Strawberry Dance

Strawberry Dance

Her locks of scarlet hair billowed in the wind as we approached the field. The serene hues of green reflected off the grass onto her fair skin. It was a beautiful sight. She couldn't help but dance about as she led me up the crest of the hill to her favorite spot. The one place where she felt at home; her center of the universe.

The last time we were here, I was much more cowardly than I am today. I took too many things for granted, especially her. But, today marks the day that I make up for my past mistakes. Today, I'll finally start the future I've always wanted with her.

When we were younger, we both were foolish and, I especially loved shallowly. Back then I was far too loose with my love for her and let her walk away from me before I realized how much her company meant to me. It truly was my biggest mistake, but now- Now, I can make up for that.

Years have passed since then and the time has made its mark on our skin. I never forgot her; the memories we made still haunt my dreams. I never understood how much of a gift she was and how much I adored the way she effortlessly lit up a room untuk she was gone. But, now she'll finally know how I feel; how I always felt.

"What are you waiting for? We're almost there!" I watched as she bolted up the final stretch of the hill, following close behind her. Once I reached the top of the hill, I stopped dead in my tracks. There she was, spinning in the field of flowers, her beauty radiating with the vivid around her. I couldn't help but smile at the pure happiness that poured from her face. "Where should we set up? There are so many good spots to choose from!" She broke the silence while hopping in place, eagerly swaying the basket in her hand. I approached her and guided her focus to a smooth spread of grass under a willow tree. "Perfect" she whispered with a grin.

I pulled the blanket out of the basket, flicking it to spread out over the grass. Following that, I placed our hors d'oeuvres out around us as she sat down, eyes notably glued to the container of strawberries.

"Want some?" She nodded her head as a wide smile spread across her face. I placed a few freshly washed strawberries onto a plate. She gleefully took the plate and soon after plopped one of the berries into her mouth. I watched as her familiar smile returned to her face as she closed her eyes and swayed in bliss.

I've always called it her strawberry dance because whenever she ate strawberries she had the same reaction. It's an adorable sight to witness. Sometimes I'm even tempted to sway with her, hoping to feel a fraction of the joy she was radiating.

"Thank you for inviting me here, by the way. It's so nice to be back." She grabbed another strawberry as she looked at me once more.

"Of course! I mean, we were both already in town... I guess I was right to assume that you were also feeling nostalgic." She nodded her head as I laughed. That smile gets me every time.

We each took a breath as we continued to look out at our surroundings. I could hear the birds singing a hymn in the distance, as a breeze swept through, blowing our hair into our faces. She giggled as she tried her hardest to move her hair away from her eyes. Against her best efforts, small strands of hair still managed to slide back into her face. I turned to face her and swept a strand behind her ear. Her gaze softened as she looked at me.

"Y'know, I did love you all those years ago." She froze as I continued to look at her.

"But you- You said-"

"I know what I said... I was stupid and didn't know what I had until it was gone. I'm so sorry for what I did."

"I still don't understand... why now? Why tell me now after all this time? I mean... we barely know each other anymore."

"Well... let me ask you this. Is your favorite color still green? But not just the green you'd see on a lime, the green you'd only see if you entered the forest as the sun was starting to set?"

"I mean, yeah... but-"

"What about your favorite band? Do you still find it impossible to choose just one because every artist is unique and can't possibly rank them against each other?"

"...Yeah."

"What about strawberries? You still do your strawberry dance so, they still have to be your favorite fruit."

"You... still notice that?"

"How could I not? You look adorable whenever you do it. Plus, you haven't left my mind since we graduated. It's always been you and your cute little strawberry dance ever since then-"

"Really? I thought you didn't want anything to do with me... especially after graduation."

"Well.. that happened so long ago. There's no point to dwell on it now. We're here together now, so we might as well enjoy it, right?"

"True..." She looked back out to the field. We both sat in silence for some time. Nothing about it felt awkward; it all felt perfectly placed and comfortable. In the distance, flowers swayed as another breeze swept through the field. "Honestly, I think I still love you too..." I felt blood pour into my cheeks as she turned to me once more.

"You... what?"

"Yeah- I miss what we had. I miss our adventures... I miss... you." My face continued to blush a deep red as I turned away, trying to hide how shocked I was.

"Hey... look at me. What's going through that head of yours?" She reached towards my face, turning my gaze back to her as she cupped my cheek.

"I- I don't know. I just wasn't expecting that, I guess." She let out a soft laugh as she smiled at me.

"God, you look so cute when we blush like that." Her voice was hushed as she rubbed her thumb on my cheek.

"Thank you..." I nestled my face into her grasp. "I know I never told you this, but you're gorgeous. Literally, no matter what you do, you always manage to look incredibly beautiful." As soon as I said that, her hand dropped and she laughed even harder. She turned away while covering her mouth.

"You haven't changed- You're still so corny."

"I'm glad you like it, 'cause at this point I don't think it'll ever change." I shook my head as I smiled at her.

"Good, never change it." She grabbed my hand, returning her attention to the field. I squeezed her hand, focusing on the flowers with her.

"If we continue, do you promise we'll be forever?"

"Forever." As soon as I said that, she wrapped her arms around me in an embrace. Her fruity perfume wafted up to me, making my head fuzzy. She still wears the same perfume she wore years ago and just like back then, it immediately calmed me. We sat there for what felt like hours in complete bliss.

This was it, I knew I made the right decision. Forever and always, my darling, right to eternity.