Usually when I write, I begin with a sentence that I base the story upon.
Sometimes the sentence is something I had said or heard, this particular story began with a sentence that formed in my head "It falls differently"
I hope you like it.
Tell me if you enjoyed it, I'll post more creative writing :)
We were driving in the
car to our parents’ farm, the rain making a quiet pitter patter noise against
the windows. I was thinking about
nothing in particular when Hayley spoke up from the passenger seat.
“How do you know when
you’re in love?”
I blinked, feeling a
grin bursting from the inside. “Haha… hmmm why? What’s up?”
Those weren’t her
usual questions. Usual would be along the lines of what I do as a job, my
recent travels and the people in the cultures I’ve lived amongst. Factual,
tangible things.
She shrugged. “I just
want to know. What does it feel like?”
I was instantly taken
back to one moment years ago when I held your hand as we walked through the
park. Ordinary day; backpacks on shoulders, hungry stomachs, worried minds. When
I felt a sudden urge to hold you tightly. I squeezed your hand until you
complained and began to pull away, but I held tighter, I didn’t want to let go
of you.
“It feels like… you
have everything right in front of you.”
Hayley frowned. “Whaaaat?
How do you know you’re in love?”
I pondered again. The passing lane ended when I answered her. “It
falls differently.”
“What does?”
“The word. Love.”
“How do you mean?” She
turned to me, twenty years of wisdom and curiosity in her jet green eyes. We
have the same ‘swimming pool eyes’, as you call them.
I scratched my nose,
thinking. “When you say ‘I love you’ when you don’t mean it, it feels different
on your tongue to when you do mean it.”
She tested it, saying
the phrase aloud several times.
“It doesn’t feel like
anything special right?”
She shook her head. “What’s
it supposed to feel like when you love someone?”
“When you say it to
them, it feels complete. Like it’s the end, but also the beginning.”
She frowned at me as I
laughed. “Sorry, probably not the answer you were after. Hmmm let me think of
another way to put it.”
“How did you know you
love Alice?” She asked.
“I just said- I felt
like I had everything in front of me.”
“But how does that feel?” She emphasised.
“Like you don’t want
to be with anyone else but them… For the rest of your life. Every time you’re
with them, you feel content with each other despite your differences. And you
wish for endless days with them.”
I thought Hayley had
fallen asleep the way she was quiet for a long time. But when she spoke again,
she assured me I had made the right decision four months ago.
“She said that too.”
“Who?”
“Alice. She said when
she’s with you, she doesn’t want the day to end… Even when you’re in a fight.
She said that’s how you know you love the other person.”
We arrived at the
farm, I was feeling more sure than ever. Mum greeted me with a tight hug, one
that used to make you feel a little envious.
“Finally!” She smiled
at me, patting my back. “The rain stops just as the groom arrives.
Perfect.”
My words exactly when
I saw you at the other end of the aisle.
I love it!! :D So sweet.
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