Confusion

"Love you?" You ask softly. Part of your mind is exploding like Fourth of July fireworks, but you don't want to raise your hopes up. Your emotions have been rising and falling like a goddamn yo-yo all month. This is the last thing your heart needs. You kneel down next to her. "Melody, you're my best friend. Of course I love-"

"Don't say that!" She says quickly and loudly, holding a hand up. "Please. I...I can't listen to you say that. Not now."

"But...you're not making sense!"

"Dammit!" She shrieks in frustration. "Dammit, dammit, dammit! I LOVE you, Jack! L-O-V-E! Like head-over-heels, romantic, harlequinn dime-store novel love! You make my heart flutter and my body quiver! I - Love - You!" She angrily pokes you in the chest to accentuate each word. Your wide eyes tell everything and you finally let the celebrating part of your mind take over.

"Holy shit...you're actually in love with me."

"Yes! And as scared as pregnancy makes me, I wanted to be carrying your child. Because then you would marry me, and we would live together forever. And...and you would try your hardest to love me back. I know you would, because you would do everything in your power to make this right." She cries into her hands freely. "I wanted it so bad...I wanted to be preganant with you child so bad..."

"Well, we can always try again." You say simply, trying to keep your wavering voice even. Melody lifts her head up suddenly, so quick tears fly from her cheeks from the speed.

"W-what did you say?" She whispered softly in disbelief.

"We can try again. Of course, we will probably want to wait until we graduate next time. And I'm pretty sure our parents would approve more if we got married FIRST."

"Jack...if this is some kind of joke, I swear to God I will beat you to **** with the first solid object I find."

"No joke. If you want to start a family with me, I will be there for you." You assure her, grabbing her hands in your own lightly.

"You...you're fucking with me...you're making fun of me..." She stutters, her voice quavering. You can feel her hands are shaking madly.

"I'm not. I love you too, Melody. Head-over-heels, romantic, heart fluttering, and all that jazz." You grin at her. "And I would like nothing more than for you to bear my kid someday."

"You...you jerk!" She cries out, tears flowing from her eyes. "Why didn't you just...just tell me you loved me right away? Why did you...why did..." She flings herself at you, hugging you tightly. "You jerk! You jerk!" She cries into your shoulder. "I love you, you stupid jerk!"

"I love you too, Melody." You laugh and embrace her back.

"I've wanted so long to hear that..." She cries softly. "So damn long..."

"Me too." You close your eyes and savor the feeling of her body against yours. You hug there on the floor for several minutes before Melody speaks up again. "I...I'm on the pill today. So...So we could...you know...if you want."

"I do." You reply simply. "And I'd like to remember it this time."

"Me too..." She laughs lightly. "Could...could you make love to me right here?"

"On the bathroom floor?" You ask.

"With me in your lap." She nods. "I want you to hold me close this time."