Five years ago…
"You needed me?" Arsen asked. He stood by a tree, in the woods where he and Joanna always met. They were just friends now, just friends. It was always awkward when he thought of their childhood dates… he shook his head with a smile. She was his best friend, still. She was funny, sarcastic, understanding, and really hot, too. Not that he would ever tell her, of course.
"I- I mean…" Joanna was half frozen, sucking in a deep breath. "No- but, yes?" She offered him weakly, before dropping her head in her hands. Making her way up to the tree, she dropped down and leaned back against it. "Why are words so hard?" Groaning a bit, she looked up at him. It only gave her more reason why she wanted to tell him what was on her mind.
Weeks she had spent, trying not to let her mind take control. And as soon as she had saw his face again, she couldn't help it. She hated the way she felt around him- yet it was also… calming in a sense. Bubbly feelings were rising to the surface, and she couldn't decide whether to tell him or not. "You probably think this is stupid, right? I'm wasting your precious time." Even as best friends, she knew he could be doing a million other things. He didn't need to be here to listen to her ramble.
"Of course not!" Arsen said, surprised. "My time is precious when I spend it with you." He sent her a grin. "I have nothing better to do. Coming here was an escape from the house. Dad and Grandpa are arguing again. I'm glad you called me here." He crossed his arms. "What is it? Do I need to kill anyone for you?"
Relaxing a bit, she just sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "No… no killing." She said softly, adjusting her position so she could hold a hand out to him. "I just…. I just need you to sit, and listen. And if possible, not to laugh at me when I'm done talking to you." Joanna told him softly, trying to prepare herself for what she was about to make herself tell him.
"I won't laugh at you unless you deserve it," Arsen gave his solemn promise.
He sat down on one of the many logs and trunks that littered the forest floor and looked at her expectantly. "What's bothering you, Jo? Come on, you can tell me."
Taking a moment, she let out the deep breath she had been holding. If she didn't stop thinking, she would never tell him. "I like you… like, like you, like you. A lot… and I have, for a really, really long time. I- I know this could ruin our friendship, I just… I can't keep hiding it. You're a lot more than I would have liked you to be to me… You can laugh, or tease me. Just get it over with quickly." Joanna told him, feeling a soft pink pull up on her face. She couldn't look at him. Not anymore, scared to hear what he would say.
Arsen just sat there for a long, long moment. If he hadn't been leaning against a tree and sitting on a log, he would have fallen over backwards. His mind was a race of thoughts, feelings and emotions. He realized that he hadn't spoken yet and turned to look at his friend, who looked terrified, and couldn't seem to meet his eyes.
"Well," he said slowly, trying to plan out his words. "I-I'm not good at flowery words or speeches or anything. I'm not going to tease you, either." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I think-I think I like you too - as more than a friend, I mean." He wasn't sure what else to say. Now that he thought about it, what he just said was true, very true.
When he spoke, her head jerked up and her eyes grew wide. She couldn't believe it. Heart racing a mile a minute, she half stared at him in surprise. Yes, she kind of knew he liked her… a little at least. But hearing him saying it was a totally different thing. It was a little hard to believe.
"You…. you really do?" She asked weakly, tucking her hair back out of her face. If anyone knew her well, they could tell you this was strange behavior. The girl was typically strong headed and confident. So this moment of vulnerability came as a surprise. Even to her. "I- if you don't actually like me, and you just don't want things to be awkward, you can tell me."
"I do," Arsen confirmed, hardly believing the words that came out of his mouth. "At least, I'm pretty sure." He frowned at her next words. "You should know that I will never lie about anything to you, or exaggerate things. Unless it's my awesomeness, or a present for you. Then I'll lie and exaggerate."
It was weird, telling her these things. He wanted to start babbling, to cover up the moment of vulnerability, but he refrained.
With the confirmation, Joanna felt a grin pull up on her lips. She still had pink cheeks, but she was beyond thrilled to hear he liked he. Or she was pretty sure. He had kind of run off down a rabbit trail there for a minute. When he fell quiet, Joanna scooted you closer to him, so she could wrap her arms around him. “Thank god… I was so scared that you wouldn’t.” Joanna whispered, resting her head on his chest, while her arms were around his waist.
”And I know your awesomeness. It’s hard to miss.”
"Why wouldn't I?" Arsen asked, startled for a moment as she hugged him. Then he wrapped his arms around her again and grinned. "You're pretty, funny, and willingly admit my awesomeness." He grinned.
"I guess that's true. I just- wasn't sure. You know, matter of doubt even when you're sure things will work out smoothly." Joanna sighed, smiling a little as he wrapped his arms around her. "It sucks, but guess I just gotta get over it…" She hummed a little as she looked up at him. "But what does this mean for us?"
(HERE I AM, FINALLY!!!)
"I-I don't know," Arsen said, considering. "What do you want it to mean?" He asked her.
He had never expected that she would like him. They had been friends for years… and suddenly, he learned that the Joanna liked him. It was a little bit like Christmas, only better.
(Lolll)
"I… I don't know either." Joanna admitted with a soft sigh. "I like you, a lot. I just don't know if… if we should actually be a thing. I know you, you're kind of a player, Arsen." She pointed out, in as gentle of a tone she could put out.
"I don't mean to hurt you, I just… I don't want our friendship to end in such a bad way. Should we establish some ground rules, at least?" Joanna asked softly, her eyes glued to his face… his really, really cute face. Sighing softly, she dropped her head back on his chest so she wouldn't be distracted. "I just… I think we should probably work something out. I really like you, both as a friend and more."
"That I am." The remark stung, but it was true. "If I stopped being a player?"
Arsen frowned, then nodded. "Yeah. Ground rules would be good. Do you have any ideas as to what they should be?"
"Well… no. I just- well, actually I have a few." Joanna mumbled, pulling back and giving him a soft sigh. "One, we keep it on the down-low for a little while. I don't want people to think anything bad of us. A second thing, would be that we're honest with each other. If one of us isn't feeling this anymore, we tell the other. I'd really like to still be friends with you, if this doesn't work out. We've been friends for so long, now." She started, mindlessly reaching out to run her fingers through his hair.
It was odd, but she just felt it was a natural thing. She liked getting to be close to him, touch him. Of course it was a strange desire, but that was just Joanna. "Can we agree with that?"
"I can agree to those," Arsen said, afraid that if he nodded, she would stop doing… well, whatever it was she was doing. It was relaxing, and felt nice. "I don't want our relationship to be out there on the open either. Not because I'll have another excuse to date other girls, but so that nobody thinks that I'm just using you."
He considered for a moment. "And yeah, we have to stay friends. I don't want that to change about us, not now."
Joanna felt a smile pull up, and sighed softly. "That's all I really had. If you have something else, speak now or forever hold your peace." She added on, starting to pull back a little. "Because if you have nothing, I really want to go out with you. Whether it's now, or later on, I don't care."
Pulling back fully, she brushed her own red hair out of her face. Green eyes scanning over his face, she waited expectantly to hear what he would have to say.
"I don't have any other ideas," Arsen said, then chewed his lip, staring off into space for a moment. "Although, if we do start dating, can we agree that if there is a misunderstanding about something, we don't go flying into a rage, and see what the other person has to say, first?"
His heart was thumping quickly, and it was a miracle that she didn't hear it. He was so happy right now, so happy. He never thought that the girl of his dreams, and his best friend, would actually like him back!
"I… can half agree to that. I don't think there's any way to avoid my anger, but I'll let you explain before I yell at you. I might go scream at my pillows first, but that's all." Joanna hummed softly, dropping her gaze off his face. She had been starring, and hoped he hadn't noticed.
"Otherwise I digress to that." She mumbled, tracing circles on her knee with her thumb. "I definitely agree we should let the other explain."
"Fair enough. I might - actually, you already know how I am when I'm mad. So I don't really need to explain myself." He grinned at her. "Why'd you stop looking at me? Am I really that ugly?" Arsen had been aware of her gaze for a while, but hadn't looked back at her.
"Alright. It's settled, then." He grinned at her.
Her cheeks grew a darker shade of pink, and she glanced up at him. "Oh hush. You are not ugly, and you know it. Why do you think girls are so fond of you?" Joanna asked with a stuck out tongue. Letting a smile pull up, she rested her head on his shoulder with a soft sigh.
"So are we 'official' then?" She asked in a soft tone, waiting to hear his words of conformation.
"Because of my charm and my sparkling personality," he said, grinning mischievously at her. "I'd say we are. Are you okay with that?"
Nodding a little, Joanna felt a little grin pull up. "Beyond okay with it. I've honestly been hoping this would happen. I always doubted it, though." She hummed a little, before resting her head on his shoulder. "But it looks like we're a thing now."
"Yes it does." Arsen smiled at her. "Yes it does." He rested his chin on her head and smiled.
Two years ago…
"Mmm… I like this. Why don't we cuddle more often?" Joanna asked softly, lacing her fingers with the hand Arsen had over her shoulder. The room they were in was quiet, and dark. The only source of light was coming from the fireplace the two were sitting in front of. It was relaxing, and gave off a gentle tone.
"I know we're mixed up in all of this, but we honestly need to do this more often. I wouldn't normally admit it, but even I need this." Joanna whispered as she glanced up at him. She had a gentle smile up and slowly sat up enough to peck his lips.
Arsen laughed slightly, not even bothering to shift, although he was pretty sure his left leg had fallen asleep. But this was comfortable, and he enjoyed it. He enjoyed being around her. They had been dating for three years now, and each year was better than the last.
"We really do need to do this more. If only we could be around each other more often." He sighed and pulled her closer. "Maybe, when all the exams are over, we can just cuddle for hours. Maybe days. Are you up for that?" He grinned down at her, kissing the top of her head.
Joanna felt a grin pull up, and nodded before resting her back on his shoulder. "That would be lovely… though I'm not sure your sister would let us. At least at her house. We'd have to get our own apartment." She hummed a little as she relaxed into him.
She had fallen quiet, and happily stayed curled up next to him. Her last suggestion had mostly been a joke, but now that she thought about it, it would be nice to move in with him. Though she wouldn't push the matter further. "Mm, how long have we been in here anyways?"
"I don't know," Arsen said. He laughed slightly. "Probably a long time, though. A few hours, at least?" He glanced at the clock on the wall.
"Speaking of my sister… she'd like to meet you," he said hesitantly. His family was… special, and although they'd been dating for three years, he hadn't let them meet Joanna. He didn't want to hear what they'd have to say to make this perfect thing that had come into his life crumble with their words. But Luna had insisted, so he had reluctantly agreed. But the first sign of a fight, and he'd get his girlfriend out of there.
Joanna looked up at him, seemingly hesitant at doing so. "You're sure it's a good idea? I've heard the way you talk about them," She mumbled a little, giving him a soft look. "Not enough to know everything, but I've heard you. I'd love to meet her, and the rest of your family. But I'm not sure you want me to."
Joanna sat up enough so she could reach out and play with his hair. She didn't have much else to say on the matter. It wasn't really her choice. If he wanted to take her, he would. If he didn't, then she would have to get over it.