Their laughter filled the air around them.
He picked her up, twirling around and around, her gasping for breath while pleading with him to put her down.
Slowly, he complied. But he still held her close, laughing in a joy he had never felt so strongly before. Her hands and head rested on his chest while she regained her balance. She tipped her head backwards and laughed.
"You're the best 'big brother'!"
She grinned, as if this statement should make him the happiest man alive. He tried to hold back his disappointment. He wanted to be more, so much more in her life. But how could he get past the fact that she saw him as a brother.
Yes, he wanted to protect her, shield her. But he wanted to love her, her to love him, forever and ever. Always.
Instead, he smiled into her eyes. He thought he caught a glimmer of confusion flash across her face. It was there, then gone, just like that. He couldn't be sure. But he could hope.
His right hand, almost by its own accord, slowly rose to brush away the strand of hair that forever seemed to escape her ponytail. His hand lingered there, causing her to turn her face upwards again to stare at him in wonder, as if something had just been revealed to her.
She started to step back, but he still had an arm around her, holding her close.
He'd resisted the urge for so long. Everytime she smiled at his teasing or giggled while she made fun of him. Suddenly, he could fight it no longer. He bent quickly and kissed her.
He pulled back, terrified that he had taken it too far. The look in her eyes told him just as much. He released her and turned so quickly, it seemed like one motion. He half turned, hoping against hope that she would call his name, change her mind. He finally resigned himself to the loss, leaving a big part of his heart with her forever.
She stood with a half smile on her face, watching his retreating back. Suddenly, she realized he thought the worst, that he would leave her life to save them both the pain of dealing with the issue. But she realized that if he walked out of her life now, she would never be the same. She knew now that she did love him, and not as a brother, as she had thought before.
She called his name, once, twice. He did not hear, or chose not to hear her. She turned and started running in the opposite direction, the smile on her face growing as she imagined his surprise.
He turned the corner of the building, heading towards his car. He chanced a glace back. She was gone. He had heard his name at least twice. But he had not turned, afraid that he was just wishing to hear it and would turn to find her gone. Or worse, standing there staring, still horrified at his brash action. Tears filled his eyes as he turned once more, fumbling for his keys in his pocket. Where had he put them?
He realized he must have left them inside. He groaned, knowing she would be there, that her shift wasn't over yet, that he must face her sooner than he ever would have imagined. He didn't know how he possibly could.
He looked up at his car, deciding to look for the keys there first, buying himself some time. He stopped short, staring. She stood ten feet in front of him, holding his keys in her hand. Slowly they both stepped forward, until they were staring directly into each other's eyes.
"I love you."
The simple statement was so quiet, he at first imagined she hadn't said it. But he slowly took her in his arms, feeling her in turn wrap her arms around his neck.
Once again, their laughter filled the air.
