You're My Way

You're My Way

"I've always envied you, you know."

One foot dangles down from the dock, swirling small circular patterns in the water below. "May I ask why?" she queries, voice gentle and distant.

I feel my face turning red, and silently curse my naturally pale skin. It had always been a burden when it came to hiding how I felt.

"I don't know how to explain it," I reply. I hated having to explain myself. "I guess... I just wish I could be so content with myself. More secure in who I am.

"When I first met you, that was one of the first things I noticed. I'd constantly hear people saying things behind your back, or worse, to your face, but you never seemed to care." I sighed. "I wish I could just laugh things off the way you can."

I rolled onto my stomach and dipped a hand into the cool water. Maybe I could talk her into going swimming later. "How do you do it?"

She didn't answer, just stood and walked over to the radio that was wedged between two tree branches. A deft flick of the wrist and Sugarcult's Pretty Girl wound through the woods. I smiled; it was a mutual favorite. She returned and knelt beside me, and I couldn't help but draw her down into a soft kiss.

"I can list ten thousand reasons why you shouldn't care what people say about you, but I know you won't listen, so I'll just tell you how I do it." Her gaze met mine and she smiled. "Fuck them all. Do what's right for you, and nothing else. Do it your way."

"But you're my way," I said quietly, still wondering how I'd managed to find someone so beautiful - inside and out.

She grinned as she sat back down beside me. The wood creaked and I jerked, not wanting it to fall. After all, I'd known exactly how old this place was when I'd rented it.

"You know what I wanna do?" I said, leaning in close.

She shook her head and for a moment I actually thought I saw a blush. "What do you wanna do?"

"Swim," I breathed, tackling her into the water. "Have I mentioned that I love you?" I added when we surfaced.

"I always love hearing it."

"I lov-"

"Love you, too."