Final Chapter

Michelle was so nervous about what Jason was going to say. She was hoping for the best but expecting the worst. Given his personality, she also didn’t put it past him to make some kind of wisecrack at her expense. The one thing she was not expecting was a confession. As such, her brain was unable to process it.

“W-w-what?!” she stuttered.

“I know it is probably irresponsible to say this, but I had to tell you the truth. Michell… I love you.”

Michelle felt the world begin to spin around her. She fell sideways off her chair. Jason leapt forward, catching her in his arms like a prince. Which only caused her heart rate to increase even further.

“Careful, you don’t want to hurt yourself any further,” he cautioned softly.

Michelle’s heart was beating so loud that she could hear it.

“That’s the last thing on my mind!” she complained, waving her hands about frantically, like a frustrated toddler.

Jason couldn’t help but laugh at her cute outburst.

“Why are you laughing?! Are you playing a prank on me?!” Michelle began to worry that his confession had all been some sort of joke.

“I’m just laughing because I think your reaction is very cute. It’s just one of the many things I love about you,” he confessed, a weight lifting off his chest.

Michelle blinked several times, trying to make sense of what she’d just heard.

“Did you say you loved me?”

“Yes.”

“Did I eat something bad?”

“Only hospital food.”

“You didn’t put anything in the cupcakes, did you?”

“Just a bit more sugar than I’d like to admit.”

Michelle broke away from Jason. She turned away, squatting down and covering her face with her hands. She had always dreamed of this moment. But now that it was happening, she couldn’t respond.

“I’m sorry, it is probably a lot to take in. I’ll take my leave now. Sorry again, but I can no longer hide how I feel about you.” He turned to leave, but he heard a shuffling behind him, and a hand gripped his sleeve.

“Don’t go,” Michelle murmured.

“I don’t want to cause you any more trouble,” Jason replied.

“You aren’t causing me any trouble.”

“I’m so sorry. It must be awkward hearing all this.”

She shook her head. Michelle felt her heart clench. She was so nervous, but after hearing Jason’s words, she wanted to be open about how she felt.

“I love you too.”

It was now Jason’s turn to experience the turning gears in his head.

“Did you say you loved me?” Jason couldn’t believe his ears.

“Yes,” she replied, unable to look him directly in the eyes.

“I see…” Jason trailed, unable to carry the conversation any further.

“Um… should we sit down?” Michelle suggested, pointing to her bed.

“Well, you probably shouldn’t be standing for too long,” Jason agreed.

Somehow, they both thought it would be easier after confessing their feelings. After spending all their time thinking about how they would eventually confess, neither even fathomed that the other would reciprocate their feelings. Now they were in this situation, neither knew what to do.

“So how long have you felt that way about me?” Michelle asked, still avoiding eye contact.

“For about a year now. What about you?” Jason replied, somewhat mechanically.

“About a year now as well.”

“Hahahaha,” they both laughed stiffly.

“Wait a minute!” Michelle shouted, standing up and turning to face Jason. Anger was clearly visible on her face. “You’re telling me that for the last year, despite your love, you were torturing me by forcing me to eat broccoli and cauliflower?”

Jason felt a migraine coming on.

“They are good for you! You even like broccoli now, or have you forgotten?” He snapped back, unable to resist being drawn into her antics.

“That’s beside the point!” She turned away, puffing out her cheeks.

Jason rubbed his forehead and let out a sigh.

“Alright, how can I make it up to you?”

Michelle glanced at Jason nervously before shifting her gaze away.

“Well, I might be willing to forgive you if you kiss me again.” She quickly sat down on the bed, and her face was bright red.

Jason noticed Michelle’s body was trembling nervously.

“I would be more than happy to, but are you sure?” Jason wanted to make sure she wasn’t just saying this because of a sugar high brought on by the cupcakes.

Michelle made eye contact with him and gave a single, embarrassed nod.

“Alright,” Jason replied, leaning in and brushing her brown hair out of her face. He caught her faint, sweet scent as he leaned closer. He could see the softness of her perfect porcelain skin. Leaning in, he cupped her chin with his hand and focused on the softness of her pink lips.

“Wait, I’m not ready!” she screamed, suddenly sitting forward. Her head met with his. He writhed on the ground in pain. Michelle rubbed her head and staggered to the desk, and began consuming cupcakes as if her life depended on it.

“Michelle! Those are filled with sugar!” Jason tried to warn, still rubbing his swelling forehead.

“I can’t do this without some sweet courage!” she replied, giving him a thumbs up.

He didn’t have it in his heart to tell her that sugar didn’t have that sort of power. He pulled himself from the ground and paced up to Michelle.

“Michelle…” Jason called, and she glanced at him with a face full of cupcake crumbs. He scooped her chin, leaning in and kissing her on the lips. After a few seconds that felt much longer, he pulled back.

“W-w-what?” Michelle stuttered nervously.

“What are you asking?” Jason prodded her.

“What did you think about that?” she asked, twiddling her fingers.

Jason paused for a moment for dramatic effect.

“Those cupcakes were really well-baked,” he teased.

“I meant the kiss!” Michelle protested back, completely falling for Jason’s bait.

Their rally bickering continued for hours. Love all.

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The End