm upset at fate for twisting our lives together, and I can't say that, given the opportunity, and the knowledge of what there was to come, I would have changed the path and hated it.

Coco looked up at me with a tearful smile, “thank you Garble... for everything.” I smiled back at her.